“Insecure”'s Jay Ellis Stapled His Hand to ‘Profess My Love’ to Third Grade Teacher: ‘My First Heartbreak’ (Exclusive)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/jay-ellis-27th-annual-sagindie-actors-only-brunch-060424-1-a2470ef361b1422ea5fc2a998e6a934a.jpg)
The actor shares the story in his new memoir, ‘Did Everyone Have an Imaginary Friend (or Just Me?)’, out July 30
Fred Hayes/Getty Images Jay Ellis in 2024
Jay Ellis is sharing his story in a new, ‘90s nostalgia-infused memoir.Speaking at a pre-publication event for his forthcoming memoir, Did Everyone Have an Imaginary Friend (or Just Me?), the Insecure and Top Gun: Maverick star, 42, shared a specific story that stood out to him throughout the writing process: one involving his mischievous imaginary friend and a former teacher.“My first love was my third grade teacher, Ms. Calloway,” the actor told PEOPLE. “Mikey, my imaginary friend, told me to staple my hand because if I stapled my hand, then I would get to sit in the chair next to Ms. Calloway's desk, and then I could profess my love to her and tell her why I was the man that she should be with in third grade.”
Steve Granitz/FilmMagic Jay Ellis in 2024
“It was my first heartbreak,” he added.Earlier this year, the actor announced the summer publication of the debut memoir. Did Everyone Have an Imaginary Friend puts Ellis’ childhood imaginary friend, Mikey, in the spotlight. Mikey kept Ellis company throughout his military family’s frequent moves during his childhood, and stood by his side through difficult moments in Ellis’ life, such as losing his cousin.
Related: Jay Ellis' Wife Nina Senicar Cradles Baby Bump at 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party After Announcing Pregnancy
The book is an ode to childhood wonder, and the importance of keeping it alive, even in adulthood. Ellis said that switching gears from acting to writing was challenging, even though the subject matter was familiar.The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images Jay Ellis in 2024
“Writing is hard. Writing is so hard. It's very much challenging,” Ellis said. “I think as a performer, I get the words, and then I breathe life into those words, and I get to create a character. Absolutely love that, adore that. I hope I do that until the end. When you have to write it, it's a completely different thing.”There's another element to writing that Ellis didn't foresee.“I think there's a vulnerability thing, too, that I didn't clock,” he added. “I was going to have to open up in a way where it was me opening up versus me performing a character who's opening up.”
Related: 'Top Gun: Maverick' Star Jay Ellis Says He Flew Tom Cruise's Christmas Cake to His Mexico Vacation
“It was a beautiful thing. It was fun. It was terrifying. It was miserable,” he said. “My editor, God bless her soul, she went through all of it with me and I'm grateful for it.”Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Did Everyone Have an Imaginary Friend (or Just Me?) will be published on July 30 and is now available for preorder, wherever books are sold. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People.
Welcome to Billionaire Club Co LLC, your gateway to a brand-new social media experience! Sign up today and dive into over 10,000 fresh daily articles and videos curated just for your enjoyment. Enjoy the ad free experience, unlimited content interactions, and get that coveted blue check verification—all for just $1 a month!
Account Frozen
Your account is frozen. You can still view content but cannot interact with it.
Please go to your settings to update your account status.
Open Profile Settings