Aria Brooks (ARIA) is an actress from Atlanta, Georgia who joined the cast of All That in the second half of its first season. Growing up around a family of performing arts teachers and musicians, ARIA has turned to a path in the entertainment industry. We got to speak with ARIA about her debut EP castles and she touches on topics such as mental health and real-life issues affecting youths today.
- What has the reaction to castles been like?
The reaction has been great! People have been streaming it and I am beyond grateful. My fans seem to have the same favorites as I do, which has been cool to see. - What was your songwriting process for your debut EP?
My songwriting process in general has been based on my mood. I only wrote when I was inspired to write because that’s how my best songs come out. For castles, I started writing in 2020 until the beginning of 2021 on and off because I needed to be in the correct mindset to write. - How long did the production of castles take?
I started recording in January of 2021. We built a home studio and got to work. The official production lasted from January to March for castles pt.1. We’re still finalizing pt. 2 to be released later this year. - Is there a certain track off castles that you’ve noticed is a fan favorite? If so, why do you think that is?
The fan favorite has been Dear Brown Girl since I first released it. I did a focus group prior to the release and it seemed to be a favorite then as well. I think that is because of the overall vibe…it’s empowering and very musical. - Do you prefer making music or acting on the big screen?
I cannot pick which one I like better. Music is my foundation, but I’ve grown to love acting just as much. I think there are pros and cons to both though. - Fans love your single “Fire x Water.” Can you describe the sound of the single in three words for those who haven’t heard it?
It is mysterious, subliminal, and climatic. I was so excited to share it with the world. - For your 14th birthday, you created the “14 til 14 Challenge” to support tolerance and acceptance. Can you speak a bit more about your vision behind this challenge?
I didn’t really know what I wanted for my birthday, so I figured I could do some kind of Instagram challenge. I wanted the challenge to have some kind of meaning behind it, so my mom helped me come up with the idea of having a different challenge every day for 14 days. There were challenges that focused on social issues and I am glad I got to educate my followers and bring light to the things that were important to me. - Your followers really seem to love your Instagram Live show, Ask Aria. What did you enjoy most about making the show?
I enjoyed getting to learn about the industry from people like Tabitha Brown, Kenan Thompson and Chantae Cann. I got a chance to ask for advice that helped me as an artist, and I am sure it helped a lot of my followers as well. - You’re such a young artist who has already done so many amazing things. What is your main focus or goal in the entertainment industry?
My goal is to inspire people. Sharing my art with the world is like sharing a piece of myself. So, I hope to be relatable and inspiring to people. I also want people to know that prioritizing yourself is not a bad thing. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. - Can fans look forward to any other upcoming projects/releases from you in 2021?
I have another single being released this year. I can’t reveal too much, so you’ll just have to wait and see. I am also releasing castles pt. 2 later this year, along with more visuals.
Keep up with Aria on Instagram.
