Rege-Jean Page and Sterling K. Brown.Photo: Mike Marsland/WireImage; Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage

Regé-Jean Pageis a fan — and now a friend! — ofSterling K. Brown.
TheBridgertonstar, 31, opened up about his relationship with Brown, 45, in an interview withVarietypublished Wednesday.
The two first met at a party during the 2016Emmy Awardsseason, where Page approached the then-star ofThe People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.
“My brain just turned off,” Page said of meeting Brown for the first time.
Regé-Jean Page.Getty

Page recalled stumbling over his words and telling theThis Is Usstar, “I just want to be you.”
Brown was also excited to meet Page, whom he recognized from his role inRoots. “I remember thinking, ‘Look at this dude doing the damn thing,'” Brown toldVariety. “He had this wonderful swagger about him.”
Since that first meeting, Page and Brown’s friendship has grown, with Brown offering advice to Page.
“He’s talked me through a couple of things that scared me,” Page toldVariety.
“He wasn’t somebody who’s like, ‘Give me a couple of years and I’ll be making $10 million a flick.’ He really loves the art of illuminating the human condition,” Brown added of Page. “If stardom comes — and stardom is clearly approaching — I don’t think he was ever actively seeking it; it just kind of happened.”
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Page was the breakout star of Netflix’sBridgerton, in which he played the lovable rake Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings.
The actor, who has since been cast in projects likeDungeons & DragonsandThe Gray Man, will not be returning forfuture seasonsof the period drama.
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Pagewrote on Instagram of his departure, “The ride of a life time. It’s been an absolute pleasure and a privilege to be your Duke. Joining this family - not just on screen, but off screen too. Our incredibly creative and generous cast, crew, outstanding fans - it’s all been beyond anything I could have imagined. The love is real and will just keep growing.”
source: people.com