You’re a songwriter and a singer, who, in addition to placing hundreds of songs in film and television, has performed at Madison Square Garden and countless other notable venues. What was the trajectory of your career from solo artist to successful songwriter for film and television, and how do you navigate your solo artistry with your identity as a songwriter for others?

My career as a solo artist and as a songwriter has always been parallel. They have helped each other succeed. My artistry contributes to my writing with my sound, as I continue to sing on my compositions frequently—both lead and background vocals.

When you write for other people, your songs range from pop, hook-laden bangers to classic crooner songs to country-influenced pop. How do you write differently for yourself than for other people? How do you approach writing a song for a film differently than just writing a song for your own inspiration?

Writing for other people usually entails a brief—a specific scenario that describes the scene, style of music, or mood.

When writing for myself, it’s what I call “free therapy”: writing from the heart—the good and the bad. However, whether I’m writing for a movie or for my own projects, both typically start at the piano.

You’re a mother of two. Has that changed your songwriting at all, especially with regards to the upcoming animated film A Tooth Fairy Tale?

Yes, being a mother of two girls has definitely changed my writing. It has given me a perspective I never had as a songwriter. Before being a parent and a wife, my songwriting was mostly about me—about finding love, about how I wanted to change, and about conquering the world. My personal songs now are about my kids and seeing life through their eyes.

When I wrote “Take Flight” for the upcoming animated film A Tooth Fairy Tale, I had to think from a younger child’s perspective. The direction is a universal message—to believe in ourselves, to be bold, and to chase after our dreams, regardless of where we are in life.

Who are your influences, and is there an artist you’d really like to write for?

My influences are some of the greats: David Foster, Diane Warren, Alan Menken, Billy Joel, Sara Bareilles, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Ella Fitzgerald, Whitney Houston, and Mariah Carey.

I would love to write for Taylor Swift. Maybe a new style of writing could change her artistry in a unique way she hasn’t tried before.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Live life in the moment. Don’t dwell on the past or the hypotheticals. Live in the present.

What are you excited about, and can you tell us about your upcoming films?

I am excited about the upcoming release of an audiobook that I wrote the theme song for. The book We’re All Weird was written and narrated by Kristen Heath and includes my song “Be Who You Are,” which I wrote, produced, and performed.

I’m beyond thrilled to have an original song in the upcoming animated film A Tooth Fairy Tale, which will be in theaters May 2 and available for streaming May 20.

I also wrote two songs for an upcoming Blair Underwood movie, Viral—the opening scene song “Behave,” and the end credits song “Tethered,” which I’m also singing on.

Interview by Lili Haydn

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