March 12, 2025 • 40 mins
In this week's PRH episode I sit down with Meg Donnelly. The talented actress opens up about her journey in the entertainment industry, sharing insights into her childhood, early auditions, and how she started working on Zombies. She discusses the challenges of dealing with rejection, negativity in the industry, and maintaining a positive outlook while navigating being an actress. Meg also talks about her experiences prepping for movie roles, her fitness routine, and how she balances her career with staying grounded. Meg shares her passion for singing and her upcoming music, and she even offers advice to aspiring performers and revealing what's next on her horizon.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:03):
All right, Runner Gang, Welcome back to Post Run High.
Today's episode is a fun one. I went on a
one mile run through Los Angeles with the insanely talented
Meg Donnelly, who, by the way, absolutely crushed the run.
You guys might know Meg from her role in Disney's
Zombies franchise, High School musical The Musical, or maybe even
from her own personal music. Meg and I both grew
(00:25):
up in New Jersey, so naturally we had to bond
over that before sitting down for our full conversation, because
you guys know, I love my Jersey girls. But we
got into acting how she deals with the highs and
lows of growing up in the public eye, her music,
her life in LA and so much more. But before
we get into the episode, I want to give you
guys a quick reminder.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
Hello Hello.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
If you are a loving post Run High with me
Kate Max, make sure you subscribe to my YouTube channel
at Kate Max, where you can watch all of our
video podcast episodes. And if you want to watch my
run with Meg that we filmed before sitting down for
the conversation you are about to hear, you can of
course find it across my socials at Kmax. But for now,
let's get into today's episode. What is up Brunner Gang.
(01:15):
Welcome back to post run High today. I am here
with Meg Donnelly, Meg and I just ran a couple blocks,
probably almost a mile. If we look oily, it's because
we just ran, so, you know, keep that in mind.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
How are you feeling post run good? I feel really good. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
I really didn't think I was gonna last that long.
I had to walk a couple of times. Not gonna lie,
but I yeah, I didn't know what to expect.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
But I'm happy that I made it.
Speaker 1 (01:40):
I know. Pass out, Yeah, it's always a funny ice breaker,
like starting with the run. Yeah, and I love asking
people in the beginning of my interviews about kind of
what they do for working out, And we talked about
it a little bit on the run. But break it
down for us, like are you an active person? Do
you like working out? It's definitely important for me.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
I think it's taken a while to figure out what
I like to do because I love dancing so much.
So that's like a really easy workout because you're you're
just working everything out but while dancing, and it's just.
Speaker 2 (02:09):
A really fun activity to do.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
I've tried doing pilates and like hot yoga and hot
sculpt all that stuff really hard.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
So like the heated room stuff is really hard for me.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
But I've been trying because like my best friend does
it a lot, and so, yeah, but it's mostly dance,
I would say, and like you know, nice walks and hikes. Yeah.
I'm trying to get into running because my dad. I
think I said this before too, but my dad has
been running for like he hasn't missed a day in
like thirty years, and he's ran so many marathons and
so it's like definitely my blood somewhere hasn't reached yet.
(02:46):
But I'm trying to like do like like mile, like
a mile at a time.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
I like that. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
No, I feel like dance, as you said, is such
a good cardio workout. And I feel like what's cool
about you too, is that you've done a lot of
musical dance singing roles and you have to have such
an insane amount of stamina in order to do that.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
What do you do to get ready for a role.
Speaker 1 (03:07):
Is there a routine that you strictly follow or is
it more like the dance rehearsals that get you, you know,
ready to go, because that it is hard being able
to sing and dance.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Yeah at the same time, one hundred percent.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
I think especially for stuff like Zombies, like we have
so much rehearsal time. Ye Like we have like a
month before we start shooting and we're just doing dancing
all the time. So I think you get into the
routine of.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
Like, oh, okay, I'm out of shape, Like let's get
into it.
Speaker 3 (03:34):
So you have like kind of a month to prepare
and on the dancing days, like there's specific days where
you're like, oh, we're just shooting musical today, and then
it's like okay, cool, and then you can kind of
in the morning prepare like okay, today I'm going to
be doing it.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
So like how do I rest? How do I eat properly?
Speaker 3 (03:48):
You know? But yeah, now like moving into like the
music world, I feel like I've just been trying to
sing as much as possible, like terribly singing on the
treadmill and trying to like build up stamps in that way.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
But it is really difficult. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:03):
I love knowing, And ever since I started the running
interview show and we interview a lot of artists, It's
so fun knowing that you guys do train a lot
while singing on the treadmill.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
The first time I heard about that was actually before
kind of the news came out that like Taylor Swift
does it. You know. I was interviewing Mary Kate Morrissey
and she's the girl that plays Alphaba on Wicked, right,
and she was saying she often trains like that because
Wicked is the Gershwin Theater has a break stage, which
means it's kind of on an incline.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
So you have to like have that extra level of
breath control. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (04:34):
But I can't imagine singing alphabet songs every night. I
can't even being suspended in the air Like that must
be so hard.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
Yeah, I can't fathom that. Are you a Wicked fan?
Speaker 3 (04:43):
Yes, Oh my gosh, I'm a huge musical theater nerd.
I loved Wicked, Love the movie.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (04:49):
I literally have like a rent quote on my bracelet.
I it's yeah, I'm pretty deep in it.
Speaker 1 (04:56):
I love meeting kids that are in that we're into
musical theater too, because I agree, I am see you. Yes, no, no,
like I didn't do musical theater growing up, And yes,
like I did a couple of school plays in middle school,
but I do I did, like you know how in
middle school they would do random kind of hodge podges
of different yeah, like recital, yes, exactly, like a recital
(05:18):
or it would be like bits of Annie and bits
of like all these.
Speaker 2 (05:22):
I did that too.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
Yeah it was cute, but yeah, I always liked it.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
I think performing is so cool.
Speaker 1 (05:28):
But I mean, growing up, you were super into musical
theater and performances.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I thought that that was what I
was going to do, like completely. I also was a
huge fan of Disney Channel, so like as a really
like young kid, I started like auditioning professionally when I
was like seven or eight, so really young. Yeah, and
a lot of it was for Broadway, but then it
was always for Disney Channel too.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
It was always you know, kind of like.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
Generals for that world because that was something that I
was like such a huge fan of. But yeah, musical theater,
I was like, oh yeah, Broadway's the dream, That's what
I'm gonna do.
Speaker 2 (06:01):
And so.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
Yeah, so I was like a huge musical theater nerd
and that's kind of all I listened to and what
I loved. And then it kind of just like transitioned
to TV and film when I was like like eleven
or twelve, I just started outsing for commercials and TV
for like you know, like why not, and then that
kind of just open another door.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
So yeah, it's crazy. It's so wild.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
It's wild to know how young you were when you
got into the industry because it's like every kid's dream,
right that's interested in musical theater. What was your childhood
like growing up? Like I know you grew up in
New Jersey and you know, like breaking down. Were your
parents into acting or was this this world new to
them as well?
Speaker 3 (06:42):
It was completely new to them. Yeah, I think my
love for music definitely came from them. Like they listened,
like there was always music playing in the house. It
was never quiet, and there were huge concert growers, so
like I was always at concerts and music playing. So
they're huge like music people, but like actual creatives. Like
they were like jocks in high school and kind of
went into the corporate world, so they were not like
(07:05):
creative like that, but music wise, they were, if that
makes sense. So yeah, going into musical theater and like
they put me into sports, I was terrible at all
of them, like I like playing soccer. I did not
want to run on the field. I just wanted to
play goalies so that I didn't have to run. And
I was doing like cartwheels and singing and like whatever,
and they were like, oh, okay, maybe she should do
(07:26):
something like more like musical like theatery kind of thing.
So then I went to like a musical theater school
in Jersey Annie's Playhouse shout out, and yeah, then that's
when I started. But they had no idea, and like
even when like there was a workshop at the theater
school that it was like a Broadway manager I like,
and I just like sang in front of her just
(07:47):
for whatever. And then when she was like, oh, like
we want to sign your daughter and she'll start auditioning
in the city. And like, my parents had no idea
what that meant. I hater to die because I was
like eight, but yeah, and then that's like what moved
me into the city and everything.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
But yeah, it was crazy, No, it is, And it's.
Speaker 1 (08:03):
So wild how one interaction like that can change the
trajectory of your life, right, Like that woman noticing you
really did transform your life, right, because it's hard, especially
having parents that don't know the industry, you know, it's
hard to know, Okay, like how do we get her
to audition for stuff? And where what should she be
doing if this is what she's interested in?
Speaker 2 (08:23):
Right, So that's so cool to know that. Yeah, it
is really cool. And they did the best job.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
I don't know how they navigated it the way they did,
but they did.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
A great job.
Speaker 1 (08:32):
So well, I feel like it was a good situation
because you were getting casted for roles, right and you
very quickly started working and yad of it. What was
it like in those early days going to auditions in
the city. Was it intimidating? Were you too young to
really know if it was scary or not?
Speaker 2 (08:46):
You know what was terrified.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
The first audition I ever did was an open call
for Billy Elliott. But it was like just dance, and
like I was not a dancer at all, So like
I went in with all these girls from all over
the country and they were so good, and I just
like had like a number on like on my stomach,
and I was just like and like the first dish,
I like got caught immediately because I was just like,
(09:08):
I don't know what I'm doing. So it was like, yeah,
it was so nerve wracking because it was like just
such a big pool of kids that all have the
same dream and it was just like really eye opening
of like whoa, Like, this is not what I thought
it was. But the first thing I ever did was
an episode of Sesame Street where we taught kids how
to say hands headed feet in Spanish.
Speaker 2 (09:30):
Mmm. So we were dancing manosca this Yeah.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
That's hands wait, hands, head and feet right, and it
was like Haun was singing it and so we were
just like dancing in the background with like Elmo.
Speaker 2 (09:46):
So that was the first song I ever had and
that was.
Speaker 3 (09:48):
Really cool, just like being on set and being like, wow,
it's so cool. Yeah, and they filmed in Queens, so
shout out Queens.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
It was great. That's amazing. I love knowing that you
were on Sesame Street. What was what would you say
it was your breakout role? Oh?
