If you’ve been on TikTok in the recent months, chances are you’ve definitely spotted one particularly familiar face on your FYP reviewing local restaurants around town. In case you’ve been living under a mountain, though, we’re here to introduce you to A-State’s very own Juan Monrreal–the face behind the viral Juan Try online series.

As a student peer of ours, Monrreal is inspiring success and local fame not only for the town of Jonesboro but also for the A-State community. Many have seen the TikToks posted online, but only few know much about who Juan is and where he comes from. 

Monrreal is a true Jonesboro native, born and raised in this small town in the corner of Arkansas. Through his recent rise in popularity online, Juan has helped many–locals and outsiders alike–discover hidden corners of his hometown, bringing the community together through his TikTok content.

Prior to him becoming a student at A-State though, Monrreal was a student at The Academies at Jonesboro High School who wished for nothing more than to leave his hometown following his graduation from high school.

“All throughout high school, all I heard was, ‘they say [A-State’s] different, give it a try,’ and I was like, ‘no, like there’s no point, I’m not gonna like it,’” Monrreal said. “Then, I ended up coming here and actually liking it, like, I loved it. I’ve never felt so much like a Red Wolf fan… I don’t play about the A-State Red Wolves anymore.”

His list of involvement throughout campus includes loudly representing the Kappa Sigma fraternity, being an active member of Volunteer A-State, ASU Young Democrats, and Hermana y Hermano.

Growing up, Monrreal recalls always having possessed a passion for the arts and creative production, consistently favoring his art classes in elementary school and later forming part of the film crew for the sports teams network at Jonesboro High School.

“Whenever I got to high school, I was like, ‘you know what? I’m gonna take this film class and learn more about cameras and stuff like that,’ because I also was a very big camera guy growing up.” said Monrreal. “I would save every little penny that I would get with my parents, and I would get myself a little 20-dollar camera from the store, which eventually would lead to a bigger camera later on. And so that led to me finding ways to share my art, share the photos, share the stuff that I took, and that led me on social media.

Since then, Monrreal cites one of his biggest “I made it” moments as having been shouted-out by his former high school. 

“I was like, ‘Yes, I’ve made it! Like this is my big moment, guys.’ And then you know, that felt like that was it. But of course, I know there’s always more to come. Taking it day by day and hoping for the best, and maybe someday I’ll have more awards or more stuff to look at,” said Monrreal.

Looking back, Monrreal commemorates many of his present successes to his upbringing. As a first-generation college student having grown up with immigrant parents, he’s learned to keep to heart all of the valuable lessons on work ethic from his family and incorporate that same energy into his creative drive.

“You’d have kids in school that would never really try. They wouldn’t really do much, and it was loud. But my parents always taught me, ‘we’re working really hard for you to do this. I’m not telling you that you have to do it, but I’m encouraging you. I want you to know that your life can be completely different from what we have now,’” Monrreal said.

Juan describes his passion for the creative world as something he could never be bored of, always chasing towards the new trends and ideas. When he’s not busy with classes, work or filming, Juan is constantly on the lookout for a new project to add to his portfolio. 

“[My mom] always kind of pushed me to do more, and that’s kind of how I am now,” Monrreal said. “Like, no matter how exhausted I am, even throughout the summer, I’m always doing something new, and I haven’t had a rest day in a long time. My gears are always grinding, and I do think I get that from my parents, because they’re the exact same way.” 

Whether he’s running to class or working away on another artistic venture, Monrreal keeps his passion for success as his forefront focus, and he continues to proudly and greatly represent both his town and college community through each endeavour.

Categories: Life