‘This is so special.’ Central KY teen to star in Disney show produced by LeBron James

When West Jessamine High School junior Trevor Raine Bush went to Disney World at age eight, he was fascinated by the stunts shown in Indiana Jones.

When he watched his first Jim Carey movie, he knew he wanted to make people laugh, and pursue a career in acting.

On his 9th birthday, he received his first set of headshots and was part of his first feature film during the fifth grade, which led to him working as a model and participating in music videos.

Now, at age 16, Bush has a lead role in an upcoming Disney+ original series, “The Crossover,” based on the 2014 children’s book by American author Kwame Alexander; winner of the 2015 Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award Honor.

The show introduces teen brothers Josh and Jordan Bell, widely considered basketball phenoms, according to Disney+. Through his lyrical poetry, an adult version of Josh, aka Filthy McNasty, narrates the story of he and his brother’s coming of age, on and off the court, as their former professional basketball player father adjusts to life after basketball, and their mother finally pursues lifelong dreams of her own.

Bush plays the role of Vondie, a friend and teammate of the Bells. The show is set to begin streaming April 5 – Bush’s 17th birthday.

Bush said getting cast in the series – which is produced by LeBron James – everything happened so fast, and it “didn’t feel real.” Within two weeks of auditioning, Bush found himself on a plane to Louisiana to begin filming the pilot in New Orleans.

“It didn’t feel real,” he said. “We got out there and we are on this huge production with cameras and a crew – it is crazy how much goes into it. I thought, ‘Wow this is so special,’ and I am very grateful to be a part of this.”

A basketball player himself, Bush described the show as something that “brings rules of basketball to life” with a lot of lessons learned by the characters along the way.

Bush said he learned his own lessons being a part of the production, including being uncomfortable in order to help yourself grow.

“I have matured in a way,” he said. “I have learned habits that are good habits. … It was an amazing thing – show or not – to level yourself up and be better. I stepped out of my comfort zone. I think that it is hard to step out, but you should try to do it because it will just make you better. If you take that extra step, and keep getting out of your comfort zone, it upgrades you as a person.

Throughout filming, Bush said his family, friends and community have rallied behind him and supported him the whole way.

“I couldn’t have done it without them,” he said. “They pushed me and have been so supportive – my family has always been supportive of me.”

“The Crossover” premieres on Disney+ April 5.