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A.J. Saudin

A.J. Saudin
Born
Faisal A.J. Saudin

(1992-05-14) May 14, 1992 (age 32)
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Other namesSaudin
OccupationActor
Years active2000–present
RelativesShadia Simmons (Sister) Sabrina Saudin (Sister)
Musical career
OriginMississauga, Ontario
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
InstrumentVocals
Years active2016–present
LabelsIndependent

Faisal A.J. Saudin (born May 14, 1992), known professionally as A.J. Saudin or Saudin,[1] is a Canadian actor, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is best known for his role as Connor DeLaurier in the long-running teen drama television series Degrassi: The Next Generation.

Acting career

Before finding success on Degrassi, Saudin worked as a child in print work and commercials before landing his first film role as a seven-year-old, working alongside Natalie Cole in Livin' for Love: The Natalie Cole Story (2000).[2]

He also starred in supporting roles on various TV series, including Da Kink in my Hair (2007–2009). He also hosted several episodes of Open Your Ears, a music-centered show that aired on Canada's YTV channel.[3]

Saudin landed his first lead role in the film Aruba (2006), directed by Oscar-nominated director Hubert Davis.[4][5] The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2006,[6][7] and then screened at several festivals, including the 2006 Toronto International Film Festival,[8] the 2006 Palm Springs International ShortFest,[9] the 2007 Seattle International Film Festival,[10] and the 2008 Kansas City Jubilee Film Festival.[11]

Saudin starred on the hit Canadian TV series Degrassi: The Next Generation for 7 years (2008–2015), playing Connor DeLaurier, a teenager with Asperger syndrome.[12] Saudin exited in the show in 2015 to begin focusing on his music career.[13]

He made an appearance in Drake's 2018 music video for the single I'm Upset. The music video featured a variety of past Degrassi cast members.[14]

Music career

Saudin left Degrassi: The Next Generation in 2015 to begin focusing on his music career, releasing his first single "Sunset" in October 2016.[13][15] On the social media platform, Twitter, Saudin confirmed he had quit acting permanently to begin working on music.[16]

Saudin released his debut EP, "Before I Met You" on April 21, 2017. The EP featured artists YeAli and Night Lovell.[17]

On August 25, 2017, Saudin released his second EP titled "A Midsummer's Daydream" on all music streaming platforms. The project contains four tracks, and was executive produced by himself, Emjay and dF.

On September 1, 2017, he made his live performance debut at the iconic Mod Club Theatre in Toronto, Ontario to a sold out crowd.

Discography

EPs

  • Before I Met You (2017)
  • A Midsummer's Daydream (2017)

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2006 Aruba Milan-Lead Short film

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2000 Livin' for Love: The Natalie Cole Story Robbie TV movie
2002 Street Time Lewis
2003 Comfort and Joy Derek Phillips TV movie
2005 Kojak Otis Raines / Otis Redding 2 episodes
2007 Friends and Heroes Sollie 8 episodes
2007–2009 Da Kink in My Hair Chris 5 episodes
2008 Degrassi in India Self TV documentary
2008–2015 Degrassi: The Next Generation Connor DeLaurier Main role; 200 episodes
2010 Degrassi in India Self TV documentary
Vacation with Derek Oscar TV movie
2014 Apple Mortgage Cake Marcus Logan TV Movie
Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B Rashad Haughton (Older)

Music videos

Year Title Artist Notes
2018 I'm Upset Drake

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result Notes Ref.
2010 Young Artist Awards Best Performance in a TV Series - Recurring Actor 14 and Over Degrassi: The Next Generation Nominated [18]
2011 Best Performance in a TV Series - Recurring Young Actor Nominated [19]
2012 Best Performance in a TV Series - Recurring Young Actor 17 to 21 Won Tied with Brock Ciarlelli [20]

References

  1. ^ "Saudin: What comes easy won't last, what lasts won't come easy – The Come Up Show". The Come Up Show. 2017-08-30. Retrieved 2017-09-15.
  2. ^ Townsend, Robert (2000-12-10), Livin' for Love: The Natalie Cole Story (Biography, Drama), Natalie Cole, Diahann Carroll, James McDaniel, NBC Studios, Pearson Television International, Robert Greenwald Productions, retrieved 2024-06-30
  3. ^ "AJ Saudin". CTV. September 1, 2009. Archived from the original on October 24, 2008. Retrieved 2009-09-02.
  4. ^ "About a boy". Factiva. 2006-01-23. Retrieved 5 September 2009.
  5. ^ Mark Deming (2012). "Aruba". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2012-10-22. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  6. ^ "Six Canadian short films at Sundance". CBC News. December 6, 2005. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  7. ^ "Aruba". The Sundance Channel. Archived from the original on 2008-09-07. Retrieved 2009-11-06.
  8. ^ Walker, Susan (September 8, 2006). "Shorts on show". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  9. ^ "Aruba". Palm Springs International Film Society. Archived from the original on 2010-08-02. Retrieved 2009-11-06.
  10. ^ "Aruba". Seattle International Film Festival. Archived from the original on 2012-02-17. Retrieved 2009-11-06.
  11. ^ "Aruba screening". Kansas City Jubilee Film Festival. Archived from the original on April 7, 2012. Retrieved December 30, 2011.
  12. ^ Zeidman, Matthew B. (February 28, 2009). "'Degrassi' Tackles Asperger Syndrome". Hollywood Today. Archived from the original on August 2, 2012. Retrieved September 3, 2009.
  13. ^ a b "AJ Saudin Releases New Song "The Road"". Kary's Degrassi Blog. 2017-02-14. Retrieved 2017-09-12.
  14. ^ Thompson, Desire (2018-06-14). "The Backstories To Every 'Degrassi' Character Featured In Drake's "I'm Upset" Video". VIBE.com. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  15. ^ "'Degrassi' Star A.J. Saudin Is All Grown Up And Giving Us Total Drake Vibes". HuffPost Canada. 2017-02-16. Retrieved 2017-09-12.
  16. ^ Saudin, A.J. [@AJSaudin] (13 February 2017). "Just FYI, I've always loved making music. I didn't just start because "I'm a failed actor". FYI, I quit acting after degrassi" (Tweet). Retrieved 2017-09-12 – via Twitter.
  17. ^ Price, Joe. "Listen to Saudin's Debut EP 'Before I Met You'". Complex. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  18. ^ "Young Artist Awards (2010)". IMDb. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  19. ^ "Young Artist Awards (2011)". IMDb. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  20. ^ "Young Artist Awards (2012)". IMDb. Retrieved 2024-03-09.


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