Who is Mike Faist, Zendaya’s co-star in new film Challengers alongside Josh O’Connor? The West Side Story actor learned tennis for his role, but what did Steven Spielberg say about his dancing?

Apr 27 , 2024

Mike Faist (pictured) is an up and coming actor who’s starring in new film Challengers alongside Zendaya and Josh O’Connor. Photo: @warnerbrosuk/Instagram

From Spider-Man to Dune, everything that actress Zendaya touches turns to gold, be it on the film or fashion front. Following the release of the Dune sequel, Zendaya is once again on the road to promote her new film, Challengers, which releases this week.

Mike Faist, Zendaya and Josh O’Connor all star in new tennis film, Challengers. Photo: @mike_faiist/Instagram

Accompanying her on premieres and press junkets are her co-stars Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist, whom she undoubtedly had a hand in casting since Challengers marks her debut as a producer.

While many know O’Connor for his role as Prince Charles in Netflix’s The Crown, Faist is a lesser-known name to many. The Ohio native, who remains low-key and is not on social media, got his start in theatre following a lifelong passion for the stage. Starring in high school productions and off-Broadway shows, he eventually landed on the bigger stages of Broadway and London’s West End. But his role in Steven Speilberg’s adaptation of the musical West Side Story made him known to a broader audience.

Mike Faist, Zendaya, Josh O’Connor and Challengers’ director Luca Guadagnino in London, UK. Photo: @warnerbrosuk/Instagram

Here, we look at the 32-year-old’s journey as an actor and what led him to his latest role in Challengers.

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Mike Faist has a background in theatre

Mike Faist has worked on Broadway in New York City as well as London’s West End. Photo: @mike_faiist/Instagram

Growing up, Faist always had a love for theatre. He starred in classic productions, including The Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland in local theatres, per his IMDB. After a year at the American Musical and Drama Academy, he dropped out to audition for off-Broadway shows.

It turns out that the actor was a natural talent, and he managed to catch his big break in 2011 in the world premiere of the play Newsies. He then progressed to star on Broadway in 2016 in Dear Evan Hansen, which earned him a nomination at the Tony Award for best in a feature role in a musical, portraying the character Connor Murphy.

Mike Faist (left) plays Jack Twist in the stage adaptation of Brokeback Mountain. Photo: @mike_faiist/Instagram

The Ohio native made his debut across the Atlantic in London’s West End in 2023, starring as Jack Twist in the stage adaptation of Brokeback Mountain.

He can sing … but is less confident about his dancing

The multitalented Mike Faist can sing and dance in addition to acting. Photo: @mike_faiist/Instagram

Having studied at the American Musical and Drama Academy, albeit for just a year, it’s no surprise the actor is just as good a singer. His vocal talent came in handy when he joined the cast of Steven Spielberg’s film adaptation of West Side Story. Playing Jets leader Riff, his performance nabbed him a Bafta nod for best actor in a supporting role.

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While he’s belted a tune or two for roles, he hasn’t been as confident about his dancing. Despite having taken dance lessons as a kid, he hesitated to dance during the audition for West Side Story. In an interview, he shared, “I’m not good enough. I had no business being in that room, quite frankly. These were some of the best dancers in the world.”

Spielberg however, did not quite agree. The director called him “one-of-a-kind” and reportedly said, “He can do absolutely anything.”

He had to learn tennis for Challengers – and it was hard

Mike Faist had to improve his tennis skills for his character in Challengers. Photo: @mike_faiist/Instagram

In a recent interview with GQ to promote Challengers, in which he plays a tennis pro, Faust shared that he had to learn the sport from the ground up. He revealed that he was on his high school’s tennis team for a season after failing to get into the school play.

Still, getting the hang of the game enough to portray a tennis pro was no small feat. “It did not come easy. There’s a lot of work, and that’s just part of the job. The one thing that excites me as an actor is the ability to dive all the way in and immerse yourself in a world,” he shared on the red carpet at the Challengers premiere.

Fame and celebrity

Faist stars in new film Challengers, directed by Luca Guadagnino, alongside Zendaya and Josh O’Connor – and shared he had to learn tennis from scratch even though he played it in high school
The Tony Award-nominated actor debuted in London’s West End last year, playing in the stage adaptation of Brokeback Mountain – director Steven Spielberg even called him ‘one-of-a-kind’