Speaker 3 (10:03):
Was it Zombies or I mean I would say, yeah,
like a year before that, I was on American Housewife,
which is like a sitcom for ABC, and so that
was like the first That's what moved me out to
LA And that was like whoa, Like it was like
on a lot in La and I was like it
was so cool, and like I had just turned sixteen,
(10:23):
so it was just like so wild and new. And
and then like while I was filming, I was auditioning
for Zombies, and then that kind of happened.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
So it kind of happened pretty fast right in that way.
Speaker 3 (10:35):
But before that, it was just really funny because like
for six years before that, it was just like constant auditions.
So I think a lot of people, like I feel
like a lot of times on social media you see
somebody kind of book something and then go from there,
but you don't see everything else in the background, and
like it never happens that way, Like everybody is working
so hard and like, but you only see like the
(10:57):
good parts. So I just think that's really that was
kind of tangent, But it's just really interesting that it is.
Speaker 1 (11:02):
It is no and I think too, like I do
know how hard it is to get these roles, and
it does make so much sense. Yeah, you audition for
so much and then it's like you kind of get
that big break and it's so exciting and you're like, yes,
like I'm what they were looking for. But what is
it like dealing with rejection when you're going through all
these auditions and you were so young, and you know,
I'm sure it still happens, right.
Speaker 3 (11:23):
Yeah, oh yeah, so much rejection. I feel like it
definitely doesn't get any easier. I think you just learn
how to deal with it more, take it less personally.
It's really a lot easier than done because you know,
you still take it personally, but but you try not to,
you know. I think, yeah, now it's kind of more like, okay,
(11:46):
you know, I just didn't fit the role, or like
I wasn't what they were looking for, and that's okay,
like just kind of rationalizing it that way. But as
a kid, yeah, I think that's definitely where like a
lot of times in my life, like if I feel
like I'm like, you know, not good enough or you know,
a lot of my insecurities, I feel like probably are
rooted in like that rejection all the time, because you
never feel like you're good enough in that way, especially
(12:08):
being a young kid, because you're like wait, why you know? So,
I think that is like a really hard thing. I
think everybody deals with that in their life no matter what.
But I think in this industry it's really interesting and
you're also expected to be an adult at like eight
years old. So you're like on set working and like
everybody is working in nine to five and all the
adults have like families and they're going home to your kids,
(12:30):
and you're just like goofing off on set and then
everyone is kind of like no, like you need to
be an adult kind of thing.
Speaker 2 (12:37):
It's it's really strange.
Speaker 1 (12:38):
Yeah, it is a hard it's a really hard dynamic,
and I feel like it forces you to grow up
so fast. Like, yeah, on our run, we were talking
about how, you know, it's so cool that you've you know,
on Disney and Disney movies like Zombies, and it makes
me think back to Hannah Montana and we were talking
about how growing up like Hannah Montana Wizards of Wave
really placed. They were just our favorite shows to watch,
and it's so weird to like think back on them
(13:00):
and be like, Miley was so young when you were
watching them, just like you were so young when you
first started. But at the same time, you know, growing up,
you look up at them and you're like they're you know,
they're so young, but they at the same time are
so mature for their age.
Speaker 2 (13:13):
Like did you feel like you had to grow up
really quickly. It definitely. Yeah, well was that, Like.
Speaker 3 (13:18):
It's crazy that like when I saw Hannah Montana on
tour like Massive Square Garden, she was literally like thirteen
fourteen years old. In my mind she was like this
like adult, like amazing. She was literally a kid, Like
that's crazy to me. But because I was like seven eight,
like that was so old to me, you know, and
like return, yeah, it is crazy. And even on the
(13:38):
first Zombies, like I can't believe that I was only sixteen, Like.
Speaker 2 (13:41):
I felt so much more mature and like I was
like I.
Speaker 3 (13:44):
Know everything and so old like whatever, and it's like
I didn't know anything, right, So it's really fun.
Speaker 1 (13:50):
I still don't know anything now now you'd be like
you see high schoolers and you're like, oh my god,
they're so young.
Speaker 2 (13:55):
I oh, it's weird.
Speaker 3 (13:56):
Yeah, it's so weird, no, I I yeah, So I
really did feel like I grew up pretty old. I
think also just being in New York as well, like
you kind of have to as well.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
I absolutely kids in the city grow up fast, Yeah
for sure.
Speaker 2 (14:10):
Yeah, yeah, I think.
Speaker 3 (14:11):
But when I was younger, I think even being in
this industry, and I think a lot of people can
relate to this, even if they're not.
Speaker 2 (14:17):
I really wanted to be.
Speaker 3 (14:18):
Old, like older, and so when adults were like, oh,
you're so mature for your age, like that was the
biggest compliment. And now I wish I could go back
and like tell my young my eleven year old self,
like just be a kid, like laugh a little, come on,
because I just wanted to be so adult and mature
and like cool and with the older kids. But I
(14:38):
think I still was a kid for sure, and I
had great kid experiences, but at the same time, like
I didn't as well, and so that is really interesting
to grapple with. But being on the New Zombies movie,
there are so all the kids are like fourteen to
eighteen years old, and so it's almost like I'm reliving
like the first Zombies over again and seeing how young
and excit did they are. Like it was the craziest
(15:02):
thing for like me and the older cast to like
deal with, like, wow, we are not that age anymore,
like we are like in our like early to mid twenties,
and like that's crazy.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
It is.
Speaker 1 (15:13):
I feel like it's so fun though, to be on
that set and to be with at that age and
be able to kind of be a mended right, you
get to like be a mentor to them and a
little bit of like the big sister role, and that's
such a cool place to get to.
Speaker 2 (15:29):
What do you think was the biggest.
Speaker 1 (15:30):
Challenge when you were younger, just starting out having gotten
this big role, Like what was the hardest thing for
you to overcome that When you did overcome it, you were.
Speaker 2 (15:39):
Like, Okay, damn, I can do anything now.
Speaker 3 (15:41):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (15:41):
I think.
Speaker 3 (15:45):
I think when like the first like zombies came out,
I don't think any of us really expected what was
going to happen. I don't like even people at Disney,
like it was such a niche Like it was like
cheerleaders versus zombies.
Speaker 2 (15:59):
There's music.
Speaker 3 (16:01):
It was kind of just like okay, like hopefully this
does well whatever, And then when it did, I just
don't think we expected it to happen like so fast,
And so I think just facing a lot like just
having a lot of eyes really fast and just facing
like just reading comments and you know all those things.
Like I think overcoming that of like dealing with other
(16:23):
people's opinions, Like I think it really like stunted me
for a while. And then it like kind of went
into my social life, like I just cared so much
about what people thought all the time, right.
Speaker 2 (16:32):
And I still do.
Speaker 3 (16:34):
I think you still have to in this industry at
some point, you know, like if things do well and
then they don't, you like want to follow that because
you're like, Okay, something is connecting, something's not. But I
think to the point where it like starts, like you know,
debilitating you is when you should be like, Okay, maybe
I need to like you know, figure something out. And
I think I've like what I said before, I was
like I'm trying not to care about what people think.
Speaker 2 (16:56):
Now I get it.
Speaker 1 (16:57):
I love that for you, but it is so important,
Like this industry is so hard in that sense. Yeah,
especially and people think that you don't see the comments
or you know, because there's so many. Sometimes there's so many,
Like it's you know, some people think that you don't notice,
but it's like you notice the negative stuff so much
more than the positive stuff.
Speaker 3 (17:13):
Oh yeah, there could be like a thousand positive comments
and then one person can say something negative and that
you like ruined your day. Because I feel like in
my head, I'm always like and especially in this industry
as well, it's you're constantly like, because of the rejection everything,
you're like, I'm not good enough. You have like this
imposter syndrome of like maybe I don't belong here, maybe
I'm not a good.
Speaker 2 (17:32):
Singer or whatever.
Speaker 3 (17:32):
And then if one person says that, you're like, oh,
they got me, they found me out, like I'm not
you know, But that's just not true.
Speaker 2 (17:39):
And people will just say.
Speaker 3 (17:41):
Stuff just to say it because it's all anonymous, like
you're never like you know, so it's just kind of
like it is what it is. But I think that
like not going on social media or like posting is
important for like music and career, but like not looking
at you know, a lot of the stuff has been
like the biggest lesson is just like post and just
like put it away.
Speaker 2 (18:01):
No, that's such good advice. I feel like that.
Speaker 1 (18:04):
I was actually just talking to a singer yesterday on
the interview show She'll be her video we posted next week,
Rachel Platten. She's the singer of the like the fight
song Oh My God, Yes, and she's been in the
industry for years, and she was saying the hardest thing
is now adapting to social media because when she first
started out social media wasn't really a thing.
Speaker 2 (18:22):
In the way that it is now. Yeah, I can't imagine.
Speaker 1 (18:25):
I know you are launching music, do you feel like
social media is super important when you're putting out new things?
Speaker 3 (18:31):
Yeah, I definitely think with music it really is because
I think, at least me personally, like I find so
much new music on like Instagram or TikTok and because
and I think kind of like posting is important. Yeah,
And I definitely know that, and I definitely, you know,
it's cool to post about stuff that you're proud of.
But at the same time, I'm not a huge fan
(18:54):
of social media because, like I, I feel like there's
so many pros, but I think the cons are kind
of just like you know, just like scrolling and comparing
yourself to other people and kind of just like wasting
a lot of time scrolling.
Speaker 2 (19:10):
At least I do that. I'm just speaking personally from
my side of things. We all are chronically online, what
I gay.
Speaker 3 (19:18):
And so, but I think for like work, and I
think it is really important and I think it makes
people feel connected to you. And I think now I've
just been trying to post stuff that I feel like
is authentic to me and like trying not to be.
It's so weird because like I feel like social media
is not very genuine in the way that you're like
(19:39):
posting something, but it's all curated. So I'm trying to
find a balance right now. I haven't figured it out yet,
figuring it out now of like how to be more
authentic and more myself and just like not again not
care about what people think. And and I feel like
that will It's just really fun that way because it's like, Okay,
like this is just me and like, and I think
(20:01):
people really connect to stuff that's authentic, you.
Speaker 2 (20:03):
Know, definitely, I think so too.
