EXCLUSIVE: Ally Brooke is back, ready to show the world an album that represents her true identity and culture

Oh my gosh. I am pretty... It‘s pretty indescribable. I’ve never released an album before. This is my first one. And so it’s pretty amazing and so special, especially after of course, a crazy year and after all the series of events that led to my life right now and my team, my new team, and this new music. It’s amazing. I really can’t say how happy I am.

Oh my gosh. There are so many things that inspire me. I would say as a songwriter it‘s been really beautiful because I’ve been saying I’ve been working on the album for over three years and the fans have been like, “c’mon are we ever going to get an album?” And finally, it’s here, and having this to work on and a concrete album that I’m able to write and really just produce and bring together or create has been so incredible. And really, I’ve loved getting together with all these different songwriters and producers, everyone from Nice Guy to Looney Tunes. It’s been such a privilege and an honor and a really beautiful experience, and how I get inspired with songwriting, it depends on the producer, and the songwriter that I’m working with, but I love hearing a song, hearing an instrumental track, and then getting inspired through that. Or if for example, in one day I came into the studio like, ‘I really want to write a song about what I’m going through, a transition and being happy and finding my own.’ And we both create that together or I’ll come in and say, ‘I’m really feeling like writing a deep, vulnerable song that means a lot, that’s very uplifting and inspiring and that’s personal.’ I get inspiration from so many things, but that’s been the most beautiful part is being able to actually get inspired and actually put it to pen and paper. And for the first time really be able to write.

Exactly, and I felt like before I was in that place where I was kind of just like putting things out, which was fine and fun, but this is just so vastly different because it‘s so personal and it’s me all over it and you can’t put into words what that feeling is like to know that, ‘wow. I helped to create my album, to create this song, and that song and these lyrics.’ It’s beautiful.

Okay, well, my album’s going to be very diverse. So there are songs that are: get ready to dance, get ready to have a good time, and kind of just have fun. Really fun, uplifting songs, very female empowered anthems, and also there are some vibey songs. And I feel like maybe my audience won’t expect that, but being able to be in this new chapter in my life where I have a new team now, I’m working with the new system, it’s just given me such vibrant energy in life and inspiration. And it’s unlocked a part of me that I’ve never been able to unlock before. I feel this liberation and freedom as an artist so I’m able to really say, ‘wow, here’s my album. This is what I want it to be.’ I want it to be almost like a circle and you’re covering all bases of who I am as a person, as an artist- uplifting songs, powerful songs, songs that you’re going to hear some fire from me, some things that are from the heart and being like, ‘okay, you treated me like this?’ ‘[No] I’m going to stand on my own two feet and I’m standing tall’ and I want every woman to feel that same power. And also you’re going to hear songs that are going to make you cry too, and that are just from the heart. It’s definitely going to be so diverse. And I’m so proud of this album.

Yes. So I‘m so excited because there are going to be some really, really very talented A-list collaborations on my album. I can’t wait because on September 21st I’m going to be part of a showcase of the Latin billboard. So you might see something there. And it’s beautiful, people who I have prayed to collaborate with and I’ve been a fan of- I can’t believe they’re going to be on my album, so it’s going to be just incredible. Just to be able to be with talented other artists is really special and it’s going to be a mixture of Latin artists, but also English artists. So we’re going to surprise you. I love to surprise my fans.

Oh my gosh. It is something that goes so personal for me because it‘s been such a huge insecurity of mine. When you know who you are, you’re proud of your culture and all that, but the biggest thing is that you have trouble with the language and it just makes, for me, it makes me feel like I want to crawl out of my own skin. But being able to work on myself, to have time to work on Spanish and learning that, was a time that I’ve never had before and to be able to record a whole Spanish language album is something that is one of my proudest moments and something that feels so beautiful and wonderful to me. And I’m still working on speaking it, getting better and better. I have a teacher and I’m going to start getting more intense lessons, but to really be able to be in this moment and to say, ‘this is who I am, and I’m proud. And I want to show this.’ Also I’ve wanted to be in this world for so long. I’ve dabbled in it with a lot of other things I’ve been in, I’ve done a lot for Univision and gosh, so many different Award shows and different shows, and it never left me. I always wanted more because it feels like home and being in this world is just, it’s special. It’s different than anything else. And I’ve been around the world and I’ve done it all. So to be here to reclaim this and to really put my mark in who I want to be, who I am is, is so special. And I just hope that people see my heart through my album and through my work and through what I love to do, which is sing and entertain. And I’m just honored. It makes me emotional that I’m like here.

Yes, yes, that‘s the thing. I’m proud of myself. And I wouldn’t like, I don’t like to say those types of things, but I am because it’s been a journey and a ride.

