Kingston Rumi Southwick is a rising actor and model who is popular for his role in the Apple TV+ series Presumed Innocent, developed by David E. Kelley. He first caught attention as Josh Stevens in the 2013 film 9 Full Moons.
As his career gains momentum, fans are eager to learn more about his off-screen life. Beyond the spotlight, Kingston’s world is rich and diverse. From his unique family heritage and budding career to his love for baseball, there’s much to uncover. Adding to the intrigue are rumors of a split from his girlfriend.
His Parents Are His First Inspirations
Kingston was born on January 15, 2008, in Hollywood Hills, California. He is the son of Brad Southwick and Shahrnaz Nancy Southwick, who are exceptionally proud of his rising career in the entertainment industry. On his 16th birthday, his mother shared on Instagram: “We are proud of you is an understatement. Love you with all my heart and am honored to be on this journey of life with you, my bright beautiful son.”
Both his father and mother also have substantial experience in the acting world, which naturally influenced him from an early age. In an interview with PopWire, Kingston was asked, “How did acting come into your life?” He responded, “I’ve always had a passion for acting.” He continued, explaining his familial influence: “My mom is a producer and dad used to be an actor and acting coach and so I kind of grew up around it.”
His mom has also produced two on-screen projects, The Flow and Dear Albert.
This creative legacy is part of what strengthens the bond between Kingston’s folks, who married on February 14, 2005.
They Have Embarked On New Artistic Endeavors
Continuing their new artistic pursuits, his mother is a renowned writer and cultural creative. Her articles and editorial insights have graced the pages of several renowned international magazines, including Flaunt Magazine, UK Spoon, and Obvious Magazine.
Brad, Kingston’s father, is a skilled decorative artist whose work has been featured in prestigious publications like Elle DECOR and House Beautiful. From painting and stencils to murals, plasters, wallpaper enhancements, mosaic design, and fabric design, his expertise appeals to a broad clientele. Among his notable clients are some of the most iconic figures in entertainment, including Cher, Carrie Fisher, Debbie Reynolds, Elton John, and others.
He Is of Iranian Descent on His Maternal Side
Southwick’s ethnicity includes Iranian roots from his mother’s side.
His maternal grandfather, Ali Bozorgmehr, an acclaimed artist from Neyshabour, Iran, melds Persian calligraphy with painting in his work. Furthermore, his artistic creations, which integrate the epic poetry of Rumi, Hafez, and Omar Khayyam, are organically expressive and transformative, connecting traditional Persian artistry with contemporary influences.
Kingston Switched to Online Classes After His Acting Breakthrough
He was enrolled in a public high school in California when he secured a role in Presumed Innocent. This opportunity led him to switch to online schooling to better manage his new acting commitments. Prior to this change, he and his younger sister Soraya, who was born on September 20, 2011, attended the same school.
Like her father and grandfather, Soraya has a keen interest in art. In June 2020, her mother captured a moment of her deep-creative work in her father’s art studio and shared it on Instagram with the caption, “Soraya is a true artist at heart 💙 she loves spending hours in her Dad’s art studio.”
His Girlfriend Is An Actress
Southwick has a somewhat complicated relationship with actress and singer, Lily Brooks O’Briant. While specific details of their dating timeline are unclear, their romance became public in January 2023 when Lily, 20, shared a birthday message for Southwick on his 15th birthday through her Instagram. Although the original post has since been deleted, her message read, “Happy birthday to my favorite person. Thank you for always making me smile.”
In the comments, Southwick also replied, “Thank you so much for making me feel so loved. You are the kindest soul on this planet and I can’t believe you’re mine.”
This tender exchange was more than just words; their affection was publicly displayed when they attended the premiere of the Disney+ Music Docu-Special “Bono & The Edge: A Sort of Homecoming, With Dave Letterman” in Los Angeles on March 8.
Despite the buzz their relationship generated, things seem to have turned grey lately. According to the latest reports, the couple is rumored to have parted ways in December 2023. However, their ongoing social media interactions suggest otherwise.
The complexities arose in March 2024 when Southwick posted a series of photos on his Instagram, with O’Briant commenting, “Thanks again for coming to my show, Kingston! It was so great seeing you!”
Contrary to the rumors of their split, it is highly possible that they might still be in a relationship secretly.
His Role In ‘Presumed Innocent’ Is Quite Noteworthy
The eight-episode series, which premiered globally on June 12, 2024, has garnered critical acclaim. It stars prominent actors such as Jake Gyllenhaal, who also takes on the role of executive producer, alongside Ruth Negga, Renate Reinsve, Chase Infiniti, and Bill Camp.
Adapted from Scott Turow’s best-selling novel, ‘Presumed Innocent’ revolves around a shocking murder that shakes the Chicago Prosecuting Attorneys’ office after one of their own is suspected of the crime. The narrative, a hit since its 1987 publication and famously adapted into a 1990 film starring Harrison Ford, finds new life with Gyllenhaal stepping into Ford’s original role again.
In the series, Kingston played Kyle Sabich, the son of Rusty (played by Gyllenhaal) and Barbara (played by Negga) Sabich.
On June 9, the cast also made their debut on the red carpet at the Tribeca Festival World Premiere, held at the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center in New York, NY. During this event, Kingston revealed to People magazine how his on-screen dad Gyllenhaal brought ice cream trucks to the set, creating “a really good family environment with the cast, the crew, and the directors,” which everyone thoroughly enjoyed.
In addition to his burgeoning acting career, Southwick has also taken up modeling, appearing in the pages of Wonderland Magazine and collaborating with various fashion brands.
He Excels in Baseball and More
Apart from his acting endeavors, Kingston Southwick has pursued a wide array of interests outside the entertainment world, including sports and music. He began playing baseball at the age of four. In May 2019, his team also won the league championships. Celebrating this achievement, his mother posted a photo of him with the trophy, writing, “I am so proud of this kid’s mental and physical dedication to overcome obstacles and persevere.”
His father also praised his performance, commenting, “What a great game and what a great attitude this kid has!!!”
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In addition to excelling on the baseball field, Southwick is an avid skater and music enthusiast. He also plays guitar and piano.
