Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with The Goldbergs’ Hayley Orrantia

The entertainment industry is lucky to have found someone like Hayley Orrantia. A multifaceted artist, Hayley has captivated audiences in each role she’s played and taken the country music world by storm. Pop Culturalist caught up with Hayley to chat about her career, how she manages her time on the set of The Goldbergs, and her new single, “Find Yourself Somebody.”

Career

PC: You’re an actress and singer-songwriter. How did you discover your passion for the arts?
Hayley: When I was little, I was always singing along to the radio in the car and in my bedroom. My parents were like, “She wants to do this.” So I started taking classes in my hometown in Dallas, and it was awesome. From there, I got to meet some incredible songwriters and take seminars and learn from some really awesome professionals. That’s when I started taking it seriously and thought I could do this as a career. I want to say that was around eleven, which is kind of ridiculous. [laughs] But I got started really early. That’s when the first steps were taken.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Hayley: I would say my teachers from school. There’s Linda Septien from Septien Entertainment Group in Dallas. She taught everyone from Jessica Simpson to Demi Lovato and a bunch of other people that went on to do really well in music. I credit a lot to her because if it weren’t for her classes, I wouldn’t have even known where to start. That led to me meeting a lot of different people and to The Goldbergs. And then also, Cathryn Sullivan owns an acting studio in Lewisville, Texas. She taught everyone from Selena [Gomez] to Madison Pettis, and all these other Disney Channel stars. I was given such a great platform to start learning from them. I credit a lot to them.

Also other artists that I fell in love with their work. Sara Bareilles has been a big one for me as far as songwriting goes. Musically, she’s my go-to whenever I talk about writing. I’ve also been inspired by so many different singers from big voices like Whitney Houston and Celine Dion to JoJo. Her first album was my everything when I was young.

PC: You started your career off as a singer-songwriter then transitioned into acting. Is it a challenge to balance all the different facets of your career?
Hayley: Yeah, I would say it gets a little crazy at times. We film a big chunk of the year with The Goldbergs in Los Angeles, which is awesome. I do get a week off that I try to fit in as much music stuff as possible. It’s always this time of year when we’re winding down out of a season that I start working on music. It’s always a weird transition. It’s a lot to put on my plate, but I love doing these things so much that I couldn’t imagine just doing one right now.

The Goldbergs

PC: You’ve been a part of The Goldbergs family since the beginning. We’ve seen your character grow tremendously throughout the years. Has anything surprised you about her journey? What has she taught you?
Hayley: I would say Erica is definitely a Goldberg kid. She can be very stubborn, but she’s got a lot of passion. I would say what’s surprised me is her ability to overcome things. She’s like everyone else. She had a hard time, failing out of college and going back home to figure out what she wants to do. But she picked herself back up again and went back to school this season on The Goldbergs. It’s cool to see her go through these different phases of life. It’s always funny because it seems like a lot of things that she goes through ended up mirroring my own life in a way. It’s so odd, but it’s really cool. It’s like we’re on this journey together.

PC: With seven seasons already under your belt, you’ve done pretty much everything. If you can write a storyline for Erica, what would it be?
Hayley: Erica’s best friend, Lainey [AJ Michalka], went to live in LA. And AJ has a spin-off show called Schooled, which is set in the ’90s. She’s in LA, and she’s trying to make it as an artist. I think it’d be really fun to see Erica go out there and visit her and try to feel out some music stuff, have a weird LA vacation, and dive into that world. For me, I think that would be a lot of fun for her, and for me, it’d be fun to sing more on the show. It’s always a blast.

Music

PC: You’ve got tons of new music coming out this year, and your first single’s out now. Tell us about “Find Yourself Somebody” and what inspired that track.
Hayley: “Find Yourself Somebody” was inspired by a relationship that I had where you have love for the person, but it doesn’t work out. It’s a happy breakup song. It’s wanting the best for the other person while knowing that it didn’t work out between us. There aren’t many songs that I feel end with a happy breakup. I want to dive into that mentality a bit. I wrote it about two years ago. Wow, that’s crazy. Time flies. I’m really excited it’s out.

