If you’re an auditioning actor, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II has a strange but effective tip for you: wear mismatched socks. “It takes the pressure off of trying to be perfect,” says the Emmy-winning star, who has many other practical tips for his peers. The former architect’s rigorously methodical approach to both his career and craft is proof that there’s no one path to success in the entertainment industry. Read his 2016 cover story here: https://bit.ly/37pg7AD

Born in New Orleans, raised in the Bay Area, and studied at UC Berkeley and the Yale School of Drama, Yahya broke into the biz just after graduate school on the Netflix series “The Get Down.” His roles since have run the gamut from musicals like “The Greatest Showman” to action hits “Aquaman” and “Watchmen,” and he’ll next star in the upcoming sequels to the “Matrix” franchise and “Candyman.” Yahya is currently SAG Award–nominated as part of the cast of Aaron Sorkin’s Netflix film “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” in which he plays real-life activist Bobby Seale. This episode is brought to you by HBO.

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Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ

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