Lexi Lawson is originally from the Bronx, raised in Newburgh, NY of the beautiful Catskill Region, and has been entertaining audiences nationwide since she was seven years old. Reviewed in national publications across the world, the young and talented singer/songwriter is also a SAG/AFTRA/AEA triple threat. She continues to contribute her talents and pursue her dreams. Her TV and Film credits include “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past” (2009 – New Line Cinemas) starring Michael Douglas, Matthew McConaughey and Jennifer Gardner, “Can you Hear The Music”(Intermedia), “What Would You Do?” (ABC), “Evergirls” (Nickelodeon), and “American Idol” (Fox). She played MIMI in the National Tour of the hit musical “RENT” starring original cast members Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal. Lexi presently stars as Vanessa in the national tour of “In the Heights.”
Lexi, tell us something of your upbringing and what influenced your life.
I was born into an extremely musical family. Both my parents are musicians/singer/songwriters. My mother was once a recording artist as well. She was signed to Rock Candy Records and had a single that she wrote called “Payback” which was released in the UK that a friend recently found on YouTube! She also won a songwriting billboard award back in her day. She’s a very talented songwriter. When we lived in the Bronx I had to room with my sister, because my parents turned the other bedroom into a home studio for my mother to write and record her songs. I remember when I was a baby, I would sit on the couch in the studio and just listen to my mother record - take after take. Eventually I would fall asleep, but I never left her side. Around the apartment in the Bronx – we had turntables, record players, big stereos’s, 8 track, monitors, synthesizers, upright piano, a ton of microphones, wires everywhere. It was Heaven! I remember always taking the microphones out of the cases and just staring at them -lol- it was so interesting to me! There was ALWAYS music playing in the house. My Dad would play the piano, my Sister would play the clarinet, my Mom would sing, and as a little baby I would just observe. I honestly thought that everyone in the world lived just like us. The music never stopped! There came a time- at family functions that all the kids would get together and perform for the adults. We would put on plays with costumes, and talent shows.
You have been hard at work since you were a child, did you always know what you wanted to do?
Absolutely, performing was like Candy to me and I remember that I never wanted it to end. I just wanted more of it! I was addicted. I was a music geek – I was first clarinet in band, first soprano in chorus, the lead in all my school plays, I would get all the solo’s, won a ton of school awards – a teacher published my poem in a school book. I was an over-achiever when it came to music and the arts.
You are a triple threat talent; you are a songwriter/singer, a dancer, and an actor, of all these disciplines, which is your favorite, or the most gratifying?
Singing and songwriting completes my heart. I recently saw a video on YouTube of someone covering my song “SOMEDAY” and it was the most humbling and gratifying feeling in the world. If in fact I happen to affect just one person in this world – it means more to me than anything in this universe.
Definitely a combination of both. Even if you have it, you have to maintain it and work hard for what you want! Learn everything you can about your craft.
Success in the Entertainment business often means being on the road, away from home, a great deal of the time. Is the traveling hard for you? What works for you and what doesn’t?
NO, traveling isn’t hard for me at all. I actually love it, and I’m so thankful that I’ve been given the opportunity. I get to travel the world! At first (back when) it was a little difficult, but now I’ve got this down to a science. I keep my luggage under 50 pounds and am a wizard with going through security. Aside from my family at home I have my tour family on the road, so we keep each other company! My doggie, SEVEN, comes on the road with me. She’s my little bundle of joy. Currently I’m doing the musical ‘In The Heights” so I will explain how my weeks go. We have 8 shows a week. One show a night from Tuesday-Friday, two shows on Saturday and two shows on Sunday. Monday is our only day off and that’s the day we wake up early to get on a plane and travel to the next city. Then we do it all over again. The only thing that annoys me is when there is no where to eat in or around the hotel or theatre. I feel like the world is going to end if I don’t fill my tummy!
Tell us a funny, or awful ‘Road’ story.
Ohhhh, there were sooo many moments! But the one that stands out was when I was in Rent. The band was playing some really funky awful chords during the intimate moment of “I Should tell you” that I would perform with original cast member Adam Pascal who played Roger. This particular time he got off track – I came in on time but proceeded to Laugh out Loud the entire rest of the number in front of a few thousand people… WHOOPS!
In every Artist there is a spark or something inside that must be expressed. What’s that thing in you that drives your career? What motivates you to do what you do?
I do this because I Love it and it makes ME happy. My LOVE for the art drives me and motivates me everyday. Music is not only in me and a part of me, but MUSIC IS ME. I wouldn’t BE, if it wasn’t for my love of music. Its my drug and my therapy- seriously.
You made it to Hollywood on ‘American Idol’ but opted to take the role in ‘Rent’ instead – Wow, that must have been quite a night of soul searching. Tell us a bit about making that decision.