Speaker 1 (20:05):
I feel like it's so important on social media just
to be posting content for your people because at the
end of the day, it's just like your friend, your
close friend group on there, you know.
Speaker 3 (20:15):
But it's hard not to like curate stuff or like
be like, oh, like I really like this photo, so
I'm gonna post it. But it's like, you know, yeah,
it's hard not to for everything to always look perfect,
like where your feed looks like and all that stuff
like that always gets in my head.
Speaker 1 (20:29):
Why.
Speaker 3 (20:30):
I don't know. It's literally just Instagram, but like it
like night.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
Yes, Instagram is a different beast. It really is.
Speaker 1 (20:38):
It really takes more fun because it's like you can
do whatever you want on there. Yeah, it's basically a
ramp page.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
Yes, But why is that? I don't know.
Speaker 3 (20:45):
I don't know when it comes to Instagram, Like I
open it up and I'm like, oh, like does this
look okay?
Speaker 2 (20:52):
Like I don't know why. I don't know why either.
Speaker 1 (20:54):
I feel like Instagram historically has always felt like mm
almost like a magazine of somebody's life in a way.
Speaker 2 (21:02):
And the Pinterest board.
Speaker 1 (21:03):
Yeah, I don't know, but I'm not an aesthetic person,
so I'm I just do my thing on that app amazing.
Speaker 2 (21:10):
I'm going to take after you, take after that. Just
do your thing. Yeah, you still love it. Let's talk
about Disney princesses. Okay, okay, so we kind of alluded
to this on the run.
Speaker 1 (21:20):
But growing up, I know, you know, you do a
lot of stuff with Disney Disney Channel. I feel like,
growing up, every little girl has a princess that they
love that they see themselves in. Is there a princess,
a Disney princess that you love that you would want
to maybe play in a movie.
Speaker 2 (21:40):
She's like I can't say that.
Speaker 3 (21:41):
Well. I mean a movie that I really loved growing
up was Tangled. So Rapunzel is one of my favorite princesses.
And I also really love Elsa. Yeah, and I think
Elsa would also be a character. I feel like Rapunzel
and Elsa are two characters that I would love to
play in some capacity somehow.
Speaker 2 (22:03):
I love Elseidriypunzel.
Speaker 1 (22:04):
I totally see that for you, you went from zombies to
playing a role in the Winchester Yes, yeah, yeah, what
is it like, kind of switching genres? You know?
Speaker 2 (22:16):
Is that a challenge to do or was it super
fun for you?
Speaker 3 (22:19):
It was so much fun. Yeah, I had the best time.
It was really funny though, because one of the first
episodes we did of Winchester's we were like like brutally
murdering zombies and I was like, wow, this is very
different from something that I did before, where I was
falling in love and singing with the zombies. So very
different projects, but it was so much fun. It's really
(22:40):
fun doing both. I think drama is something that I've
always been really like not scared of, but I think
comedy and theater like that, that's like something I grew
up in and so drama has been like harder for me.
So I've been working on that more and it's honestly
become like more of a passion these days of like
(23:02):
figuring out like drama and like kind of the emotional
stuff because when I watch things, it's not necessarily I
cannot watch like horror or like really sad movies, like
I have to be in a mood for that. But
I'm so sensitive when it comes to like like when
I'm watching a movie, like.
Speaker 2 (23:19):
It feels so real for me.
Speaker 3 (23:21):
So most of the time I'll do like animate like
SpongeBob or like Bluey or like stuff because I think
about two stuff weight too much in my life anyways,
So I like like cartoons and happy movies. So yeah,
so drama has been something really cool to get into.
So yeah, Winchesters was definitely very different but also really fun.
Speaker 2 (23:40):
Yeah, I feel like it is fun.
Speaker 1 (23:41):
It's also cool like as you grow up to start
playing like different types of roles and you know, throw
yourself into different settings. And it was so cool to
see you in the Winchester Yeah. What is it like
getting into character for that type of a role. What
is your kind of getting into character process.
Speaker 3 (23:57):
For that, I feel like it was a lot of
like prep because the role that I Addison in Zombies
or like Taylor in American Nasa is pretty much just me,
just with like you know, there's some differences but whatever.
Then but this character was so different and then, but
the cool thing is in every character you play, you
get to find similarities of like of how they relate
(24:19):
to you, And so I ended up did relating to
Marry a lot. But on paper she was so different
from me, like very dark and like, you know, a
strong leader and opinionated and like that is just not
me at all. So I think it was just you know,
trying to make it as natural as possible, and so
that took a little time at the beginning, but it
(24:40):
was so worth it.
Speaker 2 (24:40):
It was so fun. Yeah. No, I find that so interesting.
Speaker 1 (24:43):
Whenever I talk to actors, that is what they say,
like you have to find the commonalities with yourself and
that character, or if you can't, you have to try
your best to just understand that character as a person
and how they would act exactly. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (24:54):
I find the whole thing so interesting.
Speaker 3 (24:55):
Yeah, Yeah, I feel like you always take a part
them with you.
Speaker 2 (25:01):
No matter what. Yeah, and you like.
Speaker 3 (25:02):
Kind of always will have like how they think or
feel like with you at some point.
Speaker 2 (25:08):
It's really weird.
Speaker 1 (25:09):
I don't even know how to describe it. It's like
a really weird feeling. Yeah, what part of Mary do
you feel like you have taken with you? That reminds
me of method acting, Like I feel like a lot
of people that method act kind of sometimes adopt certain traits.
I know, like Ariana Grande playing Glinda for real, her
voice has changed.
Speaker 3 (25:24):
Yeah, I know, and I think that happens a lot
with like creatives like you kind of just like take
on or like when I it's like those those tiktoks
where it's like like me walking out of a movie
theater with my new personality.
Speaker 2 (25:36):
Like you know when you watch a movie. Well maybe I.
Speaker 3 (25:39):
Don't know, maybe it's just me, but like you walk
out of a movie theater and you like see like
a character and you think they're so cool or whatever,
and you walk out and you're like, like, this is
my new character. When I was younger, I used to
do that all the time. I think that's what makes
you an actress. Yeah, seriously, we're walking out of the
first Avengers movie, and I like thought I was black widow,
and like, for the rest of the night I was
walking around, I was like, wait, that's something I've always done.
Speaker 1 (26:03):
I could totally see you casted for a Marvel type
of movie.
Speaker 2 (26:06):
Oh my god, that'd be so incredible. Really would that be? Yeah,
that'd be a cool role.
Speaker 3 (26:10):
Yes, superhero anything would be so cool, especially like that
whole Marvel face, Like that was my whole upbringing.
Speaker 2 (26:20):
I just I loved it so much.
Speaker 3 (26:21):
I recently just rewatched all of them in chronological order.
So good, so good. Yeah, I'm so grateful to have
grown up with all of those movies. So the Marvel stuff,
the Marvel stuff is so interesting too.
Speaker 1 (26:32):
Because it was funny because we were at the Captain America. Uh,
I had ran with Danny Ramirez, and then we went
after the run to the premiere because our uber driver
that picked us up happened to be this like big
Marvel fan and he and I don't know that much
about Marvel, and he was saying how it's like when
(26:54):
you get casted for a Marvel movie, you really become
a part of the Marvel universe in a way, and
your your careacter evolves yeah, and I never knew that.
I was like, it's so interesting. So, yeah, that Anthony
Mackie is Captain America. It's a very big deal for
Oh yeah, the so cool, Like I had no idea.
Speaker 2 (27:12):
No, yeah, it's so cool.
Speaker 3 (27:13):
I feel like in Marvel and also in DC, like
they introduce characters like two three movies ahead and they're
like in a couple of scenes and then they like
it like all intertwines together and like everything is for
a reason.
Speaker 2 (27:26):
It's so cool.
Speaker 3 (27:27):
And yeah, and Anthony Mackie has been a part of
the universe for oh my god, so long, like right,
so it's so cool to see like where his character
has progressed.
Speaker 1 (27:35):
And yeah, Marvel is really cool for that. I need
to go down a deep dive of Marvel because what
the hell.
Speaker 3 (27:41):
Yeah, I was like, are from like in chronological order,
like and watched all of them.
Speaker 2 (27:46):
It's so good. It's really really well done.
Speaker 1 (27:48):
Maybe I'll switch from White Looatus to to to Marvel.
Speaker 2 (27:52):
We're talking about whiteloads.
Speaker 1 (27:53):
Yeah, okay, let's talk about singing. So you just released
a new single. How was the release. Are you feeling
about it? Are you excited? Yeah, I'm really excited.
Speaker 3 (28:10):
I just released a new song, Picky, like last week
and it's doing like I'm really happy with it, I think.
Speaker 2 (28:17):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (28:17):
I started releasing music in November of twenty no, February,
wait in like twenty twenty four. Kind of recent, yeah,
super recent.
Speaker 1 (28:32):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (28:34):
Yeah, it's been a long journey.
Speaker 3 (28:35):
I feel like I've always been like writing music and
loving songwriting and everything since I was younger. But because
I was a theater kid, I thought you just like
perform on stage, and that was kind of it.
Speaker 2 (28:47):
My imagination kind of didn't expand there.
Speaker 3 (28:49):
I didn't realize that you could, like, you know, learn
how to do it on like produce on your computer
or go into a recording studio. Like I really did
not know that world at all or how it worked.
And so when I was working on Zombies, like there's
a producer of every song, and so I just started
working with one of the producers and kind of just
starting music from there. But it's just been a really
(29:12):
long journey because a lot of the music I've released,
even though I love it so much, it's always been
kind of in like it never was through Disney, but
it was always like keeping the Disney Channel audience in
mind and it being like geared towards the younger audience,
and like, honestly, at the time when I was younger,
like my music taste is so eclectic and all over
the place. Like when I was eighteen, I wanted to
(29:33):
do like pure R and B and like that was
like my vibe, which is like not necessarily what I wanted,
but I just as a kid, like you're just figuring
out yourself and who you want to be. And I
had no idea what I wanted my music to sound like.
It was more just like the artists that I loved,
I just wanted to be like them. And so now
I feel like I finally figured out like who I
(29:54):
am or starting to and kind of like blending all
of my influences and kind of like on sound.
Speaker 2 (30:02):
So anyway, it's long story short.
