‘Raising Simba’ details a mother raising a son in the entertainment industry

Falisa Ray wrote the book, “Raising Simba,” to help other parents who want their children in the arts and entertainment industry. Her son, Aaron J. Nelson, is an actor who is currently in “The Lion King.” PHOTO PROVIDED BY FALISA RAY.
Falisa Ray wrote the book, “Raising Simba,” to help other parents who want their children in the arts and entertainment industry. Her son, Aaron J. Nelson, is an actor who is currently in “The Lion King.” PHOTO PROVIDED BY FALISA RAY.

 ‘Raising Simba’ details a mother raising a son in the entertainment industry

By Tia Carol Jones

Falisa Ray saw a seed in her son Aaron, she watered that seed and now he is in the touring company of “The Lion King.” Aaron J. Nelson saw “The Lion King” for the first time when he was 15 years old. He wanted to do what the person on stage was doing, playing the role of Simba.

Ray wrote a book, “Raising Simba,” detailing how she was able to ensure Aaron fulfilled his dreams of being an actor. When Aaron got the role of Simba in “The Lion King,” parents asked Ray how she was able to direct and raise him to land the role. Parents wanted to know who to talk to, where to go and how to ensure nobody took advantage of their children. Ray found herself talking to parents trying to help them navigate the entertainment industry.

It took Ray seven and a half years to write the book. She sat down with her post-it notes and her postcards and wrote. She self-published the book.

He decided he wanted to pursue professional acting when he was at Columbia College Chicago. He did an internship at Walt Disney World and worked as a cast member. With every role he played, he would study how they moved and do research on the character. After that, he decided to pursue professional acting.

Nelson wanted to be a singer. He  graduated with a degree in business management, thinking as a singer, he wanted to know the ins and outs of the business so he could start his own label, if he wanted to.

“Once I started seeing that he had an interest in the arts I started nurturing that, at a very young age, with him dancing and singing. By the time he started Columbia College, he had already been in a dance group, he’d already sung the National Anthem at the Chicago Bulls Stadium during the game,” Ray said.

At 14, Nelson had been in a recording studio, paid for by his mother, because he said he wanted to sing and record a song. While Nelson was having fun, Ray was being a mom, watering the seed. Ray said she wanted to do it early.

Ray’s mother instilled in her that God has a will for everyone’s life and in His plan, there are things that will come natural. As a mother, Ray directed Nelson’s path as she saw God’s will for his life. The way her mother had done for her.

“When kids start showing you signs, which I call gifts, then you start focusing on that gift and you start nurturing that gift,” Ray said.
Nelson has been in the cast of “Dreamgirls” and “Rent.” He also has been in “61st Street,” “Chicago Fire,” “FBI: Most Wanted” and “The Breaks.”

To prepare for the role in “The Lion King,” Nelson starts with prayer. He reads the script and finds himself in it. For him, he doesn’t become the character, he makes the character become him.

“That’s how I’ve found my greatest success. You find empathy for your characters, and you make them yours. You parallel what you can and you bring them to you,” Nelson said.

As part of the touring company, Nelson is living somewhere different every month. He has been able to see different parts of the country he might not have been able to see on his own.

From Nov. 14th to Jan. 14th “The Lion King,” will be at the Cadillac Theatre, located at 151 W. Randolph. This will be his second time in “The Lion King” coming to Chicago. On Nov. 20th, there will be a Family and Friends Appreciation Night with family and friends from Chicago coming to see Nelson perform.

Ray has advice for parents who want to get their children in the entertainment industry: “As soon as they start seeing little seeds and buds of gifts to start nurturing those gifts. Don’t wait until they get to college or high school. Start focusing in early.” She also doesn’t want parents to make money an issue. Other advice Ray had includes being kind to people, and be open to meeting new people. The relationships can lead to resources and can land the child to where they want to be.

“Raising Simba” will be available Nov. 5th on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. For more information about “Raising Simba,” visit falisaray.com.

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