ACTOR
Aria’s Singular Voice The Disney+ Better Nate Than Ever star opens up By Carol Badaracco Padgett
A ctor Aria Brooks is multi-dimensional in the entertainment industry. “I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember,” the 15-year-old Atlantan states. And she’s a songwriter, too— releasing two EP’s entitled “castles pt. 1” and “castles” in 2021. “I started writing because I was in- spired by my mom, who write songs,” Brooks shares. “I wrote my first song when I was 9, and since then writing has become therapeutic for me.” The genres she chooses? R&B and pop resonate with her most, but “I love tap- ping into all styles of music,” she says. In her songs, Brooks discusses issues like social justice, mental health struggles, and dealing with toxic personalities and situations—weighty topics for an entertainer so young. And yet, she realizes that it’s important to use her voice and her platform. “I am continuing to write and create music, so I plan to continue sharing it with the world,” she says of the songs she records at a home studio in Atlanta, then sends to Chris Lane at local Multiband Studios for mixing and mastering. She’s quick to credit other collaborators, as well, saying, “For ‘castles’ I worked with some amazing producers, Dev.b, Tovah Lovely, and Ashton Combs.” Singing and songwriting, though, are just one aspect of Brooks’ abilities. As an actor she stars in Disney+’s Better Nate Than Ever as Libby, Nate’s witty, spunky best friend. “My first audition was a self-tape,” she shares of winning the role. “Shortly after I sent it in, I got a call-back with the director, Tim Federle. I did a couple chemistry reads with potential actors to play Nate.” And then she got to read with the actor who would eventually snag the role of Nate, Rueby Wood. “I got to read with Rueby a few times and the chemistry was instantly there,” Brooks notes. “Then, I got on a Zoom for what I thought was another call-back, but [it] was really Tim [Federle] telling me I got the job!” Even through her success as a young teen, Brooks remains grounded—and grateful. “My parents are always making sacrifices for my career,” she states. “My mom is my mom-ager. Not only does she take me where I need to be, but she also coaches my auditions. My younger sisters are also supportive of my career and are my biggest fans.” Next up, Brooks is adding another big role to her IMDb profile as “Alex” in season 3 of High School
“ I wrote my first song when I was 9, and since then writing has become therapeutic for me. ”
Aria Brooks
Photo by Tevin Johnson
Musical: The Musical: The Series for Disney+. And she’s working on a few of her own screenplays, as well. When she’s not on-set or writing and recording music, Brooks actually finds time to be an everyday teenager. “Going to school is my regular kid time,” as she puts it. “I go to public school so I hang with friends, go to dances, and take part in school events.” Alongside all the talent, performance, and the routine things that fill up most 15-year-olds’ lives, Brooks makes time for activism. And as writers and creatives are known for, she takes in the world around her and then shares a powerful view of it. “I think it is so important to speak out for minorities,” she states, for example. “I am constantly speaking out for causes like Black Lives Matter, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, etc. I think the more we educate ourselves and others, the more change we’ll make.”
One of Brooks’ platforms for connection that leads to change is social media, and she’s clearly harnessed its power. On Instagram, @itsariabrooks, she’s got 21.7K followers. Her approach there is to keep it real, as she puts it, “I strive to post authentic content that I enjoy making and people really respond to. I also like to post things that others can relate to.” Of being an actress, recording artist, activist—even an aspiring producer—Brooks finds that not one talent in her arsenal is overlooked in her appreciation of them. “I love being able to express myself through all of these outlets. I can get my emotions out and share them with the world, so others can relate as well,” she closes. “They all move me.” Aria shares her powerful, distinctive voice in more ways than one.
@itsariabrooks
26 | THE GEORGIA HOLLYWOOD REVIEW | FALL 2022
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs