 Rising pop star Luna Blaise discusses her latest single Camera Roll, and bringing diversity to the hit ABC sitcom Fresh Off the Boat. Luna also gives the low down on her nationwide tour with Jacob Satorius. You've currently had a recurring role on the hit ABC sitcom "Fresh Off the Boat" playing Nicole the tough girl who moves next door to the Huang family. Can you take us through your audition process for Nicole, and do you remember what you were doing when you got the role? I remember exactly what I did for the audition. I actually didn’t want to audition at first because I was going to have to do a hip-hop dance number for it. I’ve been trained in ballet since but, had never danced hip hop before. For the audition, I danced to a Janet Jackson song and made up my own choreographed dance. When I found out I got the roll, I was actually coming out of a dance class. My manager called to tell me, and I was so excited about it! "Fresh Off the Boat" follows the story of Eddie Huang's Taiwanese family as they make their way from Chinatown of Washington, DC to Orlando, Florida, to open a cowboy-themed steak restaurant in 1995. What does a typical day on-set look like, and can describe your character of Nicole? On a typical day on set, I arrive half an hour early to settle into my trailer. Then I go grab some breakfast or tea -- sometimes coffee since it’s usually super early in the morning. When it’s my call time, I go to hair and makeup and then rehearsals. Then I go back to my trailer and use my downtime to read through my lines, and sometimes go live on my Instagram or Snapchat until it’s time to go to set and shoot. You just released your new single “Camera Roll,” which is currently available on iTunes, Apple Music, and Spotify. Can you tell us about the recording process of this song, and how you started singing? The idea for my new single “Camera Roll” came about in a recording session. My producer was on the phone and I told him to put his phone down and focus. And then thought of the lyrics, “put your phone down now.. and focus right on me.” It was really catchy, and we played off of that to make it more of a pop love ballad. You're currently on a nationwide tour with artist "Jacob Sartorius" playing in selected cities. What did you do to prepare for the tour, and do you ever before get nervous on stage? I had a bunch of rehearsals before going on tour. Preparing for this tour was a little different than the ones I’ve been on in the past because I decided to perform my new single “Camera Roll” before it was released. I took a risk, but I’m glad I did because the response has been incredible. I’m so excited for it to come out on February 2nd!  Pop star Luna Blaise is currently on a nationwide tour with Jacob Satorius. You started working professionally at the age of 5 doing commercials and modeling, working on many advertising campaigns for brands that included McDonalds, KFC, Dunkin Hines, Target, Gap, Juicy Couture. Can you tell us how you get started acting? I started out modeling when I was a child actually for a lot of those brands! I’ve always wanted to be on TV and in movies. When I went to the movies as a kid, I used to run down the aisles in front of the screen when the credits rolled because I thought that made you a part of the movie. So I started auditioning! In June of 2016 you starred as the love interest for Internet sensation Jacob Sartorius in the "Sweatshirt" music video. Which, actually started a firestorm in the digital space of fandom sparking rumors that you two were dating. Why did you receive multiple death threats and massive hate from young fans all around the world? Jacob has a huge fan base that is very loyal to him. It was upsetting to receive a bunch of negative social media feedback for it. People take hate in all different ways, and I chose to not really take it personally. A person will hate all they want on social media behind their cell phone, but probably wouldn’t come up to you in person and say the same mean comments. Luckily, I have a great support system around me and was able to turn the negative situation into a positive one.  The Hip-Hop infused Camera Roll is the latest hit single from pop singer Luna Blaise. You're a big advocate for educating teens about anti-bullying and LGBTQ community issues. Can you tell us about makes you so passionate about these specific issues, and were you ever bullied? I’m a proud ally of the LGBTQ+ community! My character ‘Nicole’ on Fresh Off the Boat came out as a lesbian this season, and it’s been an honor to portray her. When I found out about my character’s new plot line, I teamed up with GLAAD to become a better advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and help make coming out easier for other teens. I think nobody should have to feel like they’re in a dark place. People should be accepted for who they are and not feel ashamed to be their true