Written by: Cole Edwards

Myles Grier used to watch TV, and now he is on it.

Myles Grier, a 2011 VSU graduate, got his big break with a recurring role on ABC Family’s “The Fosters.”

After a standard audition, producers booked Grier for one episode, which eventually led to his recurring character named Garner.

“The Fosters” is a new show that is executive-produced by Jennifer Lopez. The show shines a spotlight on the LGBT community as it follows a lesbian couple raising children together.

Grier credits VSU’s professors for helping him understand his craft and strengthening his weaknesses as an actor. At VSU, Grier was an orientation leader and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. Grier was labeled as one of the VSU Graduating Visionaries in the class of spring 2011.

After graduation, Grier knew he needed to be in Los Angeles in order to pursue the career he always dreamed of, so he spent $90 on a standby flight and stayed with some fellow VSU alumni for a month until he could get on his feet.

“When I moved to LA, it helped because I knew about six friends from VSU’s theatre and mass media departments who had already moved to Los Angeles, and they were my support group,” Grier said. Although it was not easygoing at first in a big, new city, he credits his strong faith, hard work ethic and good friends for allowing him to start moving in the direction he wanted.

Grier made the move across the country with no car and had to ride the Los Angeles public transit system for eight months before he could save up enough money to buy a car.

“There was one really terrible night where I got out of an improv class so late that the buses had already quit running and my roommate was already asleep, so I had to walk eight miles home,” Grier said.

While Grier has had a bumpy road reaching his goal, he stresses early preparation for any dream a student may have.

“It’s important to start now, preparing yourself for the tools and skills you will need for your field and be prepared for every opportunity that comes your way,” Grier said.

Grier is currently in pre-production for a new web series called “Black Boots: A Greek Story.”

Grier was born and raised in the Atlanta area and was drawn to VSU by the beautiful campus, low tuition and the bachelor’s theatre degree with one of Georgia’s best theatre programs.

Grier encourages anyone interested in keeping up with him to stay in touch through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @MylesGrier.