Disney star Malachi Barton made sure to shine a light on his parents and his faith while being honored at a recent event.
“To my parents, I love you guys more than you know,” the actor said while accepting an award at Variety’s Power of Young Hollywood event. “I love you guys so much. You guys made our house a place where creativity, art, music and, most importantly, God were at the center, and dreaming big somehow felt totally normal. You taught me that success isn’t about the awards or the headlines, but it’s about the person you become along the way, so thank you for sacrificing so much so I could chase something I really, really love.”
At the end of his speech, Barton added, “Thank you, Jesus.”
Related: What Drives This Disney Star? It’s Simple: ‘Being a Light of God’
The CAMP ROCK 3 star has been vocal about his faith. In a recent cover story for Variety, Barton shared, “Honestly, what drives me is Jesus Christ, and being a light of God in a business where there isn’t a lot of that. That’s what gets me stoked when I wake up. I’m like, ‘That’s so lit! Jesus is freaking sick.’”
“You don’t often see faith being talked about in this business. There’s so many crazy things that go on,” he continued. “I use God to say, ‘I’m not here for all that crazy stuff. I’m here to do my job and have fun doing what I love through a filter of God.’”
Barton has previously starred in a number of Disney projects, including ZOMBIES 4: DAWN OF THE VAMPIRES, STUCK IN THE MIDDLE and the upcoming COVEN ACADEMY. He will also take part in the upcoming “Worlds Collide Concert Tour,” where he will join cast members from ZOMBIES, DESCENDANTS and CAMP ROCK to perform for audiences around the world.
While walking the red carpet at the Power of Young Hollywood event, Barton shared some advice former fellow Disney actors — and his CAMP ROCK 3 costars — shared with him.
“They just told me to like, not take things too seriously, enjoy myself,” he told ABC 7 EYEWITNESS NEWS. “And it’s such a basic piece of advice. But like in this business, it means more than you know. Like, being able to actually not take things seriously. Just have fun, enjoy yourself, and live in the moment and like, truly cherish every single memory is so, so important.”
Barton’s career is about to take off, but the young actor is relying on faith and family to keep him grounded.
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