Speaker 3 (30:04):
I've started releasing music because I feel like I'm at
a good place now to like actually be like one
hundred percent proud of the stuff that I'm releasing. And yeah,
so it's all working towards an EP in the spring,
which is really fun, and yeah, I'm really excited about it.
Like I just feel like what we were talking about
earlier with social media, Like it feels really authentic and
(30:25):
just me, and I think that's why I'm so proud
of it, because it's just me so exactly.
Speaker 1 (30:31):
It's different than playing a part where you're playing a character.
It's like you are showcasing yourself and what you love.
How would you describe your sound and who are your influences?
Speaker 3 (30:42):
Oh goodness, there's so many influences I feel like right now,
like in my Bag and Picky, and then the next
one coming out as well is very inspired by like
early two thousands, like R and B and hip hop.
Speaker 2 (30:55):
It's still very pop.
Speaker 3 (30:57):
I feel like the melodies are very poppy because I
also love pop as well, but it's yeah, really inspired
by that kind of like Y two K era, because
that's I feel like, like the late or just all
of nineties, Like early two thousands is like the golden
age of R and B and hip hop.
Speaker 2 (31:17):
So yeah, it's really cool.
Speaker 3 (31:20):
And then I also love yacht rock, so a lot
of the songs upcoming have a lot of like yacht
rock influences.
Speaker 2 (31:28):
What is yacht rock? Why do I not know what
that is? It's like.
Speaker 3 (31:32):
It's like eighty like eighties synths, like kind of like
like what would be like a yacht rock song like
Africa by Toto.
Speaker 2 (31:43):
I don't know, Oh my god, yes, yes, are like, oh.
Speaker 3 (31:50):
That's so cool to do magic then or like Steely
Dan vibes, Like it's all very like it's basically rock
that you'd play.
Speaker 2 (32:00):
On a yacht in the middle of the ocean, and you're.
Speaker 1 (32:02):
Just kind of like, Okay, now I'm getting the Bob
Marley shit right.
Speaker 2 (32:06):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (32:06):
Also, I mean my number one influence is Bob Marley.
I love that none of my songs really have like
reggae influence in there, but his like just life philosophy,
just like struggling with a lot of anxiety growing up,
he was like the only music and like I would
watch his interviews and like he's like the only thing
that would like help me get through just a lot
(32:28):
of like hard times growing up as a kid, because
like everything he says is just that everything's gonna be okay,
everything's gonna be all right.
Speaker 1 (32:36):
So I was like, you're right, Bob, I need to
go back and watch his interviews because I feel like
I've never seen a Bob Marley interview. Yeah, And I
could imagine how that's calming when you're feeling anxious about something.
Because I feel like he was so successful and just
had this really calm demeanor to him.
Speaker 2 (32:51):
I was like, it's all good. Oh yeah, no, it's incredible.
Speaker 3 (32:55):
Like I feel like reggae is like the most amazing
and also a lot of like Island Gay listened to,
like like like Polynesian reggae so incredible, and like it
just instantly soothes you and calms you down and like
puts you at ease, especially if you're feeling stressed or
anything like that. So like, I think reggae is a
(33:15):
huge part of my life in that way because it
just really helps with just you know, my stress level.
Speaker 2 (33:21):
So that's so cool.
Speaker 1 (33:22):
Yeah, I feel like I know you're an East Coast girl, yes,
growing up huh. But being in LA, we're here for
you know, we've been here for the past month, We're
gonna be here for a little bit longer. And I
feel like every time I come here from New York,
I instantly feel calmer. Yeah yeah, right, Like having grown
up in New York, do you feel like now living
in LA.
Speaker 2 (33:42):
Is good for the mental Oh yeah, yeah yeah.
Speaker 3 (33:45):
I always like I feel like when I first moved
here for the first couple of years, I was like,
I need to get back home, and every time I
met somebody, like my whole personality was like, yeah, I'm
from New York.
Speaker 2 (33:57):
That'd be one of the first things. It's so obnoxious.
Oh oh god.
Speaker 3 (34:00):
So like I always was like, New York is really
the best. Now when I go to New York, I
miss La. I feel like that's the you know, that
means that La is my home as well now because
I kind of miss both. Wherever i'm at, I always
miss New York, but like now I miss both. So
I'm kind of happy wherever. But my blood has beenned
(34:20):
so much. Whenever I go back to New York and
it's cold, I feel so weak because I've gone so
used to this amazing weather.
Speaker 2 (34:28):
No, it's literally perfect.
Speaker 3 (34:29):
To your guys, lain't beat the weather here now, and
so I've definitely gotten used to that. There's pros and
const to both, but I definitely feel a lot more
relaxed in my suburban neighborhood in La Forge.
Speaker 1 (34:41):
Yeah, it's refreshing being in a suburban neighborhood in a city.
Speaker 2 (34:45):
I feel like that's the thing.
Speaker 1 (34:46):
That makes La so cool, is it feels very grounding,
which we all need, especially in this crazy industry. Sure,
let's talk about this. You've been working in the industry
since you were a teenager. So if you could go
back and give your teenage self one piece advice for
all the girls and guys listening, what would it be.
Speaker 3 (35:08):
I think with the like industry wise, I think, if
you want to be in this industry and you feel
really passionate about it, I feel like making sure that
you are really into it and passionate about it and
it's not it's kind of like for the right reason.
It's for you, and it's for like your creativity and
what you want to put out in the world, and
(35:28):
not for maybe like you know, more superficial reasons.
Speaker 2 (35:32):
Because I feel like I had to figure that.
Speaker 3 (35:33):
Out for myself. I was like do I actually want
to do this? Or like why am I doing this?
And I think, in realizing of like, oh no, I
actually want to do It's just such a tough industry
and it's really hard. And I feel like if it's
something you're really passionate about, though, then I would say
stick with it because it takes a while, but it's
so worth it in the end. But make sure that
(35:55):
you really really love it and want to do it
for your soul and heart. And then kind of what
we were saying before, I feel like just teenagers in
general that are you know, in middle school high school
is just like is stop growing up? I feel like,
you know, take your time and enjoy what age you're at.
Speaker 2 (36:16):
At least I wish I could tell myself that.
Speaker 3 (36:20):
Because I feel like, right now, and this is an
over generalization, but I feel like right now it kind
of goes from like toddler to like teenager. There's no
like tweens anymore, you know, I'm like, just be a tween,
just like like where weird stuff and do terrible make
up and you know, like where like funky clips in
(36:40):
your Like I have the craziest awkward phase and I
think that's so okay, And like I gess and like,
I don't think you you have to because you have
so much time. And now that I'm I'm still so
young and I feel like I've lived so many lives
and I just wish that I, you know, stayed like
true to myself and my age and didn't try to
be something that I was not, so to be authentic
(37:03):
to you that's what I'm trying to do.
Speaker 1 (37:06):
So yeah, I feel like so many people are gonna
be like, Meg, you did not have an awkward face,
Like let me.
Speaker 2 (37:12):
Tell yeah, I did. Let me tell you.
Speaker 1 (37:14):
I always feel that way though, with people that get
casted so young for these things, like you guys are
always so beautiful and look so good. It's like hard
to imagine. It's hard to imagine, like Miley Cyrus with
an awkward phase, you know, I always think about that,
but like she would say I had an awkward face.
Speaker 3 (37:28):
But in my mind, I would be like, absolutely not.
I feel like even just on American Housewife, I went
from sixteen to twenty one, and like I went through
some like some like people will send me clips from
it or like my parents will be watching whatever and
I see it.
Speaker 2 (37:40):
I'm like, oh, dear god. I was like, that was
not me.
Speaker 3 (37:44):
But like people might not like think like that because
it's not you. So like when you see somebody else,
you're easily like, oh my god, no, you look amazing.
Speaker 2 (37:53):
Yeah, but in my world, I was like that was awful.
Speaker 1 (37:56):
You know. No, It's so weird going back and looking
at old photos, even from a year ago, like it's
weird looking at how much you evolve in a year.
Speaker 3 (38:04):
I know, it's crazy, even in like a week. I
always say that, I'm like, I'm not even the same
person I was like two weeks ago, no.
Speaker 2 (38:10):
Let alone a year ago. Yeah, I feel that. Oh goodness, Yeah,
we're changing a lot. Twenty four is in your twenty four. Yeah,
twenty four is a big age. It is.
Speaker 1 (38:18):
Yeah, twenty forty twenty five your prefrontal cortex or whatever
it is, your brain fully developed, and oh.
Speaker 2 (38:23):
Yeah I feel it. I feel it developing. Yeah, Sully
w Su really but yeah, I know.
Speaker 3 (38:27):
These past day years have just been so wild, and
I feel like I think it's okay to like change
and you know, and like that's like we're always changing,
and it's okay.
Speaker 2 (38:36):
As you should, as you should, Okay.
Speaker 1 (38:39):
As we finish up the podcast, I want you to
just tell us what are some of the things that
you're super excited about that you're working on that you
want everybody to know about or look forward to knowing about.
Speaker 2 (38:51):
I'm so excited for my new music to come out.
Speaker 3 (38:54):
I feel like I've been working so hard on it
and I feel really happy about it. And so you know,
this spring will be like the EP coming out and
then more music after that, so I'm really excited about
that and then and then the only thing I can
really talk about is Zombies four, which I still can't
even really talk about that, but it is coming out
(39:16):
this year and that's all I can say.
Speaker 2 (39:18):
So I'm really really excited for that. Are you allowed
to say where you guys filmed? Yes?
Speaker 3 (39:22):
Yeah, we filmed in New Zealand, which was so cool.
And also something I'm looking forward to is telling everybody
to go to New Zealand if you can, if you
have the opportunity to people in America.
Speaker 2 (39:32):
I know it's so far.
Speaker 3 (39:34):
Away, but it's the most magical place in the entire world,
so it's so cool.
Speaker 2 (39:39):
I love Ken.
Speaker 1 (39:40):
Yeah, everybody go to New Zealand. Go to New Zealand,
have so much fun. Tag Meg and all your pictures.
Speaker 2 (39:47):
You knows that you're there.
Speaker 1 (39:49):
Thank you, guys so much for watching today's episode with Meg.
Speaker 2 (39:52):
Meg You're amazing.
