Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Travis Demetri

Travis Demetri is a name you’ll want to remember. Whether he’s recording hit songs in the studio or starring on the small screen, Travis is crushing it in all facets of his career. And he isn’t taking one moment of it for granted. We caught up with this consummate entertainer to learn more about him, his career, and his latest single, “Do I Ever.”

PC: How did you discover your passion for the arts?
Travis: I got involved in the performing arts as a freshman at University High School in Orlando, Florida. I was in all the school plays and competed in thespian competitions for four years. I then went to study acting at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy here in New York.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Travis: Honestly, I am inspired by experiences. In life, you meet a lot of people and have many conversations.

PC: You’ve had a lot of success in your career. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out?
Travis: Thank you for that compliment. I’m totally grateful for all that I have accomplished thus far. As artists, we encounter many ups and downs in our career. However, the moment when I started getting paid for my talents and started traveling for work is a moment in my come-up story that sticks with me.

It’s such an awesome feeling to actually get paid doing what you love to do. As artists, we all start off doing a ton of free work in the beginning while we’re building our foundation.

Something so simple like getting flown out to a different state to film a show is such a heightened and emotional feeling. You feel like everything is slowly coming together.

PC: You have a lot of different facets to your career and talent. Is it ever a challenge to manage them all? How do you do it?
Travis: It’s totally challenging. I always knew I wanted to do acting, reality TV, music, and hosting. I also knew that I have to start one way to get the ball rolling for myself.

I didn’t want to overwhelm myself because I have already had bad anxiety and I already knew what was to be expected with the career I chose to pursue, which is why I started out acting: being in plays, a handful of digital shows, and commercials.

I like to structure myself and take one project at a time.

PC: What’s one thing you know now that you wish you knew when you started your career?
Travis: Don’t measure someone else’s success to yours. Everyone always wants to tell you what to do but never how to do it. In the entertainment industry, there aren’t many rules. Trends are constantly changing. You just need to know where you see yourself and take the proper steps that are intuitive for you as an artist.

PC: You have a new single out now. Tell us about “Do I Ever” and what inspired the song.
Travis: “Do I Ever” was inspired by a romantic situation that I was in. It was so good in the beginning, but then it turned sour. I felt like I was being taken advantage of. After a while, I had to snap out of it, and that’s when “Do I Ever” was created. It was my final step to gain closure.

PC: Assuming the COVID-19 situation gets under control, what does the rest of 2020 look like for you?
Travis: For me, it’s a moment of restrategizing everything I had initially planned for the year. I’m slowly getting back to auditioning, and I am moving forward with my EP. I plan on releasing my first EP later this year. So other than getting my life together, I’m super motivated to finalize that project. I think it’s time.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Travis: Jessie J

PC: First album you bought?
Travis: Spice Girls [laughs]

PC: First concert you attended?
Travis: Drake’s College Campus tour

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Travis: The Color Purple, the Broadway soundtrack. It was my favorite musical as a teen and was the first Broadway show I’ve ever seen.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Travis: I’m a New Yorker. So I have to go with Madison Square Garden or Barclays Center.

PC: A must-have on the road?
Travis: My ChapStick. A must!

To keep up with Travis, follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Pick up or stream “Do I Ever” today.