Exclusive Interview with Award-Winning Actress and Musician Britt Flatmo

Award-winning actress and singer Britt Flatmo fell in love with singing and performing at five years old, when she booked a role in “Oliver” at the musical theater company The Driftwood Players in Seattle. Since then, she’s established herself as a one-of-a-kind talent in the industry. She won “Female Vocalist of the Year” at the 25th annual LA Music Awards and was also the recipient of the highly coveted Wayne Brady Scholarship, which gave her a full-ride to attend the prestigious training school Hollywood Launch Academy.

Her talent, as well as her training, has helped her become a successful actress and musician. Her acting roles include: Peg Kazynk in JJ Abrams’s and Steven Spielberg’s box office smash Super 8; Amy in Life As We Know It, starring Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel; and Jeri in the comedy film Nic and Tristian Go Mega Dega starring Ariel Winter. In addition, she starred as Emily in the Internationally award-winning film Abuelo, which gained her the award for Best Breakthrough Performance at the Philadelphia Film Festival. She’s also made her mark in television earning co-star and guest star roles on shows like Without a Trace, Big Time Rush and Medium.

Musically, Britt has been in the studio writing her album. On November 14, she’ll be releasing her self titled debut album, comprised of original songs that demonstrate her talent as well as her personality. This freshman album has been produced by Grammy-nominated producer and writer Jonathan George as well as 5 time Grammy winner, Devine Evans (Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, Pharell).  The album promises to be fresh, soulful and full of insightful lyrics and toe-tapping beats. Altogether, it is definitely buzz-worthy.

I had the distinct pleasure to get to chat with Britt about her upcoming album, her musical idols, her future acting projects and her love for video games. Check it out below!

Did you know from the get-go that you wanted to pursue both acting and music?

Yes, I did. When I was really, really young, my mom gave me the choice between soccer and musical theater, and I didn’t even think twice about it. I instantly knew musical theater because I could do both music and acting. I’d always been singing and having fun, and I was very theatrical as a child.

Which one did you discover your love for first?

Definitely music. Like I said, I was always singing, so I’d definitely say music first.

Who are some of your musical idols?

My musical idols are: Beyoncé, of course—her stage presence is incredible—and Christina Aguilera. I grew up listening to her and I’ve always loved her. 

She’s one of my favorites, too! How would you describe your musical style?

I would describe my musical style as soulful pop. My voice has split personalities. It has etherial and emotional qualities but also soulful. It’s a mixture of Birdy and Tori Kelly.

Are you a big Tori Kelly fan?

I am, yes (laughs). I sing her songs all the time. I connect with her vocally.

She’s one of my favorites, too. I discovered her on YouTube and was like “Oh my gosh, this girl is amazing!”

Me too!

So, if you could collaborate with any other musical artist, who would it be and why?

Definitely Justin; I’m always harmonizing to all of his songs and I just think that what he’s doing with his music, and how he’s producing his music, is incredible. And, our voices blend very well, in my opinion, so I’d definitely say Justin Bieber!

Cool! I’m very excited about the release of your new album. How would you describe it?

I would describe my album as heartfelt and very relatable. I think that a lot of people will be able to relate to the songs that I’ve written. Bound To Stay is an urban jazz infused track, Come On Home and Confused are both upbeat electronic dance tracks, Lost is an etherial piano ballad with beautiful strings and Reach for Me is an inspirational pop ballad. So it will take you on a journey.

What was it like working with Grammy-nominated producer and writer Jonathan George?

I’ve been working with Jonathan ever since I was around 10 or 11, so seven or eight years…we are practically family now!  There’s never a dull moment with him. He’s a great person. Now that I am old enough, he’s helped me so much with my career. He is my mentor and is the one who has packaged me and who has helped me discover who I am as an artist. He’s just great.

That’s awesome to hear! So, how did you decide on what songs would go on the album?

I have a lot of songs that I have partially written but when I dove into it…it was very obvious which ones I wanted to record.  “Lost”, which is on the album, was my very first song to write when I was 10 years old. I knew that song had to go on the album—no question about it. For the other songs, well, we just started going through my book.  I think they were pretty obvious to me and Jonathan as to which ones should be on the alum. This album is all about my own personal journey. Each song has a special meaning to me and that is why the album is self-titled.  I also think the songs are relatable. 

