[NYOTA Magazine ]
star power
starring
Dara Renee Volume 19
from the editor
HELLO THERE, READER! In this Star Power issue, Dara Renee graces the cover. You probably recognize Dara from the hit show "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series" on Disney+. Where she plays the loyal and sassy Kourtney. With the success of "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series" I'm sure you're eager to know all there is about Dara and we're so excited to have her on the cover of this issue. I also was lucky enough to have a quick chat with Valeria Jauregui who can be seen on the show Deputy. As always I hope you enjoy reading the issue and are inspired to go after your dreams!
YOURS TRULY, Carol Wright EDITOR IN CHIEF, NYOTA MAGAZINE @_CAROL_WRIGHT
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contents (3) Get to Know Dara
(4) Dara's Playlist
(5) Star Power: Dara Renee
(9) Dara's Top Picks
(11) Quick Chat: Valeria Jauregui
#StarPower
GET TO KNOW DARA
My first acting role was playing the part of “the wind” in the play Snow White.
I’ve taught myself to sing all genres of music including opera.
I love writing scripts and songs for fun!!
One of my dreams is to open an amusement park!!
If I wasn’t in the entertainment business I would have been a lawyer!!
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#NyotaMusic
Dara's Playlist Kehlani // Personal Koryn Hawthorne // Won’t He Do It Jhené Aiko // Sailing Not Selling Rex Orange County // 4 Seasons India Arie // Video The Internet // Roll (Burbank Funk) Beyoncé // Homecoming (full album) 2Pac // Do for love Eartha Kitt // C’est Magnifique (Can Can) Janelle Monáe ft Deep Cotton // 57821
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#StarPower
Dara Renee
Interview by Carol Wright | Photos by David Higgs | Makeup by Elie Maalouf | Hair by Rochelle Jones | Styling by Enrique Melendez
#StarPower
You’re an actress, a singer, and a dancer. Growing up, was creative expression highly encouraged in your house? YES!! My entire family is deeply into the arts!! My aunts started a group called the “Royalettes” where they originated the hit song “It’s Gonna Take A Miracle”. My mom is an actress who has appeared in numerous shows including being a series regular in the Emmy nominated show called “Huff”. My mom and I even opened up a performing arts school for kids in Baltimore called “Encouraging Youth to Dream”.
What was the audition process like for High School Musical: The Musical: The Series? How did you react when you got the news that you were cast? I first auditioned for the High School Musical franchise at an open call in 2015. Disney wanted to do a High School Musical 4 but they wanted to wait for the perfect script. Then in 2018, they held auditions for “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series”. They called me in and I auditioned for every student role except my own. I then auditioned for Kourtney and she was a PERFECT MATCH!! She was originally supposed to be in only one episode but they liked my performance so much that they made me a series regular!! My prayers were answered!! When I got the call that I was Kourtney I burst into tears. I grew up with “High School Musical” and to know that I was going to be a part of the franchise for the next generation gave me bundles of happiness!!
What drew you to your character Kourtney? Kourtney will always be so special to me!! She is determined to stay informed on political and social issues while also looking FABULOUS!! She’s very passionate when it comes to friendship and even though she hides it sometimes, her talent is a force to be reckoned with.
Although Kourtney only sings a few times throughout the first season, she steals the show. How did it feel to have your big musical moment with “Born to Be Brave”? I had such a deep connection to “Born to be Brave”. Growing up I was bullied and I never truly had confidence in myself and my choices. That's why hearing “Born to Brave” gave me so much inspiration and joy!! I was so honored that I was able to be a part of such a powerful song.
Season 1 ended with Nini having to make a big choice that will surely have ripple effects. What can fans expect to see of Nini and Kourtney in season 2? (if you can tell us) I can’t say too much, but I will say that you will be seeing much more of Kourtney in season 2. Her storyline is fire I must say!!
Leading up to filming how did the cast prepare. Were there a lot of singing and dancing practices? For preparation, we had LOADS of rehearsals, and since most of the performances are live, we had to work EXTRA hard to make sure our dancing and singing were in sync.
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#StarPower
The cast seems very tight-knit on and offscreen. What did you guys do to bond on and off of set? (I’m a big fan of the casts tik toks btw) We literally hang out 24/7 in Utah. We play games like spicy Uno which is a more intense version of Uno. We sing, dance and just enjoy each other's company. I’m so happy that I was blessed to work with such a sweet and talented cast. They honestly are the best!!
How has being apart of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series changed your life? This show has taught me so many wonderful things. It has shown me how to better myself as an artist, and to have confidence in myself as a person. When I get messages from fans saying how much we have impacted them, it reminds me that we are making a difference in someone’s life and for that, I will always be grateful.
Outside of acting are there other aspects of the industry you’d like to get involved with such as directing or writing? I’m actually working on some new music!! I’ve also been writing some scripts which I’m super excited about!!
What advice do you have for aspiring actors? For aspiring actors, I would say to always believe in yourself. A lot of people in this industry are going to make you question your worth but please remember that there will ALWAYS be only ONE you. You are unique and you are special, don’t ever let anyone make you question that.
"There will always be only ONE you.''
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#StarPower
Dara's Top Picks in Movies, TV & Fashion Insecure
Edward Scissorhands or Hollywood Shuffle
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Hair accessories
#QuickChat
Valeria Jauregui
#QuickChat
Interview by Carol Wright | Photography by Jorge Campos
When did you get bit by the acting bug? I don’t think I’ve ever not had it. I've loved acting and film for as long as I can remember. I was a timid child in public and really outgoing in my room and where I felt comfortable. My mom, who has always had an unwavering faith in me, pushed me to audition for theatre and that's sort of where it all began. I guess I just felt such rapturous joy when acting that I never wanted to stop. I'm also a very demonstrative person by nature so that helps.
What have you learned during your time on the show? So much it's hard to say everything. A lot of the basic stuff about working on a network drama! Something I learned that's interesting is the film slang that they use on set! I also had to learn how to horseback ride!
What advice do you have for aspiring actors? Why did you want to be apart of Deputy? Everything! The cast, the concept, and just the opportunity, in general, is one I am so grateful for.
Stay true to yourself and never limit your learning… there is always something to learn to expand your mind and acting space. It will get hard and you'll have to make sacrifices so make sure you really love it when you love something the hard things won't matter much.
Can you relate to your character Maggie? Well, I think Maggie gets sarcastic with her parents sometimes and I for sure do all the time! Also, we are both really understanding and love our family.
Being on a show such as Deputy you’re able to wrestle with real-life topics in the show. Is there a certain episode that was particularly difficult to shoot because of the realness of it? Probably episode six where Paula gets locked inside the hospital with a shooter. Maggie is forced to stay home while watching everything go down on the news and hoping for a phone call with an update on the scary situation. Knowing that some people actually go through that and are forced to have such hard conversations through a phone call was something that was in my mind while filming. And the whole shooter thing is a really tough concept in general.
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NYOTA Magazine STAR POWER TEAM EDITOR IN CHIEF GRAPHIC DESIGNER
CAROL WRIGHT CAROL WRIGHT
COVER ACTRESS
Dara Renee
CONTRIBUTORS PHOTOGRAPHER
David Higgs
PHOTOGRAPHER
Jorge Campos
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