Antonio "Tony Talks " Baldwin is one of the leading comedic influencers on social media, boasting an impressive 7 million followers across all platforms. Since his first viral video in 2020, Tony has captivated audiences with his unique brand of comedy and unforgettable characters. Known for his hilarious skits and signature personas, Tony has now taken his talents to the big screen with his debut Revry film, Boss Up: The Musical.
Earlier this year, the film premiered to a sold-out crowd at the Landmark Midtown Art Center in Atlanta. The screening featured a live Q&A with Pose star and activist, Angelica Ross.
“I create all my stuff on the internet and to see all the love in person was one of the most beautiful feelings," Tony tells Out. "I went through so much to create Boss Up. It was overwhelming, honestly. I do feel like the world needs more queer films that tells stories that are real.”
TK CAPTIONPARIS STEWARD for Revry
Writing and directing his first musical was no small feat. Tony not only took the reins behind the scenes but also appeared in multiple roles on screen, including two characters in the same scene.
“I'm used to playing multiple characters in one video, interacting with each other, telling some kind of story. And thank God I knew how to do that because it really helped with bringing this film together," Tony says. "I always love portraying as many people as I can. It was a fun experience all around.”
One of his standout roles in the film is Cassandra, the no-nonsense CEO of Tony Mart. While fans may recognize the sharp-tongued boss from his viral videos, the film delves deeper into her backstory and motivations.
“Cassandra is a likable bitch," Tony says. "She's a likable villain, is what I love to say. Just because we all love a good villain. We love someone who's extremely mean. But you find out why she's mean, and you find out that she's mean, but not to one person. She’s a big perfectionist and then she finds out that perfection isn't a thing.”
In addition to writing and directing, Tony also served as the songwriter for all the original music in the film, a creative realm he's already comfortable in. However, when it came to choreography, it was a whole new challenge.
“I don't consider myself a singer, and I like to dance, but I don't consider myself a dancer. I did until I started doing choreography for this film," Tony says. "And I got around some real dancers, and I was like, 'Oh, yeah, this is not my profession.' I wanted to show people that even though you can't do certain things, you can still make what you want.”
Looking ahead, Tony is already working on his next project, and yes — it's another musical.
“My next film is a musical as well. I love music, I love musicals, even if I gotta auto tune my way into. The generic name is just Boss Up 2. I want to get a little more specific with it, but all the things that I wasn't able to complete in Boss Up due to time, and due to me learning how to create a film for the first time. I now know everything I need.”
Boss Up: The Musical is now streaming on Revry.
TK CAPTIONPARIS STEWARD for Revry
