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LAPLACE — Sixteen-year-old Amere Stewart of LaPlace will appear in Chris Pratt’s new movie, “The Tomorrow War,” premiering July 2 on Amazon Prime Video.

Amere has been an up-and-coming actress, singer and dancer in St. John the Baptist Parish ever since she was featured in Beyoncé’s film and visual album “Lemonade” in 2016. “The Tomorrow War” is a special project for Amere because it marks her first speaking role in a major film.

“The Tomorrow War” is a sci-fi military film that was originally set for a theatrical release by Paramount Pictures. Amazon Studios acquired distribution rights for the film due to delays from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Amere traveled to Atlanta, Georgia in October 2019 to film a classroom scene for the movie, which follows the story of a man drafted to fight in a future war against an alien species. In Amere’s scene, a group of schoolchildren are more concerned about the world ending than what’s going to be on their next science test. Adults are being recruited to fight in the war, and Amere’s character is brought to tears because her mother is gone.

Amere said having a speaking role was a new and exciting experience.

“Being an extra, you’re not really supposed to be seen. You’re blending into the background. Having a speaking role, you need to show your emotions and be seen. It’s completely opposite from the background,” Amere said.

Amere motioned with her hands to show how close the camera was to her face during filming. She joked that she was treated like a celebrity on set because she had her own trailer to get ready. She also enjoyed meeting Chris Pratt, and she noted that he was very open to talking to the kids on set.

“I felt comfortable where I was. I felt like that’s where I belonged, and that’s what I really wanted to do. The directors and other actors made me feel comfortable,” Amere said.

COVID-19 brought a prolonged halt to the film industry, but Amere used the downtime to propel her music career. She started singing when she was 8 years old, mainly focusing on R&B. By exploring new genres and getting into rap, she’s proving there’s not much she can’t do.

Amere recently collaborated with St. James Parish musicians C T B G 7 and Big London. One of the music videos in captured more than 2,000 views. She invites people from near and far to follow her journey at MereStacks on YouTube.
After high school, Amere sees herself traveling to New York or California to live out her dream as a performer.

“Now I am really putting it into motion. I really want to continue to make music and be an actress and venture into all of those areas,” Amere said. “Doja Cat sings and raps. Beyoncé sings and raps, and she’s in movies. I believe I can do it, too. I would love to be a female artist from New Orleans that does all of those things. I really want to be that person that other people can look up to.”

Amere already has at least one person looking up to her – her younger brother, Tyler Stewart, who has also taken an interest in acting.

Their mother, Rachel Stewart, referred to her son as a “quiet storm” because his talent for acting came as a shock. The Stewart family traveled to New York last week to see the premiere of “The Charmed Life of Fig Dauphine” on the Film Festival Circuit. Tyler played a supporting role as a comedic character in the movie.

While supporting her brother in New York, Amere also had an opportunity to plan for her college career. NYU and the American Musical and Dramatic Academy are among the fine arts schools that she would be interested in attending.

Rachel Stewart said Amere flourished in New York as if it had always been her home.
“She ran the city. She was telling me where to go,” Rachel said. “I wanted her to get the experience of what it feels like to leave. You have to go where you need to go to achieve what you need to achieve in life.”

While in New York, Amere had a chance to meet one of her favorite TikTok artists, in addition to hip hop artist Fat Joe. Rachel said artists seem to connect with Amere on a deeper level.

“I don’t know what it is about her spirit, her aura, but people gravitate to her. She gets chances a normal person wouldn’t get because they see something in her,” Rachel said.

Amere is currently working to gain more exposure with an agency on the West Coast, and each weekend she trains virtually with California actress Jacqueline Fleming.

“I think they are really waiting for her to turn 18 to blow up big. They are so excited about what she brings to the table,” Rachel said.