Y'all better watch out, because Olivia Mae is more than just a triple threat. Staying true to her musical theater roots while continuously proving she's a natural at the heart-wrenching ballad - also showing her knack for R&B - she is one of the industry's most versatile up-and-comers. It's impressive that the same creative mind behind the heartfelt storytelling in "One Day" also wrote a completely different, yet still sensational banger "Rewind." And even more so that by night, her star is shining in Tale Of The Lion King at Disneyland Resort.
Playlists & Polaroids had the pleasure of chatting with Olivia following the release of "One Day," and we love the insight she gave us on her artistic journey. Keep reading for the tea on her theater kid origins, songwriting process, new music to come, and more!
Image credit: Olivia Mae, graphic created by Karly Ramnani
YOU'LL LOVE OLIVIA MAE IF YOU LISTEN TO: Tate McRae, SZA, Lizzy McAlpine, Renee Rapp, Beyonce, and of course showtunes!
What types of music did you grow up listening to, and how does this influence your artistry today? What does your music taste currently look like?
Growing up my family and I were nicknamed the jukeboxes because of how diverse our music taste is. From Ella Fitzgerald to ABBA to Black Eye Peas, we could tell when an artist sampled a song and name the original on the spot or point out the song(s) that the artist could have used as a production reference. My music taste is still rather eclectic as I find myself hopping from genre to genre about every four months. As an artist this has helped me realize that I don’t want to abide by the rules of sticking with a specific genre; I’d rather be the one who can do it all.
In what ways has your musical theater background shaped you as a performer and songwriter?
Having done musical theatre since the age of four, I’ve learned a lot about stage presence and how to tap into the character’s emotions which has helped me become a more confident and empathetic person. One thing that has stuck with me is the art of storytelling that musical theatre does so well. I have always loved that connection theatre has with its audience to make them feel for certain characters or moved by the overall message it has to convey. That is what I try to emulate in my songwriting; I want my listeners to feel as if I had found their journal and ripped a few pages out to create a song. Wanting to build a community for those who can be their most authentic self and open about their feelings, leaning into that storytelling element can and has allowed me to make such amazing connections with others.
What are some of your favorite roles you’ve played in musical theater, and what stands out to you about these experiences?
Some of my favorite roles have been Lucy in You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, Dorothy in The Wiz, Sebastian in The Little Mermaid, Erzulie in Once On This Island, and both Nala and Timon in Tale of the Lion King. Each of these characters were so unique and allowed me to explore another side of myself challenging me to be a better performer. Many of these roles had a research element to them to get a better understanding of what that specific character’s motives were and how I would best portray them while keeping their integrity intact. What has stood out the most about becoming these roles is how it has affected me after the curtain has closed. I see bits and pieces of these characters in myself now as they have helped shape me into a more confident, self less, loving, and generous person.
Image credit: Olivia Mae
Tell us more about playing Nala and Timon in Tale Of The Lion King! How do you connect to these roles, and what would you say are the biggest highlights of this experience?
Growing up I loved the Lion King soundtrack and how vibrant the movie was which I watched often on rainy days in elementary school. When I got the chance to see the show on Broadway I cried at how beautiful the production was and knew instantly that I wanted to be in the show. Little did I know that two years later I would have the opportunity to play both Nala and Timon in Disney’s Tale of the Lion King at the Disneyland Resort. When it came time to connect and find my own version of the roles, I ended up referencing the movie a lot and noticed how similar I am to both characters. For instance I could relate a lot to Nala because she is a young, strong, independent female and Timon is a leader with a goofy side to him. There have been a multitude of highlights since I’ve joined the show from having my name go down in history, as this is Disney’s first all-black cast production within all of the resorts, to my first performance on the stage. The one moment that will forever have a place in my heart was the day that I took my first step on the Fantasyland Theatre. As a kid I would watch the shows that used to perform on that stage religiously, and having the chance to inspire the next generation of performers made me emotional as I am now six-year-old Olivia’s dream come true.
Do you and the cast have any pre- or post-show rituals for Tale Of The Lion King?
