Lucas Royalty is an actor best known for his role as Gus in the award winning short film “Charming.” He is also an influencer who works to spread positivity and anti-bullying messages on his social media. In September 2021, Lucas started a 12 months of giving challenge where each month he picks a new charity to raise funds and awareness for. He is currently supporting his 8th organization right now by raising funds to support the humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. Overall, Lucas has raised $10,000 to help try to make the world a better place through social media. To donate, you can engage with Lucas on Instagram to learn more about his charity of the month. Read on in our interview with this ‘charming’ young man to learn more about his career and charity work!

Where are you based?
I'm based in Los Angeles.

When did you begin acting?
I started acting around age 5. I was modeling a bit, but I kept bugging my parents to let me try acting.

You are best known for your role as Gus in the award winning short film "Charming." What was it like starring in this Prince Charming adaptation?
It was so much fun. I mean, it was my first real job. I didn't understand at the time how important it would end up being. I thought it was fun to play with swords and talk to a prince. The director Tom Albanese was super kind and funny. We are still good friends today, and we still work together.

How do you usually prepare for your roles?
I usually read the script a few times and try to visualize how I would feel in a similar situation. Sometimes I act the scene out, record it to watch, and then make adjustments and try it in different ways until it feels natural.

As a child actor, how do you protect yourself and your mental health?
My parents keep me pretty grounded. They always tell me I'm just a regular kid that acts, not just an actor. And like once I've finished an audition, I move on and try not to think about the results. I do my best and have fun. I have a lot of friends and hobbies that help me have fun outside of the industry. I love being at the beach, surfing, and traveling!

You are also an influencer who strives to spread positivity and anti-bullying messages. Why is this topic important to you?
Yes. I didn't know what an influencer even was when I was younger, but I was bullied a lot when I went to regular school. It hurt my feelings, and I never wanted other kids to feel the same way, so I decided to use my social media to spread the word. I think that kids, and even adults, are often going through a lot in their life, and you might not be aware of that, so it's always better not to judge anyone until you know them in real life. Unfortunately, even now, I am still a victim of online bullying. My parents don't let me see the bad comments, but we talk about them and how to handle them when I'm older.

What are some ways you promote these messages on your social media?
I always try to be supportive of other people and be positive. In the past few years, I really feel like the world needs more happiness. I even started a charity drive on my Instagram called the "12 months of giving, "where I pick a new charity every month and raise funds and awareness. I'm supporting my 8th organization right now. I'm raising funds to support the humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. Overall I've raised more than $10,000 to help try to make the world a better, safer, and happier place through my social media.

You work with brands like Hugo Boss and Abercrombie & Fitch. What drew you to modeling?
I'm a creative person. I love clothing and mixing and matching stuff to create a cool look that is my style, and I guess modeling is a way to express myself. I like to portray different emotions to the camera…. It's similar to acting in that way.

Do you have another brand that you would love to model for in the future?
Definitely Gucci!

Jejune was so impressed to hear about your 1-year charity challenge! Can you share with our readers your inspiration for this challenge?
In the past few years, I really feel like the world needs more happiness. There is so much bad stuff going on with covid, kids being hungry, parents out of work, and just it started really weighing on me. I had done a bunch of fundraisers before, but I wanted to do something consistently, and be able to pick and help different causes.

You have worked with a variety of organizations within the first few months of the challenge. What are some of the charities you have worked with so far?
We have raised money and awareness for "Solving Kids Cancer, "St Jude," "No Kid Hungry, "the Pajama Project," "The Leary Firefighters Foundation," "The Innocence Project," and last month, we worked with the "WC Kitchen" to provide food to displaced families affected by the war in Ukraine.

How do you choose what charities to raise money for?
Some are personal, like cancer, because that has touched my family. Some are charities I've looked into or heard about and then researched, and some come from the need around us, like when there are fires, or this awful war in Ukraine.

How can people donate?
Every month I post my charity on my Instagram account @lucasroyaltyofficial, and I explain all about it and why I chose it. Then I link a donation button to my Instagram page. I usually do a live chat about the charity and talk about it with my friends and family to share as well.

Are there any issues you are particularly passionate about?
Anything that involves children in need really makes me want to help. Cancer charities because it has touched so many people's lives that I know. And the Lupus Foundation. My grandmother had Lupus SLE with Kinsey's involvement, and she suffered for so many years. The disease takes so many forms. She passed away from it in 2019, and the best thing I can do to honor her memory is to raise funds and awareness about Lupus.

What is March's charity? What made you decide to choose it?
March's charity was for an organization called "The WC Kitchen." They are a charity that helps cook and deliver meals to refugees and people who are displaced by war. I felt this was urgently needed because of what is happening in Ukraine. So many hundreds of thousands of families are fleeing for their lives, and they only have what they can carry with them. So, the thought of them receiving a warm meal and wholesome food when they arrive makes me feel like I can do a little something to help. I believe I raised close to $950 on Instagram and additional donations from personal friends and family.

What is your fundraising goal for the rest of the challenge?
There are a few more that I had envisioned doing — definitely something for the environment or ocean clean up. And I want to do a charity for Lupus in honor of my grandmother. I started my charity challenge in September of 2021, so I have four more months to pick deserving organizations. And I intend to continue next year as well.

How are you staying positive during the current wave of the pandemic?
I focus on good things like talking to friends or gaming with them. I learned to surf during covid because the ocean was one of the only places that was open! And now it's one of my favorite things to do! So I just try to keep busy and focus on my goals.

What does your new normal look like?
I was already homeschooled before the pandemic, so that didn't change much. It's definitely strange having to get a covid test like every other day just to be able to work, but at least I know it's keeping people safe. Wearing a mask for two years was strange, but I got a lot of cool ones and just kind of made it part of my outfit.

The most significant change for me is the way you do auditions now. Before, you would get to go to a casting office and actually meet people in person so they could see your personality and how we do every audition by a self-tape. So I definitely miss interacting with people and making those connections in person. But I guess it's better than fighting LA traffic, lol.

Do you have any future projects that you would like to promote?
I have a project I just worked on for a network TV show. I'm the co-star, and I think it will air in May, but I'm not allowed to say what it is just yet, but it's a great role, and it was amazing to get to portray this character!

I'm also filming an indie feature with the same director from Charming, but we are on hiatus right now.

What is your motto in life?
To work hard, have fun, be authentic and always choose kindness!

To learn more about Lucas Royalty and his charitable donations, please follow him at the links below:
Instagram: @lucasroyaltyofficial
Twitter: @LucasDRoyalty

One Year of Giving with Lucas Royalty