Drew Starkey, best known for his role in the hit series Outer Banks, recently shared that his journey mirrors that of Troy Bolton from Disney's High School Musical. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Starkey quipped, "I’ve got a little bit of Troy Bolton in me," referencing his dual passion for basketball and acting.

Troy Bolton, portrayed by Zac Efron in the Disney Channel films, was a high school basketball star torn between his love for the sport and his newfound interest in theatre. Similarly, Starkey grew up immersed in basketball, with his father serving as the head women’s basketball coach at Kent State University. However, his passion for acting led him to pursue a double major in English and theatre performance at Western Carolina University in North Carolina.

Reflecting on his journey, Starkey said, “Basketball was my first love, but eventually, I told my dad, ‘No, I want to sing and dance—I’m meant to be an actor.’” He described the addictive allure of acting, saying, “There are moments where everything clicks, and it feels like this is exactly what I’m supposed to be doing. It’s almost unconscious, like second nature. That rare feeling is what keeps me chasing it.”

Starkey has captured audiences' hearts with his portrayal of Rafe Cameron in Outer Banks, whose fourth season recently debuted. Beyond the series, he has also appeared in various films and is set to star alongside Daniel Craig in Luca Guadagnino’s adaptation of William Burroughs’ novel Queer.