Miguel Cazarez Mora has emerged as a rising star in the entertainment world. The actor’s breakthrough came with his compelling portrayal of the character Robin in the 2021 supernatural horror film, “The Black Phone.” Beyond the silver screen, Miguel has cultivated a significant fan base on popular platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. His good looks and engaging personality have contributed to the rapid growth of his online presence.
Early Life and Family
Of Mexican descent, Miguel Cazarez Mora was born on 1 March 2007, in Arizona. Through his Instagram posts, it becomes apparent that his parents are no longer together, and he’s being raised by his mother, Wendy Mora. In a heartfelt tribute, every Mother’s Day Miguel expresses his deep appreciation for his mom, describing her as his biggest supporter, best friend, and queen. He openly acknowledges her pivotal role in his life and extends gratitude for her unwavering support.
Wendy Mora has over 16 years of experience in the Health and Beauty Industry, and has dedicated seven of those years to the Medical Aesthetic Field. She holds licenses in Cosmetology and Medical Aesthetics as an Aesthetic Instructor and Aesthetician, acquired in the state of Arizona. In August 2016, Wendy founded Med Beauty Clinic in Peoria, Arizona, providing a comprehensive range of skincare treatments. Additionally, she offers Advanced Microneedling Training, conducted in both Spanish and English due to her bilingual proficiency.
In her personal life, Wendy appears to be single, as she doesn’t feature a significant other on social media. Most of her photos showcase her son and their shared adventures. Embracing a healthy lifestyle, both mother and son find relaxation and bonding in outdoor activities such as traveling, hiking, biking and fishing. A poignant moment captured in a December 2018 Instagram post, features Miguel’s writing on a slab of rock: ‘Live life the way you want because you only get one,’ a sentiment his mom proudly pointed out, symbolizing their shared philosophy of cherishing life’s moments.
Reportedly, Miguel’s father is Miguel Angel Cazarez, currently serving as a Service Manager at Rancho Viejo, an all-inclusive outdoor wedding and events venue in Goodyear, Arizona. He appears to be in a relationship, and is a proud parent to three more children: Alondra, Evany, and Sebastian. While the extent of Miguel’s closeness to his younger step-siblings remains undisclosed to the public, glimpses of shared memories and moments together have been shared on social media. During his travels, Miguel visited the Great Temple of Kukulcán in Chichen Itza, Yucatán. Although a photo shared online captured him with a group, including his father who had his arm around him, Miguel posted a solo shot on his Instagram.
View this post on Instagram
Education
Miguel is currently enrolled at Arizona State University’s college preparatory charter school, ASU Prep, following a hybrid program incorporating both in-person and online learning. He generously shared with his Instagram followers a glimpse into what this was like for him – his day kicks off at 7:30 am as he readies himself and takes his dog Mickey for a walk. By 8:30 am he’s at the gym, engaging in a treadmill run and a workout session. Following this, Miguel enjoys a hearty breakfast, usually self-prepared. Online classes span from 10:20 am to 12 noon. Post-lessons, he takes a break, plays his electric guitar, and then resumes online school at 1:10 pm. After a short break for a little over an hour, during which he indulges in playing video games, he continues online learning until 5 pm. On the subsequent day, he attends in-person lessons starting at 9 am and concluding by 3 pm.
According to Miguel, ASU Prep has had a positive impact on his life, affording him the flexibility to pursue his passions while staying dedicated to his studies. The school has enabled him to initiate his college transcript and earn free college credits as a high school student. One particularly appealing aspect he cherishes is the ability to customize his workload, providing him with extra time to delve into acting, martial arts, music production, and content creation.
Career
Miguel began his acting journey at the age of 10. He broached the topic of becoming an actor when he got older with his mom, asking her how she felt about it. His mom was not only cool with it, but also fully supportive of his dreams and plans.
“The Black Phone”
He secured a role in his first film, “The Black Phone,” which had its theatrical release by Universal Pictures in June 2022, prior to which it premiered in September 2021 at Fantastic Fest, an annual film festival held in Austin, Texas. Directed by Scott Derrickson, the American supernatural horror film is highly inspired by the story of the same name written by Joe Hill, the acclaimed author and son of Stephen King. Despite its modest budget of $18 million, the film surpassed expectations by grossing over $160 million worldwide.
