Colton Tran and Bryce Eberly met in September 2023 at a mutual friend’s pool party in Los Angeles. “There was an instantaneous connection,” the pair attest. When Tran discovered that Bryce’s birthday had occurred two days prior, he proposed “a late birthday kiss.” Eberly agreed, and ever since, “we’ve both been growing and exploring life together.”
“He brings back this sense of home for me, that is beyond comforting in a city I just moved to less than 12 months ago,” sings Eberly, a marketing professional who graduated from Penn State last year.
Tran, an actor and filmmaker known for Seek and The Sex Lives of College Girls, adds, “I instantly fell in love with his ambition, passion, and intellect. His ability to challenge me in so many ways has strengthened us to become the best versions of myself, himself, and our relationship together.”
The pair are also creative collaborators — you may have seen some of their videos on Instagram or TikTok providing humorous commentary on queer culture. And they’re working together to promote Sketch, a new horror-comedy limited series directed and cowritten by Tran that stars JoJo Siwa.
Ahead, Tran and Eberly, while modeling Dockers, discuss their work-life relationship and give advice to those entering the work force in 2024. First, a key pearl of wisdom is bringing a good look to a business meeting. “Fortunately, we both have a similar sense of style — which makes it easy stealing each other’s clothing,” they say. “So, a comfortable pair of relaxed jeans, a collared shirt of some sort, and a casual shoe that embodies our individuality — and at times, a cute li’l accessory, depending on how we feel that day.”
COLTON in DOCKERS Pants and Shoes
Kal Yee
Colton Tran
Director/Actor (Sketch, Seek, 8 Bodies, The Sex Lives of College Girls)
Instagram and TikTok: @coltontran
After lockdown and the strikes, there has been a lot of upheaval in Hollywood. What challenges are you facing today as a gay creative making queer content?
Oh man, there has been a lot of challenges for sure. Two of my feature films were released last October during the strike, which sucked cause the actors couldn’t promote the project we all put so much passion into. Besides that, I have been fortunate enough to be in development for my latest film surrounded by a gay powerhouse of a team.
COLTON
Kal Yee
Tell us about your new project, Sketch.
It’s a fantastical horror slasher that hasn’t been done in this genre, which makes it even that more exciting to bring to life. The limited series is based on a horror-comedy short film that I directed several years ago called 8 Bodies. What advice would you give your younger self about pursuing a career in the entertainment industry? I would tell my younger self to never let fear get in the way, buckle up, and enjoy the ride. The entertainment industry is full of ups and downs, but the outcome is so worth it. The stories I’ve been able to tell, the relationships that I’ve built, the art I’ve been able to create… [I] wouldn’t trade it for anything.
BRYCE in DOCKERS Shirt and Pants
Kal Yee
Bryce Eberly
Marketing Professional/Creative
Instagram: @bryceeberly / TikTok: @bryce_eberly
You graduated college last year. What were some of the challenges of entering the workforce?
It’s tough securing a job out there. Everything is digital, which makes it even harder for employers to get to know you personally and makes applying for jobs easier globally. Amidst applying to over what felt like 100+ companies, I landed interviews with only five companies.
Bryce Eberly in DOCKERS Shirt
Kal Yee
Any tips for employment seekers in the class of '24?
Go the extra step! Cold email the company and send them your cover letter to brag about why you’re the best fit. Don’t be boring, and add your personality to it. All of this is how I secured my current role at my company, [a branding and marketing agency]. Also, don’t just “network,” build relationships! I was taught all throughout college to network, network, network. Although it might have been implied, there was never a definite urge to build relationships with the people you look up to. Changing my mindset from networking to prospering relationships quite literally changed my career trajectory and has opened so many more doors for me since my move out to Los Angeles.
What would you want older LGBTQ+ people to know about how they can support queer young people?
To be honest, I’d just want to thank them for helping me live the life I was born to live, and not one in secret. But also, with their years of experience and resources, to continue to build spaces where people like us can continue to be free and happy.
COLTON and BRYCE in DOCKERS Shirts and Pants
Kal Yee
Talent: Colton Tran @coltontran & Bryce Eberly @bryceeberly
Photographer: Kal Yee @kalyee
Photographer’s assistant: Christopher Velazquez @chayotesoup
Stylist: Kenn Law @kennlaw
All clothing, shoes, and accessories from Dockers. Browse the Dockers Go line at us.dockers.com.
This feature is part of Out's September/October issue, which hits newsstands on August 28. Support queer media and subscribe — or download the issue through Apple News, Zinio, Nook, or PressReader starting August 13.