Before every show I listen to “Shadowland” from the original Broadway cast recording of Lion King to ground myself into the roles, as well as remind myself that my journey is just beginning and to enjoy every moment I have.
What’s it like being an independent artist in an industry that often pushes people to work with major labels?
Being independent allows me to do whatever I want without having to follow the traditional cookie cutter pattern many artists find themselves trapped in. I can post whatever I want, write about whatever I want, and release music whenever I want without any added pressure or due dates.
What drew you to USC, and how do you hope to use your music industry degree after you graduate? Do you think you’ll stay based in LA?
What drew me to USC was the amount of connections and resources they could provide me as a student, and artist in one of the largest music cities in the world. With my degree I plan to create my own record label that showcases artists of all colors, genders, backgrounds, sexuality and things of that nature as I believe that the music industry is behind the times in taking steps towards creating a welcoming and diverse community. With wanting to be both an artist and business woman, I feel like I will either stay in Los Angeles or switch over to New York based on where I thrive best.
How do you balance being a full-time student with pursuing your dreams as a rising artist and musical theater performer?
When I become overwhelmed with the amount of work that I’m doing both academically and professionally I ask myself where my feet are. It serves as a reminder to be in the present and to ground myself literally and figuratively.
What inspired you to write “One Day” and how did you approach the storytelling of this song? Are any parts of it based on a true story?
I was scrolling through TikTok when I came across a friend of mine’s post using an audio created by Hayli, talking about how she is the girl whose role is to satisfy their guy friend’s needs no matter what and is never seen as a potential partner. A few of the lines hit a little too close to home as I have found myself in a similar situation, but fortunate enough to not relate entirely with what was being spoken about.
What made you want to explore a more stripped-back, emotional side of your sound through “One Day” after the success of “Rewind”?
There is something so beautiful in storytelling that I believe today’s music is lacking as its focus is more so on feeling the instrumentation rather than the emotion of the lyrics. I have always been in awe of songwriters and singers who can take you on this immersive journey while only incorporating a few instruments. A song that I find myself constantly going back to as inspiration is “Killing Me Softly” by Roberta Flack because the beautiful yet simplistic instrumentation creates this effortless flow allowing the story to take center stage leaving listeners wanting more.
You’ve shown us snippets from a few new songs on social media. Can we expect these to come out anytime soon?
I am currently in discussion with a producer to get “Am I Delusional” recorded as well as another song titled “Spudnuts,” which is named after the donut shop near USC’s campus, as I feel they are my two strongest pieces and fan favorites.
In general, I love the way that your songwriting characterizes your feelings. What techniques do you find yourself using most often?
The techniques that I tend to use are rhyme schemes, building a song based off a specific line that I like, stepping away or switching between different instruments when I feel overworked and pulling from personal experiences or stories that I’m inspired by.
Other than the last few shows of Tale Of The Lion King, what are you most looking forward to in 2024?
I look forward to collaborating with more artists, continuing to write songs, and hopefully dropping my first EP at the end of the year.
Finally, the P&P classic! What’s a lyric from “One Day” that stands out to you? Walk us through the process of yourself writing it, and how does it speak to you personally?
There are two major lines in the chorus that stick out to me the most, and they are “I’m not the one you’d ever date. I am the one you’d stay up late with. Two strangers naked” and “I’m not the one you’d ever miss, I'm just your temporary fix till someone better comes along.”
Writing this song was a challenge as I had never expressed these feelings to anyone outside of the beat up journey I have under my bed. The reason why I decided to write and release “One Day” was because I want to bring back the art of storytelling and transparency. Vulnerability is something that I am working on and I want to showcase that in my writing to create a welcoming community for my listeners to be their most authentic self and to speak their truth. When it came to formulating lyrics I referenced the TikTok I got the initial inspiration from and incorporated lines that I found in an old journal entry I had. Wanting to keep the integrity of our truths, I left the song as a voice memo to add to the authenticity and realness of the story.
Olivia is the rare kind of artist who can truly do everything - she has something for everyone, and she's just getting started. Whether you're a Broadway geek or you're looking for a new R&B singer to listen to, she's got you covered! Here's a playlist we've curated that we think captures her vibe.
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