Watermark’s Most Eligible – Central Florida: Justin Shakeri

Age: 25

Hometown: Richmond, Virginia

How you identify: Gay

What’s your sign: Sagittarius

Justin has one of those smiles you can get lost in. He’s funny, outgoing and charming. Would you expect anything less from an entertainer?

Justin is a member of Hamburger Mary’s world famous Broadway Brunch Bunch. Every Sunday he joins Jimmi Rossi, The Minx and some of Orlando’s most talented performers in putting on a Broadway-inspired show that sells out each week.

“I have the most amazing support system,” Justin says. “Jimmi and The Minx have been there for me and helped me to find out who I am as a person. They have taught me a lot about life.”

Justin has always wanted to be an actor, but growing up says it was never an option he realistically thought he had.

“I’m Middle Eastern, and you only have a few options when it comes to what your family wants you to do for a living. Acting is not one of them,” he says.

In very Broadway fashion, Justin realized that it could be more than just a dream after “basically being kidnapped by drag queens in Virginia and brought down to perform in Orlando at Broadway Brunch.”

One reason Justin loves acting is it allows him to use what he thinks is his best quality: listening.

“Physical features will fade away. They don’t last forever. I won’t look like this when I’m 80,” he says pointing at his fit frame (he works out six times a week, and it shows).”But one thing I can control is who I am. I’m always going to be a listener and I’m always going to be someone who loves to give.”

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