Per The Hollywood Reporter, Philemon was 6 years old when he saw The Lion King at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre. Not only did he love the production like the rest of us, but he also left with the urge to become an actor.

As a teenager, Philemon secured a few small roles on television programs such as Criminal Minds, Good Luck Charlie, The Forgotten, and All Rise. However, his big break did not arrive until Single All the Way.

The opportunity has changed his life for the better, and he hopes his portrayal propels Hollywood into making more films like this one.

"I definitely think this is going to be the first of many, " he told W Magazine. "People are not afraid to tell these stories of being authentic and genuine. It means the world to me to have this type of representation, especially coming from a Black standpoint — again, I didn’t have that. "

Single All the Way is now streaming on Netflix.