As I delve deeper into the captivating world of acting, I find myself deeply moved by the story of Josh Andres Rivera and his portrayal of Aaron Hernandez in “Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez’s House.” His life experience, much like a chameleon adapting to its environment, seems remarkably similar to the character he portrays.
Josh Rivera, only half-seriously, admits that he’s currently focusing on losing weight. He jokes about Hollywood’s preference for slender actors, pointing to Timothée Chalamet as an example of someone working hard to maintain his lean physique. We find ourselves at the Brooklyn Boulders rock-climbing gym in Long Island City during a sunny July afternoon. Rivera, who had gained almost 30 pounds of muscle for his role as Aaron Hernandez, the late star Patriots tight end who was convicted of murder, appears quite muscular even in his loose beige cutoff shirt and gray shorts that stretch across his bulk.
At the age of 24, Rivera was serving as an understudy for the traveling production of Hamilton, when he submitted a recording for Steven Spielberg’s revival of West Side Story. He landed the role of Chino, the boyfriend approved by Maria (played by Rachel Zegler). “I was like, ‘That’s awesome.’ Like, ‘I’ve made it.’ ‘I’m in Hollywood now… things are looking good,'” he shared.
The initial sensation didn’t persist. Following the wrap-up of West Side Story in 2019, a pandemic ensued. During this period, he was engrossed in a workshop for The Outsiders musical production that eventually halted. It was a humbling episode. As West Side Story garnered Oscar attention in 2021, he found himself working as a barback at a downtown eatery; people would often ask him, “Are you that guy?”, to which he would sheepishly deny.
Previously appearing as supporting characters in “The Hunger Games” prequel and the film version of “Cat Person,” he subsequently took on his first leading role in “American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez.” This production is part of Ryan Murphy’s “American Story” franchise, and it was adapted from a Boston Globe and Wondery podcast. The series presents a somber, restrained depiction of the Pro Bowl athlete. At the time of his arrest on murder charges, he had a five-year, $40 million contract. He stood trial for two separate murder cases, being found guilty of killing his fiancée’s sister’s boyfriend and later acquitted on charges related to shooting two men near a Boston nightclub. Hernandez, who is of Puerto Rican and Italian descent, took his own life in prison in 2017 at the age of 27. Since then, speculation about his romantic relationships with men has arisen, turning his story into a tabloid enigma.
The show delves into Hernandez’s private life and uncovers his downfall, which was triggered by brain injuries, the pressures of fame, and anxiety concerning his sexuality. Rivera muses, “What celebrity and earning wealth at a young age really reveals is quite intriguing.” His personal life now includes a romantic relationship with his West Side Story co-star Zegler, an aspect he finds peculiar and uncomfortable since he’s not accustomed to such public scrutiny. Previously, he could hide behind his more prominent castmates, but now that’s no longer possible, he admits.
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As a child of Puerto Rican chemists, I followed my parents’ footsteps to the United States mainland in the mid-80s, settling in North Carolina initially. At just one year old, my parents’ separation led me to move with my mother to Connecticut, later to Boulder, Colorado. In high school, I found camaraderie with a quintet of friends, forming a band that played timeless tunes such as Elton John’s “Your Song” and Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On.” A transformative moment came when I was cast as Marius in Les Miserables, igniting my passion for musical theater.
The narrative entitled “American Sports Story” chronicles Hernandez’s journey from his early years up until his untimely death in prison. The series interweaves his personal hardships and achievements – such as the tragic loss of his father, his complicated romantic entanglements with men, and his victories on the football field – with his two murder trials. The producing duo, Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson, who previously collaborated on the 2016 production “The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story“, developed this show. They are also known for their work in the Hunger Games film series, with Jacobson being present during casting for Rivera as she prepared to take on the role of Hernandez. According to Simpson, it’s challenging to find actors who convincingly portray athletes because they are typically quite distinct from most people.
Initially, Rivera only had a general understanding of the story. As he casually knew him as a professional NFL player who committed such an incomprehensible act, he expressed a common sentiment, saying, “This guy is an NFL player who murdered civilians; that’s insane,” he recalls. However, he was unaware of many details about his childhood. Upon Jacobson’s recommendation, he watched a Netflix documentary featuring one of Hernandez’s alleged male partners speaking out and listened to the podcast based on it, which delved into his tumultuous relationship with an abusive and homophobic father and how the football industry sheltered valuable players. As he learned more about the story, his feelings shifted, and he became invested, saying, “I feel sympathetic now; I want to know more,“.
Initially, Rivera tried out for Jacobson, followed by a reading session with Patrick Schwarzenegger, portraying Tim Tebow. According to Simpson, Hernandez exhibited complex layers; he appeared friendly and humorous on the surface, yet struggled internally. “Josh possessed the charisma and warmth needed to connect with him,” Simpson explains, “as well as the depth to guide the character through his necessary development.”
As a film enthusiast, I’ve been captivated by the series that delves into the life of Hernandez, where at the University of Florida, he was shielded from repercussions and gradually drifted into distinct realms post-Patriots signing. On one side, we witness a harmonious family life with his fiancée, Shayanna Jenkins (Jaylen Barron), and our precious daughter, in stark contrast to the grittier sphere of companions and associates, such as Alexander Bradley (Roland Buck III), who alleged that Hernandez had shot him one fateful night.
Rivera observed that Hernandez adapted his communication style based on the groups he was interacting with, revealing various aspects of himself while concealing his distress with friendliness. “When I feel awkward,” Rivera explains, “I tend to smile a lot. It seems like a defense mechanism, and I believe Hernandez may have used something similar.”
In the show, the hair and makeup team played a crucial role in Rivera’s physical metamorphosis. They enhanced his nose with a prosthetic bridge to give it a more pronounced look, and he underwent a painstaking three-hour procedure as they tattooed Hernandez’s designs onto his body. To prevent the tattoos from smudging, his arms were suspended from slings affixed to the ceiling during the process.
In essence, the actor Darren Criss, who played a character many perceive as closeted and for whom some even question his own defense attorney’s assertion of straightness, found himself confronted with queries about representation of queer individuals due to his portrayal of the gay serial killer Andrew Cunanan in “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story,” a role that earned him an Emmy. After facing criticism for taking on prominent gay roles, Criss declared in 2018 that he would cease accepting such parts.
Rivera explains that he doesn’t find himself in quite the same situation as Hernandez, who publicly identified as a straight man until his death. He mentions that he wouldn’t have participated in a show centered around an openly gay man, whose character was about embracing their sexual identity. However, he acknowledges feelings of fear when it comes to taking strong stands in the face of potential public scrutiny. He has observed Zegler navigating the scrutiny that comes with fame and expresses admiration for her courage in standing up for her beliefs. He shares his reservations about sharing his own opinions freely due to the subjectivity of interpretation among the general public.
If he continues to take on larger acting roles, it seems like maintaining his privacy might become more challenging: “So, I guess that’s something that could shift a bit, right?” He’s already preparing for potential leaner periods by learning video game development and C# coding. For now, he lives in Jersey City all by himself and is nonchalantly saying, “Who knows? We’ll find out.”
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2024-08-27 14:54