At just 18 years old, actress and singer-songwriter Lily Brooks O’Briant has already built a career many would envy. With a diverse resume that spans television, film, the national stage and music, O’Briant is proving that age is just a number when it comes to talent and perseverance.
From The Gymnastics Mat to the National Stage
Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, O’Briant’s journey to stardom started in an unexpected yet serendipitous way. “I was on the swim team, I did gymnastics, and my thing as a kid was baton twirling from ages four to six,” she recalled. But everything changed when her mother took her to a local community theater production. “During intermission, I turned to her, pointed at the stage, and said, ‘That’s what I want to do.’”
With no family background in entertainment, O’Briant’s mother stepped in to help her navigate the industry. After enrolling in theater camps and local productions, her ambition skyrocketed when she saw Matilda: The Musical on Broadway. “I fell in love with it, decided that Matilda was my dream role, and convinced them to let me go to an open call.” Though she was initially too young, the casting director encouraged her to return when she turned nine. “So I did that, went through the audition process, and ended up booking Matilda on the Broadway National Tour. That’s kind of what catapulted my acting career.”
The tour, which lasted over a year including rehearsals, was an eye-opening experience for the young actress. “It taught me a lot about myself. It taught me a lot about myself as an actor,” she reflects. After the tour, she set her sights on film and television, which led to roles in The Young and the Restless as Lucy Romalotti and the lead role in Life By Ella on Apple TV+.
Working With Child Star Royalty
Lily Brooks O’Briant’s most recent project, Killing The Competition, saw her starring alongside veteran actress Melissa Joan Hart. The Lifetime thriller provided her with an opportunity to learn from one of the industry’s seasoned professionals. “Melissa is so intuitive and detailed. She thinks so much about every little line, and what it means, and she just breaks everything down so intently. It’s honestly inspiring to watch her work.” The project was also a whirlwind experience. (Note from the Editor: My first-ever TV-related job was in a Hallmark Channel Christmas movie called Broadcasting Christmas, starring Melissa Joan Hart!)
“It was a whirlwind experience. I booked it on a Friday and had to leave on a Saturday, flew to West Virginia where we filmed for three weeks.” While the role required her to channel her childhood gymnastics background, one aspect proved more challenging than expected: dance. “I’m definitely not a dancer,” she laughed. “I took a few classes when I was little, but I’m more of a singer and actor. But I love challenging myself.”
Finding Her Voice
Beyond acting, Lily Brooks O’Briant is also making waves in the music industry. Her latest EP, Catch Me If You Can, showcases her evolution as a singer-songwriter. “I’d always wanted to write music, but I was too scared because it feels so much more personal. When you’re acting, you’re telling someone else’s story, but when you’re writing music, you’re telling your own. You can’t hide behind a character.”
She credits her friend and collaborator Ethan for helping her refine her craft. “He would play some guitar melodies, I’d come up with a concept or lyrics, and we’d just bounce off each other really well.” Attending LAAMP (Los Angeles Academy of Artists and Music Production) also pushed her to explore new creative directions. “They really challenged me, having me go in a different direction and focus on storytelling.”
For aspiring songwriters, O’Briant has one key piece of advice: “Don’t be scared of saying what you want to say. For a long time, I’d write something and think, ‘Oh, that’s too mean!’ or ‘People are going to read into that too much.’ But then I realized those were some of the best lyrics I’d ever written. Trust yourself. Trust your instincts.”
Whether she’s acting on screen, performing on stage, or writing heartfelt lyrics, Lily Brooks O’Briant is a force to be reckoned with. With an already impressive résumé and an undeniable passion for storytelling, her future in entertainment is just getting started.
You can listen to Catch Me If You Can, Hopeless Romantic and all of Lily Brooks O’Briant’s other music by streaming on Spotify, Apple Music or wherever you stream your music.
