Time to Shine – An interview with Ally Brooke

If Ally Brooke could choose one superpower, it would be to entertain people, and entertain, she does.
Many first met Brooke as a solo contestant on ‘The X Factor,’ where she went on to join the multi-platinum pop group Fifth Harmony. After the band’s great success, Brooke broke out from the group a few years later and signed with Atlantic Records in 2018. Not only is she a mega pop star, Brooke also placed third on Dancing with The Stars in the United States and was the top scorer of the season. Brooke recently performed solo on the 2019 Miss Universe stage, which turned out to be one of her favourite performances.

Jacket: COS

While it may seem like all smoke and mirrors for the superstar, it hasn’t always been an easy road for Ally. Growing up as a shy kid, Ally first felt like she could be herself at age nine, after singing on stage. Ally found herself through music and entertainment, and there’s been no stopping the pop princess since.

Given Ally’s cultural background, she wishes to pay homage to her heritage, and her lifetime love of pop music, through her sound. Her experimental music ranges from her beloved ‘chic pop’ tracks to urban jams with a robust Latin flare.

Currently, Ally is creating new music and preparing for her first solo tour, Time to Shine. Ally can’t wait to thrill her fans with her unique sound, killer high notes, and sparkling spirit.

Top: Peggy hartanto, shoes: Jimmy ChooCoat: Peggy Hartanto

What inspired your love of music? Have you always known you wanted to be an entertainer?

Yes! I was 9 years old when I started to sing. I’m from San Antonio, Texas, and I was inspired by watching Selena. I remember watching the movie about her and her old videos, and when I saw her I would feel so special. Seeing her would make me light up, and the way she represented herself and her music had the biggest impact on my life. I knew at that age that being an entertainer was a powerful thing, and singing was my escape to be whoever I wanted to be and ultimately to find who I was. I just knew at that age that this is what I loved and I didn’t know anything else.

How would you describe your new sound?

I want to say “chic pop” but love to play around with my records. I feel like in this era, artists do whatever they want they don’t really stick to one sound. I love that because I love so many different genres. I grew up in a household that loved music everything from the 60s, 70s, 80s, and more, so I have many influences and I try to implement that in my own music. I released a song in Spanish called “Vamanos”, it has heavy Latin and Reggaetón sounds. My new single is called “No Good” it’s very disco chic pop. Other records like “Lowkey” has more of an urban pop sound. I love to experiment with my sound because my music should be like my personality. All colors of the rainbow I guess you could say.

Shoes: Everlane, pants: Simona Coresellini

We’re so excited to see you shine on your new Tour! What are you most excited about for the Time to Shine Tour? 

I am so excited I really can’t put a proper adjective on it “excited” doesn’t do what I feel justice. When I was a young girl I always dreamt of having my own shows and doing my own tour, traveling the country and the world. It’s unbelievable to see it come to life this spring just a few months away.

What can fans expect from your upcoming Tour?

I’m going to give audiences and my fans my absolute best. They’ll see everything from my Dancing With The Stars experience, maybe a little bit of Fifth Harmony with some songs I’ll cover there or dance to, and I know what my fans love to see the most is me singing and hitting those high notes and showing people my spirit and my soul on the stage. I want everybody to leave my show feeling like that was an amazing experience and want them to come back again and just feel freed and liberated and ultimately, feel entertained.

I want everybody to leave my show feeling like that was an amazing experience and want them to come back again and just feel freed and liberated and ultimately, feel entertained.

We loved watching you on Dancing with The Stars. How did you find the experience?

My experience on Dancing with The Stars was absolutely incredible and it went beyond my expectations. I came to the show so nervous, unsure of what to expect, I wasn’t the greatest dancer, and I was scared that I would embarrass myself on national TV. My experience was the opposite of that. I grew so much confidence in myself and in my dancing. I felt like I entered the competition a little girl and left the competition a strong, confident, and fierce woman. I really will forever be grateful to the show for what it’s done to me because it completely changed my whole being.

Shirt: COS

Did you conform to a particular diet for energy and strength during the show?