Speaker 1 (39:53):
Thank you. Thank you having me of course, thank you
for running with me and sitting down and chatting. I'm
so excited for you.
Speaker 3 (39:58):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (40:00):
Should you subscribe and hit that bell notification to see
what we post next. Him m m m hmm.
All right, Runner Gang, Welcome back to Post Run High.
Today's episode is a fun one. I went on a
one mile run through Los Angeles with the insanely talented
Meg Donnelly, who, by the way, absolutely crushed the run.
You guys might know Meg from her role in Disney's
Zombies franchise, High School musical The Musical, or maybe even
from her own personal music. Meg and I both grew
(00:25):
up in New Jersey, so naturally we had to bond
over that before sitting down for our full conversation, because
you guys know, I love my Jersey girls. But we
got into acting how she deals with the highs and
lows of growing up in the public eye, her music,
her life in LA and so much more. But before
we get into the episode, I want to give you
guys a quick reminder.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
Hello Hello.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
If you are a loving post Run High with me
Kate Max, make sure you subscribe to my YouTube channel
at Kate Max, where you can watch all of our
video podcast episodes. And if you want to watch my
run with Meg that we filmed before sitting down for
the conversation you are about to hear, you can of
course find it across my socials at Kmax. But for now,
let's get into today's episode. What is up Brunner Gang.
(01:15):
Welcome back to post run High today. I am here
with Meg Donnelly, Meg and I just ran a couple blocks,
probably almost a mile. If we look oily, it's because
we just ran, so, you know, keep that in mind.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
How are you feeling post run good? I feel really good. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
I really didn't think I was gonna last that long.
I had to walk a couple of times. Not gonna lie,
but I yeah, I didn't know what to expect.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
But I'm happy that I made it.
Speaker 1 (01:40):
I know. Pass out, Yeah, it's always a funny ice breaker,
like starting with the run. Yeah, and I love asking
people in the beginning of my interviews about kind of
what they do for working out, And we talked about
it a little bit on the run. But break it
down for us, like are you an active person? Do
you like working out? It's definitely important for me.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
I think it's taken a while to figure out what
I like to do because I love dancing so much.
So that's like a really easy workout because you're you're
just working everything out but while dancing, and it's just.
Speaker 2 (02:09):
A really fun activity to do.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
I've tried doing pilates and like hot yoga and hot
sculpt all that stuff really hard.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
So like the heated room stuff is really hard for me.
Speaker 3 (02:23):
But I've been trying because like my best friend does
it a lot, and so, yeah, but it's mostly dance,
I would say, and like you know, nice walks and hikes. Yeah.
I'm trying to get into running because my dad. I
think I said this before too, but my dad has
been running for like he hasn't missed a day in
like thirty years, and he's ran so many marathons and
so it's like definitely my blood somewhere hasn't reached yet.
(02:46):
But I'm trying to like do like like mile, like
a mile at a time.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
I like that. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
No, I feel like dance, as you said, is such
a good cardio workout. And I feel like what's cool
about you too, is that you've done a lot of
musical dance singing roles and you have to have such
an insane amount of stamina in order to do that.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
What do you do to get ready for a role.
Speaker 1 (03:07):
Is there a routine that you strictly follow or is
it more like the dance rehearsals that get you, you know,
ready to go, because that it is hard being able
to sing and dance.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Yeah at the same time, one hundred percent.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
I think especially for stuff like Zombies, like we have
so much rehearsal time. Ye Like we have like a
month before we start shooting and we're just doing dancing
all the time. So I think you get into the
routine of.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
Like, oh, okay, I'm out of shape, Like let's get
into it.
Speaker 3 (03:34):
So you have like kind of a month to prepare
and on the dancing days, like there's specific days where
you're like, oh, we're just shooting musical today, and then
it's like okay, cool, and then you can kind of
in the morning prepare like okay, today I'm going to
be doing it.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
So like how do I rest? How do I eat properly?
Speaker 3 (03:48):
You know? But yeah, now like moving into like the
music world, I feel like I've just been trying to
sing as much as possible, like terribly singing on the
treadmill and trying to like build up stamps in that way.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
But it is really difficult. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:03):
I love knowing, And ever since I started the running
interview show and we interview a lot of artists, It's
so fun knowing that you guys do train a lot
while singing on the treadmill.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
The first time I heard about that was actually before
kind of the news came out that like Taylor Swift
does it. You know. I was interviewing Mary Kate Morrissey
and she's the girl that plays Alphaba on Wicked, right,
and she was saying she often trains like that because
Wicked is the Gershwin Theater has a break stage, which
means it's kind of on an incline.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
So you have to like have that extra level of
breath control. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (04:34):
But I can't imagine singing alphabet songs every night. I
can't even being suspended in the air Like that must
be so hard.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
Yeah, I can't fathom that. Are you a Wicked fan?
Speaker 3 (04:43):
Yes, Oh my gosh, I'm a huge musical theater nerd.
I loved Wicked, Love the movie.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (04:49):
I literally have like a rent quote on my bracelet.
I it's yeah, I'm pretty deep in it.
Speaker 1 (04:56):
I love meeting kids that are in that we're into
musical theater too, because I agree, I am see you. Yes, no, no,
like I didn't do musical theater growing up, And yes,
like I did a couple of school plays in middle school,
but I do I did, like you know how in
middle school they would do random kind of hodge podges
of different yeah, like recital, yes, exactly, like a recital
(05:18):
or it would be like bits of Annie and bits
of like all these.
Speaker 2 (05:22):
I did that too.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
Yeah it was cute, but yeah, I always liked it.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
I think performing is so cool.
Speaker 1 (05:28):
But I mean, growing up, you were super into musical
theater and performances.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I thought that that was what I
was going to do, like completely. I also was a
huge fan of Disney Channel, so like as a really
like young kid, I started like auditioning professionally when I
was like seven or eight, so really young. Yeah, and
a lot of it was for Broadway, but then it
was always for Disney Channel too.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
It was always you know, kind of like.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
Generals for that world because that was something that I
was like such a huge fan of. But yeah, musical theater,
I was like, oh yeah, Broadway's the dream, That's what
I'm gonna do.
Speaker 2 (06:01):
And so.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
Yeah, so I was like a huge musical theater nerd
and that's kind of all I listened to and what
I loved. And then it kind of just like transitioned
to TV and film when I was like like eleven
or twelve, I just started outsing for commercials and TV
for like you know, like why not, and then that
kind of just open another door.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
So yeah, it's crazy. It's so wild.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
It's wild to know how young you were when you
got into the industry because it's like every kid's dream,
right that's interested in musical theater. What was your childhood
like growing up? Like I know you grew up in
New Jersey and you know, like breaking down. Were your
parents into acting or was this this world new to
them as well?
Speaker 3 (06:42):
It was completely new to them. Yeah, I think my
love for music definitely came from them. Like they listened,
like there was always music playing in the house. It
was never quiet, and there were huge concert growers, so
like I was always at concerts and music playing. So
they're huge like music people, but like actual creatives. Like
they were like jocks in high school and kind of
went into the corporate world, so they were not like
(07:05):
creative like that, but music wise, they were, if that
makes sense. So yeah, going into musical theater and like
they put me into sports, I was terrible at all
of them, like I like playing soccer. I did not
want to run on the field. I just wanted to
play goalies so that I didn't have to run. And
I was doing like cartwheels and singing and like whatever,
and they were like, oh, okay, maybe she should do
(07:26):
something like more like musical like theatery kind of thing.
So then I went to like a musical theater school
in Jersey Annie's Playhouse shout out, and yeah, then that's
when I started. But they had no idea, and like
even when like there was a workshop at the theater
school that it was like a Broadway manager I like,
and I just like sang in front of her just
(07:47):
for whatever. And then when she was like, oh, like
we want to sign your daughter and she'll start auditioning
in the city. And like, my parents had no idea
what that meant. I hater to die because I was
like eight, but yeah, and then that's like what moved
me into the city and everything.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
But yeah, it was crazy, No, it is, And it's.
Speaker 1 (08:03):
So wild how one interaction like that can change the
trajectory of your life, right, Like that woman noticing you
really did transform your life, right, because it's hard, especially
having parents that don't know the industry, you know, it's
hard to know, Okay, like how do we get her
to audition for stuff? And where what should she be
doing if this is what she's interested in?
Speaker 2 (08:23):
Right, So that's so cool to know that. Yeah, it
is really cool. And they did the best job.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
I don't know how they navigated it the way they did,
but they did.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
A great job.
Speaker 1 (08:32):
So well, I feel like it was a good situation
because you were getting casted for roles, right and you
very quickly started working and yad of it. What was
it like in those early days going to auditions in
the city. Was it intimidating? Were you too young to
really know if it was scary or not?
Speaker 2 (08:46):
You know what was terrified.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
The first audition I ever did was an open call
for Billy Elliott. But it was like just dance, and
like I was not a dancer at all, So like
I went in with all these girls from all over
the country and they were so good, and I just
like had like a number on like on my stomach,
and I was just like and like the first dish,
I like got caught immediately because I was just like,
(09:08):
I don't know what I'm doing. So it was like, yeah,
it was so nerve wracking because it was like just
such a big pool of kids that all have the
same dream and it was just like really eye opening
of like whoa, Like, this is not what I thought
it was. But the first thing I ever did was
an episode of Sesame Street where we taught kids how
to say hands headed feet in Spanish.
Speaker 2 (09:30):
Mmm. So we were dancing manosca this Yeah.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
That's hands wait, hands, head and feet right, and it
was like Haun was singing it and so we were
just like dancing in the background with like Elmo.
Speaker 2 (09:46):
So that was the first song I ever had and
that was.
Speaker 3 (09:48):
Really cool, just like being on set and being like, wow,
it's so cool. Yeah, and they filmed in Queens, so
shout out Queens.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
It was great. That's amazing. I love knowing that you
were on Sesame Street. What was what would you say
it was your breakout role? Oh?
Speaker 3 (10:03):
Was it Zombies or I mean I would say, yeah,
like a year before that, I was on American Housewife,
which is like a sitcom for ABC, and so that
was like the first That's what moved me out to
LA And that was like whoa, Like it was like
on a lot in La and I was like it
was so cool, and like I had just turned sixteen,
(10:23):
so it was just like so wild and new. And
and then like while I was filming, I was auditioning
for Zombies, and then that kind of happened.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
So it kind of happened pretty fast right in that way.
