The SPY Debrief: Jovan Adepo Drops Money on $300 T-Shirts and Always Smelling Good
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Jovan Adepo, one of a constellation of stars set to shine in 3 Body Problem, Netflix’s hyperbudget sci-fi answer to HBO’s Game of Thrones (produced by the same guys, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss), was hawking Ray-Bans at Sunglass Hat when Arya was training to be a faceless man. But in the decade that followed he has become one of Hollywood’s go-to shapeshifters. In 2015, he broke through on HBO’s more subtle hit, The Leftovers and in 2016 he followed that initial success with a memorable turn in Denzel Washington’s Fences. Then the Emmy nomination for Watchmen – in which he did the superhero thing in the most complex way imaginable – and the role opposite Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie in Babylon.
Now, Netflix. And that’s not a minor thing. HBO may have cultural cache, but Netflix is the most powerful entertainment platform on the planet. It’s the biggest stage and 3 Body Problem is an unbelievably massive production (think: $20 million per episode).
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Asked about his goals for himself in the context of such a huge project, Adepo is modest and actorly. He wants to create a memorable character and, he jokes, avoid getting killed off. He’s the sort of guy who considers the worst and plans for the best. Sunglass salesman to star happens. And that’s rarely the end of the story.
SPY spoke to Adepo about his come-up, his spending habits, Air Jordan 2s, and the appeal of an all-black Subaru.
SPY: There’s more about this show you can’t talk about than what you can. But what was one thing that surprised you during production?
The amount of collaboration. When you talk about Benioff and Weiss and the success that they’ve had, it’s kind of surprising and refreshing that they were so open to ideas that each actor brought to the script. They don’t have to do that at all, you know?
What kind of guy is Saul? What can we expect from him? What did you contribute to your character that wasn’t already there?
A guy we’ve all met before. There are a couple of people in my family where — I won’t provide names because they’ll come after me — that person who is incredibly talented, naturally gifted, has all of the tools to be successful in life, but just hasn’t put it all together, or hasn’t really taken that next step into doing something that’s going to benefit them.
It’s frustrating because you see someone who has this gift. Sometimes you’re like, Why don’t you fucking use that? Why aren’t you pushing yourself to be your absolute best? And I think that’s where we find Saul.
A lot of scientists kill themselves in 3 Body Problem. And these are the Game of Thrones creators. Honestly, I’m just hoping Saul lives.
I would love for him not to die.
What’s the first major purchase you made with your own money?
This would be after I booked The Leftovers. That was my first television job.
If I remember correctly, you had been working at Sunglass Hut?
Yeah! And then I was working at a senior home in Beverly Hills. Damon Lindelof really did pull me out of that. I think my first major purchase was a Subaru Outback, which I don’t have anymore — but that was my first car that wasn’t a used car.
It was an all-black Subaru Outback with X-Mode. I was so scared because I was living paycheck to paycheck. When I started to make actual money from television, my manager’s husband, who is really good with cars, was like, “Maybe you want to go with something that’s going to be reliable and that’s going to stick with you.” I could have done the Benz or something flashy, but I’ve just never been that type of guy. I’ve always been the understated type of dude. And it was great.
Is there a purchase you ever regretted making, or that maybe wasn’t the best idea?
I regret getting a pair of Yeezys because as soon as I got them, I wore them out and they got destroyed. It was at this crowded bar and they were stomped to hell. I spent so much money on those shoes.
Since then, I’ve started collecting Nike Dunks and Air Jordan 1s.
Air Jordan 2s are kind of a secret flex.
Yeah, I have the low-top 2s. They’re underappreciated.
What other style rules have you picked up?
I’m very good at seeing certain guys in my industry who have great fashion sense and kind of copying them. They look for a plain T-shirt, a nice big jean, a flashy pair of sneakers, and a nice coat. I just got really into Coach. I have a really dope all-black Coach trench coat. I wear that all the fucking time.
Where do you get basics like black T-shirts?
Armani has really nice black tees [approximately $325]. And Polo. I’m also a big fan of AllSaints. They don’t have plain black tees, but I like their shirts because they have that vintage cut.
What kind of ads do the algorithms feed you on social media?
The big one is sneakers but also video game accessories, like VR, because I’m a big PlayStation guy. And then I see a lot of football apparel, which is weird because I haven’t played football in, like, 15 years. I played in college.
What are your favorite accessories to buy?
I love wallets. Sunglasses. I have three pairs of Coach sunglasses. And then this might sound weird, but I’m really into collecting toiletry bags. If you’ve ever watched NFL or NBA players walking into their arenas, they’re always carrying a nice little bag. When I walk onto set, I always have one with me. It’s gotta be black leather. Inside, I’ve got ChapStick. Hand sanitizer. Travel-sized lotion. And then a small travel cologne.
What’s a regular splurge for you people might be surprised by?
The thing that I spent the most money on recently was tattoos. That’s an addiction that I really need to stop. You have to cover them when you’re doing jobs.
You have to waste more time in the makeup chair.
So much more time. It fucking sucks. But then you’re like, “But I love tattoos!”
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