Pop-Culturalist.com

Dara Reneé is a triple threat who can do it all. She acts, she dances, and she sings, and she’s best known for her breakout role as Kourtney in a little show you may have heard of called High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. But on her way to the top, Dara has faced her fair share of naysayers and doubters, whom she’s been able to silence because she knows who she is inside: someone born to be brave. We recently caught up with Dara to chat about High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Season 2, how she overcame bullying, and her brand-new single, “I’m Gonna Do It.”

PC: How did you discover your passion for the arts?
Dara: My whole family is in the entertainment business. My mom’s an actress. Whenever we’d get together for Christmas or Thanksgiving, we would sing in harmony, play around with music, or put on performances. It’s something I grew up with, and I’m so happy that I had it as an outlet. It’s really taking me to some fun places, and I’m excited about it! I love it. It’s everything to me.

PC: That might be the answer to the next question. Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Dara: My mom. She’s always been there for me. She’s always helped me and guided me through my steps. She showed me how to be humble, how to take each step carefully and understand what I’m doing and the impact that my words and actions have. She’s my rock. I love her so much. She’s always pushing and encouraging me.

PC: You’ve had a lot of success already in your career. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out to you?
Dara: I remember this Broadway audition that I had. They said, “If we tap you, you didn’t make it. Thank you so much for coming out, but you did not make it.” I remember I was one of the first people they tapped. I was the only person they tapped. I remember just crying. My mom said, “This is not the end. You’re always going to hear those noes. You’re going to have those days where things don’t work out, but you have to keep going.”

I’ve carried those words throughout my career. I remember when I went to the open call for High School Musical: The Musical: The Series and I got that yes. Everything kept flooding back to me: “It’s okay if you don’t get that yes right away. It’s okay if you always hear those noes. It only takes one yes.” I know I sound like Lady Gaga. [laughs] That one yes makes everything worth it.

PC: The last time we spoke, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series was just about to come out. It’s become this massive hit. How would you describe the last year?
Dara: Wow. That was last year. It’s mind-blowing. I’m so grateful for it. It’s taught me a lot of things. It’s taught me to enjoy every moment and never take anything for granted. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to be able to experience all the things I’ve experienced, especially me being from Baltimore. I was on Good Morning America—what the heck? I never saw myself doing that.

I’m so grateful for everyone that showed interest in getting to know me. But there were a lot of moments where I would read things online, where a lot of people said horrible things about me. But I also had that group of people that have always supported me. I’m so grateful to be able to use my voice and platform for good and what I believe in.

PC: Have you always known you wanted to use your voice and platform to inspire the next generation?
Dara: I’ve always had a passion for it. As a little girl, I looked up to those role models that used their platform for positivity. I remember how much of a difference that has made for me. I always wanted to be able to be that person. If I could make someone’s day by merely saying a few words of love and positivity, then that’s literally all I can ask for. I’m so grateful that I’m able to have an impact on certain people. I’m grateful to be in the position that I am. I love it.

PC: If you could give your younger self one piece of advice today, what would it be?
Dara: Keep dreaming and keep going. The sky’s the limit. You can do whatever you want. Nothing is going to happen overnight. You’re not going to book everything, and not everyone is going to like you. Sometimes you’re going to have to make choices; be confident in your actions! Know that you will be okay and everything is going to be fine. Trust yourself.

PC: One of the things that I love about the series is that the cast got the opportunity to revisit songs that we know and love, but there were a ton of great originals. If you had to pick your favorite song from Season 1, what would it be and why?
Dara: I have to say “Born to Be Brave,” and it’s not just because I’m in it. [laughs] I have a connection with that song. Growing up, I was bullied. I was told a lot of things like I would never be able to make it. I didn’t have the look. I didn’t have the personality. But you hear that song and it reminds you that you were born to be brave. You were born to do whatever you want to do as long as you put your mind to it. You can’t let the naysayers get you down.

It really resonated with me. I’m so grateful that I was able to sing it and shout it out with my talented cast. They literally kill this song. I was listening back to all the songs recently and I was like, “Oh my gosh. They can sing. They are so talented.” They impress me all the time. I’m so grateful to be part of such an amazing cast with incredible music.

PC: At the end of Season 1, there’s a scene where Miss Jenn tells Kourtney she’s not done with her yet. Is there anything you can tease about the upcoming season of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series?
Dara: I can tell you that Kourtney’s storyline is fire! I don’t know too much about what she’s going to do because we had to stop filming and everything stopped. But from what I know, I’m really excited for you guys to see why Kourtney does the things she does. She’s very passionate. I’m really excited to see where her vulnerability and her passion takes her. I’m excited for you guys to see it! Also her outfits in Season 2 are fire, not to brag. They’re really good. [laughs] I’m excited for everyone to see them because people were throwing shade at my Season 1 outfits. [laughs]

PC: You’ve got a new single out. Tell us about “I’m Gonna Do It” and the inspiration behind the song.
Dara: I was freestyling off of a beat. I was like, “This beat is fire. I want to make a track.” So I wrote “I’m Gonna Do It.” It’s telling yourself that you can do whatever you want if you put your mind to it. I know there’s going to be a lot of people that are saying, “You need to be in love.” Me, personally, I’m not looking for a boo right now. If one comes along that happens to look like Michael B. Jordan, I will gladly take him. I’m just kidding. But really, I’m learning to love myself, learning more about myself, and taking the time to be myself. That’s what the song is about. I have a couple others coming out very soon, and I’m really excited.

PC: Is there anything you can tease about those songs?
Dara: I’m actually trying to do a visual project that I’m going to direct. I want it to be aesthetically and visually pleasing while also being able to touch on different topics and genres. It’s coming very soon. I can’t spill too much tea yet because I’m still trying to figure out where it’s going, but I’m really excited.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Dara: Oh my gosh, yes. Real Housewives of Atlanta. Basically all of the Real Housewives franchise—every single one. My mom and I watch them together. We watch all the reunions. Literally every single reality TV show you can think of, I’ve watched.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Dara: I’m going to say horror movies, but not the ones based off true stories. I will never in my life watch one that’s based off a true story. No, thank you! I do not want demons roaming around in my house. But I love Freddy Krueger, Jason—all of those ’90s horror movies.

PC: Favorite book?
Dara: 1984. I love dystopian novels.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Dara: Dreamgirls! I love Dreamgirls.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Dara: Paramore and Rico Nasty. Rico Nasty is my queen. I love her so much.

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Dara: Yara Shahidi

To keep up with Dara, follow her on Twitter and Instagram.

Photo Credit: David Higgs // Makeup: Elie Maalouf // Hair: Rochelle Jones // Stylist: Enrique Melendez