Speaker 3 (10:35):
But before that, it was just really funny because like
for six years before that, it was just like constant auditions.
So I think a lot of people, like I feel
like a lot of times on social media you see
somebody kind of book something and then go from there,
but you don't see everything else in the background, and
like it never happens that way, Like everybody is working
so hard and like, but you only see like the
(10:57):
good parts. So I just think that's really that was
kind of tangent, But it's just really interesting that it is.
Speaker 1 (11:02):
It is no and I think too, like I do
know how hard it is to get these roles, and
it does make so much sense. Yeah, you audition for
so much and then it's like you kind of get
that big break and it's so exciting and you're like, yes,
like I'm what they were looking for. But what is
it like dealing with rejection when you're going through all
these auditions and you were so young, and you know,
I'm sure it still happens, right.
Speaker 3 (11:23):
Yeah, oh yeah, so much rejection. I feel like it
definitely doesn't get any easier. I think you just learn
how to deal with it more, take it less personally.
It's really a lot easier than done because you know,
you still take it personally, but but you try not to,
you know. I think, yeah, now it's kind of more like, okay,
(11:46):
you know, I just didn't fit the role, or like
I wasn't what they were looking for, and that's okay,
like just kind of rationalizing it that way. But as
a kid, yeah, I think that's definitely where like a
lot of times in my life, like if I feel
like I'm like, you know, not good enough or you know,
a lot of my insecurities, I feel like probably are
rooted in like that rejection all the time, because you
never feel like you're good enough in that way, especially
(12:08):
being a young kid, because you're like wait, why you know? So,
I think that is like a really hard thing. I
think everybody deals with that in their life no matter what.
But I think in this industry it's really interesting and
you're also expected to be an adult at like eight
years old. So you're like on set working and like
everybody is working in nine to five and all the
adults have like families and they're going home to your kids,
(12:30):
and you're just like goofing off on set and then
everyone is kind of like no, like you need to
be an adult kind of thing.
Speaker 2 (12:37):
It's it's really strange.
Speaker 1 (12:38):
Yeah, it is a hard it's a really hard dynamic,
and I feel like it forces you to grow up
so fast. Like, yeah, on our run, we were talking
about how, you know, it's so cool that you've you know,
on Disney and Disney movies like Zombies, and it makes
me think back to Hannah Montana and we were talking
about how growing up like Hannah Montana Wizards of Wave
really placed. They were just our favorite shows to watch,
and it's so weird to like think back on them
(13:00):
and be like, Miley was so young when you were
watching them, just like you were so young when you
first started. But at the same time, you know, growing up,
you look up at them and you're like they're you know,
they're so young, but they at the same time are
so mature for their age.
Speaker 2 (13:13):
Like did you feel like you had to grow up
really quickly. It definitely. Yeah, well was that, Like.
Speaker 3 (13:18):
It's crazy that like when I saw Hannah Montana on
tour like Massive Square Garden, she was literally like thirteen
fourteen years old. In my mind she was like this
like adult, like amazing. She was literally a kid, Like
that's crazy to me. But because I was like seven eight,
like that was so old to me, you know, and
like return, yeah, it is crazy. And even on the
(13:38):
first Zombies, like I can't believe that I was only sixteen, Like.
Speaker 2 (13:41):
I felt so much more mature and like I was
like I.
Speaker 3 (13:44):
Know everything and so old like whatever, and it's like
I didn't know anything, right, So it's really fun.
Speaker 1 (13:50):
I still don't know anything now now you'd be like
you see high schoolers and you're like, oh my god,
they're so young.
Speaker 2 (13:55):
I oh, it's weird.
Speaker 3 (13:56):
Yeah, it's so weird, no, I I yeah, So I
really did feel like I grew up pretty old. I
think also just being in New York as well, like
you kind of have to as well.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
I absolutely kids in the city grow up fast, Yeah
for sure.
Speaker 2 (14:10):
Yeah, yeah, I think.
Speaker 3 (14:11):
But when I was younger, I think even being in
this industry, and I think a lot of people can
relate to this, even if they're not.
Speaker 2 (14:17):
I really wanted to be.
Speaker 3 (14:18):
Old, like older, and so when adults were like, oh,
you're so mature for your age, like that was the
biggest compliment. And now I wish I could go back
and like tell my young my eleven year old self,
like just be a kid, like laugh a little, come on,
because I just wanted to be so adult and mature
and like cool and with the older kids. But I
(14:38):
think I still was a kid for sure, and I
had great kid experiences, but at the same time, like
I didn't as well, and so that is really interesting
to grapple with. But being on the New Zombies movie,
there are so all the kids are like fourteen to
eighteen years old, and so it's almost like I'm reliving
like the first Zombies over again and seeing how young
and excit did they are. Like it was the craziest
(15:02):
thing for like me and the older cast to like
deal with, like, wow, we are not that age anymore,
like we are like in our like early to mid twenties,
and like that's crazy.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
It is.
Speaker 1 (15:13):
I feel like it's so fun though, to be on
that set and to be with at that age and
be able to kind of be a mended right, you
get to like be a mentor to them and a
little bit of like the big sister role, and that's
such a cool place to get to.
Speaker 2 (15:29):
What do you think was the biggest.
Speaker 1 (15:30):
Challenge when you were younger, just starting out having gotten
this big role, Like what was the hardest thing for
you to overcome that When you did overcome it, you were.
Speaker 2 (15:39):
Like, Okay, damn, I can do anything now.
Speaker 3 (15:41):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (15:41):
I think.
Speaker 3 (15:45):
I think when like the first like zombies came out,
I don't think any of us really expected what was
going to happen. I don't like even people at Disney,
like it was such a niche Like it was like
cheerleaders versus zombies.
Speaker 2 (15:59):
There's music.
Speaker 3 (16:01):
It was kind of just like okay, like hopefully this
does well whatever, And then when it did, I just
don't think we expected it to happen like so fast,
And so I think just facing a lot like just
having a lot of eyes really fast and just facing
like just reading comments and you know all those things.
Like I think overcoming that of like dealing with other
(16:23):
people's opinions, Like I think it really like stunted me
for a while. And then it like kind of went
into my social life, like I just cared so much
about what people thought all the time, right.
Speaker 2 (16:32):
And I still do.
Speaker 3 (16:34):
I think you still have to in this industry at
some point, you know, like if things do well and
then they don't, you like want to follow that because
you're like, Okay, something is connecting, something's not. But I
think to the point where it like starts, like you know,
debilitating you is when you should be like, Okay, maybe
I need to like you know, figure something out. And
I think I've like what I said before, I was
like I'm trying not to care about what people think.
Speaker 2 (16:56):
Now I get it.
Speaker 1 (16:57):
I love that for you, but it is so important,
Like this industry is so hard in that sense. Yeah,
especially and people think that you don't see the comments
or you know, because there's so many. Sometimes there's so many,
Like it's you know, some people think that you don't notice,
but it's like you notice the negative stuff so much
more than the positive stuff.
Speaker 3 (17:13):
Oh yeah, there could be like a thousand positive comments
and then one person can say something negative and that
you like ruined your day. Because I feel like in
my head, I'm always like and especially in this industry
as well, it's you're constantly like, because of the rejection everything,
you're like, I'm not good enough. You have like this
imposter syndrome of like maybe I don't belong here, maybe
I'm not a good.
Speaker 2 (17:32):
Singer or whatever.
Speaker 3 (17:32):
And then if one person says that, you're like, oh,
they got me, they found me out, like I'm not
you know, But that's just not true.
Speaker 2 (17:39):
And people will just say.
Speaker 3 (17:41):
Stuff just to say it because it's all anonymous, like
you're never like you know, so it's just kind of
like it is what it is. But I think that
like not going on social media or like posting is
important for like music and career, but like not looking
at you know, a lot of the stuff has been
like the biggest lesson is just like post and just
like put it away.
Speaker 2 (18:01):
No, that's such good advice. I feel like that.
Speaker 1 (18:04):
I was actually just talking to a singer yesterday on
the interview show She'll be her video we posted next week,
Rachel Platten. She's the singer of the like the fight
song Oh My God, Yes, and she's been in the
industry for years, and she was saying the hardest thing
is now adapting to social media because when she first
started out social media wasn't really a thing.
Speaker 2 (18:22):
In the way that it is now. Yeah, I can't imagine.
Speaker 1 (18:25):
I know you are launching music, do you feel like
social media is super important when you're putting out new things?
Speaker 3 (18:31):
Yeah, I definitely think with music it really is because
I think, at least me personally, like I find so
much new music on like Instagram or TikTok and because
and I think kind of like posting is important. Yeah,
And I definitely know that, and I definitely, you know,
it's cool to post about stuff that you're proud of.
But at the same time, I'm not a huge fan
(18:54):
of social media because, like I, I feel like there's
so many pros, but I think the cons are kind
of just like you know, just like scrolling and comparing
yourself to other people and kind of just like wasting
a lot of time scrolling.
Speaker 2 (19:10):
At least I do that. I'm just speaking personally from
my side of things. We all are chronically online, what
I gay.
Speaker 3 (19:18):
And so, but I think for like work, and I
think it is really important and I think it makes
people feel connected to you. And I think now I've
just been trying to post stuff that I feel like
is authentic to me and like trying not to be.
It's so weird because like I feel like social media
is not very genuine in the way that you're like
(19:39):
posting something, but it's all curated. So I'm trying to
find a balance right now. I haven't figured it out yet,
figuring it out now of like how to be more
authentic and more myself and just like not again not
care about what people think. And and I feel like
that will It's just really fun that way because it's like, Okay,
like this is just me and like, and I think
(20:01):
people really connect to stuff that's authentic, you.
Speaker 2 (20:03):
Know, definitely, I think so too.
Speaker 1 (20:05):
I feel like it's so important on social media just
to be posting content for your people because at the
end of the day, it's just like your friend, your
close friend group on there, you know.
Speaker 3 (20:15):
But it's hard not to like curate stuff or like
be like, oh, like I really like this photo, so
I'm gonna post it. But it's like, you know, yeah,
it's hard not to for everything to always look perfect,
like where your feed looks like and all that stuff
like that always gets in my head.
