March 28, 2024

So Olivia, you started your music career at a very young age, what inspired you to try music at all?

I began performing in local community musical theatre when I was 7, so my introduction to acting and singing began in unison. From there, I started to take voice lessons and fall in love with all sides of music, rather than just “singing”.

How would you describe your musical style?

I love many different genres of music, and that is reflected in my personal style. Right now, I am working with several producers on different songs that include modern pop, as well as alternative, psychedelic, Coachella-y sounds.

What artists do you look up to right now?

I love the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kanye West, Tame Impala, Rihanna, A$ap Rocky, and many more. Since I am teaching myself guitar and keyboard, as well as writing and co-writing songs, I have a great appreciation for all-around talented artists who do it all, such as John Mayer.

Can we expect any new music soon?

I’m currently working on many songs in the studio and it’s very exciting where it’s going! Sometimes during the process we find ourselves in a different place than where we originally set out to go, which is always fun.

Are there any other projects in the works you can tell us about?

There are a few projects in the works. I have been spending many hours in the studio recording and I hope to be able to share my new music with you soon.

I am also working on a couple new youtube videos of covers. These are different than my current Adele and Banks videos because the music mix is original. We’ve added some really cool touches to make it our own sound.

As for acting, I am working on a national Charles Schwab commercial, which will hopefully begin airing in a couple of months.

And of course, Days of Our Lives is keeping me busy. You can look forward to some upcoming surprises from Claire Brady.

You also have a really impressive acting resume. You have been on Modern Family, ANT Farm, and now you are on Days Of Our Lives. What is the difference from being on a soap opera than being on a show like Modern Family?

Working on a Primetime show like Modern Family is a lot of fun and a bit more relaxed than working on Days of Our Lives because those shows tape a half hour segment over the course of a week. In contrast, Days tapes 8 one-hour shows a week! The pace of Days is lightning fast and there is a lot of dialogue to learn in a short amount of time. Usually, you only get one take to get it right, so you have to be mega prepared. There have been weeks when I have had over 100 pages of dialogue to learn. It’s challenging, but it’s also exciting to constantly be portraying new material. I don’t have time to overthink. Instead, I put my trust in my instincts and go for it!

What actor/actress are you influenced by?

A few of my actor/actress influences are Bill Murray, James Franco, Meryl Streep, and Dustin Hoffman. There are so many great performances out there that there’s never a shortage of inspirational examples to aspire to.

Have you ever been starstruck by someone? If so when,where, and who was it? 

I saw Anthony Kiedis at a restaurant with my mom and it was pretty hard for me to keep it together. I’m a huge RHCP fan.

How does it feel to have your music played on Days Of Our Lives?

It has been the greatest platform and experience. It is so rare to have an opportunity where I can include both of my passions. I wasn’t involved in the creation of the songs featured on DOOL; they were all written and composed by Genesee Nelson and produced by her dad, the musical director for the show, Brent Nelson. They did an amazing job.

Has the Days Of Our Lives cast accepted you in as part of their family?

Absolutely. It’s been a warm, inclusive environment from day one. All of the teens on the show are awesome and I have learned so much from my veteran cast-mates. My character, Claire, is related to almost everyone on the show, so I get to have lots of great “bonding” scenes with my cast-mates. I couldn’t ask for a better work environment.

Who on the set helped you the most when you first started acting on the show?

DOOL is a very well-oiled, smooth-running set, and the camaraderie, team work, and large family-like atmosphere create an environment where cast members reach out to each other. I immediately bonded with my parents on the show, Martha Madison and Brandon Beemer, as well as all the teens. I was pretty nervous when I first started my job, because it was what I had been working towards for the past 5 years. It was a new and exciting environment and I had no clue what to expect. Being around people like Martha, Brandon, and my onscreen grandma, Deidra Hall, reassured me that I couldn’t be in a better place. They are all incredibly knowledgeable and maternal people.
What show other than DOOL did you love guest starring on?

I’ve been very fortunate with my experiences; every single one has been awesome. Working on Wilfred with Elijah Wood was great, especially since it is one of my personal favorite shows. I got to put on a dog suit and act with one of my idols in this ranch north of Los Angeles. It was just a great time!

What social media platform do you use most to stay connected to your fans?

Instagram is probably my go to social media platform, as well as Twitter.

What’s an average day for “Olivia Keegan” look like?

Almost every day feels different than the last and the next, which I love. There’s not much downtime, but I wouldn’t trade any of it for a second! Some days I will go to work at Days, sometimes I’ll go to a familiar or new recording studio and collaborate with awesome people, sometimes I will be auditioning or working other acting jobs, and when I can, I will be attending my senior year of high school or completing my college applications. I’m incredibly grateful that I can pursue all of these passions and wouldn’t want to sacrifice any bit of it.

What goals have you set out for yourself in your career and in your personal life?

As long as I am happy, healthy, and doing things that I believe in, I’m set for life! I would love to be consistently learning about the world and myself, and I would love to be inspired, and hopefully inspire others, through my music and acting.

How has this whole music career experience been?

It’s been a dream come true. The combination of being able to work on DOOL and play the role of a character that sings is pretty special to me, as well as to be able to release an EP of those songs featured on the show! If I could have written a DOOL character for myself to play, I think that she would have been a lot like Claire Brady.

Last question, Do you have any advice for aspiring music artists?

Being just a few months shy of 17 years old, I’m not sure I’m qualified to offer advice. What I do have to say sounds a bit cliche’, but I’d say to anyone who feels a determined passion for the arts, explore it, live it, pursue it, and enjoy it. Live in the moment and don’t worry about things that are out of your control.

Photo Source: KC Armstrong

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