INTERVIEW: Why Olivia Holt Admires Former Disney Starlets

Disney works in a very efficient way, particularly when handling the youngsters that have ambitions beyond the realm of acting. You can ask Hilary Duff, Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez and the rest of the female starlets that went on to so much more than their beginning endeavors. If all goes according to plan, Olivia Holt, the 19-year-old actress-turned-singer, will be the next in line. 

You may also remember Olivia from the Disney XD series "Kickin It," her Disney Channel Original Move "Girl vs Monster," or her lead role as Lindy Watson in the Disney comedy "Didn’t Do It." Yes, there's a whole lot of Disney history here. It's led her to connect with her 4.9 million Instagram followers. And like her former Disney predecessors, this teen is looking to expand into the music biz with the release of her first EP simply titled Olivia. 

Earlier this month, the Tennessee-born star took to iHeartRadio HQ in New York City for an exclusive Q&A interview about her debut single from her EP, "Phoenix," her foray into the music industry and being the successor to some of the star-studded Disney alums before her time. Take a look below!

iHeartRadio: "Phoenix" is your debut single. I know singing has been part of your previous endeavors with Disney. What made this song the one you wanted to launch your debut?

Olivia Holt: The first time that I heard "Phoenix," I immediately got goosebumps. It was one of those songs that made me feel better about me, about life, about the people that I surround myself with. I think it's just one of those anthem songs, inspiring and empowering, feel good, motivation songs. I knew that I wanted it to be a part of my EP, but I didn't realize how powerful it was to other people as well. I wanted to make sure that it was a message that I got across.

iHeartRadio: We could all use a little bit of uplifting energy.

Olivia Holt: I agree.

iHeartRadio: Steve Mack produced it. He's worked with Shakira, One Direction and Selena Gomez. Do you remember what it was like recording with him?

Olivia Holt: The first time that I met Steve, he just totally lit up the room. He's such a cool guy. He's an incredible producer, songwriter, but an even better human being. I loved getting to know him. We actually recorded "Phoenix" very quickly. The day went by super fast. He's a fast worker, which I love.

iHeartRadio: I know music has always been your first passion even before acting. I read that you learned a lot about yourself and your musical sensibility when making the EP. Tell me a little bit about that process.

Olivia Holt: Creating the EP or just creating a record in general, it's always nice to experiment and figure out what direction you want to go in, and not just genre-wise, but lyrically too. I did a lot of experimenting over the past year and a half, two years, working with different people and understanding the way that they work, and not just with producers, but songwriters as well.

It's given me a lot of insight as to how music actually works and all the logistics and hard work that goes behind it. I learned a lot about what I wanted my music to be like. I wanted to make a pop record, but I'm from the south, so organic instruments [is something] I'm just naturally drawn to. To throw in those elements is really nice or, to throw in a little bit of soul or alternative is something that I wanted to incorporate, too, in the EP.

iHeartRadio: You have a song with Jordan Fisher, as well. 

Olivia Holt: It's almost a 10-year friendship in the making. He's the best guy I've ever known. I love being able to be in the same circle as him. I required a song in my EP called "Thin Air." Originally we were trying to get a rapper on it, but we were wracking our brains around who we wanted to be on the song. It hit me one day. I was like, "Oh my God, Jordan." My label and I called Jordan and he was totally down to do it. I think I was actually out of the country. He was in LA for a hot second, so he laid down the vocal. He sounds so good on it. It's brilliant. I'm happy that he did it.

iHeartRadio: You are the next in this line of Disney girls who have successfully transitioned from acting to singing. When it comes to those girls, are there any that you specifically look up to or want to model your career after?

Olivia Holt: I grew up watching Disney Channel. The fact that I got the opportunity to not just do one show or one movie, but two shows, and to do music in the movie is a dream come true. I learned a lot from Disney, not only just being on it, but watching the girls in front of me do it, alongside Hilary Duff and Miley and Demi [Lovato] and Selena. All those girls really carved a path for themselves and have really lived their dream.

From the day that they started working for the network, they had a dream and they've totally succeeded in what they wanted to do. I think that's so admiring and inspiring to me. I think all of those girls that I just named, I really look up to because they know what they want and they go for it. I really admire that about them.

iHeartRadio: 2016 is wrapping up. Any New Year's resolutions? What are you looking forward to in the New Year?

Olivia Holt: I feel like my New Year's resolution is always the same: to stop cracking my knuckles and to drink more water. The cracking knuckles part, I probably will never stop doing. It's a habit that I can't break. Drinking more water. The ultimate goal for me is just to surround myself with people that I enjoy being with and who support me and love me. I'm going to give them the same thing back. I feel like that's the ultimate good ending, the happy ending for me, is to be around people like that and to continue living my dream. That's making good movies and creating great music.

Photo: Rachel Kaplan for iHeartRadio