Speaker 1 (20:29):
Why.
Speaker 3 (20:30):
I don't know. It's literally just Instagram, but like it
like night.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
Yes, Instagram is a different beast. It really is.
Speaker 1 (20:38):
It really takes more fun because it's like you can
do whatever you want on there. Yeah, it's basically a
ramp page.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
Yes, But why is that? I don't know.
Speaker 3 (20:45):
I don't know when it comes to Instagram, Like I
open it up and I'm like, oh, like does this
look okay?
Speaker 2 (20:52):
Like I don't know why. I don't know why either.
Speaker 1 (20:54):
I feel like Instagram historically has always felt like mm
almost like a magazine of somebody's life in a way.
Speaker 2 (21:02):
And the Pinterest board.
Speaker 1 (21:03):
Yeah, I don't know, but I'm not an aesthetic person,
so I'm I just do my thing on that app amazing.
Speaker 2 (21:10):
I'm going to take after you, take after that. Just
do your thing. Yeah, you still love it. Let's talk
about Disney princesses. Okay, okay, so we kind of alluded
to this on the run.
Speaker 1 (21:20):
But growing up, I know, you know, you do a
lot of stuff with Disney Disney Channel. I feel like,
growing up, every little girl has a princess that they
love that they see themselves in. Is there a princess,
a Disney princess that you love that you would want
to maybe play in a movie.
Speaker 2 (21:40):
She's like I can't say that.
Speaker 3 (21:41):
Well. I mean a movie that I really loved growing
up was Tangled. So Rapunzel is one of my favorite princesses.
And I also really love Elsa. Yeah, and I think
Elsa would also be a character. I feel like Rapunzel
and Elsa are two characters that I would love to
play in some capacity somehow.
Speaker 2 (22:03):
I love Elseidriypunzel.
Speaker 1 (22:04):
I totally see that for you, you went from zombies to
playing a role in the Winchester Yes, yeah, yeah, what
is it like, kind of switching genres? You know?
Speaker 2 (22:16):
Is that a challenge to do or was it super
fun for you?
Speaker 3 (22:19):
It was so much fun. Yeah, I had the best time.
It was really funny though, because one of the first
episodes we did of Winchester's we were like like brutally
murdering zombies and I was like, wow, this is very
different from something that I did before, where I was
falling in love and singing with the zombies. So very
different projects, but it was so much fun. It's really
(22:40):
fun doing both. I think drama is something that I've
always been really like not scared of, but I think
comedy and theater like that, that's like something I grew
up in and so drama has been like harder for me.
So I've been working on that more and it's honestly
become like more of a passion these days of like
(23:02):
figuring out like drama and like kind of the emotional
stuff because when I watch things, it's not necessarily I
cannot watch like horror or like really sad movies, like
I have to be in a mood for that. But
I'm so sensitive when it comes to like like when
I'm watching a movie, like.
Speaker 2 (23:19):
It feels so real for me.
Speaker 3 (23:21):
So most of the time I'll do like animate like
SpongeBob or like Bluey or like stuff because I think
about two stuff weight too much in my life anyways,
So I like like cartoons and happy movies. So yeah,
so drama has been something really cool to get into.
So yeah, Winchesters was definitely very different but also really fun.
Speaker 2 (23:40):
Yeah, I feel like it is fun.
Speaker 1 (23:41):
It's also cool like as you grow up to start
playing like different types of roles and you know, throw
yourself into different settings. And it was so cool to
see you in the Winchester Yeah. What is it like
getting into character for that type of a role. What
is your kind of getting into character process.
Speaker 3 (23:57):
For that, I feel like it was a lot of
like prep because the role that I Addison in Zombies
or like Taylor in American Nasa is pretty much just me,
just with like you know, there's some differences but whatever.
Then but this character was so different and then, but
the cool thing is in every character you play, you
get to find similarities of like of how they relate
(24:19):
to you, And so I ended up did relating to
Marry a lot. But on paper she was so different
from me, like very dark and like, you know, a
strong leader and opinionated and like that is just not
me at all. So I think it was just you know,
trying to make it as natural as possible, and so
that took a little time at the beginning, but it
(24:40):
was so worth it.
Speaker 2 (24:40):
It was so fun. Yeah. No, I find that so interesting.
Speaker 1 (24:43):
Whenever I talk to actors, that is what they say,
like you have to find the commonalities with yourself and
that character, or if you can't, you have to try
your best to just understand that character as a person
and how they would act exactly. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (24:54):
I find the whole thing so interesting.
Speaker 3 (24:55):
Yeah, Yeah, I feel like you always take a part
them with you.
Speaker 2 (25:01):
No matter what. Yeah, and you like.
Speaker 3 (25:02):
Kind of always will have like how they think or
feel like with you at some point.
Speaker 2 (25:08):
It's really weird.
Speaker 1 (25:09):
I don't even know how to describe it. It's like
a really weird feeling. Yeah, what part of Mary do
you feel like you have taken with you? That reminds
me of method acting, Like I feel like a lot
of people that method act kind of sometimes adopt certain traits.
I know, like Ariana Grande playing Glinda for real, her
voice has changed.
Speaker 3 (25:24):
Yeah, I know, and I think that happens a lot
with like creatives like you kind of just like take
on or like when I it's like those those tiktoks
where it's like like me walking out of a movie
theater with my new personality.
Speaker 2 (25:36):
Like you know when you watch a movie. Well maybe I.
Speaker 3 (25:39):
Don't know, maybe it's just me, but like you walk
out of a movie theater and you like see like
a character and you think they're so cool or whatever,
and you walk out and you're like, like, this is
my new character. When I was younger, I used to
do that all the time. I think that's what makes
you an actress. Yeah, seriously, we're walking out of the
first Avengers movie, and I like thought I was black widow,
and like, for the rest of the night I was
walking around, I was like, wait, that's something I've always done.
Speaker 1 (26:03):
I could totally see you casted for a Marvel type
of movie.
Speaker 2 (26:06):
Oh my god, that'd be so incredible. Really would that be? Yeah,
that'd be a cool role.
Speaker 3 (26:10):
Yes, superhero anything would be so cool, especially like that
whole Marvel face, Like that was my whole upbringing.
Speaker 2 (26:20):
I just I loved it so much.
Speaker 3 (26:21):
I recently just rewatched all of them in chronological order.
So good, so good. Yeah, I'm so grateful to have
grown up with all of those movies. So the Marvel stuff,
the Marvel stuff is so interesting too.
Speaker 1 (26:32):
Because it was funny because we were at the Captain America. Uh,
I had ran with Danny Ramirez, and then we went
after the run to the premiere because our uber driver
that picked us up happened to be this like big
Marvel fan and he and I don't know that much
about Marvel, and he was saying how it's like when
(26:54):
you get casted for a Marvel movie, you really become
a part of the Marvel universe in a way, and
your your careacter evolves yeah, and I never knew that.
I was like, it's so interesting. So, yeah, that Anthony
Mackie is Captain America. It's a very big deal for
Oh yeah, the so cool, Like I had no idea.
Speaker 2 (27:12):
No, yeah, it's so cool.
Speaker 3 (27:13):
I feel like in Marvel and also in DC, like
they introduce characters like two three movies ahead and they're
like in a couple of scenes and then they like
it like all intertwines together and like everything is for
a reason.
Speaker 2 (27:26):
It's so cool.
Speaker 3 (27:27):
And yeah, and Anthony Mackie has been a part of
the universe for oh my god, so long, like right,
so it's so cool to see like where his character
has progressed.
Speaker 1 (27:35):
And yeah, Marvel is really cool for that. I need
to go down a deep dive of Marvel because what
the hell.
Speaker 3 (27:41):
Yeah, I was like, are from like in chronological order,
like and watched all of them.
Speaker 2 (27:46):
It's so good. It's really really well done.
Speaker 1 (27:48):
Maybe I'll switch from White Looatus to to to Marvel.
Speaker 2 (27:52):
We're talking about whiteloads.
Speaker 1 (27:53):
Yeah, okay, let's talk about singing. So you just released
a new single. How was the release. Are you feeling
about it? Are you excited? Yeah, I'm really excited.
Speaker 3 (28:10):
I just released a new song, Picky, like last week
and it's doing like I'm really happy with it, I think.
Speaker 2 (28:17):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (28:17):
I started releasing music in November of twenty no, February,
wait in like twenty twenty four. Kind of recent, yeah,
super recent.
Speaker 1 (28:32):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (28:34):
Yeah, it's been a long journey.
Speaker 3 (28:35):
I feel like I've always been like writing music and
loving songwriting and everything since I was younger. But because
I was a theater kid, I thought you just like
perform on stage, and that was kind of it.
Speaker 2 (28:47):
My imagination kind of didn't expand there.
Speaker 3 (28:49):
I didn't realize that you could, like, you know, learn
how to do it on like produce on your computer
or go into a recording studio. Like I really did
not know that world at all or how it worked.
And so when I was working on Zombies, like there's
a producer of every song, and so I just started
working with one of the producers and kind of just
starting music from there. But it's just been a really
(29:12):
long journey because a lot of the music I've released,
even though I love it so much, it's always been
kind of in like it never was through Disney, but
it was always like keeping the Disney Channel audience in
mind and it being like geared towards the younger audience,
and like, honestly, at the time when I was younger,
like my music taste is so eclectic and all over
the place. Like when I was eighteen, I wanted to
(29:33):
do like pure R and B and like that was
like my vibe, which is like not necessarily what I wanted,
but I just as a kid, like you're just figuring
out yourself and who you want to be. And I
had no idea what I wanted my music to sound like.
It was more just like the artists that I loved,
I just wanted to be like them. And so now
I feel like I finally figured out like who I
(29:54):
am or starting to and kind of like blending all
of my influences and kind of like on sound.
Speaker 2 (30:02):
So anyway, it's long story short.
Speaker 3 (30:04):
I've started releasing music because I feel like I'm at
a good place now to like actually be like one
hundred percent proud of the stuff that I'm releasing. And yeah,
so it's all working towards an EP in the spring,
which is really fun, and yeah, I'm really excited about it.