It received predominantly positive reviews from both audiences and critics alike for its unique narrative, strong performances, and effective blend of horror and psychological thriller elements.
Premise of the movie
The story revolves around a boy, Finney Shaw, portrayed by Mason Thames, kidnapped by a masked killer dubbed The Grabber, played by Ethan Hawke. While imprisoned, Finney discovers a disconnected phone in a soundproof basement where there is a disconnected telephone that rings, allowing him to connect with the spirits of The Grabber’s victims. As he seeks their help, Finney becomes determined to escape the clutches of the sadistic kidnapper.
Miguel’s breakout role – Robin
It’s intriguing to highlight that Miguel’s initial foray into acting proved to be the catalyst for widespread attention and popularity. Portraying the character Robin in his debut role, Miguel gained significant acclaim for depicting the toughest kid in school who stands up for his best friend Finney against bullies. The character resonated with many, and his fans couldn’t help but express admiration for both his performance and his distinctive Latino looks and style. In preparation for the role, he employed a straightforward approach—immersing himself in rock music, thoroughly reading the script, and engaging in diligent practice.
Here’s a piece of trivia about the final scenes: Miguel had already returned to Arizona, having completed all his scenes. However, at the last minute, the director decided to bring Robin back for the film’s closing moments. Originally, the script called for the last interaction between Robin and Finn to be over the phone, with only Robin’s voice. However, the director felt this wasn’t fitting and believed viewers would want to see Robin in this crucial scene. Miguel promptly returned to the set and shared that filming the final scene was a great experience.
Miguel’s perspective on the horror genre
Interestingly, Miguel is not a big fan of horror movies. When he watched “The Black Phone” for the first time, he wasn’t scared at all because he had read the entire script. During a private screening for family and friends, he enjoyed observing their reactions, particularly during the jump scare scenes. Nonetheless, he expressed pride in the movie due to its compelling storyline. In an Instagram post, he shared a photo of himself beside the movie poster, captioning it with, ‘I can’t express how much joy it was to be a part of this project and to work with such wonderful people.’ He also expressed gratitude for his friendship with each member of the cast, mentioning that when they were not filming, they would go to the beach or dine out together.
Miguel Cazarez Mora pic.twitter.com/zyQKaAT46p
— FC. (@FaceClaim) December 6, 2023
Miguel’s interest in delving further into the horror genre is evident. He acknowledged the unique challenge of portraying a villain and recognized that the experience would differ significantly from playing the best friend of the main character. That said, he expressed enthusiasm about embracing various roles within the horror movie genre.
“The Black Phone 2”
The reception for “The Black Phone” has been phenomenal, and in October 2023, Universal Pictures and Blumhouse Productions announced a sequel scheduled for release in June 2025. The original cast, including Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw, Miguel Cazarez Mora, and Ethan Hawke, will reprise their roles. Miguel enthusiastically shared this news on his Instagram, expressing his excitement. Fans eagerly anticipate the sequel, curious about how the story will unfold, particularly given that the characters portrayed by Miguel and Ethan met their demise in the first movie. Some fans hope the sequel will delve into the backstories of these characters.
Growing popularity on social media
Apart from his acting pursuits, Miguel has a keen interest in content creation. Despite being a newcomer to social media, having joined Instagram in 2021, he swiftly gained 1.2 million followers. This rapid growth stands as a testament to his increasing popularity, largely attributed to his involvement in “The Black Phone.” This surge has been a surreal experience for Miguel, and he expresses humility and gratitude for the loyalty of his fans.
After the movie’s release, Miguel ventured into TikTok, where he was astonished to discover a multitude of fan arts and edits from people across the globe. This overwhelming response left him completely blown away. Currently, he boasts close to three million followers on TikTok, along with an impressive 20 million likes.
