Ruby Jay to Portray Holly Hobbie in New Tween Series

(CNW Group/DHX Television)

Ruby Jay to Portray Holly Hobbie in New Tween Series

by Melissa Fales

Holly Hobbie has had a major makeover. Forget those drawings of girls wearing long, old-fashioned dresses, aprons, and calico bonnets that appeared on greeting cards, lunchboxes, and toys of all kinds in the 1970s. In the new Hulu series, Holly Hobbie, Holly is a modern-day, 13-year-old singer/songwriter played by actress and singer, Ruby Jay. “The show is all about a young girl’s coming-of-age story,” says Jay. “Holly wants to make a change in the world but hits a few family, friend, and boy problems along the way.”

Due to her age, Jay is unfettered by any memory of the outmoded Holly Hobbie. She says she’s delighted to have the opportunity to play the contemporary character and believes other girls will readily connect with her. “Honestly, I think that the best thing about playing Holly is how relatable she is,” says Jay. “I feel like I relate to her on a huge level because we are both young teens, we both love singing and creating music, and we both come across problems that rock our world a bit, as I’m sure most girls our age do. I feel so blessed and honored to be able to portray this character.”

Jay has been in show business for almost as long as she can remember. “I have been doing musical theatre my entire life, well … since I was 5 years old,” says Jay. “It has always been my first love.” It all began when Jay first expressed an interest in it. Her mother uploaded a video of Jay singing her heart out in her school’s talent competition, which garnered some interest. “We got a few emails from agents and managers wanting to meet with me,” says Jay. “At first my mom didn’t know how to respond, but eventually I talked her into it.” Following her first stage role portraying an orphan in Annie, Jay honed her talent with roles such as the scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz and Oliver Twist in Oliver! and eventually came full circle, starring as Annie in a later production of the beloved musical.

Fun fact: I actually go pretty much everywhere with my ukulele so that if inspiration ever hits, I am ready. I also write songs. I write every single night before I go to sleep!”

Beginning at age 10, Jay began appearing in TV commercials. She’s also acted in TV shows, including roles as Emma on Modern Family and as Winnie on Grey’s Anatomy. Now she’s adding Holly Hobbie to her résumé. “All were very exciting and very different roles,” says Jay. “I can’t wait to see what role I will be able to portray next!”

For Jay, it’s a dream come true to get to do something she enjoys so much every day. “I love everything about acting, from the art of it, to the business, to the craft,” she says. “I love how actors have the chance to really put themselves in someone else’s shoes and become this made-up character while bringing it to life.” When she’s not acting, Jay keeps busy with her many other hobbies. “I love listening to songs, songwriting, crocheting, and, this one is going to really make me sound like a nerd but, doing school work and math problems,” she says. “Although, I am very proud to be a nerd.”

Jay recognizes that her fame as a singer, actress, and Internet personality makes her a de facto role model for younger girls. “I feel so humbled to have young girls look up to me,” she says. “It’s an amazing honor, but also nerve-wracking to know that so many young girls out there are possibly looking to me, or the character I am portraying, as a role model. It’s a lot of pressure.” When it comes to people Jay looks up to, she names two who particularly inspire her with the way they live their lives. “I would definitely say that one of my two role models is Hailee Steinfeld because of her work,” says Jay. “She effortlessly transitions from pop star to movie star! My other role model is Todrick Hall because of how comfortable he is in his own skin, and how open he is about expressing himself. Todrick has a huge impact on the music I write.”

Jay has parlayed her exceptional musical theatre experience into a successful singing career. She boasts nearly half a million followers on Instagram and fans clamor to hear her covers of today’s latest hits, like Andra Day’s “Rise Up.” Jay says her acting career doesn’t compete with her musical career. In fact, she says, acting has helped to bolster it. “I really got serious with my music after I started acting,” she says. “I posted a 30-second clip of me singing on my Instagram and it went viral! It really made me see that I could take this wonderful gift that God has given me to both expresses myself and have fun!”

Jay’s musical talent extends beyond her voice. “I play guitar, cello, and a tiny bit of piano, but my go-to instrument is the ukulele,” says Jay. “Fun fact: I actually go pretty much everywhere with my ukulele so that if inspiration ever hits, I am ready. I also write songs. I write every single night before I go to sleep!”

Currently, Jay is putting the finishing touches on four original songs she’s excited to release. “I have two hopefully coming out by the end of October and two coming hopefully by the end of the year,” she says. “I hope people enjoy listening to them as much as I enjoyed making them.”

For more information about Ruby Jay, find her on Instagram @iamRubyJay, Facebook @iamRubyJay, Twitter @iamRubyJay and at YouTube: Ruby Jay. •