Words by Carol Wright | Photographer: Kim Patteri
We got to chat with singer and actress Jade Patteri who has been busy working on an EP and acting in the film The Prom.
When did making music go from a hobby to a passion for you?
Thank you for taking an interest in me! When I was four years old a family friend bought me a microphone and the rest is history. At nine, I was cast as Young Jane/Adele in the world premiere of Jane Eyre the Musical and it was there that the transition from having fun to “I want to make this my career” was forged.
Tell us about your EP. Why did right now seem like the time to release it?
I’ve released an entire EP of my original music with seven more singles to be released by the end of this year. All of the songs on the EP are based on real-life struggles that I had either been through or had witnessed. The EP includes five singles that are all based on a specific cause or subject matter that were important for me to voice. My first song “Invisible” came from a place of growth in one of my relationships and it really impacted the writing and content of the tracks that came after. It was the most personal and vulnerable I’ve been and, as a young artist hearing how the lyrics had inspired and impacted so many people on the same personal level, it made me strive to create more music that resonated just as deeply. Given the chaos and unrest in our society today, there is an emotional toll that needs more harmony and light and so from the beginning with a more personal voice to collaborating on a larger scale reflecting a collective voice, it felt like a complete journey for the EP.
How much creative control did you have during the “Unity” music video process? What was it like seeing the final product?
“Unity” was directed by my dad and me so I had a lot of creative control since it was our vision. However, it wouldn’t have come to life if it hadn’t been for the collaborative efforts of the entire team. Let me tell you, throughout the process of filming we had so many different backgrounds come together and create a story that I am hoping and praying will make a dent in this political season. I wanted to create a story that challenges us for a moment to learn and to listen to one another, without biases, and perhaps choose to befriend someone from the other side of the aisle. We might find that we have more in common than not. When we spread an emotional and purposeful mission like this, choosing unity in love, especially during a time like this, it’s so much bigger than us…it binds us together with faith and hope.
You also act. What drew you to the movie The Prom?
If anything The Prom found me LOL! I won the John Raitt BAA award and ended up receiving scholarship money for my role as Marian in The Music Man where I was sent to New York to participate in an intensive training program with Broadway’s top stars, choreographers, casting directors, directors, and more. Little did I know that when I took one of my first masterclasses and learned the original Broadway choreography from The Prom taught by one of the original Broadway cast members, that a month later when I returned to Los Angeles I would be auditioning for the Netflix original movie based on the musical The Prom. One month later I was cast and working alongside Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, James Corden, and more amazing A-list actors!
What did you learn from your co-stars?
Not only was working with Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman in The Prom absolutely mind-boggling but it was such an amazing learning experience! They have been two of my biggest inspirations for as long as I can remember and being able to observe their tremendous work ethic was truly such a blessing. On the first day, I was signing into rehearsal and I heard this familiar, friendly voice say “well good mood morning”…and I looked up to see Nicole Kidman smiling at me! Later that same day, I was helping James Corden try to remember his dance moves, and of course, he made every moment a laugh. I must say that their humility and dedication was so refreshing. We all hear the horror stories of the prideful countenance and insular characters of famous people, but what I observed was quite the opposite. Their work ethic, inclusive and selfless investment in their parts, and the entire cast was so refreshing and inspiring. It made me want to work harder. Besides the leads, working alongside my fellow dancers was also humbling and rewarding. Many of them have been on So You Think You Can Dance, World of Dance, and more. They were some of the hardest, most talented people that I have ever had the honor to work with and there was not one moment where I wasn’t having an absolute blast. Rehearsals and filming were amazing but the relationships that I made on set were what completed the package of this project!
How have you been keeping your creative juices flowing in quarantine?
If anything it has actually been much easier to get work done. Being still is a good thing for an artist as solitude is most often where the muse awakens. I have seven new singles that will be released by the end of this year; both collaborations and my own original music. Because I am a singer, actress, and dancer, my schedule is usually pretty busy. However, with less acting and dancing opportunities due to COVID, I’ve had more time to dig deeper into writing, producing and packaging my music. Furthermore, I’ve made a visual for two of my tracks on my new EP throughout quarantine.
What advice do you have for aspiring singers?
As Shakespeare penned…“To thine own self be true.” Art is subjective so therefore everyone has a different opinion. Don’t let anyone determine the validity of your art. Writing is something very personal and like many artists, I had to learn to stop seeking approval from others. Writing is a journey, not a destination, it’s like playing tennis with the net down, and when I write what I need to say the ball keeps coming back to me. When I try to write what I think others want to hear, I am left waiting for the ball to return. There’s no reason to compromise yourself to get somewhere. Get somewhere because of the uniqueness of you. This industry is extremely competitive and oftentimes people listen to fame’s siren call just to “make it.” Be true to who you are and listen to your voice, you were given it for a reason!