selves. We should always treat each other as human beings and equals. Nobody is better than anyone else and nobody should be treated differently for the choices they make. What can you tell us about your upcoming feature film Surviving Theater 9 which, is scheduled to come out next year, and your character Luna? Surviving Theater 9 is based on the real-life events of the 2012 Aurora Theater shooting. The film is a narrative seen through the eyes of one of the survivors, Tim McGrath. Tim wrote, directed and acted in the film. I play his childhood love interest who tries to help him through his PTSD following the incident. I love being a part of such a positively impactful project with a strong social message. Watch full episodes of Fresh on the Boat on ABC.com. Buy Luna Blaise's latest single Camera Roll on itunes. See a full list of Luna's current tour dates with Jacob Satorius below. On Tour with Jacob Satorius: FEB 04 , HOUSE OF BLUES, ORLANDO, FL FEB 18, THE NEPTUNE , SEATTLE, WA FEB 20, REGENCY BALLROOM, SAN FRANCISCO, CA FEB 23, THE VAN BUREN, PHOENIX, AZ FEB 25, THE WILTERN, LOS ANGELES, CA
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  Musical twins sisters Michelle, and Melissa Macedo dish about their latest single "Supernatural", and filming "Blood Heist" with heartthrob James Franco. Macedo also tell us about the writing process for their groundbreaking debut album "Flags & Boxes". Congratulations on your latest music video for your single "Supernatural"! Can you tell me how you guys started the musical duo Macedo? Thank you! Sure, we started writing songs together when we were about 10 years old. We had both been playing musical instruments and singing together for a while. Michelle had been writing poetry at that point and it just made sense to just put it all together. Even then, we were writing harmonies together. It sort of happened naturally because we work together really well. Recently you just finishing wrapping production on the feature film "Blood Heist", starring heartthrob James Franco. What was it like working with James Franco, and filming in Ohio? We filmed in Hamilton, Ohio during the summer. It was a lot of fun and we met so many amazing people on that set. It's a very small town which was perfect for getting into the characters and their lifestyle. It was so much fun and at times emotionally challenging. We are so grateful to James for the experience. It was a true privilege to see him work as an artist. We had incredible castmates that really brought their A game which was inspiring to be around. Also, every set or project is like a different little family, you get really close with everyone and you always keep that special experience with you. You grew-up in Pasadena, California, and you're father is a pianist/guitarist who exposed you to all different kinds of music. If you could collaborate with any artist who would it be, and why? Yes, our father exposed us to all types of music. In terms of musicians we'd love to work with, we love Haim, Lianne La Havas & Lorde. They are all strong women with unique voices. How does being a twin translate into your professional life, and booking roles in Hollywood? We love being twins! Firstly, you have a built-in best friend. We know we always have each other's backs and we support each other entirely. We would both do anything for the other. The best part of being a twin is that it's very easy to communicate. We've had our own way of communicating for as long as we can remember. It's like speaking our own language. We're constantly bouncing ideas off of each other. We're each very different but very much in sync. Sometimes, there are twin roles that are perfect and sometimes we go out for individual roles. We aren't competitive with each other. A win for one of us is a win for the team. I think being a twin makes us more compassionate.  Twin sisters Macedo broke new musical ground with their debut album "Flags & Boxes". Your full-length album "Flags & Boxes", has a very indie rock sound that you don't hear in most modern rock songs. Can you give us some insight into how you go about writing lyrics? Are your lyrics based off personal experiences? Yes, often times we write from personal experience. We observe real life situations & relationships around us, sometimes Michelle or I will be in a situation and the other one of us will feel inspired to write about it. Also writing about difficult times in our own lives can be very therapeutic and cathartic. It's helpful to turn something difficult into something beautiful, like alchemy, that's an amazing gift that art can provide. Michelle is really strong with lyrics and Melissa will add a melody to it, but it can be switched as well. We sort of go with the flow depending on the song. Every song is so different. Michelle does a lot of the writing in general. We wrote the song "Sea of You" together based on a melody