Pop-Culturalist.com

Emmy Award winner Olivia Rose Keegan has emerged as one of Hollywood’s most dynamic young talents. Whether she’s acting, dancing, or singing on the stage or screen, she’s undoubtedly bopped her way to the top.

This year, she joined the star-studded cast of Disney+’s High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. Her character, Lily, is an ambitious East High transfer student who knows what she wants and is willing to do anything to get it.

Pop Culturalist had the pleasure of speaking with Olivia about her career and High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Season 2.

Career

PC: How did you discover your passion for the arts?
Olivia: I started with musical theater when I was about seven. It’s so interesting and ironic because I feel like everyone else in the High School Musical cast is much more eligible to talk about musical theater. [laughs] They have much better knowledge of musical theater than I do. But I started with musical theater, and then three years later (and many, many plays later), I woke up one day and—I don’t know what possessed me—I decided that I wanted to pursue on-camera acting. Of course, my parents thought it was a phase. Understandably so, because I was that kid who went through phase after phase. But it kept going for about a year. Every single day, I would get off the school bus and I’d stomp my feet and I’d say, “Mom, school is getting in the way of my career.” [laughs]

I made a big old deal about it. A year later, I finally wore them down. They were like, “Fine, if you want to do it, go do it yourself.” I said, “Okay.” I found myself an agent online in San Francisco. She started sending me to LA and all that. Ever since my parents realized that I was super excited about this, they’ve been super supportive and wonderful. I definitely could not have done it without them. I forced them into this whole thing at the beginning. [laughs]

PC: When you look at your career as a whole, who or what has had the biggest influence, either personally or professionally?
Olivia: That’s such a great question. I would definitely say my parents. I could not have done this without them. I was eleven when I was making all these career decisions about what I wanted to do. We lived in Marin County, but every week my mom would drive me down to LA for the weekend for auditions. It would be a six-hour road trip twice a week. The fact that my mom was willing to do that was incredible. My whole family was willing to move to LA to be here with me. I’m so lucky.

I think about that a lot. I’m very lucky that I got into this industry at a young age. When you’re young, you go after what you want head first, uninhibited by social constructs. There’s no fear of judgment. It was very brave of me. I always question if I would have the courage to do it if I was starting now.

PC: You’ve had a lot of success already in your young career. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out to you?
Olivia: Winning the Emmy last year has to be that moment. It doesn’t feel real. I have the statue downstairs. I walk by it, and it still doesn’t hit me. It takes me five minutes to think about what that means and what I did to earn that. If I think about it for a long time, it’ll hit me. I’m so grateful for it. It happened during this past crazy whirlwind of a year. It’s such a beautiful cherry on top of what’s been a weird year for everyone.

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series

PC: You’re currently one of the stars of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. Can you tell us a little bit about your character and what drew you to this project?
Olivia: Lily is a high school transfer student who comes to East High. Spoiler alert: she ends up transferring to North High. She’s a violently determined and ambitious girl. That determination makes her knock other people down so she can get what she wants. She hasn’t quite realized yet that you don’t have to do that to get what you want. She’s admirably determined and ambitious. I really admire a lot of her qualities, but she’s not a very nice girl. [laughs] But it’s been so fun playing her. It’s interesting because the last three characters that I’ve played have had a mean, evil undertone. It’s made me think maybe it’s time to look inwards and see what kind of energy I’m putting out into this world. [laughs] But it’s so fun because it’s an interesting challenge. You have to justify everything you’re saying and doing. When you have these “evil” characters, you have to completely get behind everything you’re saying. It’s an interesting challenge to try to justify everything.

PC: What was it like for you to join a cast that already had a season under their belt?
Olivia: Wonderful. It’s an intimidating situation on paper because everyone has already bonded and gotten to know each other. But within five minutes of walking through the door on my first day, all those feelings and fears melted away. The cast and crew couldn’t have been more warm and welcoming. It truly couldn’t have been better. It’s such an inspiring environment to be in. Every single person is so individually and originally talented in their own way. Being in a room with all these people collectively, I’m like, “What am I doing here?” I just tried to soak up all the inspiration and put it to good use.

PC: Lily is a multifaceted character. Which of her layers has been your favorite to explore, and what’s been the most challenging?
Olivia: The most challenging part is justifying everything that she does. I do not endorse her behavior. She’s not a nice girl. That’s the most challenging part, but it’s also super fun. I love these more villainous characters because they’re such a challenge. But the thing about acting is you can say anything you’ve ever wanted to say to anybody you’ve ever wanted to say it to. It’s a matter of flipping the person you’re talking to in your imagination and changing their name. You get to purge all your demons. It’s very cathartic.

The most fun part? High School Musical has always been in my life. I don’t even remember the particular moment that it came into my life. It’s always been there. It’s such an iconic thing. Now to be a part of it is insane. I get to play a Disney princess within a Disney series. It’s unreal.

I never even imagined that it would work out this well. I used to dress up in the Belle costume and make my cousins do photoshoots with me as a toddler. It is a full-circle moment. I couldn’t be happier.

PC: In last week’s episode, Miss Jenn has the kids do an exercise to get to know their character better. If you had to pick a book to live inside of, what would it be and why?
Olivia: That’s so fun. Definitely Narnia. I would open every door. Growing up, I used to open every wardrobe and run to the back. I’d smash my face into the back of my wardrobe and pray that one day it would lead me to the beautiful enchanted forest. I really latched onto that when I was young.

PC: What can you tease about what’s ahead for Lily in Season 2?
Olivia: She’s definitely a girl who knows what she wants and who she wants. She’s willing to knock down anything in her way in order to get there. That might lead her down some interesting paths. People might see a human under there. [laughs] I’m very excited for people to see that journey.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Olivia: Outlander is so fun. I’ve gotten a couple of my friends hooked on it at this point. I highly recommend it if you’re into violence and gore.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Olivia: Dazed and Confused.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Olivia: I love John Patrick Shanley and everything that he writes. I feel like I’m more well-versed in that world than the musical theater world. A couple of my favorites are Where’s My Money? and The Dreamer Examines His Pillow.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Olivia: I’ve been listening to a lot of metal/hard rock recently. I love Bring Me the Horizon. I love some Don Broco. I’ve been listening to a lot of Vampire Weekend and Hozier lately.

PC: Go-to karaoke song?
Olivia: That’s a good one. “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen.

PC: Dream role?
Olivia: I mean this is pretty fun. This is definitely on the list of dream roles. I love the movie Almost Famous and that whole era. I love Kate Hudson’s character in that. That or a period piece would be fun.

To keep up with Olivia, follow her on Twitter and Instagram. Watch Season 2 of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series on Disney+.

Photo Credit: MK McGehee & Alexander Fenyves // Production: Linse Studios // Coat & Skirt: Benchellal // Heels: Rey Rey