Disney star Olivia Sanabia is stepping into the music industry! That’s right, the Coop & Cami Ask the World actress just dropped her first single, “Stars Crossed,” and she spilled all the details on it exclusively to J-14!

J-14: Tell us about “Stars Crossed!” What’s it about?

Olivia Sanabia: This is actually my debut single — my first song ever. This song is kind of based on a relationship where one person doesn’t feel the same way that the other does. I feel like this is something that so many people can relate to. The song is also based on my love for Romeo and Juliet. But what if one of them hadn’t been as into the other person was? That’s kind of what the song’s about, and I’m so excited because it’s my first single!

J-14: Was it based off something in your real life or just an idea?

Olivia: I think it’s a good mix of both. I think it was definitely partly personal experience but also an idea and kind of a story that I wanted to tell.

J-14: Was it nerve-wracking releasing your first song — especially since it was about something to personal to you?

Olivia: Oh, definitely. I was nervous for a long time. It’s kind of telling people, ‘This is a representation of who I am as an artist, as a singer, as a musician and as a person.’ Whereas with acting, it’s kind of like you’re hiding behind the character — you’re being somebody else, you’re telling someone else’s story. So this is kind of crazy that I’m like, ‘OK, this is who I am.’ I’m just so excited to share it with everyone.

J-14: Tell us about your writing process!

Olivia: My writing process is kind of all over the place. Some days I can sit down and write a song in a couple of hours, but this particular song I wrote over several weeks. I kind of started with an idea. I got the first lyrics of the chorus — it just kind of came into my head and then I immediately sat down at the piano and got to work. Then I kind of came up with the chorus and I wanted to make sure that I still liked it because my mind changes 24/7, so after about a week, I was listening to it over and over again and I still liked it. Then I wrote the verses. It took a little while but I’m happy with how it came out.

J-14: What was the inspiration behind the music video?

Olivia: The music video was something that I wanted to keep simple because I felt that the song already told a story and painted a picture. In the video I’m kind of the narrator and I’m kind of telling the story. I wanted it to be pretty — a pretty background — and I wanted the lyrics to tell the story. I’m happy with how it came out. It was kind of crazy to shoot because in order to get that authorial, flow-y effect we had to film in slow motion. Which meant that I had to sing the song in double time. So that definitely presented it’s challenges but I’m happy with how it came out.

J-14: Do you have any more new music on the way?

Olivia: Definitely! I’m always writing! Songwriting is a newer love of mine but I’m very obsessed with it. I’m also obsessed with playing the piano, so yes, I definitely have new music on the way!

J-14: What about a tour?

Olivia: Nothing concrete now, but I would love to somewhere down the line.

J-14: Which do you prefer — singing or acting?

Olivia: Oh my gosh, I could never pick! Singing was almost my first love when I was young and then I discovered acting which was just a whole other level of obsession. I can’t even begin to pick one. I’m very obsessed with both of them. They’re both so different too — it’s kind of like stretching different muscles. It’s a lot of fun to jump back between the two of them.

J-14: What’s next for you?

Olivia: Right now I am working on A Snow White Christmas, which is a theater production and it’s produced by Lythgoe Family Panto. I’m having such a great time, I’m playing Snow White and it’s so much fun getting back to my theater roots, which is kind of where I started in this business. So I’ll be doing that throughout the whole holiday season, and then I’m back to work on more Coop & Cami Ask the World back in January. It’s been really fun and I’m loving doing the show.

You can listen to “Stars Crossed” here!

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