LILY BROOKS O’BRIANT is best known for her title role of Ella McCaffrey in the Apple TV+ series “Life By Ella” which premiered internationally in September 2022. Lily began her career as Matilda in the national tour of the BROADWAY production of “Matilda The Musical” and continues to hone her Broadway skills recently recording the musical The Perfect Fit opposite Tony Award-winner Laura Benanti and participating in a Broadway staged reading of Sinatra alongside Katherine McPhee. Her early acclaim and back-to-back acting work helped propel her to her first series regular role as Mandy in Netflix’s comedy series The Big Show Show opposite WWE heavyweight fighter Paul Wight. Other notable television projects include the Amazon Prime Original Series The Tick and the TV film Crash and Burn. Currently, she has a recurring role on the long-running daytime soap opera The Young and the Restless. Lily is branching out into the music world as well! She is set to release new music. The first single, Over & Over will be released March 2023, followed up by Better Off Alone, Crash, Wish I Could Forget You, and Too Good to be True. O’Briant is a versatile rising performer who believes in philanthropy and activism using her platform to advocate for important social causes and give back to those in need. Particularly close to her heart is her ongoing work with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She created Team Young Hollywood and Broadway which now boasts over 300 members to raise money for the St. Jude Walk & Run as well as organizing a Songs for St. Jude Fundraising Charity Event in Los Angeles. When not performing or giving back, Lily enjoys writing her own music, practicing guitar, or finding the best roller coaster at a theme park.
Where are you based?
I am originally from Tennessee but have lived in LA for the past 4 years & am a California girl now!
How long have you been making music?
I have been singing since before I can remember, I got my first guitar when I was 4 years old, but I just started recording my own original songs this past October.
What genre would you consider your music to be?
It really depends on the song that I have written. I take inspiration from so many different genres. I grew up in Tennessee with country music, folk and the blues, but my music leans pop, singer/songwriter, alternative with a country twist. I don’t want to limit myself to one genre because for me – it’s the story that is most important.
What inspired you to pursue a career in music?
I am an actor and wouldn’t say I have pursued a career in music. I think songwriting sort of found me. I experienced my first breakup/heartbreak last fall and found that songwriting helped me process my emotions. I absolutely love telling stories whether it is through acting, writing, directing or through songwriting.
What are your biggest musical influences?
Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Lizzie McAlpine, Joshua Bassett, Gracie Abrams and so many more. I also grew up a musical theatre kid and played Matilda on the National Broadway tour of Matilda the Musical so even musicals like Hamilton, Matilda, & Six have influenced me.
Are you signed to a label or are you an independent artist?
I am with Riveting Music and have a wonderful team. They have taught me so much about the music industry and business.
What have been the biggest challenges in your music career?
I am just getting started, but as a songwriter, the biggest challenge is being vulnerable and completely honest in my songwriting. For me, telling the story is most important & sometimes that is scary when it is based on my own experiences.
How many songs or albums have you released to date?
‘Over & Over’ is my first original single, but I have more songs set to release over the next few months that will wrap into an EP called ‘Too Good to be True’.
Can you tell us a few things about your latest release?
‘Over & Over’ has a singer/songwriter, bluesy & alternative vibe. It is almost a cross between Noah Cyrus and Billie Eilish with a twist. It is about being sad that a love is lost, but then realizing you are so much better off now that the relationship is over.
Any plans for new music or upcoming projects we should know about?
We are finishing up my first EP, but because life has been a rollercoaster lately, I have already written two more songs for the next EP. You can expect a lot more music to come. I am so excited for everyone to hear it. There are some happy songs, love songs and more heartbreak. I wrote, directed & produced a short film called ‘Sharing the Floor’ that has been screening at film festivals this year and I am currently playing ‘Lucy Romalotti’ on CBS’s ‘The Young & the Restless’. I have some other projects in the works that I can’t share yet, so you will have to follow along to find out more!
