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Interview with Daisy Close Flipbook PDF
We conducted this interview with Daisy Close Nov 29, 2021 at 5pm in Dallas, Texas.
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We had the pleasure of interviewing Daisy Close today. Below are a few of the questions and responses we received from the interview.
What does it feel like to be a professional performer at such a young age? "Well, I’ll start off by saying I certainly don’t feel a "young age" when I’m working or in rehearsals. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with places that treat me the same as all of the other performers, regardless of my age. That being said, it’s a lot of pressure because I’m also expected to act as professional, knowledgeable, and experienced as they are. I was this 17 year old girl in several places, working alongside other performers who were choir and theatre teachers. Occasionally, there were definitely times I was reminded of how young I was. Sometimes the entire cast and crew would go out after work to get together at a bar or club, and I wouldn’t be able to go, but I really didn’t mind. I got used to things like that after always being the youngest performer at several places I worked for. I joined the adult choir at my church in 5th grade, so it’s always been natural for me to work with people older than me. I honestly prefer working with adults more than anything. For some reason, I just connect with adults more than I connect with people my age. I know it’s strange. I feel like there’s only a certain few people I can relate to today at my age that fully understand me." When did you realize that you wanted to start your artistic career during high school? "I remember, back in my sophomore year of high school, we were putting on a school musical and we had a choreographer come in from the Broadway Dreams Foundation to teach us several of our dance numbers, and I was just mesmerized. I remember seeing how professional she was at her craft and immediately knew that I wanted to be the same way. It wasn’t really until that moment when I realized that I could be as professional as she was and more than just some kid in high school. But I also knew it would only happen through time and effort. It was a trial and error game. I got around a million no’s before I got one yes. I knew I had the potential, I just had to hone in my craft and work hard on it until it finally blossomed. I remember sitting down and creating a list of things I needed to improve and goals I needed to accomplish to get where I am today. Now I’m a member of the Broadway Dreams Foundation, so it feels like a full circle moment for me. I feel like there’s a very very fine line between high school and the real world. At times in high school if there were mistakes it would be an "oh, well" type of attitude while in the professional real world it’s a "no, do it again" "we’ll be here all night if we have to until it’s done right" which I admire. Many times in high school I felt embarrassed to even perform in certain shows on stage because I know we didn’t give it our best, we weren’t prepared, and/or nobody actually cared. I’ve learned a lot throughout my years of high school, but there’s an insane amount I’ve learned in the real world of performing that high school doesn’t teach you. I can’t even emphasize this enough. For example, high school doesn’t imply enough the importance of pushing your limits, setting big goals, and finding ways to keep improving until you reach them. The importance of taking risks and accepting challenges. The most important thing I’ve learned throughout high school is that nobody is going to hand your dream to you. No matter how good you are, that's something that only you can give yourself by working hard and taking advantage of the opportunities that surround you. The worst thing that could happen is getting a no. Which is completely okay. You take effective criticism and feedback then learn how to move on and keep improving until you finally get that yes. High school is a safe place, but once you step out of your comfort zone and start to push yourself that’s where growth begins to blossom." What was the most challenging part of chasing your dreams? "I remember walking into one of my first professional auditions and thinking to myself, there’s no way I’m getting cast. I walked into a room full of people who were not only older than me, but also incredibly talented, driven, and hungry for the job. It was something I hadn’t ever experienced in high school. Real serious competition. I remember feeling super intimidated and beginning to doubt myself and what I was capable of. I feel like many artists do that, but we often forget that intimidation is all made up in our minds. I was so doubtful I’d get the job, but then a few weeks later, I found out I got it. I didn’t just get it, but I got the biggest role/part. The part I wanted. Being in a place where I was surrounded by such immense talent, ambition, and high expectations was something I had never experienced throughout high school. But it was something I learned to love. I now thrive in a space rooted in challenges. I fully believe that it is impossible to grow as a performer if you’re not constantly being challenged, which was also an environment I never had in high school. So many of my fellow co-workers who I eventually
became friends with would look back and say they were intimidated by me! It then dawned on me how crucial having a positive mindset is when pursuing a career in the arts. The way you think and see yourself affects everything. I am a constant perfectionist and overthinker, which is helpful at times, but I really try to work on reminding myself to just live in the moment. When I say this, people don’t believe me, but I didn’t start my career with an agency or a single person helping or guiding me. I remember at the time thinking how unfair it was, but looking back, it makes it all the more rewarding knowing I created my entire career from scratch by working hard and investing in myself and my future. Being a full time college and high school student has got to be one of the hardest challenges I have had to face this year. Especially this year, being my senior year of high school, with loads of college applications, pre-screens, and auditions. But I managed to keep my education my top priority and build my career off of it. The growth I have experienced by taking choir, piano, dance, and theatre classes at college has been insane. I sometimes go back to watch tapes of my performances in my freshman and sophomore years of high school and feel grateful for how far I have come in only two years. Transferring to University of Texas at Austin for my last year of high school