So, which song on the album is your favorite?

My favorite song would probably be “Confused”, and I would say that it’s kind of an easy listening club song. Like, it’s not like a really bumpin’ club song; you can relax to it but you can also dance to it. I love it so much. It’s great!

Do you think that one is the one that your fans will like the most?

Actually, I think the songs that my fans will like the most are “Come On Home” and “Bound to Stay.” They are both very pop songs, very current. I think those will be the ones that fans like the most. I will be curious to find out which songs people like the most. It can surprise you!

How would you say that making this album has changed you as an artist?

I wouldn’t say that it’s changed me but I have learned so much from making this album, and working with Jonathan and Anthony Mazza. It’s taught me so much from the production side of everything. It’s mind-blowing to see all of the things that I thought I knew, and then learn all of this new stuff. It’s part of growing as an artist.

Let’s switch gears and talk about your acting for a little bit. I love the movie “Super 8”. What was it like working on the movie “Super 8”?

It was breathtaking. The sound stage that it was on, all of the sets that we filmed on, working with JJ Abrams and Steven Spielberg—it was life-changing. I mean, I’d always dreamed about working with Steven Spielberg and then just shaking his hand and him being like “Hi, I’m Steven Spielberg” and me going “Hi, I’m Britt! Nice to meet you!” (Laughs).

When you met Steven Spielberg and JJ Abrams, what was your first impression of each of them?

JJ was really nice, really cool and chill, and Steven came in dressed like one of the crew wearing a hat and dressed in jeans. He was very nice & talked with us kids & shook our hands

That is very interesting!

Yeah! And, a little fun fact: on the sound stage next to where we were filming, they were filming “Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon”! And I was like, “Ok!”. I wanted to go over and say Hi to my friend, Josh Duhamel who I worked with on “Life as we Know it”, but it was a closed set.

So, as an actress, do you prefer dramatic roles or comedic roles?

I would say dramatic, but I love both. I think that I lean more toward dramatic roles, though, because I think that I connect with them more.

Which one do you find most challenging?

I guess it depends on the role, but probably comedic roles. Comedic roles are all about the timing, whereas dramatic ones are more about the emotions and I feel like I can draw on emotions more easily, and in comedic roles, timing is everything. 

You’ve guest starred on several television shows in addition to acting in movies. Is there a show that you’d love the change to guest star on but haven’t had the chance to yet?

Oh my gosh, there’s so many! “The Walking Dead,” for starters; “The Vampire Diaries”; “I Zombie,” which I just recently started watching—and I’m obsessed with it and so mad that there’s only one season on Netflix!—I love “Game of Thrones,” “Grey’s Anatomy”….there’re so many TV shows; I could go on and on and on!

I think you named every one of my favorite shows on TV right now!

Awesome!

So, do you have any acting projects currently in the works?

I am in the mix for a lead role in a feature film that would be filmed in New Zealand! It’s called “Savage Destiny” and what’s awesome about it is that I’d also be singing—it wouldn’t just be an acting role; I’d also be singing. 

What kind of role is it?

It’s based in the future and there’s this plague going around but they’ve developed this device that can tell you when you’re going to pass away, basically, but you’re reincarnated into another body. So, I’d sing the theme song of the movie, and my brother and I in the movie are both singers and we perform throughout. 

Besides acting and music, what are you passionate about?

Shopping (laughs). Shopping, fashion—I love fashion—writing, make-up artistry, and also gaming! I specifically bought my Xbox One so that I could buy all of the “Halo” games! Yeah, I’m a huge gamer—not a lot of people know that about me!

I love gaming, and it’s sad that I haven’t played a video game in probably four years! I’m so busy but I always tell myself, “I’ve got to get a Playstation 4 and get back into it!”

I’ve never actually played on a Playstation before. My brother had an Xbox 360 growing up and I would always watch him play, and I told myself that when I was old enough, I would buy my own Xbox! (laughs) I’m such a nerd!

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