Miguel made his TikTok debut on 26 June 2022, sharing a clip from the movie premiere, which has garnered nearly five million views. His most popular video, showcasing his character Robin’s distinctive long hair parted in the middle with a bandana around his forehead, has amassed 15 million views and nearly 1.5 million likes. In this video, he invited fans to showcase their best Robin impersonation, promising to select five winners and award them with autographed bandanas.
Brand collaborations
Brands often collaborate with celebrities to harness their influence for marketing purposes. Miguel, boasting a substantial social media following, consistently features items in paid partnerships or sponsorship arrangements with brands like Vans, Dickies, Lids, and Avenue George V Paris. In addition to apparel brands, he has also forged collaborations with Fender, renowned for electric and acoustic guitars, and Fanta, a popular fruit-flavored carbonated soft drink.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=3144544865858229
Advocacies
Miguel passionately supports causes close to his heart. He participates in the 2023 Champions Run for Life “Torch Run” organized by MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital in Long Beach. This event serves a dual purpose—raising awareness of cancer, and generating funds for the Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center.
In addition to his commitment to cancer-related causes, Miguel is also a dedicated advocate for respiratory health. He lends his support to Champions Unite, an initiative led by the American Lung Association, driven by the mission “because when you can’t breathe, nothing else matters.” During Champions Unite Season 3 on Spectrum SportsNet, he eagerly anticipates watching performances by renowned athletes, including Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, professional baseball players for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Major League Baseball, and Justin Herbert, the talented football quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers in the National Football League.
Miguel’s advocacy extends beyond these events to include a focus on youth anti-vaping initiatives and the promotion of clean air, showcasing his commitment to making a positive impact on health and well-being.
Personal Life
Little is known about Miguel Cazarez Mora’s personal life. His online platforms do not indicate that he is currently in a relationship, and there are no rumors that suggest otherwise. During a live Instagram session in September 2022, he mentioned that he doesn’t have a girlfriend.
Interesting Facts
- Favorites: Red (color), Marvel Cinematic Universe (movies), “Stranger Things” (TV series), Christmas (holiday), AC/DC (rock band), Dallas Cowboys (football team)
- Miguel displayed his adventurous side while in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo for a vacation, by fearlessly holding a tiger cub and showing no aversion to having a monkey on his shoulder
- He has a fondness for older music, particularly from the ‘80s, and he actively engages in playing music himself. Originally considering buying a piano, his musical journey took a turn when he walked into a Guitar Center and encountered an electric guitar, ultimately making the purchase. He began playing the guitar at the age of 12. His debut on Instagram, showcasing his electric guitar skills, occurred in May 2022, featuring him playing “Redbone” by Childish Gambino. Other notable songs he has showcased include “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana and “Me and Your Mama” by Childish Gambino. Beyond playing, he has a profound passion for creating music, composing and producing.
- He’s bilingual, proficient in both Spanish and English. However, he confessed that he’s starting to forget Spanish as he consistently communicates in English. In April 2023, he shared that he’s embarked on learning his third language, Portuguese.
- Miguel has a passion for drawing, and showcases his artwork on Instagram and TikTok.
- He is actively involved in martial arts, particularly kickboxing.
- For Halloween festivities in 2022, he dressed up as Slash, the lead guitarist of the hard rock band Guns N’ Roses. The following year, he portrayed Captain Jack Sparrow, Johnny Depp’s iconic character from “Pirates of the Caribbean.” Miguel’s character, Robin, in “The Black Phone,” garnered widespread popularity, and he found it fascinating to witness people dressing up as him and crafting TikTok videos.
Appearance
Miguel Cazarez Mora stands at a height of 5ft 7ins (174cms) and weighs bout 120lbs (55kgs) with a lean physique and toned muscles. He possesses long, black, curly hair, which he occasionally styles in either a ponytail or a braid. His eyes are a deep, dark brown.
Net Worth
Emerging as a rising star in the entertainment industry, Miguel Cazarez Mora is not just carving a niche for himself as an actor; he’s also strategically expanding his financial portfolio by capitalizing on his increasing popularity on social media platforms, particularly TikTok and Instagram. According to reliable sources, as of December 2023, his estimated net worth stands at $100,000.
