Hi Kensington! Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to me! To start us off could you tell my readers a little bit about 'Home Sweet Rome!' and about who Lucy is as a character?
Yes! Thank you so much for having me today! 'Home Sweet Rome!' is about my character Lucy moving from America to Rome! Her dad gets remarried to an Italian pop star after Lucy's mom sadly passes away. Lucy tries to adapt to a new culture, language, and school, all while being a young teenager! She is dealing with her mother's loss while trying to fit into this new life and discover who she really is. Lucy is a kind and loyal friend, especially to Kyla! Kyla is her BFF and is played by the incredible Ava Ro! Lucy also is so optimistic, goofy and silly, and very, very, VERY clumsy! Lucy has a huge character arc throughout the series; I think tweens and teens will find it very relatable. The show takes place in the incredible city of Rome. You will get to see some of the most iconic locations, like the Coliseum, The Spanish Steps, and the Villa Adriana, to name a few. You will be immersed in this beautiful culture along with Lucy. You will laugh and cry all in one episode. The show has so much heart. It also features 11 original songs, including several ballads and fun dance songs. You may even learn some Italian! At its core, this is a show about self-discovery. I am so proud of of what we created, and I hope you love it!
What is the biggest way you differ, and on the opposite note, the biggest way you are similar?
Happy Louie Anderson GIF by BasketsFXGiphyLucy and I are basically the same person! The only thing that comes to mind regarding differences is her love of astronomy and science. Lucy has a special connection with astronomy because she and her mom used to look at the night sky together. I do like science, but I'm more of a math girl!
As I mentioned, Lucy and I share many of the same qualities. We are both loyal, optimistic, silly, and VERY clumsy! (I loved getting to use my clumsiness for Lucy!) We both love music, animals, crafting, and hanging out with friends.
Stepping away from the topic of 'Home Sweet Rome!' for a moment, I know that you also have a passion for music! Carnegie Hall is one of the prestigious stages in the world, what was it like performing there?
I have always loved music from a young age. I grew up playing the violin in New York City and would play on the streets every weekend. One day I performed outside Carnegie Hall; a year later, I was playing on the stage! I got to play the violin with The School of Strings, and it was so much fun! I would love to go back there to see a concert because the beauty and talent of Carnegie Hall are unlike anything I've ever seen!
What would you say is your biggest difference in the creative process between your musical endeavors and when you're acting?
Season 2 Wow GIF by NBCGiphyThere isn't much of a difference in the way I prepare my music and my acting. I break them both down and look at what's behind the words. Then I'll work on different techniques for each and dive into that character's world. I always do a lot of behind-the-scenes work for both, and then I try to be free in my performance. I love music and acting because they are different mediums of expressing your feelings and storytelling.
Back on the topic of 'Home Sweet Rome!,' what is one character direction you would love to see Lucy take?
That's a great question! At the end of the series, you see Lucy discovering more of who she is, and she becomes more confident. She is exploring who she is as a musician, and I would love to see where that takes her.
You sing quite a bit of the music included in the show! What was the process like of crafting those tracks? And is that process done before or after the filming of the show?
Moving The Simpsons GIFGiphyWorking on the music for 'Home Sweet Rome!' was so much fun! The fantastic Alex Geringas and Chen Neeman wrote and composed all the songs; I always had a blast recording with them. We recorded a few of the songs a week before we started filming and finished the rest while we were in mid-production. Sometimes I would record one song or sometimes even 2 or 3 at a time! However, we recorded the theme song at Alex's LA studio after I returned from Rome! Alex and Chen are so brilliant, and they are so supportive. I've learned so much from them.
If you had to pitch 'Home Sweet Rome!' to someone in three words, how would you pitch it?
Self-discovery, music, Rome!
Something we know you have a passion for is animals, can you tell me a little bit about how you think we can all be a little more cautious to take care of the other beings we're sharing this earth with?
Eat Plant Based Diet GIF by Jef CaineGiphyYes! I LOVE animals! I am a vegan and have a rescue bunny named Cinnabunny! Eating and using vegan and cruelty-free products is very important to me because animals have feelings as well, and they deserve to be loved and cared for. One simple step is to try and go vegan once a week and then build from there. Another simple step is to use vegan products that don't test on animals. If you are considering veganism, I highly recommend it! It has so many benefits for the environment, animals, and your body!
Now that 'Home Sweet Rome!' has premiered, what can my readers expect next from you? What does the rest of 2023 look like?
'Home Sweet Rome!' will be premiering abroad for the rest of the year, which is so exciting, and will make its way to the US in 2024. I am currently working on many animated and live-action projects that I am very passionate about. Those projects will all come out in 2024. I am continuing my work on Nickelodeon's 'That Girl Lay Lay' playing Tiffany Highlander and Nick Jr.'s 'Bossy Bear" as Honey Bear. I am also writing a show with my best friend Samantha A. Smith and am writing original music! I am also continuing my Italian Studies and working with several charities promoting veganism and mental health.
To Keep Up With Kensington Tallman:
TO KEEP UP WITH ME:
EMAIL: underpnkskiess@gmail.com (i am not selling space on this website this is solely for interview/press inquires)