JJ Pantano portrays a young Luke Smallbone in Unsung Hero, a story that chronicles the challenges and eventual triumphs of the Smallbone family, who went on to produce Grammy award-winning artists Rebecca St. James and Joel and Luke from for KING & COUNTRY.

Key points

• JJ Pantano is a rising Australian actor and comedian who gained national attention on “Australia’s Got Talent” at the age of 7.
• “It was everything I wanted it to be and more,” JJ said of ‘Unsung Hero’.
• Listen to the full episode of UNDISTRACTED with Laura Bennett in the player above or wherever you get your podcasts.

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JJ Pantano is a rising Australian actor and comedian who gained national attention on “Australia’s Got Talent” at the age of 7 with his roast style comedic act before making waves in the United States on “America’s Got Talent: The Champions.”

While the movie focusses on David and Helen Smallbone and the early days of Rebecca Smallbone (Rebecca St James) career, you can’t help keeping an eye on JJ Pantano and Diesel La Torraca who portray Luke and Joel Smallbone.

Steff Willis spoke with JJ about what it was like working with and portraying Luke Smallbone and what he learnt working on the movie.

JJ Pantano is a rising Australian actor and comedian who gained national attention on “Australia’s Got Talent” at the age of 7.

“When I saw it for the first time, I was overrun with emotions,” JJ said.

“It was everything I wanted it to be and more. It made the person who’s watching the film feel like they’re in their story.

“It was so in depth, and they certainly didn’t shy away from all the downsides and all the negatives in their massive rollercoaster.”

The joy of making the film wasn’t confined to the scenes themselves. JJ, along with his dad and co-stars Diesel La Torraca (Joel Smallbone) and Tenz McCall (Ben Smallbone), engaged in a friendly pool tournament initiated by none other than Joel Smallbone.

“Joel hears us talking about pool on set one day and says, ‘Okay, how do you feel about a pool tournament?’ It was Joel, my dad, and Richard Ramsey, one of the directors. It was so fun.”

“It was everything I wanted it to be and more,” JJ said of ‘Unsung Hero’.

Along with pool tournaments, sitting in the hairdresser’s chair for hours recreating Luke’s curls, JJ learnt a lot about the importance of family.

“What I really learnt through the film is that with your family in your corner and with God on your side, you can do anything.

“My dad always used to say, ‘You have to work like it depends on you and pray like it depends on God.’ And that’s how you get your dreams.”

Unsung Hero is rated PG and is in cinemas now.

Check out the full interview with Steff and JJ Pantano in the video above.

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Article supplied with thanks to Steff Willis and 96five. Steff is a radio and podcast host who enjoys unpacking the big and little questions of life. With a background in marketing and communication, Steff loves asking questions, telling stories and connecting with listeners. When she’s not on-air or writing articles, you’ll most likely find her trying to achieve her overly ambitious reading goal while drinking copious amounts of coffee.

Images supplied by Faith Media.