Hey Ava!! So excited to be chatting with you!! What inspired you to pursue acting?
I always knew I wanted to be an actress ever since I can remember.
Have you always wanted to be an actor?
Yes, my parents tell me I always wanted to do shows at home and make everyone laugh. So I guess it was always what I loved to do.
Where did your love of acting come from?
I know it might sound cliche but I really think I was born with it. I don’t remember a certain time where I decided that I loved it. So I loved acting my whole life.
You are well known for your role on Girl Meets World & Sydney To The Max, What has it been like for you to be on two popular disney shows?
It’s been such a dream come true. As a little girl, I thought it would be so incredible to be on a Disney show but it’s such a long shot because so many girls audition for each role but I never dreamt of being on 2 amazing shows. I still pinch myself that I got so lucky TWICE. Will always be so grateful that Disney noticed me and believed in me enough to bring me back .
How do you manage school with your busy schedule?
Well, Disney has the schedule down for us. We always have 3 hours of school with a great set teacher during our work day so that our education never falls behind. It’s very important to me and my family, and once you get used to the routine, it’s actually not bad at all.
What’s an average day for you look like? I
usually wake up at 5:30, go to set at 7 am, work on an episode and do my 3 hours of school until 4:30. Once I wrap, there can be events to go to, or lately, I have been meeting with my 2 songwriters Francis Galluccio and Peter Zizzo to work on my music. That has been a new passion I have found recently that I am super excited about.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I like to be outdoors, do martial arts, hang out with my family and friends and disconnect from the crazy busy schedule of most days.
Have you ever been starstruck by someone? If so when, where, and who was it?
Yes when I met Ross Lynch at the RDMAs. He was my celebrity crush and I couldn’t believe I got to meet him in person. Was so excited.
How has this whole acting career experience been?
Beyond rewarding and fulfilling and I absolutely have loved every minute. I pray that it can turn into a lifelong career.
Do you have any other acting projects in the works you can tell us about?
Right now, I just started filming Season 2 of Sydney to the Max and that will keep me busy until February so that is what I will be focused on.
You are now transitioning to becoming a pop star as well!! What led you to pursue music?
Aww thanks. I don’t see it as a transition as much as an additional passion. I did 6 plays of musical theatre when I was younger and I always knew I loved singing, and the stage and being in front on a live audience who gives you so much love and great energy. I always knew I wanted to sing someday, but after I met Francis and Peter, and we started writing music, I loved it more than I ever could have imagined.
You are gearing up for the release of your amazing new single “The Good Ones”!! How excited are you to get this new song out into the world?
So so excited. I love that I get to start my music career singing about the most important people in my life, and that I could do a music video that is authentic with those people who have always been true to me, and who I love so much.
What do you hope your supporters will think of the new single?
I hope they will love it. The response from those who have heard it has been overwhelmingly positive so I hope that will be the case for everyone who hears it in the future. Fingers crossed.
Can you tell us how this song came about?
It came about as I have met 2 types of people in my life. Those who came and went, and sometimes had an agenda, or weren’t true, or maybe started out nice but turned and it was always hurtful. Then there were a few who I know I can count on no matter what. Those who love me for me, and who are loyal and always have my back. Those who are there in the bad times. “The good ones” is about them and for them.
Do you have a creative say in your music? Did you help write all your new songs?
Yes a lot. Actually, I love the songwriters that I work with as they really hear me and help me bring my vision to life. I came up with the concepts and titles for my first 2 songs and we collaborated on writing them from there together. I am so grateful that I found 2 brilliant people who respect my opinion and actually treat me as an equal.
What’s it feel like to be releasing your own original music?
It’s so amazing especially since everyone that has heard it has responded so well to it. It makes me so motivated to keep going and keep creating.
Is there anyone you want to thank that’s helped you get to where you are today?
Yes I would like to thank my mom, my dad and my little sister who have supported me every day through the crazy ups and downs of the journey. I would also love to thank my team Meredith Fine, Reagan and Dana at Coast to Coast Talent who believed in me when I was only 5 years old and my manager Margot Menzel who also works so hard to help me realize all my dreams. Finally, I couldn’t have even started my music career without Francis Galluccio and Peter Zizzo and I will be forever grateful to them for igniting in me this monster love of music.
How would you describe your fans?
they have been with me through thick and thin, when I had a lot going on and when I had nothing interesting happening. I love them with all my heart.
What’s three words you would use to describe your fans?
Love, Support, Loyalty.
What do you want your message to be towards your fans?
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I would be nothing without you, and you are the reason I get to do what I love every day. I will never take you for granted and I love every one of you .
Are you planning any shows anytime soon?
I will be performing at the flaunt it awards and at kids con so really excited for both.
What do you want your fans to take away from your music and shows?
I want them to know that I am trying write music that is authentic so that my fans know that my music is how I feel and what I think and what I am going they at the moment. In my shows, I try to do the best I can to be entertaining and make them laugh and have them forget about their worries for a minute.
What is it like performing in front of your fans? Are you excited to start performing your own music live!?!
I performed in front of 2000 people at Disneyworld for the Premiere program and it might have been the best moment of my life. I loved feeling the connection to my fans, and seeing their smiles and their extended hands and seeing them dance to my song. I loved creating that joy and seeing that the love I was sending their way was totally reciprocated.
What do you want your supporters to know that you think is important?
I want them to know to stay inspired with what is moving them. I want them to find what they love to do and pursue it with everything they’ve got. That will give them a life full of passion even though it’s sometimes very hard.
What’s one word you would use to describe what your fans have allowed you to accomplish?
Love
With an already massive fanbase your fans must have a name for themselves. What do your fans call themselves? And How did that fanbase name catch on?
I have heard Kolkernation. It came from a fan and others took to it. We will see if it sticks.
What do you want your fans to know if they ever see you in public?
That they can always come say hello. I always love meeting them and I can tell sometimes that they recognize me and are too shy or embarrassed to come meet me. I am just one person just like them so definitely come say hello anytime.
Is there anyone in the music business you are dying to meet?
Lady Gaga for sure
Why do you think social media is so important for teen artists like yourself?
Social media is so important because you get to share your music and your inspiration with people who hopefully can relate in some way and get some joy out of following your journey. It’s a form of connection you can control and build your fan base in a real way.
What would you say is your biggest dream/goal right now?
I would say to release my first album and have it do well. Will be working hard on it.
Any last things you want to tell your supporters?
Just that I would love for them to share my music with their friends if they can relate to what my songs are about. And as always I love them.
