Trinity Whiteside, A Star on The Rise: His Hustle & Grind

Trinity Whiteside took viewers by storm with his portrayal as Preston in one of BET’s premiere hit television shows Tyler Perry’s Sistas. Preston is a white character on the show who has his first experience dating a Black woman (Danni, played by Mignon). The tension between the two rises as race and culture play a significant role in their relationship dynamic from friend groups to family.  

Working on Tyler Perry’s Sista’s and with Tyler Perry  

I spoke with Trinity about his experience playing the role of a character who is 100% white while he is biracial (half black & half white). “The great part about playing a character like Preston is he is so far off the spectrum of who I am in my everyday life as a Black man. Though my skin tone may be that of someone white, passing my demeanor and soul is that of a Black man,” said Whiteside. This role was both a breakout and a challenge for Trinity. With any part, the actor has to find a way to empathize with them in how they view the world, their actions, and even if they have a nefarious agenda, but this wasn’t the case for him. Trinity said, “Playing this role gave me the confidence I need as an actor because I’m playing someone who I can’t relate to because the way Preston sees and interacts with the world is opposite of me and how I’m living everyday life.” In his role, Trinity can demonstrate his ability to genuinely and authentically get into character.   

“The approach I take for Preston is thinking what would be the complete opposite of how Trinity would think about a situation, his attitude, and knowledge of African-American culture,” Whiteside.   

It’s interesting for Trinity because, in the show, he has to act as if he doesn’t know how to interact with a Black woman or understand her. He was candid about growing up biracial and how much of his identity and culture were shaped by the Black women on his father’s side. “Black women on my father’s side had a major hand in who I have become today. So, acting as someone who doesn’t know how to deal with Black women is something in itself when it’s my reality regularly. My wife is Black, and I’m well versed in dealing with Black women,” said Whiteside.  

“The stuff you see from Tyler Perry is a microcosm of who he is as a person,” Whiteside.   

Trinity had worked with Tyler Perry before on various projects in smaller capacities. However, he said working with him has been one of his career’s best and most rewarding experiences. “It doesn’t even seem like work when you are working with Tyler. I mean, it’s working when we arrive on set, but Tyler makes it fun and comfortable for all of us,” said Whiteside. This role took his excitement to the next level because the capacity at which he worked with him increased.   

Trinity’s Love for The Craft   

“Even back then, I was enamored with creativity and expression,” Whiteside.   

I’m always interested in learning about an actor’s origin story, and with Trinity, he went back to grade school. As a child make, believe was his favorite pastime, but he enjoyed it solo. “As a kid, I didn’t like to invite other kids to play make-believe with me because if they weren’t really into it and it wasn’t believable, it would bother me,” said  

Whiteside. Identified early on as a gift always had this spirit of focus and determination that he takes with him throughout his journey.   

In the spirit of determination, Trinity recalled times when he would drive three hours to do extra work. “There were many times when I would end up spending more than what I would get paid. I knew the money would come in due time, and I had a bigger vision for myself,” said Whiteside. He was more focused on gaining all the experiences he could. Trinity didn’t care to mingle with everyone when he was on set because he had an objective. “You would find me off to the side observing all the people in positions I aspired to be in one day. I’m learning through observation how they are doing things and preparing for the scenes,” said Whiteside. When everyone was looking to either network or get attention as an extra, Trinity wanted to make sure he understood what he needed to do to be ready for his moment.   

“The attention will come when I get into the position I want to be. A lot of times, people are in such as hurry to get right to the result that they forget you don’t get the butterfly without the caterpillar,” said Whiteside.   

Trinity said, “every time I got a new extra role, the role was bigger than the last. So, when I audition and go in for a screen test, and if I don’t get it, I know they saw something in me to bring me in in the first place.” His faith keeps him going in this demanding industry where you hear more nos than yeses. Everything is always a win for him because he knows that even the opportunities, he doesn’t get aren’t due to his inability to act but rather a change in direction from the casting directors or that the role suited someone else. “I try to control what I can control, and I let everything else fall where it does. There are always outside factors in this industry you can’t control, but if you keep plugging along, then you will eventually get to where you want to be,” said Whiteside.   

“God’s plans are great than your deadline,” Whiteside.   

 Trinity, The Father & Husband  

Before we ended our conversation, I wanted to know more about Trinity as a proud father and husband. You can visit his social media and see that his family is his world. “I love being a father, and I can be the overly active father,” said Whiteside. He is that father you will catch at all his kids’ extra-curricular activities. Work is the only reason why he has missed anything. “As far as Trinity, the husband goes, I’m with my wife 24/7. When it’s time for us to go to sleep or watch tv, I’m laying my head in her lap,” said Whiteside. His favorite place to be is with his wife and children.