PC: What is your creative process like when you’re working on a song and has it changed since you started your career?
Hayley: I usually go to Nashville to write music. I know there’s a ton of people in LA, but I have a deep connection with songwriting in Nashville. I love getting to go there and usually go in with a concept. I’ll collaborate with one or two writers, and we’ll dive in. It’s pulling from personal experiences more than anything. It’s a building process from there.

I don’t know if it’s necessarily changed too much. It’s building blocks. You start with a concept, then lyrics, and then a melody. You have to try to have all that fit in the moment when you’re in a session. That continues when we decide to produce it, record it, and when you’re working with a producer. A song can go in a million different directions. I’ve definitely learned a lot more about production in the last few years. I never really knew what to look for or to listen for. But it’s been cool to be able to work with producers one on one.

For example, Mike Miller did my last EP, and Jamie Kenney did “Find Yourself Somebody.” They’re awesome guys who are able to give me input and teach me a bit about what to look for as far as production goes. That’s definitely something that’s changed in the last two years where I’ve gotten to dive into that world.

PC: Of all the music you’ve released, if you had to choose one song that best encompasses you as an artist, what would it be and why?
Hayley: That’s a tough question. I would say that the song that resonated with me deeply is “If I Don’t,” which I released through The Way Out EP. I was coming out of something very emotional but also starting to find myself musically a bit more. Lyrically, I remember writing it that day. It was kind of a freak accident that I ended up in the writing room. It was magic. It was the first time writing with Mike Miller, and it worked out perfectly. I remember going home that night. I had a little party planned with some friends, and I got to play it for them. Getting to have that kind of reaction and that feedback that I’ve never gotten before was really cool. I was very emotional.

PC: As we look ahead to the rest of 2020, what does the year hold for you?
Hayley: I’ve got a lot more music coming out. We’re going to release merch. I’m really excited about “Find Yourself Somebody,” so I’m excited to keep diving into that. But hopefully, we get this coronavirus situation under control. I’ll be out on the road and doing some tour dates in the US with some awesome country female artists that are up and coming out of Nashville. And hopefully, fingers crossed, Season 8 of The Goldbergs.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Hayley: Great British Baking Show! I will put it on. It makes me feel good every time. Also any murder show. Complete opposite. Cupcakes and murder.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Hayley: Well, this is my favorite movie of all time. However, I know other people make fun of me for it. I’m going to say P.S. I Love You. It’s the best.

PC: Favorite book?
Hayley: It’s called Dear Mr. You by Mary-Louise Parker. She’s the actress from Weeds, and I think she wrote the coolest book. I always recommend that to friends when they’re asking for one.

PC: Favorite play or music?
Hayley: Wicked. I haven’t actually gotten to see that many musicals. I’m excited to go to New York and hopefully see Hamilton.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Hayley: I went through this emo phase. I really love this band called Sleeping With Sirens. I was their biggest fan. I had a crush on the lead singer. But it’s been a minute since I’ve listened to their music. Also Panic! At The Disco.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Hayley: I would say The Blessed Unrest by Sara Bareilles. She has some magical songs on there—a lot of which are about New York. But I think lyrically, that album did a lot for me. That made me think about songwriting in a different way.

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Hayley: It’s funny because even though I think we’re probably very different people, I often get compared to looking like Ellen Page. We actually do have the same birthday. I don’t know if that’s weird or wise. But again, personality-wise, I don’t know if we match up. She’s always my go-to when I think of that.

To keep up with Hayley, follow her on Twitter and Instagram. Catch new episodes of The Goldbergs every Wednesday at 8/7c on ABC. Pick up or stream “Find Yourself Somebody” today.

Photo Credit: The Riker Brothers // Hair: Gui Schoedler // Make-up: Anton Khachaturian // Styling: Lo VonRumpf