It is crazy. So I have to tell you the story of how this all happened. So basically I used to be with Atlantic records and I used to have a different team and I was kind of at a crossroads and basically, changes happened. And then I went to Suzette for advice and it‘s a crazy story. Basically, she’s been a mentor to me, I don’t know how to say it, just such a dear friend. And it does feel crazy because she’s almost like a sister to me and that’s such an honor as you can understand. And basically because of her, I [was introduced] Simran Singh and I got signed to his entertainment company- he’s also my lawyer, but he wears many hats. And because of him, I got signed to Duars Entertainment, and AMSI, [Singh’s] label. And because of him, I am recording my very first album, my Spanish album. So it’s kind of crazy that because of Suzette, I’m here. If it wasn’t for her I would not be here talking to you today. I would not have an album. I would not be in the transition of this beautiful moment in time, and it blows my mind. And I swear, I am the most grateful girl in the world because I’ve prayed for something like this. I’ve prayed for someone like- well, of course, I’ve always prayed to meet Suzette, let alone have her changing my life and kind of be like a sister- and then Sim is also like that. He’s to me like an angel that came and saved me, he believes in my talent so much. And he put all this together and I’m the first female artist in AMSI. So I’m just taking it all as a blessing. And I’m grateful because I was with Atlantic Records before, but that ended, gosh, I think in October of 2020. So I was kind of lost in a way, and I was just really praying for an answer, a new situation. And again, love Atlantic like love to them, but it was a blessing in disguise that it ended and it‘s kind of unheard-of because usually, you’re stuck with a label for many, many, many years. And that was incredible because as an artist, I wanted more and I wanted more freedom and I wanted a different direction and I wanted to be involved in my music and I wanted an album and I wanted to create my first album and to be more in the Spanish world, record more Spanish music and long story short Suzette introduced me to Sim and I signed with Sim. Sim introduced me to Eric and Duars entertainment.

Well, yes. I would say honestly, this might sound funny. I was going to say it, but I think it‘s going to sound funny. Never-mind. I was going to say my new team is giving me butterflies, but that might sound weird, but it’s more than a cute way. I love my new team, I really, they’re an answered prayer for me as, as an artist, a creator, entertainer. So I would say they are, and in my music, I definitely apply some of my emotions into this album. There’s going to be a song for everyone. I promise.

Yes. Oh my gosh. As I answer that, I just got the chills. I‘m so grateful for Fifth Harmony and I always want to kind of put that out there because it led me to some of my greatest moments and it obviously gave me a platform and experience and I saw the world and met some people that changed my life. But I did lose who I was. I lost my light. I lost who I was as an artist. I lost my voice. I lost, I felt like I lost my dignity, because a lot happened during that time. But now being in this moment where I have a team who fully loves me, fully believes in me, who treats me with such respect, who I respect, who I’m like, I cannot believe you’re working for me. It’s amazing. The most powerful people in our industry to be here, and to actually have an album, to have been involved so heavily in the creation of my album to have my inner artistry, just being breathed all over this and to have music I prayed for is unbelievable. It is truly something that I’m just like, ‘I cannot believe I went through all this and now I’m here.’ And I feel like I’ve not only found myself again, but I’m a new woman, a new person, I’ve grown so much, I’ve matured so much. And I just have this energy and this vibrancy and this life that I never had before. And just this excitement that’s untamable so I am so grateful to be where I am with the people that I am.

Oh, it‘s funny. I get so shy answering these questions, but well, what I want people to see is that I’m someone who is fun and I really do just love to sing and perform and entertain. I love people. I love to get to know people’s stories, backgrounds. I love to be able to create music with people in mind that hopefully will inspire them. Hopefully will lift their spirits. Hopefully will touch them and their hearts. That’s what I want and I just want people to hopefully see me as a light. And I hope through my music and everything else that I do that I can be that. So I hope that kind of encompasses.

Oh man. So I would say if I could tell myself anything, back in time, I would say, ‘it‘s okay to speak out about certain things. It’s okay to make your voice heard, to speak up on certain things that shouldn’t happen to you.’ So I would tell that to any other girl who’s trying to be in the industry- just to keep a watchful eye, protect yourself, make sure you’re surrounded with the right people. It’s hard. It’s hard to find, this industry is one of the craziest industries. I think it’s the craziest one. We go through so much, but to know who you are, own yourself, know your worth, and speak up if something isn’t right. If something doesn’t fit with you, it can be as small as, I don’t know, something that you don’t want to wear, to something as big as you’re not being treated right. It‘s okay to stand up and say, ‘Hey, I deserve better’ or ‘Hey, you’re not allowed to treat me that way.’ I just want to encourage young people to know they really do have a voice. I was so scared of that years ago, but now- again, different woman, different person. And the best thing that I can do from my past is to share what I learned and say, ‘Hey, you have a voice, don’t be afraid to use it.’

Yes. I‘m a fan of therapy. I got a therapist and also a life coach to help me. And I advocate for that so much for people who can get it and there are so many different ways to get help. Because speaking about your feelings, speaking about what you’ve been through and then working through that, it changes your whole life and your perspective and you find purpose again, you find life again, and you find that, yes, life is sometimes hard and situations happen that you don’t wish on anybody, but you can overcome them and you can become such a better person and you can learn so much and grow and take it from me- it really is possible to live your dreams, to surround yourself with wonderful people. Sometimes we just have to get that hope back.

Oh my gosh. So I can’t wait to tour this new music. So the US tour, obviously, a South American tour, the worldwide tour… That is a huge, huge, huge, like bucket list. Obviously to have my album come out, which it will. We’re just securing dates. That is my biggest thing. And then hopefully who knows down the line, I’d love to sign other artists. I’d love to produce more. I’d love to write for more artists and obviously continue to write more of my own music. And as long as I’m doing music and doing what I love in that and happy with that, that is what matters to me. And of course, doing more collaborations with some of my favorite artists and then hopefully just being part of like the award shows, touring- in my heart I’m like, ‘please, God, let me tour.’

Yes. So I am coming out with my very first film called “High Expectations” also starring Kelsey Grammar. And gosh, I think we‘re aiming for winter 2022, but we’re kind of finalizing those dates and I’m the female lead, I’m representing for us Latinas. I believe I’m the only Latin in the film. So I’m representing and it’s a very sweet, beautiful film about hope, about redemption. So yes, I can’t wait for that to come out. So be on the lookout for that.