Meet ANTHONY THOMPSON. The man that lights up any room he enters… as he ducks his head, to not hit the door frame! He is a beacon of positivity. Ask anyone who has been in his presence, they will say the exact same thing. Anthony is a fellow Ohioan (for better or worse haha), and we first crossed paths working at Warner Music Group. Please take some time and learn more about your fellow neighbor!

Cheers Anthony, much love - AMx

Occupation: TV Development - HartBeat Productions (Kevin Hart)

Based in: Los Angeles, CA

Tell us about yourself! What is your story up to this point in your life?

I've kinda just always loved storytelling! I saw my first Broadway show when I was seven, and ever since then I just wanted to somehow get to tell stories for the rest of my life. After a childhood full of theatre and music, I moved from Ohio to LA at the end of college to dive into the film and TV world, and it was the scariest, most terrifying, greatest decision I've ever made. I literally didn't know anyone in the city or have any job prospects, so I just interned like crazy - MTV, VH1, Paramount Pictures, A24 - until I finally got a job. I got the best of both worlds (music + film/TV) serving on the sync team at Atlantic Records / Elektra Music Group, and got to meet some of the most brilliant co-workers, music-lovers, and artists I could ask for. In the literal middle of the pandemic, I took another scary ass leap of faith and jumped into a new adventure, and it was the second best decision I've made in my life. Working at Kevin Hart's production company has been the best job of my life thus far. I wish I could tell seven year-old me that I get to tell stories every day, but I think he knows.

No path is linear, and we all face bumps in the road... what are some hardships you faced along the way - and how has that helped shape who you are today?

Mental health is still, still such a super taboo topic in the Black community, but when you're Black and queer too...? The pandemic was the first time I confronted living with depression and anxiety. The scariest part about it was honestly just not knowing how to talk about it. It affected how I viewed myself, my relationships, my dreams, and even how I ate. Or didn't eat. It's describable how much your loved ones are actually willing to help if they only know what you're going through. I'm grateful for my friends and family who were heroic enough to tell me "you're going to be okay." Because I literally gave myself permission to ask for help, I'm the strongest I've been in years.

Now let's talk about food! What is your all-time favorite dish?

My all-time favorite dish is my mom's spaghetti (she didn't pay me to say that!). Her balance of ground beef, ragu, onions and peppers, and tomatoes has been consistent as long as I can remember. And it's even better the next day. She don't play!

What is your favorite drink? (Alcoholic or Non-Alcoholic)

Is this a safe space? My all-time favorite drink is Wendy's strawberry lemonade. If you know you know!

Have you had any personal experience with cooking? If so, explain your favorite dish you have made or favorite food memory.

The pandemic has honestly forced me to fall in love with cooking. I didn't have much of a Thanksgiving last year because of the panny, so to make Friendsgiving this year a little special, I made Lobster & Shrimp Mac and Cheese, but I infused it with cannabis. Best Friendsgiving ever!

What is one outlet that you use in your life to help your own mental health or well being?

When every week is over, I try to text a different friend or relative a paragraph just expressing how much they mean to me. It just keeps me smiling. Practicing gratitude has been good for my mental health.

Follow our man Anthony on IG!

@anthitude