I did not. When rehearsals came around and I had eaten something like junk food, I would notice that my energy wouldn’t be great. When I ate oatmeal or something healthier then I would have a lot more energy and stamina. I tried to find a balance, and it was amazing because I lost 10 POUNDS while on the show. I felt incredible, and all that dancing really shaped and toned my body it was amazing.

Your most recent performance on Miss Universe was an absolute showstopper! How do you prepare for a big show? 

Thank you! Wow that was such a moment for me and it was probably my favourite performance I’ve ever done. It was such a statement and a beautiful experience to be there with all of these gorgeous, stunning women from all across the world. It was really beautiful and touching to meet these women, and to see them go after their dreams and representing their beautiful countries. I feel so grateful to have been part of the Miss Universe pageant. I only had a few hours to learn the full routine that included all the girls into the dance, but everyone was so determined and hard-working so it came out such a fun and memorable moment. I’m so happy that so many people loved it and I feel like it showed that I’m a new performer now and I have a new energy.

We love your fun and playful style. Do you have any shopping favourites?

I love to have fun with my style! I work with my stylist to grab inspiration from different actresses or other artist’s styles that I admire and then mix in different colours and fabrics. I love showing my legs so anytime I could be in high-waisted shorts is a favourite moment for me or short dresses or a skirt. Recently I played around with the oversized look and found that I love wearing oversized baggy jeans and pants. For the Miss Universe performance, I wore a pants suit, which normally I would never do. That turned out to be one of my favourite performance outfits and I’m so glad I did that.

We know you are beauty obsessed! If you could only use three beauty products for the rest of your life, what would they be?

I love eyelashes, and I’ve been doing my eyelashes since I was like 16 years old. I can’t live without them. If I had to choose just 3 products, I would go with Milani. Their entire collection is amazing it’s hard to choose, but I’ll say their lip glosses, their eyeshadow pallets which are to die for, and their mascara.

How do you deal with online bullies and trolls?

It’s never fun seeing comments that aren’t nice about you, but what I try to do is remember that there’s always way more positivity than negativity. I try to focus on the good comments that I see and the love I get from my fans, old and new. It’s a choice I make to not let people get the best of me.

Coat: Peggy Hartanto

What can we find you doing in your spare time? 

I love to go to the movies whenever I can. Going to the theatre and getting some nachos to watch a film is one of my favourite things to do. I also love to just go out to eat with friends. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just enjoying each other’s company is the best.

Any self-love practices you could share with us? 

Yes! This is something that I’m trying to get better at and share with my friends; don’t be hard on yourself. Remind yourself that you’re human, you’re made with a purpose, you’re beautiful inside and out, and you have so much value. It’s okay to cry and it’s okay to be frustrated at things in life. It’s also okay to be joyful, to enjoy your life and to pat yourself on the back for things you’ve accomplished. Life can get crazy and hard, things happen that aren’t fair, but you are your own best friend so try to encourage yourself like a friend would.

don’t be hard on yourself. Remind yourself that you’re human, you’re made with a purpose, you’re beautiful inside and out, and you have so much value

What advice do you have for those wanting to make it in the industry?

The biggest thing would be to keep your head high. Chasing your dream is hard, so surround yourself with good people. Be smart, know what’s best for you, and learn as much as you can about this business. Remember to believe in yourself, know what you want, and know your self-worth. Take it day-by-day, it almost never happens overnight.

Top: Peggy HartantoTop: COS, pants: COS, Coat: COS

What’s next for Ally Brooke? 

I’m putting all my focus into the Time to Shine Tour. It’s a huge accomplishment to be able to do this for my fans, my first ever solo tour, so that’s where my head is at. Of course, I’m always working on new music and other projects, but it’s really all about the tour right now. Anyone who’s reading this, I’m inviting you to come! I promise you’re going to have such an amazing time, so much fun, and you’re going to be entertained.

To follow Ally’s journey, click here

And head to AllyBrooke.com for a full list of tour dates.

 

Photographer: David Higgs

Creative: Brooke Meredith

Stylist: Kara Wilson,

Styling assistant: Ali Mullin

Makeup: Colleen Guzinski 

Hair: Preston Wada

Video Marcus: McDougald

Studio: @msa_studios Los Angeles