Pop-Culturalist.com

Ava Grace knows how to make an impression! She’s blowing audiences away with her big-screen debut in Honey Girls.

Based on the Build-A-Bear line of the same name, Honey Girls follows popstar Fancy G (Ashanti) as she hosts a contest to find the next big artist. But the young contestants realize they are better together and secretly form a band called Honey Girls. Ava shines as Charlie, a member of the trio.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to chat with Ava about her multifaceted career, Honey Girls, and combining her passions for this project.

PC: How did you discover your passion for the arts?
Ava: My parents got me piano lessons when I was five. Then around seven, I auditioned for a play and fell in love with performing. At ten, I started writing songs constantly, and I haven’t stopped since. My love for the arts has always been present. I can’t think of a time when I was indecisive on where I wanted my path to go.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Ava: My mom has definitely had the biggest influence on my career. She has allowed me to pursue my dreams, traveled with me, been continuously supportive, and I’m extremely thankful that she has joined me on this journey.

PC: In addition to being an actress, you’re also a musician. What has been the biggest lesson you learned from acting that you’ve been able to apply to your music and vice versa?
Ava: I started getting into the arts through musical theater, and I still apply certain things from it. For instance, through the music I write, I take a lot of influence from theatrical expression. As for acting, writing music really opened up an emotional door for me, an opportunity for me to cope and express myself. So, from finding that, I’ve since been able to apply those feelings and make acting another source where I can be vulnerable.

Honey Girls

PC: Tell us about Honey Girls, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Ava: The music aspect of Honey Girls drew me in the most. It’s cool to be able to combine both acting and singing in a project. It’s the ultimate dream. When I read the character description for Charlie, I was surprised at how much we were alike—both music nerds, introverted, dyed hair, songwriters, etc.

PC: This is your biggest role to date. Did anything surprise you about the experience? Is there a scene that you’re excited for your fans to see?
Ava: Getting to be a big role in Honey Girls was astonishing and extremely exciting. I remember getting the call from my agent telling me I got the role and not even knowing how to react. One of my favorite parts is the music video for “What We’ve Been Looking For”. The antique store we shot it in was so cool. It was fun getting to dance and sing with the girls and play around with all the props.

PC: What do you hope audiences take away after they see the film?
Ava: I hope the audience takes away care, love, and patience, as the whole cast had for one another and is highlighted in the movie.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Ava: Gilmore Girls.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Ava: Napoleon Dynamite.

PC: Favorite book?
Ava: At the moment, it’s We Were Liars.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Ava: School of Rock.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Ava: Ella Fitzgerald.

PC: Dream role?
Ava: Any character that has a strong impact on others.

To keep up with Ava, follow her on Instagram. Watch Honey Girls wherever you stream movies.

Photo Credit: Great High