Thomas A. Rusley's early life was marked by hardship and tragedy. Born to a 16-year-old mother, Joann Rusley, in Opa Locka, Florida, Thomas witnessed violence and loss at a young age. His father, Thomas Jackson, was murdered by a police officer in their front yard, with the officer claiming he mistook Thomas's ring for a gun. Despite the lack of evidence and the officer's wrongful actions, Thomas's family received no compensation or justice.
Thomas's bond with his father was unbreakable, and his death had a profound impact on him. Thomas's mother moved to Carol City to escape the danger and violence of Opa Locka. Thomas attended Norland Senior High School, where he started playing football and had dreams of making it to the NFL. He later transferred to Tallahassee, Florida, for a better opportunity to pursue his dream, earning a football scholarship to college in West Virginia as a Free Safety.
However, Thomas's football career was cut short due to a severe ankle injury, forcing him to return to Miami, Florida. He turned to the streets, where he learned valuable lessons about morals and the code to survive. But this life was no substitute for his true passion, and Thomas was eventually shot on 183rd and 27th Avenue while getting his car serviced at a Jiffy Lube.
The near-death experience prompted Thomas to re-evaluate his life and seek a change. He built a strong relationship with God and began rapping, using his music to tell his life story under the name "Rusilini." However, the Miami rap industry proved challenging, and Thomas eventually gave up on his music career.
He pursued a 9-to-5 job, working for different companies, but deep down, he felt he was destined for greater things. Thomas's dissatisfaction continued until he received a vision and intuition to pursue acting. He responded to a post online seeking actors for the movie "Murder Gardens" and was given a chance by the director and creator, Mark Samuels. This opportunity changed Thomas's life forever, allowing him to share his story and find a new purpose.
