Paxton Booth Is Seriously Woke
Nine year old Paxton Booth can teach everyone of us a little bit about how to be a better and more woke person. Actor, activist, fashionista, and stuntman, Paxton will having you smiling ear to ear as you watch him being rad on his BMX bike, doing stunts on his show Coop & Cami, and being more stylish than most New Yorkers I know. Paxton is an active animal rights advocate and is looking to start his own fashion line for kids, which will help fight bullying and give other youngsters a chance to fully embrace who they are. To learn more about Paxton, who I hope to be as cool as when I grow up, please read our exclusive interview below.
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Foreword by Kira Bucca, Editor in Chief of Jejune Magazine.
Where are you based?
I’m born and raised in Southern California right outside of Los Angeles.
How old are you?
I’m nine years old, but am turning ten at the end of February!
How did you get interested in acting?
My parents said I starting talking really well at a young age, so they thought it was a good idea to get into doing commercial work. I booked my first one when I was three and continued doing commercials until I was seven, when I started to aim more towards theatrical work.
Can you tell us about your role on Coop & Cami? How does it feel performing your own stunts?
I play ‘Ollie Wrather’. He’s the youngest and most outspoken of the family. He is also the daredevil of the family and is often seen doing some wacky stunt in his siblings’ live stream show.
Doing my own stunts is such a cool experience. I get to do some awesome things like fly in the air, drop from the ceiling, or just wear really cool costumes. I work closely with a stunt coordinator that makes sure I’m safe and having fun at the same time.
Do you have a favorite stunt you have done?
So far my favorite has been where I suspended from the ceiling and quickly lowered into a massage chair. It made it look like I appeared out of nowhere. We only had to shoot it a few times, but every take I asked them to drop me a little faster!
You are really into riding BMX bikes. Can you tell us a little bit about that and what got you into them? Do you hope to do some stunts with them on the big screen?
Yes, I do really like riding BMX! My dad was the editor for a BMX magazine and was big into riding, so he got me a bike when I was three. We’ve been riding together ever since! I love to go to skateparks and ride dirt jumps. Doing some BMX stunt work would be so much fun! I think it would really fit into Ollie’s character too.
We hear you have a collection of over 1,400 Hot Wheels and you frequent car shows. What is your dream car? How did you get interested in collecting Hot Wheels?
My bedroom walls are lined with my Hot Wheels collection, and it keeps growing! I’m big into collecting the older ones, but still get some new ones now and then. My grandma gave me a box of my dad’s Hot Wheels from when he was a kid. I think that is what sparked my interest.
My family and I spend a lot of summer weekends going to car shows. I always see something new when we go, but my favorite car is always the same. Someday you’ll see me driving a 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350 in classic white with the two blue stripes down the top!
You're really expressive and confident in your personal style. Where does your style inspiration come from?
Thank you! I like to look through fashion magazines and see what’s in style for adults. Kids’ fashion is fun, but there’s not as much variety. I also like to look at those who have pushed the boundaries a bit like David Bowie and Harry Styles.
We would love to hear your thoughts on creating your own gender neutral fashion brand. Can you share with us some of your ideas?
I’d like to create a fashion line that has some variety. I love all the current fashion trends you see in the adult sections, but it doesn’t transfer to the kids’ section. T-shirts and jeans are fashionable and fun to wear, but I’d like to see some more choices.
What got you interested in fashion?
I don’t know if anything sparked my interest. I’ve just always been in love with colors and textures. Fashion is a good way to express yourself.
We love that you want to create a clothing label as a way to help prevent bullying. Can you tell us a little bit about this? And why it is important to you?
I got picked on in school for wearing pink. When I shop for clothes, I buy from all the sections, including the girls’ section, and I was bullied for that too. Just because something is floral, doesn’t mean it’s only for girls and just because it’s camouflage doesn’t mean it’s only for boys. I think there shouldn’t be gender labels on clothes. It would make it so much easier for kids to express themselves and help with bullying.
Can you tell us about your work with Paw Works and the story behind your rescued pit bulls?
Paw Works is a Los Angeles based animal rescue group that takes in any breed of dog or cat. Growing up with two rescue pit bulls taught me not to judge dogs by what others think, and that every dog deserves a home.
You are so young and so woke about many things. How did you get this aware at this age?
Honestly, I just pay attention. I’ve been working in an adult world since I was three, so I’m growing up a little faster than the average kid. My parents also talk to me about everything that is happening around me.
Why do you think it is so important to be active young?
You create habits when you are young, so it’s important to get out and be active. If you sit around and play video games all day it’ll be really hard to change that lifestyle as you get older. Read a book, take a walk, volunteer somewhere or just learn something new every day. Don’t miss the world around you!
Can you give advice to any young readers hoping to create positive change in their community?
Read about your community and see if there are any issues you can help with. See if there are any local organizations you can volunteer at. Even something as simple as picking up trash can make a huge difference in your community!
What is your motto?
Be yourself and stay rad!
Please list any websites or social media that you would like Jejune to promote:
Instagram: @paxtonbooth
Photography by Adam Booth.