has been a challenge all on its own, but I’m thankful for the rich education I’ve been lucky enough to receive at their institution. For the first time, I truly feel like I'm ready." What’s the most rewarding thing about your career? "I get paid to do what I love! I get paid to sing, write songs, act, dance, and model. How cool is that? Every time I step onto a stage to perform, I can never fully believe that I’m getting paid for it. It just never registers in my head. It’s crazy to me how I am able to pursue what I’m passionate about as a full time job. Another extremely rewarding thing about my career is noticing all of the people I inspire. Especially kids. I always looked up to many artists throughout my life, and to see people looking up to me the same way I looked up to performers like Beyonce means more than words can say. So many times, kids would come up to me after a performance and give me the biggest hug and tell me how much they admired me or wanted to be just like me one day. It just warms my heart and brings me so much joy. Seeing that I have the ability to create and inspire the next generation of performers is so gratifying to me. I believe there’s such a special connection that is created through the arts. It’s a type of raw connection that cuts deeper than any emotional or physical connection possibly can. Also, being behind the scenes or backstage of places that are highly confidential creates a sense of happiness for me. I know I made it, and it just feels good. It’s all the little things." Who is your biggest inspiration? "My mom, Beyonce, Lizzo, Jennifer Lopez, Demi Lovato, and Ariana Grande. I have so many artists I look up to, but those are just a few of my top choices. I resonate with these artists so much in different and unique ways. I look up to actors and actresses such as Cheyenne Jackson and basically the entire Glee cast, to name a few." What do you do outside of performing for fun? What’s your biggest secret? "Yes, believe it or not, I’m still a normal teenager that likes doing normal teenager things. I tend to keep my personal life private just to keep some sanity and stability in my life. I love doing activities with my friends and the people I love. I would be lying if I said I don’t re-watch Glee every single day, though. Darren I love you! All jokes. I really love working out, shopping, sleeping, and going to events or parties. I feel like working out is a perfect way to clear your mind while testing your body and it’s ability. I always start my day at the gym to give myself a positive and fresh mindset. It’s crucial to me to keep myself both physically and mentally in shape at all times. Both for my professional life and personal life. There’s definitely days I don’t want to wake up at 5am and snuggling under the covers while sleeping in until 12pm in the afternoon sounds so good, but somehow I manage to pull myself out of bed every morning and thank myself later for going. I love sleeping when I can because I never get enough of it on a regular schedule. I also love writing! I write all the time. I grew up being that girl who was always writing in her diary, so I feel like a younger part of me comes alive when I’m writing. My biggest secret? Well if I told you then it wouldn’t be a secret anymore. I will say that lemon water is my miracle drink. Not lemonade bought at the store, but freshly squeezed lemon mixed with water and no sugar or other products added. Just raw lemonade. Most people think I’m crazy, but I like sour things so I actually enjoy drinking it. It keeps my skin hydrated and clear while keeping my voice in top shape. Just don’t drink too much or put in too much lemon or it’ll dry your vocal chords out!" What upcoming projects are you working on? What’s your most proud project?
"I won’t be able to discuss any of it at the moment because of contracts, but follow my social media to stay updated. I have so many exciting opportunities I’m looking forward to sharing soon. My most proud project would have to be my original debut single, "revelation". It took about a year to complete and countless hours of behind the scenes work before it was finally released. Having a piece of music in the world that solely belongs to me and my producer is a feeling like no other. Working on "revelation" with one of New York and Los Angeles' top producers, Scott Byrne, was an opportunity like no other. What are some goals of yours for the upcoming new year? What’s your ultimate dream? "Well, I already have most of my big goals set and planned for the new year, but they involve contracts and, as I said earlier, I won’t be able to discuss them at the moment. A big goal is to begin college! I’m still deciding on which college I want to accept. It’s very hard! I do have a few other goals that I’ve been working on for the upcoming new year, such as creating and releasing my first album, creating and releasing a Christmas album, publishing my first book, and the biggest one of them all- moving to New York! It’s been my dream to move to New York for longer than I can remember. It’s the city of opportunity and where dreams come true! My ultimate dream is to establish myself as a touring singer. I would love to travel the world while spreading my love and passion for music. Another big dream of mine is to star in a musical film and a Broadway show." What’s some advice you can give our aspiring performers reading this interview? "Never give up. I can’t emphasize this enough. There are going to be so many naysayers in life, but you can’t listen to them. This has to be one of the most important things to establish in your mindset as a performer. If a door closes, just keep working until another door opens. It should push you to work even harder. I know it can be discouraging at times, but find a way to stay in a positive and determined mindset. You want to be prepared for the criticism and know how to handle it, or else it will eat you up. It’s a big world, so obviously not everyone is going to like you, but that’s okay! Just remember to stay humble and thankful for what you have. I can promise you if you stay true to yourself and pursue what makes you happy that eventually one day your happiness will radiate to so many others. Passion is also a crucial part of performing. Never never never never do anything without passion. There’s no point in doing anything if there’s not a strong passion behind it all. It completely defeats the purpose of doing it in the first place. And most importantly, be a smart and educated performer. Don’t let others take advantage of you and don’t settle for less. Know and value your worth. Not only as a performer, but as an overall person as well." We conducted this interview with Daisy Close Nov 29, 2021 at 5pm in Dallas, Texas.