By Stella Dolan
Published 2:27 pm on January 8, 2025
On an otherwise normal day at the YMCA, Gare Ewefada disrupted the status quo by inadvertently drawing lots of attention to himself. With his brother capturing every moment on camera, Ewefada dunked, yelled and acted out a scene for a commercial audition.
Despite the awkwardness of performing in front of a packed gym, Ewefada leaned into the experience, determined to give it his all.
“I remember feeling a bit out of place,” Ewefada said, “but I embraced it. It was something completely new.”
That day at the Y turned out to be anything but typical. Ewefada’s commitment landed him the job, and by February 2024, the 2022 Bemidji State University graduate was on the set of a Coppertone sunscreen commercial in Miami.
The production, with its team of stylists, directors and makeup artists, felt like a whirlwind to Ewefada. But what began as a new and uncomfortable challenge quickly became an unforgettable experience. The atmosphere was welcoming, the people were kind and the entire process was unlike anything he’d ever imagined.
“I was told I'd either love it or hate it,” he said. “As soon as I got on set, I knew I loved it.”
The commercial, which has several variations, hit the airwaves in May and features Ewefada applying sunscreen, dunking in a pick-up basketball game and then celebrating with a teammate. Ewefada's work colleagues soon found out about his debut, and they ribbed that they were “suddenly craving sunscreen,” Ewefada said. But even more unexpectedly, supportive friends shared videos of the commercial popping up on TV screens in places like the gym and McDonald’s.
While the surreal experience gave Ewefada a fun taste of fame, it also reinforced a key life lesson: Stepping outside of your comfort zone can open doors to incredible opportunities.
"It was a reminder that taking risks can lead to personal growth,” he said.
‘It just made sense to me’
Ewefada’s unexpected dive into acting was just one step in the journey. Prior to landing the Coppertone commercial, the Brooklyn Park native had auditioned for an Adidas basketball campaign. Although he didn’t get that job, it sparked a growing interest in modeling and acting.
The opportunities also blended talents he already had in his repertoire. Ewefada was a men’s basketball player at Bemidji State, and after graduation, his sole goal was to play professionally overseas. Life had other plans, but he still began leveraging his skills on the hardwood to open new doors for himself. Now living in Minneapolis, Ewefada is exploring new opportunities through old loves.
“I’ve had an interest in design and technology since I was a little kid, but my plan was to pursue overseas professional basketball after college, so these interests took a bit of a back seat for a while,” he said. “I remember graduating, coming back home in the summer, and feeling like I wanted to put my energy into something else.”
With basketball dreams temporarily on hold, Ewefada began exploring web design. He found it to be a perfect blend of his skills in computer science and graphic design. From there, he discovered a pathway in user experience design.
“It just made sense to me,” he said. “The idea of creating user-centered designs and improving digital experiences, it resonated deeply with my analytical and creative sides.”
But he hasn’t lost the skills he acquired at Bemidji State. His time as a student-athlete taught him valuable life lessons that proved essential in a professional setting.
“My background taught me about balancing priorities, maintaining persistence and working collaboratively,” Ewefada said. “Those lessons translated perfectly into UX design, where teamwork, problem-solving and adaptability are critical.”
Embracing the twists and turns
For someone not lacking in rich experiences, Ewefada certainly appreciates the time he spent on the hardwood while playing for the Beavers.
“There were a lot of good memories from Bemidji State,” he said. “I really appreciated the support we received at all of our home games. It was always motivating to have a crowd cheering us on, and it made those moments on the court even more rewarding.”
Modeling, he explained, offers him another outlet to express his creativity – much like playing basketball or web design. “It’s about bringing something to life,” he said.
Through his modeling experiences, including his Coppertone commercial debut, Ewefada has found a fulfilling way to blend his creativity with his athletic background, positioning himself for more to come in the years ahead. Looking forward, Ewefada said he’s eager to continue exploring his diverse passions, from UX design to modeling and acting.
“Life is full of unexpected twists and turns,” he said. “What matters is how you approach them. Whether it’s transitioning careers, taking on a new role or pursuing a passion project, the key is to stay committed and adaptable.”
“I’m ready to see where this journey takes me.”
KEEP READING: