Your new single, “Push You Harder” has gotten an amazing reaction from your supporters. What has been your thought about the reaction of the song?
Ohh, I am so happy about that! I have the best fans & I love it that they really appreciated the song and video as I put a lot of hard work into so it is really gratifying when they really get it and support what I am creating. You never really know if what you made is good until you get the fans reaction, so it was so exciting to hear all the great feedback!!
How did the idea for this song come about? & Can you tell us the meaning behind the song?
What’s the process of writing one of your songs?
I wrote this a few days after I turned 17 last fall and there was a lot going on right then with the beginning of the “Me too” and “Times up” movements. I care a lot about these issues and want to do my part to make our world a better place for everyone so I wanted to write a girl power song that had an important message but was also fun, edgy and uplifting. This song was not about my personal story, but more a metaphor for all women and I think it can resonate with everyone. My process with this song and many songs starts with an idea or a piece of melody or some words and it just grows from there.
How did the idea for this music video come about?
I’ve gotten awards before with other music videos that I have made for my other original songs as I love to write/create/direct/produce/style/edit my own songs into music videos, but this one was the most challenging one so far. I wanted to tell the story and capture a lot of the symbolism of the metaphor of moving from the pain of the patriarchy system to healing our wounds, empowered by powerful female role models, mother earth and our female ancestral lineage to take our power back and rejoice in the blossoming of the Queen and Goddess that lives in each of us. That was super challenging to do in less than 3 minutes on a very tight budget, but I am pleased with it. I wanted the video to show the shocking feeling of assault, using the wandering & choking hands and bloody bullet wound, (“Don’t shoot me in my chest, and tell me to stop bleeding”) but transcend those images to something positive, including removing the bullet myself. I was very inspired by Hannah Gadsby show and quote, “There is nothing stronger than a broken woman who has rebuilt herself.” and I tried to express that by taking the gun shot wound and turning it into a heart-shaped flower and finding the throne again. I think now is the time to heal ourselves and let go of any “monsters” and false conditioning that no longer serves us. I participated in the women’s marches with my family and friends and was very inspired by that…girls and women standing up more and all the males that also support that and creating a more nurturing society.
Any fun moments while creating the music video?
We really had a lot of fun shooting it. I had a great cast and cool dancers and a wonderful choreographer and awesome crew so there were a lot of really enjoyable moments. The costumes were entertaining and locations ideal so we just had a blast. I did a behind the scenes video so will be releasing that soon. Creating the queen scenes were magical and breaking the mirror was shocking, but pleasing too! I wasn’t sure I could to that in one take, but it all went perfectly.
Do you have a creative say in your music and videos?
Oh yes, I like to be very involved in the creative process. I am really strong at lyrics so I know what I want to say more than anyone else, but I love the input of others and collaborating with wonderfully creative people. I love working with Grammy-winning, platinum-selling producer Mikal Blue and his amazing team that support my vision, ideas and creativity. I am really clear on the direction I want to go with my music and can’t wait to share more.
Are there any other projects in the works you can tell us about?
Yes, yes, yes and I can hardly wait to share them. I have been working really hard in the recording studio for the last year, so I have enough new songs for two albums, so I will be releasing lots of new music. I will be performing more too and have some exciting things coming up.
What’s an average day like for you?
Every day is different for me and because music and acting both can have things happen suddenly I never know what my day will bring. I am always just ready for anything and ready to drop what I am doing and run to a job or recording studio or audition or red carpet event etc. I always work on music every day and I usually work on acting every day, but I never know exactly how the day will unfold. I am learning production so always spend time on that and writing music, often working on dance too and spend most of my day in the creative process of some sort. My days are usually really full and exciting!
What social media platform do you use most to stay connected to your supporters?
I mostly stay connected to fans on Instagram, but also Youtube, Snapchat and Twitter.
Do you have any last things to tell your supporters?
I really feel so blessed that I truly have the best fans and supporters in the world. I love my Mozartists and how they believe in me and support me. I have a lot of new fans now from the Brat series I just did “The Talent Show” and I am loving adding them to the family and the fan pages and edits they are making for me. I love love love the edits and videos that fans have been sending me for #PushYouHarder and I can’t tell you how exciting it is to see them singing, lip syncing or dancing to my song. I have some surprises coming up and lots of performances so I am excited about being able to do more meets and greets then too!!
Thanks for taking the time to do this interview!
Thanks so much for asking and giving me this opportunity!