Like I just feel like what we were talking about
earlier with social media, Like it feels really authentic and
(30:25):
just me, and I think that's why I'm so proud
of it, because it's just me so exactly.
Speaker 1 (30:31):
It's different than playing a part where you're playing a character.
It's like you are showcasing yourself and what you love.
How would you describe your sound and who are your influences?
Speaker 3 (30:42):
Oh goodness, there's so many influences I feel like right now,
like in my Bag and Picky, and then the next
one coming out as well is very inspired by like
early two thousands, like R and B and hip hop.
Speaker 2 (30:55):
It's still very pop.
Speaker 3 (30:57):
I feel like the melodies are very poppy because I
also love pop as well, but it's yeah, really inspired
by that kind of like Y two K era, because
that's I feel like, like the late or just all
of nineties, Like early two thousands is like the golden
age of R and B and hip hop.
Speaker 2 (31:17):
So yeah, it's really cool.
Speaker 3 (31:20):
And then I also love yacht rock, so a lot
of the songs upcoming have a lot of like yacht
rock influences.
Speaker 2 (31:28):
What is yacht rock? Why do I not know what
that is? It's like.
Speaker 3 (31:32):
It's like eighty like eighties synths, like kind of like
like what would be like a yacht rock song like
Africa by Toto.
Speaker 2 (31:43):
I don't know, Oh my god, yes, yes, are like, oh.
Speaker 3 (31:50):
That's so cool to do magic then or like Steely
Dan vibes, Like it's all very like it's basically rock
that you'd play.
Speaker 2 (32:00):
On a yacht in the middle of the ocean, and you're.
Speaker 1 (32:02):
Just kind of like, Okay, now I'm getting the Bob
Marley shit right.
Speaker 2 (32:06):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (32:06):
Also, I mean my number one influence is Bob Marley.
I love that none of my songs really have like
reggae influence in there, but his like just life philosophy,
just like struggling with a lot of anxiety growing up,
he was like the only music and like I would
watch his interviews and like he's like the only thing
that would like help me get through just a lot
(32:28):
of like hard times growing up as a kid, because
like everything he says is just that everything's gonna be okay,
everything's gonna be all right.
Speaker 1 (32:36):
So I was like, you're right, Bob, I need to
go back and watch his interviews because I feel like
I've never seen a Bob Marley interview. Yeah, And I
could imagine how that's calming when you're feeling anxious about something.
Because I feel like he was so successful and just
had this really calm demeanor to him.
Speaker 2 (32:51):
I was like, it's all good. Oh yeah, no, it's incredible.
Speaker 3 (32:55):
Like I feel like reggae is like the most amazing
and also a lot of like Island Gay listened to,
like like like Polynesian reggae so incredible, and like it
just instantly soothes you and calms you down and like
puts you at ease, especially if you're feeling stressed or
anything like that. So like, I think reggae is a
(33:15):
huge part of my life in that way because it
just really helps with just you know, my stress level.
Speaker 2 (33:21):
So that's so cool.
Speaker 1 (33:22):
Yeah, I feel like I know you're an East Coast girl, yes,
growing up huh. But being in LA, we're here for
you know, we've been here for the past month, We're
gonna be here for a little bit longer. And I
feel like every time I come here from New York,
I instantly feel calmer. Yeah yeah, right, Like having grown
up in New York, do you feel like now living
in LA.
Speaker 2 (33:42):
Is good for the mental Oh yeah, yeah yeah.
Speaker 3 (33:45):
I always like I feel like when I first moved
here for the first couple of years, I was like,
I need to get back home, and every time I
met somebody, like my whole personality was like, yeah, I'm
from New York.
Speaker 2 (33:57):
That'd be one of the first things. It's so obnoxious.
Oh oh god.
Speaker 3 (34:00):
So like I always was like, New York is really
the best. Now when I go to New York, I
miss La. I feel like that's the you know, that
means that La is my home as well now because
I kind of miss both. Wherever i'm at, I always
miss New York, but like now I miss both. So
I'm kind of happy wherever. But my blood has beenned
(34:20):
so much. Whenever I go back to New York and
it's cold, I feel so weak because I've gone so
used to this amazing weather.
Speaker 2 (34:28):
No, it's literally perfect.
Speaker 3 (34:29):
To your guys, lain't beat the weather here now, and
so I've definitely gotten used to that. There's pros and
const to both, but I definitely feel a lot more
relaxed in my suburban neighborhood in La Forge.
Speaker 1 (34:41):
Yeah, it's refreshing being in a suburban neighborhood in a city.
Speaker 2 (34:45):
I feel like that's the thing.
Speaker 1 (34:46):
That makes La so cool, is it feels very grounding,
which we all need, especially in this crazy industry. Sure,
let's talk about this. You've been working in the industry
since you were a teenager. So if you could go
back and give your teenage self one piece advice for
all the girls and guys listening, what would it be.
Speaker 3 (35:08):
I think with the like industry wise, I think, if
you want to be in this industry and you feel
really passionate about it, I feel like making sure that
you are really into it and passionate about it and
it's not it's kind of like for the right reason.
It's for you, and it's for like your creativity and
what you want to put out in the world, and
(35:28):
not for maybe like you know, more superficial reasons.
Speaker 2 (35:32):
Because I feel like I had to figure that.
Speaker 3 (35:33):
Out for myself. I was like do I actually want
to do this? Or like why am I doing this?
And I think, in realizing of like, oh no, I
actually want to do It's just such a tough industry
and it's really hard. And I feel like if it's
something you're really passionate about, though, then I would say
stick with it because it takes a while, but it's
so worth it in the end. But make sure that
(35:55):
you really really love it and want to do it
for your soul and heart. And then kind of what
we were saying before, I feel like just teenagers in
general that are you know, in middle school high school
is just like is stop growing up? I feel like,
you know, take your time and enjoy what age you're at.
Speaker 2 (36:16):
At least I wish I could tell myself that.
Speaker 3 (36:20):
Because I feel like, right now, and this is an
over generalization, but I feel like right now it kind
of goes from like toddler to like teenager. There's no
like tweens anymore, you know, I'm like, just be a tween,
just like like where weird stuff and do terrible make
up and you know, like where like funky clips in
(36:40):
your Like I have the craziest awkward phase and I
think that's so okay, And like I gess and like,
I don't think you you have to because you have
so much time. And now that I'm I'm still so
young and I feel like I've lived so many lives
and I just wish that I, you know, stayed like
true to myself and my age and didn't try to
be something that I was not, so to be authentic
(37:03):
to you that's what I'm trying to do.
Speaker 1 (37:06):
So yeah, I feel like so many people are gonna
be like, Meg, you did not have an awkward face,
Like let me.
Speaker 2 (37:12):
Tell yeah, I did. Let me tell you.
Speaker 1 (37:14):
I always feel that way though, with people that get
casted so young for these things, like you guys are
always so beautiful and look so good. It's like hard
to imagine. It's hard to imagine, like Miley Cyrus with
an awkward phase, you know, I always think about that,
but like she would say I had an awkward face.
Speaker 3 (37:28):
But in my mind, I would be like, absolutely not.
I feel like even just on American Housewife, I went
from sixteen to twenty one, and like I went through
some like some like people will send me clips from
it or like my parents will be watching whatever and
I see it.
Speaker 2 (37:40):
I'm like, oh, dear god. I was like, that was
not me.
Speaker 3 (37:44):
But like people might not like think like that because
it's not you. So like when you see somebody else,
you're easily like, oh my god, no, you look amazing.
Speaker 2 (37:53):
Yeah, but in my world, I was like that was awful.
Speaker 1 (37:56):
You know. No, It's so weird going back and looking
at old photos, even from a year ago, like it's
weird looking at how much you evolve in a year.
Speaker 3 (38:04):
I know, it's crazy, even in like a week. I
always say that, I'm like, I'm not even the same
person I was like two weeks ago, no.
Speaker 2 (38:10):
Let alone a year ago. Yeah, I feel that. Oh goodness, Yeah,
we're changing a lot. Twenty four is in your twenty four. Yeah,
twenty four is a big age. It is.
Speaker 1 (38:18):
Yeah, twenty forty twenty five your prefrontal cortex or whatever
it is, your brain fully developed, and oh.
Speaker 2 (38:23):
Yeah I feel it. I feel it developing. Yeah, Sully
w Su really but yeah, I know.
Speaker 3 (38:27):
These past day years have just been so wild, and
I feel like I think it's okay to like change
and you know, and like that's like we're always changing,
and it's okay.
Speaker 2 (38:36):
As you should, as you should, Okay.
Speaker 1 (38:39):
As we finish up the podcast, I want you to
just tell us what are some of the things that
you're super excited about that you're working on that you
want everybody to know about or look forward to knowing about.
Speaker 2 (38:51):
I'm so excited for my new music to come out.
Speaker 3 (38:54):
I feel like I've been working so hard on it
and I feel really happy about it. And so you know,
this spring will be like the EP coming out and
then more music after that, so I'm really excited about
that and then and then the only thing I can
really talk about is Zombies four, which I still can't
even really talk about that, but it is coming out
(39:16):
this year and that's all I can say.
Speaker 2 (39:18):
So I'm really really excited for that. Are you allowed
to say where you guys filmed? Yes?
Speaker 3 (39:22):
Yeah, we filmed in New Zealand, which was so cool.
And also something I'm looking forward to is telling everybody
to go to New Zealand if you can, if you
have the opportunity to people in America.
Speaker 2 (39:32):
I know it's so far.
Speaker 3 (39:34):
Away, but it's the most magical place in the entire world,
so it's so cool.
Speaker 2 (39:39):
I love Ken.
Speaker 1 (39:40):
Yeah, everybody go to New Zealand. Go to New Zealand,
have so much fun. Tag Meg and all your pictures.
Speaker 2 (39:47):
You knows that you're there.
Speaker 1 (39:49):
Thank you, guys so much for watching today's episode with Meg.
Speaker 2 (39:52):
Meg You're amazing.
Speaker 1 (39:53):
Thank you. Thank you having me of course, thank you
for running with me and sitting down and chatting. I'm
so excited for you.
Speaker 3 (39:58):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (40:00):
Should you subscribe and hit that bell notification to see
what we post next. Him m m m hmm.
Host
Kate Mackz
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