The Man with a Plan

Although we know Smith first and foremost from his role as McKay, allow us to re-introduce you to the man we’ve had the pleasure of learning more about⁠—a true jack of all trades. Born and raised in Michigan, Smith started writing his own music at a young age. It wasn’t until he entered his teenage years that he began pursuing acting. Now with booming careers in both industries, Smith seems comfortable flexing his talents in any capacity, leaving little space for any downtime. Though Euphoria Season 1 has come to a close, Smith is already gearing up to drop his album ATL.

(left) Jacket by MALAN BRETON, shirt by COS, pants by VALENTINO, shoes by COS 

(right) Jacket by JETPACK HOMME, pants by ASOS, shoes by ASOS

To have a voice at such a young age is a difficult concept to grasp, yet immensely powerful when done right. “I’m a big believer in people understanding the power of their thoughts and words. Living life with a positive outlook. Honestly, just making people see their true words and the higher self within them. I want to help people find the light inside themselves, to live a happy life.” Smith’s intentions for how he wants to use his platform to connect with people beyond the entertainment industry speaks to the quality of his character and left office feeling entirely inspired.

See for yourself in our full interview with Algee Smith down below.

How did you begin your career?

I began my career writing music. I used to write music when I was nine years old. When I started writing, the interest was just rapping and singing. Later on, as the years progressed, I started finding my way with acting. I began acting when I was fifteen. I started going out for roles and then met my first agent when I was sixteen in Atlanta. From then on, it was just back and forth from Atlanta to LA auditioning.

What was your high school experience like? Any similarities to Euphoria?

I was homeschooled in high school, but believe me, I know what all that stuff is like. So even though I was homeschooled, I still have my group of friends I hung out with. It was just that home school was a lot more flexible for me with the acting. 

What made you say ‘yes’ to Euphoria?

Initially, I had an audition for the role of Ethan, and then a couple of months later I got a call from Sam, the writer, and director. He asked me to come to lunch with him. We sat down and we were just talking about McKay. I hadn’t even read the script at this point. Sam and I were just talking about the character, his background, and the show. I related and connected so much with what he was saying. After that, he sent me the first four episodes. I was reading through the episodes, and as soon as I read the first episode I was hooked. I knew how raw and real the content was. I wanted to be a part of it.

Jewelry Algee’s own, pants by COS, shoes by COS

Do you relate to your character ‘McKay’ in Euphoria?

Yes, in different ways, especially in the sense of wanting to make your parents proud. As I said, I’ve been doing music and acting since I was young. You just want to strive to make your parents proud of everything you do. On the flip side, my parents were very supportive, which obviously is very different than what you see with McKay. Also, with finding your identity in life, finding what makes you happy outside of what you do. Just being happy with yourself. You see McKay finding happiness with football, but when he doesn’t have that he starts to become depressed. That’s one thing I had to learn when I was younger as well, not just finding happiness in the things that I do, but within myself as well.

How do you find your happiness?

I find my happiness a couple of different ways. I’m a happy person. I just got a puppy, so… a Frenchie. That’s a pretty happy thing. I like listening to music. I like to be around my friends and family. I like to go to the beach. I meditate too. I am a very spontaneous person.

Did you ever have moments when you read the script and just thought “holy shit!”

Oh yeah, for sure. Definitely a holy shit moment was so at the beginning of the pilot episode, it was supposed to be a different shot, where they start in the Mother’s stomach, and when I read that shot I was like ‘golly.’ As soon as it begins, it’s already so graphic. Obviously, reading everything that Rue was going through was very heartbreaking, but it’s all for a real reason—truth and honesty.

(left) Sweater by JETPACK HOMME, jeans by JETPACK HOMME, shoes by ASOS

(right) Jacket by JETPACK HOMME, pants by ASOS, shoes by ASOS

Has it been difficult hearing responses, when some audience members consider Euphoria ‘too much’ or ‘too real?’ What do you have to say about that?

I definitely think you will get different responses to whatever you do. I just think since it starts a conversation, so it’s a good thing. We have people talking, and we’re all talking about something that’s very important in today's society. So, as long as people are talking about it and we're having conversations about it I think it’s a great thing.

You’re only 24, and have such a huge platform, how do you want to use your voice?

Oh yeah, really great question. I’m a big believer in people understanding the power of their thoughts and words. Living life with a positive outlook. My family and I are also big on helping to eradicate homelessness. Honestly, just making people see their true words and the higher self within them. I want to help people find the light inside themselves, to live a happy life.

How does music make you feel?

Music feels so natural to me. It felt that way when I first started, and I just try to chase that feeling a lot. Now when I’m in that feeling, I may feel that I want to uplift someone, or I want to be emotional today, or I want to be angry on a song. It just depends, but the start of it all is because it makes me feel good.

Tell me a bit about your song “#AllGirlsMatter”.

#AllGirlsMatter is a very upbeat song, a bit of a bouncy vibe. Overall, it’s a very fun song. The meaning behind the song is that no matter your shape, size, color—it doesn’t matter. Because all girls matter, you matter to someone in the world. There are a lot of pictures and images right now online that try to tell women what they should look like to be ‘sexy,’ or whatever. We are trying to destroy that.

Do you plan on touring/upcoming shows?

I’ll for sure be touring one day. You gotta come to the show. I’ll be touring soon so we gotta get you some tickets.

One thing you can’t live without?

A piece of mind first of all. Another thing—music, and obviously water.

(left) Jacket by MALAN BRETON, shirt by COS, pants by VALENTINO, shoes by COS

(right) Jewelry Algee’s own

Dream role?

I want to play a couple of different roles. I definitely want to play a superhero. I’ve always wanted to do that. I don’t know though, I really just want to play roles that challenge me. I want to play a mob boss role one day, a movie that’s talking about space and time. One person I look up to in the film industry is Will Smith. He has tapped into every single genre, and that’s what I want to do.

What’s next for you? Any secret projects?

I mean, definitely not a secret, but I have my EP coming out on August 28th. That’s called ATL, so you can be expecting that, and there are some visuals from that as well. Just seeing me a lot more, a lot more content surrounding my music and seeing the artist that I am, and getting to know my story a little bit more.

Any last words?

I just want to say thank you to everyone who’s watched Euphoria, no matter your outlook on the show. Thank you for supporting it, and please take into account that there are real people who are dealing with these things. We appreciate every ounce of support that we get.