idea that Melissa had, then Michelle flushed out the lyrics added some melody onto the edits of it. You never know when inspiration is gonna strike. As sisters and as musicians, one of us will supply what the other one needs. That is just a part of who we are, our relationship is integral to our art. Can you tell us what can we expect from your new album, that's different from your previous work? "Ghost Town" emerged from a really difficult time. I (Michelle) had just ended a very long relationship & was experiencing health issues. I felt so terrified and alone. I cut myself off from the world for about 6 months just writing constantly. That utter isolation (besides from Melissa) brought about Ghost Town. It's a reflection and exploration of the ghosts that we all have and the ways in which we are haunted by our past. I think the music since "Paper Doll" has grown because the themes of this album go much deeper. This album is a lot about the past and our relationships. We've grown and developed more as artists since the last EP. "Ghost Town" is a reflection of memories in the past that became a part of our identity. In essence, how we're each being haunted, in good and bad ways. It was a very raw experience to write this album, there was no holding back. What advice would you give musicians/singers who are looking to break into the music business? The best advice we've gotten is to stick with it, keep your head down, keep going and focus on the work, on what inspires you. Treat yourself kindly through the whole journey and trust you're exactly where you're supposed to be. Follow Macedo on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Macedo new single "Supernatural" is now available on iTunes.   Pop singer Mason Ashley talks about her latest single "Paper Planes", and shooting inside an old mansion for her latest music video. Mason also raps about giving us professional advice for up and coming singers looking to break into the business. You grow-up in Magnolia, Texas with music in your blood since childhood. Can you tell us how you first go started singing professionally? I started performing when I was 12 after doing a songwriter camp and I have performed ever since. I fell in love with the way it felt when the lights came on and when I would look out and see a stranger so drawn into what I was singing about that I felt a connection to them. It's a powerful thing. Your latest single "Paper Planes" is out now! How did you come-up with the lyrical content for that song? I really wanted to write a song that summed up the beautiful, tragic chaos of relationships. I met someone that I thought at the time was kind of bad news and I wrote the song the day after I met him almost like I was predicting how the relationship would go. Your new EP has a soulful feel to it, but mixed with upbeat lyrics. To what extent were you involved in the production of your upcoming EP? I was lucky enough to get to be a big part of the production side of things. My producer let me help mix the tracks, pick my vocal tracks and be a part of the editing. I learned so much about music production and music in general through working on the album. We often talk with young musicians/singers who are interested in a professional career. What advice would you give them? My advice for young singer/songwriter/musicians is to write everything. Live in a constant state of writing. When I was younger, I would just be writing songs in my head all day no matter where I was. Just use music as a way to express yourself not only to other people, but also to figure yourself out. Music is one of the most powerful things in the world and to be a part of that is an honor.  Pop singer Mason Ashley latest single "Paper Planes" is a breath of fresh air for pop music fans. Your vocals are just spectacular on Paper Planes from the first note. Do you have a vocal couch or did you take singing lessons? Thank you so much! I did have a vocal coach through the recording process and took a lesson every once in a while just to refresh my technique. The music video for Paper Planes has such a simple yet, unique look inside that old mansion. Can you give us any behind the scenes stories of shooting the video? The shooting process for that video was really a BLAST. One funny story I remember is on the last day of filming we lost the key to lock up the old building we were filming in. We searched all three stories of the building for what felt like forever and eventually found the keys in a super obvious place right by the door. Lastly are you planning on going out on tour? How do you prepare for a live show? I have no plans for going on tour at the moment but I would love to in the future. My live show preparation usually includes lots of coffee and my "Pre-Show Pump Up Playlist"...which includes everything from Drake to John Mayer. Visit Mason Ashley's official website to purchase her music. |
