Off Campus star Stephen Kalyn has stepped into the commercial spotlight with his recent appearance in a new Verizon advertisement, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Released Tuesday morning, the ad entitled “Simplicity is Sexy” is Kalyn’s first major brand endorsement since his breakout role in the popular college-set series. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Kalyn expressed some initial apprehension about stepping into the commercial world, stating, “It was a little nerve-wracking at first but once I got into the groove of things, it’s so much fun.”
He elaborated on the stark contrast between acting in commercials and his usual work, noting, “Doing a commercial is so different from doing what I do naturally.” However, he is enthusiastic about collaborating with Verizon, describing it as “so different.”
The black-and-white advertisement draws inspiration from iconic Calvin Klein campaigns, particularly an ad featuring Aaron Taylor-Johnson. The project was brought to life under the direction of Bardia Zeinali, known for his work on Calvin Klein’s Deal with It campaign.
In the newly released spot, Kalyn delivers a captivating voiceover, declaring, “It’s you. It’s only you. You’re the one,” as he dances in a white tank top to the sultry rhythms of INXS’ “Never Tear Us Apart.” The actor described the filming experience as “cool,” admitting he lost himself in the moment, joking, “That’s kind of how I was feeling,” referring to his exuberant dance moves and the playful atmosphere on set.
Kalyn’s close circle was also eager to see this new facet of his career. “I showed it to Victoria, my fiancée, and she was like, ‘Get home right now,’” he laughed, adding that she loved the final result.
This ad marks a continued trend for Verizon, which has recently embraced celebrity branding. Earlier this year, Heated Rivalry star Connor Storrie appeared in a short film for the company, directed by Nia DaCosta. Leslie Berland, Verizon’s Chief Marketing Officer, commented on their collaboration with Kalyn and Zeinali, stating, “We set out to blend nostalgia with current zeitgeist, and partnering with Stephen and Director Bardia Zeinali brought that vision to life.”
Kalyn has been generating buzz since his role as Dean Di Laurentis in the hit Prime Video series Off Campus, and he is set to lead the second season alongside Mika Abdalla, with filming currently taking place in Vancouver.
Discussing the demands of his rising career, the 28-year-old Canadian actor remarked, “I’ve been very, very busy. Long, long days on set. I’m there pretty much every day,” but he conveyed genuine gratitude for the opportunities afforded to him.
Transitioning from a supporting role to a leading character in Season Two has come with its challenges. Kalyn mentioned that after a couple of weeks of intense shooting, a ‘crash’ is common, but supportive dialogues with showrunner Louisa Levy help keep him revitalized.
Reflecting on his rapid ascent in the industry, Kalyn expressed how remarkable it has been to work on such varied projects. He humorously noted seeing ads featuring stars like Mike Myers and Kevin Hart alongside his own work, commenting, “I can’t quite comprehend I’m also doing these.”
As for his aspirations moving forward, Kalyn is optimistic. “Success. Success. Success,” he articulated, hoping for more opportunities in film and television. He expressed a desire to dive into another project shortly after wrapping Off Campus Season Two, but acknowledges that the future holds untold possibilities.
