It’s a blessing that I get to do both. I started acting and once my acting career took off, it was kind of easy for me to get in touch with music people. That’s how everything started out. I’m just really happy that I get to do both things that I love to do.
As you’ve pursued your music career, what has been the most difficult obstacle for you to overcome?
Music, because I think people are so used to me being an actress. It’s hard for them to take me seriously in singing, so it’s just been me going out there and trying to put out the best possible music. I work very hard in trying to show people that I can do both.
Some time ago, I had the chance to listen to your first album, So Uncool. I was really taken aback, because I was thankful that you actually sang songs that fit your age and showed your personality. Since you’re 15 now, what challenges do you face when you’re marketing yourself to the public?
In the music business, a lot of times people don’t know how to market kids. Sometimes they go too young, sometimes they go too old and there’s no in-between. So in my music, I talk about what young females and young teenagers go through. For young R&B females, we don’t have that. We have it in country. We have it in pop. We don’t really have it in R&B, so my goal is to record music for young teenaged girls especially, through the R&B/pop category.
Your second album is going to be released with Interscope, although your first was released with Atlantic Records. What made Interscope stand out?
Interscope, they really know how to deal with young kids, and they really believed in me. Jimmy Iovine is the one who was willing to work really hard for me. I could really feel his excitement, so that’s why I picked Interscope.
So how would you compare this second recording experience to the first?
I feel more secure and have been allowed to be more creative. Atlantic was a really good label and I was happy that they chose me at such a young age, but we had a few creative differences. Interscope let me go my own way and make music that really spoke to me.
Looking forward, what goals have you set for yourself specifically for the music profession and outside the acting realm?
I want to record innovative songs – it’s so hard. It’s so easy to do music about love – that type of stuff. I want to do stuff that is different. I want to surprise people. I want to be great. I want to be a singer that musicians can look up to. I just hope that one day I can make it all happen. I don’t ever want to stop. And my ultimate goal is just to make great music.
Article comments
1 - Ted
That's a really impressive list a movies she's done. Not!
2 - Clayton Perry
Did a "grown man" really attack the talents of a 16-year-old girl? Sheesh... that's so uncool! :-P
3 - joan
@ted
in case you haven't heard of shrink its her new movie that she stars in alongside Robin Williams and Kevin Spacey. You should check it out, she did a wonderful job in it, it was a very difficult part.