Kidsday chats with singer, actress Lucy Hale
Kidsday reporters Gionna Altebrando, Lauren Barnes and Hailey Koppelman, all from Miller Place with singer and actress Lucy Hale at WJVC offices in Ronkonkoma on Dec. 8, 2014. Credit: Newsday / Pat Mullooly
Do you get inspired to write songs or do they just come to you?
It sort of depends on the whole process when we're writing the album . . . how I usually like to write is just sort of what I'm feeling on the day or something I'm going through. . . . It kind of happens in the most strangest moments throughout the day.
Did growing up in Memphis, Tennessee, inspire you to fall in love with country music?
Yeah, so I grew up in Memphis and just growing up in the South [the music] is just sort of everywhere, it's on the radio, I love whatever country concerts come through there. I just had a family that loves country music so that's where it got passed on to me.
Do you look up to any famous artists? If so, who?
Musically . . . Martina McBride and Shania Twain, Carrie Underwood, and I really love Taylor Swift. I love everything that she's done. . . I love Tim McGraw because he's been in movies, he's done music, and he still maintains a really good family.
Do any of your songs relate to "Pretty Little Liars"?
My single that's out right now -- it's funny -- it's called "Lie a Little Better," which actually has nothing to do with the show, but I guess lying has become a theme in my life. But no, I try to keep those two worlds separate.
Did you have to audition for "Pretty Little Liars?"
I did. I remember the first time I got sent the script, I immediately saw the title and I knew that it was a great title, and I thought it was going to be a really big show. And then I read the script and I then immediately went out and bought all the books and read all the books. And yeah it's just one thing after another and I think that's why the show's done so well is that they stayed really true to the suspense of the books . . . and it keeps me guessing and keeps me on my toes.
Do you have any plans of singing on the show?
I don't know. They've asked me to maybe sing on the show but I don't know where my music would fit in on the show. And it's sort of a risky thing because if I sing as Aria, I think people would have a hard time seeing Lucy sing so I kind of want to keep those worlds separate. But never say never. It might happen.
What similarities do you have with Aria from "Pretty Little Liars"? What differences?
Aria, the reason I was initially drawn to her is because we're very similar. We're really creative, we love the arts, she's a little bit stubborn, I'm very stubborn. A little bit sassy, I'm very sassy but she's very headstrong and she's a go-getter and she doesn't take no for an answer and I really admire that. And all the girls on the show, they're kind of like that. Everyone always asks what the difference is -- the main difference is Aria is a hopeless romantic and I definitely don't feel I'm like that.
What do you like to do off set?
When I'm not filming I'm usually traveling for music so I guess my answer would be more work and performing music and shows and writing. I play a little guitar so trying to get better at that, spend some time with family and friends. I love to shop. I could shop for days. So a lot of that.
