More opportunities arise for young stars of 'Moonlight'

Film nominated in 8 Academy Awards categories

MIAMI – With the 89th annual Academy Awards just days away, Local 10 News reporter Neki Mohan spoke to some of the young cast members of "Moonlight," which is nominated in eight categories, including Best Picture.

In their Norland Middle School theater classroom, Alex Hibbert and Jaden Piner were in their element doing warmups and taking cues from their teacher, Tanisha Cidel, when Local 10 visited them.

But since their starring roles in "Moonlight," Alex, who plays young Chiron, and Jaden, who plays Kevin, said the past year has been a whirlwind.

Although the film was filmed in South Florida, the boys traveled around the world for press junkets to promote the movie.

"Canada, L.A., New York and London," Alex said.

The boys, who got to walk to the red carpet at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, are now on the Hollywood radar.

"I like expressing myself," Jaden said. "It's like the place I go to when I am down. It brings me up."

The boys are getting more opportunities, as Alex just inked a deal with Showtime and begins shooting in April in Chicago.

He said "Moonlight" will always be special to him.

"I feel like it's a very beautiful movie," Alex said. "It tells us what's going on in our community (and) it's not just black lives, it's like straight up Miami and what's going on in our community, and it's harsh at the same time -- trouble in paradise."

The two boys also enjoy being back in school and being just kids. They credit their time at Norland Middle School with their success, and it's just the beginning for the two young stars.