Songwriter’s Monthly Presents:

Mollee Gray

Poise In Any Situation

Phot

o: D

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Mollee Gray is a dazzling and dynamic dancing dynamo! Each flawless move she makes is a hyper-charged affirmation of her passion for life. Furthermore, she is a successful actress who has landed numerous roles in both television and film: No Strings Attached with Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman, all three High School Musical films, So You Think You Can Dance, America’s Got Talent, Drop Dead Diva, Camp Rock 2: Dance Off, Victorious, Big Time Rush, American Mall, and the Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Awards. And, just this past summer, Mollee added the effervescent, ever-shaking, fringe girl named Giggles from Disney’s Teen Beach Musical to her rapidly growing list of characters portrayed.

However, this young star’s talents do not stop there! Besides the moves, she’s got the voice.

Recently, the artist released two singles: the edgy, attitude-laced “You Don’t Know Anything (About Me)” and the hard-driving, full-on rocker, “Wasted” (Crushtone Music). [Hey, Avril, you might want to look over your shoulder, Gray’s got some serious chops and she’s coming up fast!]

Despite her relentless schedule, Mollee graciously set aside a generous portion of her time to go in-depth with Songwriter’s Monthly about various aspects of her career and her many talents. She even offered advice for other hopeful, up-and-coming artists.

* * *

Songwriter’s Monthly: Disney’s Teen Beach Movie is a wildly fun, imaginative and colorful movie. Your character, Giggles, is present in most of the scenes, but she only has a few lines, yet somehow, you have made her one

Cover Photo Credits:Photographer: Danny Hernandez, Hair & Make Up Artist: Allison Noelle, Stylist: Alonzo Johnson Jr.

Mollee Gray:Poise In Any Situation

of (if not) THE most memorable characters in the movie. She has a sharply defined personality and it is all done through her distinctive moves. Did you get to create the way Giggles dances and shakes?

Mollee Gray: It was a collaborative effort between me and the director, Jeffrey Hornaday. Each cast member had a one-on-one session with him where we figured out how to make our character iconic.

SM: How hard was it to create a personality and convey emotion, simply through dancing/moving?

MG: It was difficult . . . But I just had to imagine that each time I did a distinctive move, it was with the same intention I would

use if I had dialogue at that moment.

SM: Was creating the character a challenge or is this something that comes easily and naturally to you?

MG: I love creating characters! Character analysis is my favorite part of script studies.

SM: Do you think the average person realizes the importance of body position/body language and how much is conveyed without ever saying a word?

MG: I think, subconsciously, people understand body language, but they don’t put much importance into it until they start recognizing it in themselves and others.

SM: Are you constantly aware of where your body is and how it is positioned, even when you are not dancing?

MG: Yes, very much so!

SM: Do you ever find yourself using what you’ve learned in dance to help you in your personal life (i.e., strike a pose that conveys confidence, move with

“Because dance has been in my

body for 19 years, naturally, it will bring a certain

poise to any situation I am in!”

energy to brighten peoples’ spirits, walk a certain way to stand out in a crowd or at an audition, etc.)?

MG: I think that because dance has been in my body for 19 years, naturally, it will bring a certain poise to any situation I am in!

SM: Can anyone learn to dance, or is it something you’re born with?

MG: Anyone can learn to dance! Dance is not just a technique thing, it’s a celebratory action.

SM: Looking back at the So You Think You Can Dance episodes, is there any advice your more seasoned self would tell the younger you that would help her move forward in her career?

MG: I would tell myself that every day is a new day to do something better and to not get stuck on a struggle from the day before.

SM: As you move into other areas of the entertainment world, are you finding any surprises (i.e. singing is easier/harder than it

looks, acting is not what you thought, etc.)?

MG: Yes, absolutely! Acting is very difficult because each part has a very specific look they are wanting, and sometimes, no matter how talented or great you are at executing the sides, if you don’t have the right look, you won’t book it!

SM: Did you receive any formal training in acting?

MG: Yes, I grew up in Utah and I worked with comedic specialty teachers and I also was a part of my school drama classes in Junior High and High School.

SM: Are there any similarities between dancing and singing?

MG: Absolutely! They are both all about performing and wanting the audience to feel as passionate about your work as you are.

“Dance is not just a technique

thing, it’s a celebratory

action.”

SM: Did you receive any formal training as a vocalist?

MG: Yes, in Utah I took vocal lessons and I was a part of the school choir in Junior High and High School!

SM: You recently released two singles, “Wasted” and “You Don’t Know Anything (About Me),” how did those songs come about?

MG: I met my producer, Jim Wirt [Incubus, Fiona Apple, Something Corporate], through a dance studio. I was teaching his daughter and they discovered that I could sing, so they asked me to come in to the studio. I listened to their demos and picked the two I liked the most!

SM: What makes a song something you’d like to sing?

MG: Passionate lyrics and if it touches me and what I am going through in that moment of life.

SM: I really like the heavy, driving force in your songs. Is Pop/Rock a genre that appeals to you?

MG: Yes! I have always been a HUGE fan of Paramore! SM: There is an intense dance sequence about three quarters of the way through the video for “You Don’t Know Anything (About Me),” was the song crafted with that aspect included from the start?

MG: Yes, we wanted to have a musical break to show off the instruments and we thought it would be cool to have a dance break, as well.

SM:”Wasted” is a great song! What do you feel when you are performing that one?

MG: I LOVE performing “Wasted!” My favorite lyric is “letting go is not so hard, it’s later when you fall apart.” I can relate to that very much. When I sing this song, I

genuinely sing from my heart and I love feeling the audience feedback such a super high energy!

SM: What did you learn about the recording process while making these songs?

MG: I learned there is so much that goes into putting one song together: how many tracks, instruments, background vocal, voice harmony, etc. It was so awesome!

SM: You have to be brave, bold, and confident to sing, dance, and act, have you ever been shy?

MG: Yes! Still am! I get very nervous meeting new people!

SM: What single word best describes you?

MG: Silly.

SM: What is the ONE thing that brought you to where you are now?

MG: I think it’s my determination to keep succeeding and to never be on a plateau in my career.

SM: What do you love most about your life at this very instant?

MG: I love that I get to wake up every day doing what I love to do: inspire kids and continue to work on my career.

SM: We only touched on some of your many abilities/accomplishments, is there anything you’d like to bring up, anything that is important to you that you want to make sure people know about you?

MG: I just hope people realize that success takes hard work and things are never handed to anyone. If you work hard, you WILL see results.

SM: What advice do you have for creative people looking to share their talents and abilities?

“Success takes hard work and

things are never handed to anyone.”

MG: I know it sounds cliche, but never give up on yourself. Many people will tell you “no,” but if you constantly believe in yourself, your dreams will come true.

SM: Thank you, so much for taking the time to answer these

questions! What’s the best way for fans to find out more about you?

MG: Follow me on Instagram/Twitter and WhoSay: @MollsGrayy: Mollee Gray.

And, don’t forget to check out Mollee’s songs, here!

“If you work hard, you will see results.”

M G

Greg Tjepkema, Photographer #2-3314 Yonge Street Toronto M4N-2M4 416-732-2432 www.gregthephotographer.com