McKenna Camille Interview With Colby

McKenna Camille stopped by for a chat!

Colby: Hello, McKenna! Your music, especially songs like “Bad One,” reflects deeply personal experiences with anxiety, OCD, and depression. How do you navigate the balance between sharing your vulnerability through your music and maintaining a sense of privacy in your personal life?

McKenna: As a content creator in general I think I am fairly open on the internet, mostly with the intention of improving the conversation around mental health— reversing the idea that it is taboo. That being said, I think being that open on the internet can poorly impact your mental health so in all honesty, I walk on a sort of tight rope constantly. I always have to keep in mind that my well being comes before all, whether it’s posting a video or releasing a song. That being said, when I’m sharing my music it’s typically after I’ve experienced or gone through something which in itself keeps up a privacy wall because it is in my past.

Colby: From your summer hit “Strawberry Shortcake” to the more introspective “Real Me (Demo),” your music spans a wide range of emotions and styles. How do you approach the creative process to ensure authenticity and connection with your audience across diverse themes?

McKenna: I always write from where I am currently or where I have been. “Real Me” was written during a time I was struggling with finding “my people” and feeling like no one knew who I really was versus “Strawberry Shortcake” was written in the beginning of the pandemic when all I wanted to do was be outside with friends.

Colby: Having performed at prestigious events like New York Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week, how do you think your background in dramatic arts from the Tisch School of Dramatic Arts at NYU contributes to your stage presence and overall performance as a singer and actress?

McKenna: Being an actor in general already improves my stage presence with or without Tisch as I’ve been acting on stage since I was nine years old. Tisch was an incredible experience and I think it taught me that not everyone will like me and my art, but that can’t impact my performance and whether I have fun performing or not. At the end of the day all I want to do is enjoy myself and hopefully have others enjoy themselves as well. Beyond your successful music career, you’re also skilled in water sports and were a member of the show/trick water skiing team, Portland Spectacular. How has your upbringing on a lake and expertise in water sports influenced your approach to life and your creative endeavors?
Water skiing is my greatest love and greatest challenge and has taught me to approach things with a “if I can’t perfectly do it now, I will eventually” mindset, for better or worse.

Colby: As a recent graduate from the Tisch School of Dramatic Arts, how do you see your acting career intersecting with your music career in the future? Are there specific roles or projects you are particularly excited about exploring?

McKenna: Acting and singing have always been decently separate during my life other than the occasional musical theater excursion. I would hope that they intersect for a musical movie, maybe an animated musical or a live action remake. Who doesn’t want to be in a Disney princess movie?