Interview with Lily Brooks O’Briant, Actress and Singer-Songwriter

Join us for a fun-filled episode of ATV TALK into the world of Lily Brooks O’Briant, the talented actress and singer-songwriter. From her experiences on popular shows like The Big Show Show, Life By Ella, and Lucy on The Young and the Restless to her budding music career, Lily shares her some of her thoughts on her career and inspirations while navigating the wild terrain of Mulholland Estate in the Hollywood Hills.

What inspired you to pursue a music career?

I’ve been singing ever since I could talk. I started doing musical theater when I was five and played Matilda on the national Broadway tour of Matilda’s musical when I was eight, which was a dream come true. But I was always too scared to write my own music because it feels a lot more personal since you’re writing and telling your own stories. It took me a while to feel comfortable enough to write my own music, record it, and release it. When I was about 14, I started releasing my own music, and I’ve just fallen in love with it. It’s such a huge passion of mine now, and I honestly couldn’t be happier.

Have you ever been on an ATV before?

I have not. I’ve been on a golf cart, but I’m told that this is very different than that!

On a scale of 1 to 10, how annoying is it when people mispronounce your name?

Oh, 10! Maybe 11, if someone calls me Lily. Lily is fine, but when people call me Lillian, that makes me mad. But Lily Brooks? I love that!

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What has been your most challenging character to portray?

The most challenging character would be Ella on Life by Ella. My biggest goal was to tell the story accurately. There are so many kids out there in the hospital with cancer or in remission, having to go back to school and learn how to live a new normal. I just wanted to portray that accurately, so that was the most difficult thing for me. I just wanted to make sure I was doing it right.

Did you know about The Big Show before working with him?

I hadn’t really watched a lot of wrestling as a 13-year-old girl, but I had heard of him. My dad watched a little bit of wrestling. When I got the screen test for the show, I looked him up and was terrified for my audition. He looks scary! But he was the sweetest guy ever, like a teddy bear, and now he’s kind of like a dad to me.

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Is your character Lucy on The Young and the Restless a hero or a villain?

I don’t know yet! Here’s what I’ll say about Lucy: she has a lot of villainous blood in her. My grandma is one of the biggest villains on the show, and my mother was a little cuckoo crazy. So, does she have some cuckoo blood in her? Yes! Can she be a little crazy? Yes! Is she a villain or a hero? I guess we’ll figure that out as Lucy grows.

What surprised you about exploring the producing side of film?

The amount of work that goes into pre-production! As an actor, you come into it when everything’s already set up. But when my sister and I were doing it on our own for our short film, Sharing The Floor, I didn’t realize how much work goes into location scouting. I called about 50 to 60 churches trying to find one place to film. There’s just a lot more work that goes into pre-production than I thought, but I loved it. I loved every second of it.

Who would you want to have dinner with if you were leaving the country for a year, an Idol or Friends and Family?

Oh, I would absolutely love to have dinner with Reese Witherspoon! I think she’s such an incredibly talented producer who knows exactly what projects to work on. That kind of insight is invaluable in our industry. But to be honest, if I’m leaving the country for a year, I’d probably want to spend that time with my friends and family. But hey, who says Reese can’t join us? Maybe she could be my friend too!

If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be?

This might sound a bit odd, but I’ve got my sights set on Lin-Manuel Miranda. I want to write a musical theater show with him! Just imagine the creativity and fun that would come from that partnership. I mean, he’s the guy to collaborate with, right?

Have your exes ever asked for royalties on your songs?

Oh my God, that’s hilarious! No, they haven’t, but now I feel like I just gave them an idea! But honestly, I wouldn’t give them any. I mean, they gave me something to write about—so good for them. I’ve also had exes ask, “You’re not gonna write a song about this, are you?” And then, of course, I totally do!

 

If one of your songs could magically become the soundtrack for a TV or movie, what storyline would you want it to fit?

There’s a song of mine coming out soon called “What You Wanted.” When I wrote it at school, LAAMP, my mentors said it would be perfect for a coming-of-age teen movie montage. That would be really cool! Imagine hearing it while watching those heartfelt moments unfold on screen.

What is your dream venue to perform at?

I dream of playing at the Greek Theater! It’s such a beautiful outdoor venue, and I’ve seen amazing artists like Hayley Kiyoko and Madison Beer there. The atmosphere is just incredible, and the fact that it’s outdoors makes it even more special. I feel like performing there would be a surreal experience!

What’s your pre-show routine?

Oh, I have a special pre-show routine! My band and I have this sacred handshake we do together for good luck before we hit the stage. It’s become a tradition! I also make sure to have a really good breakfast because, you know, you need that energy to perform!

Would you rather perform an intense monologue or one of your songs while riding in an ATV?

Why? Probably sing a song. But do I have to do it?

I wrote a monologue at a particularly dark moment, so it could be a bit raw. Lily Brooks nails the cold read!

Ready for some rapid-fire questions?

Rapid FIre ATV TALK

Absolutely! Let’s do this!

  • Soap opera or sitcom? Soap opera.
  • Memorizing lines or hopping? Memorizing lines.
  • Romance or action scenes? Action scenes.
  • Filming at night or early morning? Early morning.
  • Performing live or recording in the studio? Performing live.
  • Writing lyrics or composing melodies? Writing lyrics.
  • Sing every word you speak or dance every time you move? Dance every time you move.
  • Go to karaoke song? I don’t have one!
  • Blockbuster movie or sold-out world tour? Sold-out world tour.

That was so much fun! Thank you for joining us on this ride through my world!

 

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