Joining the new age era of reboots and remakes is HBO Max with their continuation of the famed teen soap opera, Gossip Girl.

The show is described as “an extension of the pop culture classic” that takes viewers back to the Upper East Side finding a new generation of New York private school teens being introduced to social surveillance nine years after the original blogger’s website went dark. The series premiered July 8 on HBO Max.

Among the bevy of new actors and actresses taking the Upper East Side by storm include Jordan Alexander, Eli Brown, Thomas Doherty, Tavi Gevinson, Emily Alyn Lind, Zion Moreno, Whitney Peak and Evan Mock, who may owe his Gossip Girl gig to R&B impresario Frank Ocean.

In an interview with Mr. Porter, Mock, who portrays the character of Akeno “Aki” Menzies on Gossip Girl, revealed how Frank Ocean discovered him.

In 2019, Tom Sachs recorded a quick video of Mock skating and sent it to his friend. As it turns out, Sachs’ friend was none other than Frank Ocean, who posted the video online to his Instagram. The video Ocean posted would on to turn Mock into an overnight sensation.

“Frank spotlighted me and it worked so well because I’d already set out to do what I’m doing now,” Mock told Mr. Porter.

When discussing his role on Gossip Girl, Mock reveals he says acting is another hobby of his. “I collect hobbies. Acting is just another thing to add to the list, I guess,” he says. It isn’t an exact fit yet, but he’s growing into the job. “I was hesitant at first”

Tune in to see Mock on Gossip Girl. The first part of season one is now streaming and the second half will air beginning in November.