Well, it was a pretty easy decision to make. I’ve ALWAYS wanted to play ‘Mimi’ in Rent. It was a dream. And when I was offered the part playing across Adam Pascal, and Anthony Rapp ( the originals) in the closing cast, it was an offer I couldn’t say no to. Auditioning for ‘Rent’ was one of the hardest auditions I’ve ever had, but so rewarding in the end. They offered me the role of ‘Mimi’ the day before I left for Hollywood week of American Idol. Michael Grief the original director of ‘Rent’ sat me down and said to go out to Idol and if I wanted to do ‘Idol’ , then to do ‘Idol’- but if not the role of ‘Mimi’ was mine. I went outside and cried my eyes out. I was so happy. I went to ‘Idol’ the next day- but realized that American idol was not for me. I love watching and being a fan of American Idol- but I didn’t like being a part of ‘Idol’. It wasn’t for me, so I left the show. I want to have a career, and though the instant fame that you gain on ‘Idol’ can open up a lot of doors – I didn’t want it. I want the growth, I want the longevity of a career, I want to make my own mark. and I want to know that I worked really hard to get it.
If you could write the pages of your future, what would you be doing in five years?
Dusting off my Grammy’s, Tony’s, VMA’s, and Oscar Awards.
It could most certainly happen. There are always ups and downs in life, how do you celebrate the ups, and how do you manage the downs?
I beat myself up when I’m down so I don’t really allow myself to get down. I write – I’ll write a song, I’ll write in my journal, or write in my Gratitude book. There are too many moments that will pass you by if you are a negative Nancy. I take my big ol breaths of fresh air, lift up my chin, and remind myself how fortunate I am to feel the sun beat against my face. This business is hard – only the strong survive. And I plan on doing this for the rest of my life – so I wipe away my tears, suck it up, and get on with the show.
What is not in your bio, about you, that would surprise our readers and you fans?
Pretending to be Britney Spears in front of my mirror, I have 4 tattoos and 10 piercings. I’m spiritual. I love Psychology and the study of Energy. Growing up, on Sundays my mother wouldn’t let me listen to anything but classical music. I was once a competitive figure skater. I love rocks!
You wrote and recorded ‘Someday’…wonderful song. Tell us about Lexi the songwriter.
I love songwriting, and started writing lyrics when I was in junior high school. I have about 10 books of lyrics from junior high and high school alone. Its my way of expressing myself. I don’t know how to play the piano that well- but I sat down at the piano about 10 years ago and started playing, came up with my melody and created Someday. Someday was my first song of both music and lyrics that I wrote. I’ve been holding out on recording it because I wanted to find the right producers to record it with. These days I work with songwriter/producers Peter Macchia and David Andronico of Evolution Music and singer/songwriter Giovanna Giacinto- Sinno. Whenever I have even a second off from touring I am with them creating. We are a magical and funny team!
How do you find working in collaboration with other songwriters? Would you recommend it to other songwriters? Is partnering up with others important?
I think it’s important to do both! Writing a song with people is just as important as writing a song by yourself. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing like creating your own song with your own pad and paper – but it’s also magical when you can create with a whole team of songwriters that all align in time to work together and make an amazing piece of art.
What do you like in a song – what is your process for writing?
I like honesty in a song. I like songs that speak on a real level, give a message, and can reach and touch anybody of any age. I have a few ways I create a song. My favorite is when a song comes to me when I’m Dreaming! I wake myself up out of my sleep – grab my cell phone and hit record. I crack myself up listening back in the morning, because there are long pauses in between lyrics, obviously because I’m falling in and out of sleep. Sometimes I’ll sit at the piano and just hit chords and write. But a lot of the time I will write in my journal – come up with, and a melody. I also write with my team that I work with, Evolution Music. We definitely like to set the mood by dimming the lights and lighting some candles.
You have done a great deal – tell us about your first paying gig?
My first paying gig came when I was 14. I did my first commercial for Sprint . I’ll never forget standing on set and being so content and happy. I remember thinking to myself ” I wanna do this for the rest of my life” I remember feeling like I was on top of the world. It was a euphoric experience!
You are skilled in so many disciplines, how do you prepare yourself for the next interview, audition, or performance?
Most importantly I have to say that it’s so important to continue studying! Studying will help you tremendously in your next audition or performance. If you study audition technique you will gain knowledge to prepare yourself for your next audition. Same goes with performance. You may have that “natural talent” bone in your body- but it doesn’t hurt to perfect it! Study! Study! Study! Wither it’s a class, book, music, dance or singing lesson, speaking with someone who knows a lot about your profession or working in your profession, listening to your favorite artist or seeing a play, there are a lot of ways to study.
When did you first realize that this is the way you would make your living- that you were a working ARTIST?
Heheh- fortunately I realized at a very young age. After seeing a commercial about “up and coming children stars”- I told my mother when I was 9 that I wanted to be a professional performer. I started singing and doing plays when I was 7
Lexi, I have to ask the fluffy questions, ‘cause people would want to know. Now, since you mentioned it – What is your favorite ‘on the road ‘ food?
Arugula Salad with lemon, olive oil, and shaved parm cheese!! Chicken Cup-a- noddle is a must have and I also love Godiva milk chocolate bars
Sounds good. What is your favorite rock (mineral not musical) variety?
I love celestite and citrine.
Of your tattoos, we read you have a little ink, which one is your favorite?
That’s a toss up- I have the word ‘voice’ tattooed on the inside of my right ring finger and the word LOVE behind my right ear.
This is the most endearing thing about you. What breed is your doggie?
I have a 2 year old Yorshire terrier named SEVEN
Visit Lexi at:
http://lexilawsonofficial.com/
“In The Heights” Official Site:
http://www.intheheightsthemusical.com/index.html
Thank you Lexi for a wonderful interview. We wish you all the luck in the world – with your talent luck will surely find you.
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