You are starring in an upcoming CW series Star-Crossed, can you tell us a bit about your character Grayson?
Grayson’s a guy living in a alien integrated world (well sorta) who’s interested in a girl who’s interested in an alien.
You were cast as a young Josh Brolin in Spike Lee’s newest film, “Old Boy”, Tell us about that experience.
It’s was a good interesting experience. Spike and Brolin are very unique artists who I was fortunate to learn from.
Did it cross your mind that you favored him in the looks department before filming?
No not really. I just tried to emulate him as best I could. It was nerve wracking doing the auditon for Spike but doing it for Brolin was a whole different thing.
What influences your fashion choices, any favorite designers?
Honestly I just wear what I think might look best on me. But really I have no fashion sense.
What was one of the defining moments that set you on your career path?
When I booked FNL(Friday Night Lights)
What else can our readers expect from you in the next year?
Star-Crossed should be out in Feb. Hopefully the viewers like what I did.
You recently released new single “Hello How Are You” with full album being released in 2014. Tell us about this project.
I’ve been working on my debut album for about 6 months now. I’m still hard at work trying to make sure we deliver the best possible product.
We can see you in a supporting role in action movie Bad Asses 2014 opposite Danny Glover. Tell us about your character and experience.
It was such a learning experience; both Danny Glover and Danny Trejo are veterans in the business. I had a great time, the movie is gonna be fun!
Your production company The Rascals, produced half of pop star, Ariana Grande’s #1 hit album, Yours Truly. What was it like working with your longtime costar?
Amazing ! We’ve always had a connection musically. I’m extremely blessed to be given an opportunity to be a part of the creative process. She’s an amazing voice within the industry.
What influences your fashion choices, any favorite designers?
I’m a big fan of Lenny Kravitz and Pharrell. Some of my favorite designers include 10 Deep, Dope, Supreme and Givenchy.
What was one of the defining moments that set you on your career path?
My debut role on Broadway as young Simba really set the tone for the rest of my career. I learned a lot about all of the do’s and don’ts of the industry.
You recently starred in Teen Beach Movie, Disney Channel’s West Side Story-esque tale. Tell us about your character and that experience.
In Teen Beach Movie I got to play a really fun and bubbly character named Giggles. She loves to hang out at the beach and dance…just like me! Playing this character and being a part of the movie is one of the most memorable moments of my life thus far! I got to spend two and a half months in Puerto Rico with a cast that became family. It was a dream come true!
What was the fiercest part of competing and becoming a finalist on “So You Think You Can Dance”?
I think the best part of So You Think You Can Dance was being able to do something I love every day! I was able to make a lot of new friends, indulge in new choreography, and of course perform my heart out every single week!
What influences your fashion choices, any favorite designers?
I just absolutely love fashion! My style changes day to day. Sometimes I like to be super girly and wear something from “NastyGal” or “Free People.” Other days I like to be a little more tomboy and wear things from “WildFang.”
What was one of the defining moments that set you on your career path?
Definitely when I was a dancer in the High School Musical series. I remember sitting on set and the director, Kenny Ortega, came up to me and asked if I had an agent. At the time I didn’t, so I said no. Within seconds he called his agent and said “I want you to sign Mollee Gray, she is going to be a star.” I will never forget that moment…every day I think about Kenny and how lucky I was to have him believe in me.
What else can our readers expect from you in the next year?
Readers can expect to see more of my music and to watch me to continue to grow with my acting career! Follow me on Twitter and Instagram: @MollsGrayy.
You are best known for playing outspoken character Sam Puckett from both Nickelodeon’s iCarly and its spin-off series Sam and Cat. What has been the best thing about this 7 year journey?
Working with the same company for seven years has allowed me to establish my own voice and collaborate more on the creative end of things. I’ve had the comfort of a day-to-day job while working on side projects and doing my own thing in my spare time. It’s been a really cool set-up for me!
Your series of a capella cover performances have become quite popular, receiving over a million views. Whats?next in your playlist?
I’ve been listening to Katy Perry’s Prism record a lot lately, so maybe I’ll cover something from that. A few years back, I covered older, throwback songs, lots of singer-songwriter stuff, but now I’ve been trying a new angle by singing more pop and top 40.
What influences your fashion choices, any favorite designers?
I like to look sleek and classy. I love crop tops with harem pants or leather skirts, dresses with flirty cut-outs, and baby boot-cut jeans with sweaters and boots for the winter. Favorite designers are Emporio Armani, BCBG maxazria, Rachel Roy, and Elizabeth & James.
What has been your must humbling moment?
My most humbling moment was probably when I was 16, at Disneyland. A bunch of people were asking me for autographs. I ducked into a store to catch a breather. Somebody tapped me and said “Excuse me?” I turned knowingly, and they said, “Could you move? You’re right in my way.” Consider my humble pie overeaten!
You just released your third full-length independent album ‘Morning in Glen Burnie’. Tell us about that project.
