Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Arlo the Alligator Boy’s Michael J. Woodard

Michael J. Woodard is an emerging star who rose to notoriety when he competed on Season 16 of American Idol. He won over the hearts of viewers around the world and received praise from industry giants including Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan.

This year, Michael is showing off another side of his artistry with his debut animated film: Arlo the Alligator Boy.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to chat with Michael bout his career, Arlo the Alligator Boy, and the film’s important and timely themes.

Career

PC: How did you discover your passion for the arts?
Michael: It was definitely in church and school, but I feel like I was born with it. It’s like God assigns these things because you never really know why you love something so much, and this is what I took a liking to. I always knew that I had a voice. My mom and dad have videos of me singing on my first karaoke machine when I was four or five. I’m sitting there performing for my family and doing these huge monologues on the mic. But when all my senses were developed and I knew this is what I wanted to do was when I was eight years old. That’s when I had my first audition ever. That’s the age when my love and my passion really developed.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Michael: I would say God first and then my mom. Watching her work ethic growing up has had such a huge influence on my life. Even though she’s not in the entertainment industry, I saw how hard she worked throughout life and how hard she worked for me in order for me to thrive at my craft. She was on the bus with me every day, going back and forth to New York, booking things for me, so I would say God number one, and then her.

For my musical influence, I would say Brandy Norwood. Also, I saw a video of Justin Bieber singing “One Time”, and I was like, I want to do that. I can do that. This was after I started auditioning. I was like, “I can do a music video.” I would say that was a special moment when I started looking at life in a different perspective.

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?
Michael: I have two! I would say when I performed for President Barack Obama…yes, I did that! I was eleven or twelve when he came to Philadelphia and had this rally. I got approached by someone from the White House who asked if I would come and sing the National Anthem for him before he went on and did his speech for his 2012 campaign. I would say that moment and making the top five, or just making past the judges’ round, on American Idol. That was another moment that solidified everything for me as well. I would say those two for sure! Oh, wait! Also, booking Arlo!

Arlo the Alligator Boy

PC: Speaking of Arlo, tell us about the film, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Michael: Arlo is a teenage boy raised in Bayou, Louisiana. He’s this green-eyed optimistic young chap who has dreams to find his dad. He goes on this journey where he meets what I would consider his little family of misfits, who go along with him on this journey. On that journey, he becomes stronger than he ever was before.

I would say what attracted me to this character was how much he was like me. It was funny—I got an email that the producers from Dreamworks were looking for me and looking for a way to get in contact with me, which they eventually did. I got the sides, which is pretty much a part of the script that I would need to say for the audition. On these sides was this line that jumped at me, and it said, “I got a daddy”. Ever since then, I swear they must have written this script about my life. There are so many things in Arlo that I connect with. There are so many characters that are just like me.

PC: This is your first lead role in an animated project. Did anything surprise you about the experience? What was the biggest takeaway?
Michael: It’s such a new world to me. ADR was very surprising, which is when you record lines to match the movement of your character’s mouth. I did not see that coming. I think what surprised me was how much I could be myself while recording the lines of this character. I didn’t know that it would be such an organic experience. I was able to be and talk like myself. When people watch the movie, they’ll be like, “Oh shoot. You’re Arlo. It’s your voice. There isn’t a difference.” [laughs] I didn’t know that it would be such an organic experience where I would be able to talk like myself.

My biggest takeaway has been this whole experience. It’s taught me how to be such a better actor. It’s given me an experience that I couldn’t have predicted in a million years—that this would be my first acting experience. It’s taught me so much about this world and what this experience is like. If I ever do another animated project, I’ll be a pro. That’s one of my biggest takeaways.

Also, I would say being able to provide positive content into this world. I’m so grateful for being able to be a part of this project that’s going to bring so many life lessons to young kids and also so much joy to people, young and old. I’m really excited I get to do that.

PC: Speaking of life lessons, was there one in particular that hit home for you?
Michael: I would say self-discovery—that’s a message and lesson that really jumped out to me as I watched the film. They let me watch it ahead of the release! The person that Arlo would be now today is because of the people that he’s met and the things that he’s gone through. He’s left a place that he’s comfortable with to go to a place that’s unfamiliar. Sometimes you have to do that in order to grow; you have to go away from your norm and from what you know, even if it’s scary to do it. That’s how you get to the next level of self. The fact that this sixteen-year-old is doing something that a lot of adults are faced with is such a huge deal for me. I think the fact that little kids are going to be able to watch this young man do that is going to be amazing. It’s such a huge deal.

I will also say the art in being yourself. I think if kids see these quirky characters, they’ll be encouraged to be themselves even more. I can’t wait till they see it so they can identify with people like Arlo, Bertie, Furlecia, and Teeny Tiny Tony and say, “They’re quirky and weird, but they’re thriving at life.”

PC: With this being a movie musical, if you had to pick one song that you’re most excited for fans to hear, which would it be and why?
Michael: I would say “Beyond These Walls”. It sets the tone for the entire movie. It’s the part of the movie when Arlo is singing to himself and setting the tone for where he’s going in the future. This is him building himself up to take the jump. I can’t wait for people to hear that because there’s so much emotion behind it. It’s a coming-of-age message that everyone can relate to. The scene is beautiful, too. He’s singing with so much emotion and the visual presentation is gorgeous. It really captures the film.

PC: In addition to this being a film, it’s going to lead into an animated series. Is there anything you can tell us about that?
Michael: You can expect more adventures, more life lessons, and uplifting positivity from each character. And, of course, fabulous music. If you think the music in the movie is good, just wait. It’s iconic in the series.

Make sure to follow Michael on Twitter and Instagram. Watch Arlo the Alligator Boy on Netflix.