Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Tribune
February 7, 2023
At just 21 years old, actor, singer and content creator La’Ron Hines has won a NAACP Image Award, released a music video for his latest single “Web of Lies,” and has gone viral on TikTok for his “Are You Smarter Than a Preschooler?” videos filmed at his family’s Mississippi daycare center. His latest project is a Snapchat series called “La’Ron In a Million.” “I’m super excited to finally be sharing it with the world,” said Hines, who resides in Los Angeles. “It’s mainly about my life [where everyone will] get to see a side of me that I do not often share on social media. And there will definitely be a few special guests on the show.”
Q: Where did you film this series?
A: In Los Angeles and also in my hometown of Brookhaven, Mississippi.
Q: Everyone’s in love with the adorable preschoolers on “Are You Smarter Than a Preschooler?”. Do you ever travel with them and their parents?
A: I actually do get the opportunity to travel with the kids from time to time. Since the success of my videos on social media, sometimes people ask to see me and the kids. They’ve taken trips to California [from Mississippi] to make appearances for events and we’ve also taken smaller trips around my home state for local events such as news interviews or photo shoots. Whenever we travel, it’s typically for business, but I try to make it fun for the kids as much as I possibly can. I love knowing that they and their parents get the opportunity to see more of the world through these opportunities.
Q: Where have you visited for work that you went back to later for a vacation?
A: I haven’t gone back yet, but I would probably say Colombia. I just recently took a trip to Colombia and I loved the little bit of the country that I got to see. The food was amazing and the people were all so nice. I just wish I had more free time. I will be back soon.
Q: What is your favorite vacation destination?
A: Miami. I take an annual spring break trip there and I love the city so much. I definitely recommend checking out the beaches, especially South Beach.
Q: What was the first trip you took as a child? And did you love it, or not so much?
A: Disney World. I think this is most kids’ first trip. And, yes, I loved it a lot. With all the rides, characters, games and other fun things to do, it definitely met my expectations.
Q: What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from your travels?
A: Checklists. They’ll save your life (and) make sure that you forget nothing on the way to your destination, or when leaving.
Q: If you could only pick one place to eat, would you prefer a food truck or fine dining?
A: Fine dining, of course. A good sit-down meal is always relaxing and enjoyable. It gives me time to wind down and take a break from work for a short period of time.
Q: Where is your favorite weekend getaway?
A: Mississippi. I say this because this is where my family lives, minus my mom and dad [who go back and forth]. So to go back home to Mississippi is something that I love to do, because we value family so much and we try to spend as much time together as possible.
Q: If you’ve ever gone away for the holidays, which was the best trip?
A: I usually spend my Christmas and major holidays in Mississippi with my family. I would love to do a cabin trip one Christmas. Maybe Aspen? Or Big Bear?
Q: Do you speak any foreign languages?
A: I am a beginner Spanish speaker. I’ve taken classes in school and learned the basics of it. During my time in Colombia, I slowly picked up on words that I had never heard before while being on set, since the majority of the crew spoke Spanish. I would love to learn other languages as well, specifically French, Italian and Swahili.
Q: What are your five favorite cities?
A: Miami, Atlanta, New York City, Vegas and Los Angeles.
Q: Where have you traveled to that most reminded you of home?
A: Definitely Atlanta. It is this perfect mix of Southern life and city life. I get the comfort of my Mississippi home with the fast pace lifestyle of my L.A. home.
Q: Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?
A: Dubai. I haven’t done much international travel in my life, so that’s my next goal. [I’d like to] get some stamps on my passport before it expires.
Q: What would be your dream trip?
A: The Bahamas during the summer is a dream.
Q: What is your guilty pleasure when you’re on the road?
A: Junk food. I definitely have a hard time sticking to a diet when traveling.
Q: What kind of research do you do before you go away on a trip?
A: I look up the hot spots. I like knowing what the people are doing when they visit the city.
Q: When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?
A: My phone charger.
© 2023 JAE-HA KIM
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