This was really my 2nd solo album, as the 1st was with a band I was in previously. I recorded the album up in Jamaica Plain, MA at Dimension Sound Studios with the help of engineer Dan Cardinal. It was a real joy to make this album and I had a lot of fun doing it. With the help of my producer Kimon Kirk, we brought into the studio a great group of Boston-area musicians that all spoke the language with what I was trying to accomplish. There wasn’t a lot of thinking, I just played them the song solo in the Green Room then we would all step into the studio and lay the song down. Many of the tracks that made it to the final album are just the 2nd full take of the song. We had never all played together in a room before and it was basically, “go”. It was a lot of fun and that felt like the right way to make an album like this. I’ve been pleased with the response thus far. Ryan Freeland also provided the songs with an excellent mix.
You recently won the prestigious “Gold” award for Song of the Year in the 29th Annual MASC. What did it feel like to get that type of recognition?
A: Recognition in the music world is hard to come by, so I was excited to hear it won that award (“But I Don’t Care”) in the Adult Contemporary category. We decided to put that song first in the album because we all felt it resonated so well. It comes across just the way it was supposed to. Amy’s harmony vocals sounds great and I love what the group did on the track. (But I Don’t Care)
What influences your fashion choices, any favorite designers?
I’m not sure I’ve ever been asked this before in an interview. I will say though that I basically try to make it as easy for me as possible to get ready now and I know what I like to wear. I keep it simple. I’ve only worn my Clark shoes for the past year and a half plus. I have 3 pairs of them, they are beaten to hell, but they still feel good and I like how they look. I basically only own AG Jeans as well and in a few different colors. I’ve only worn those for a few years. Then I just own a bunch of black or blue button down shirts. That’s it. I try to remove options for myself.
What was one of the defining moments that set you on your career path?
Just the belief that developed over time that I could be a songwriter, and then that I was a songwriter and performer and lastly, that I had something to say. I think artists will second guess themselves throughout the process, and repeat the cycle, but once I knew I was on the same journey as those songwriters I idolized and looked-up to as a kid, I realized I was no different. I knew how to do it and it was a matter of putting the time in and writing as much as I could while also fine tuning the craft of singing, playing guitar, performing and everything else that goes into it.
What can our readers expect from you in the next year?
Hopefully a new album. I have a goal of getting a follow-up album recorded and out before 2014 ends. More touring, more shows, bigger shows hopefully with the full band this year, more songs and maybe a few more interviews.
The have been a lot of rumors, and excitement about the upcoming fan financed revival of Veronica Mars. What are your thoughts on the project?
When I heard the project was underway I immediately wrote Kristen to congratulate her. I was so impressed by fact that she and Rob Thomas could prove to a studio that there was an audience for the movie through crowd funding. As far as the industry is concerned, I’m sure it was a huge source of inspiration for others who have projects of their own but have been discouraged by naysayers. But mostly, I’m so excited for the passionate marshmallows everywhere!
Will we be seeing what Jackie Cook has been up to?
No, as is always the case with Jackie Cook, she remains a mystery.
Your new film “Dear White People” is about being one of the very few black people at a predeominantly white Ivy League Institution. How familiar are you with this scenario, either growing up or in your young adulthood?
The film is a satire about race in America and it makes some very funny and poignant observations that I can certainly identify with. I grew up in Santa Monica going to mostly small liberal arts schools living with my white mom and sister, so yes. But at the heart of the film, is a story about identify and belonging, about being at odds with your surroundings and trying to find your most authentic self, and that I know plenty about, we all do.
What influences your fashion choices, any favorite designers?
I think my choices are some haphazard mix of the places I’ve lived, traveled, and the periods in fashion I admire the most, like the 1970’s. Thrift and vintage shopping is a favorite pastime of mine, so much of my clothing reflects that. I’ve always hated the idea of wearing something that many people own. I love Alexander McQueen (and Wang!). Calvin Klein is classic. Also, I’m fond of the structural pieces by the ladies at Chromat and I have spent some time on Instagram lately drooling over some OLIMA stuff.
What was one of the defining moments that set you on your career path?
I suppose it all comes back Veronica Mars. Aside from one episode of a show, it was my first big job and it came at a time when I just knew that I wanted to go to conservatory or finish my degree and that I wasn’t interested in pursuing a career in Los Angeles just yet. Well..
What else can our readers expect from you in the next year?
I sing in a band called Caught A Ghost. Our first record comes out early next year. We just got off the road in both North America and Chile, and it was incredible, so looking forward to more traveling in that way. I produced and performed in a film called Grantham & Rose with some friends last year and it really whet my appetite for creating my own content. Maybe I will start work on The Untitled-Untold Jackie Cook Story, who knows.
Photography: Marc Cartwright . Kalie Johnston . Courtney Phillip . Gilles Toucas . Danny Hernandez . Shelby Duncan