(laughs) No, I’m kidding. I’m never doing that. (laughs) – What’s up, y’all? I’m actually singing your song, “Gryd” a little over three years ago. – Yeah, I think that’ll begin. Started in the music industry. – Hey, how are ya? – I started, what kind of, I started in the music industry,(…) and then, you know, go into like, it changed my life, blah, blah, blah, and then like go into being like,
(…)
okay.
(…)
(clears throat)
(…)
I’m ready. – You know where your finger for me, that pinky over there? (laughs) Okay, don’t move it again. – That was probably because I had my knee up before. – So don’t look like you’ve been in a fight.
(…)
You clearly know the person? – No, they did not. Does not even look like that. I have a black eye, I feel the person alive.
(…)
(laughs) Okay.
(…)
Are you ready? – Yep, we’re on. – Okay, perfect.
(…)
Hey, I’m Rene Andriopoulos. I’m an actor, singer, and songwriter from Knoxville, Tennessee.
(…)
A little over three years ago, stop, you cannot look at me like that. (laughs) Stop, okay. A little over three years ago, I started in the music industry, and it truly changed my life for the better.(…) As a kid, growing up, I was never the person to open up about my feelings, but throughout my music, and growing up with my music, I have learned to open up about my feelings.
(…)
The first song that I was truly vulnerable
(…)
about myself in was More Than Enough. That was a song about being bullied at a very young age and not knowing how to deal with it.
(…)
Growing up, I kind of went through that alone because I hated making other people’s problems.
(…)
Wait, I messed it up, hold on, hold on.
(…)
Let me, let me fix that. Okay.
(…)
Growing up, I kind of went through that alone because I didn’t want my problems to be anyone else’s. So I wrote More Than Enough as a way to let others know that they aren’t alone in what they’re going through, and people are being bullied around the world everywhere,(…) and that kind of opened up my entire, okay, I don’t know, I’m going with this.
(…)
(laughs) Because like, I know I don’t want to say the like. – Let’s start back up. – From the beginning? – Yeah, you’re just gonna chop it up. – Mm.(…) – Yup, try again.(…) – Okay.
(…)
(clears throat) Here we go, take two because I’m not done.
(…)
– Be in a jet.
(…)
And if that don’t work out, try slow.
(…)
– Okay.
(…)
Hey, I’m Rina Andriopoulos. I’m an actress, singer, and songwriter from Knoxville, Tennessee.
(…)
And a little over three years ago, I started in the entertainment industry and got into music. And since then,(…) songwriting and music has been such an outlet for me. As a kid growing up, I was never really open with my feelings and talking about my stories.(…) But my first song that I was truly vulnerable in was More Than Enough. And I wrote More Than Enough as a story to all the young kids out there. Because for me, I was bullied at a young age. And I know that so many people around the world are dealing with the same situation.
(…)
So More Than Enough is a story. It’s the first time I was ever vulnerable with my audience. And I went through that alone because as a kid, as a person in general, I never wanted my issues to be anyone else’s.(…) And through that, and through growing up with my music, I have learned so much about myself and opened up so much as a person, which has led to so many amazing opportunities, such as a song I wrote called Dear High School, which is about the amazing experiences I had in high school. And I got to involve so many of my friends. It’s such a personal story that I will hold so close to my heart forever.(…) So many of my friends were a part of it, and it makes me so happy to look back on and have that in my life.(…) Dear High School was the first time that I ever got to direct and be a part of the music video the way that I was. And it’s such an emotional story(…) that I will always hold onto. And that leads to my next single, which was Miss Tennessee. And Miss Tennessee is such a hometown-spirited song that I wrote about my hometown, Knoxville, Tennessee, and how you can move away and go for your dreams, but always have a place to call home and come back to and know that you’re welcomed and that they’re always gonna be proud of you.
(…)
So Miss Tennessee will always be another song that holds a very special place in my heart. And the journey of Miss Tennessee from the very beginning is kind of crazy because I wrote that song by myself in my bedroom. And a few months later, I got a call from Tennessee Athletics telling me that it was gonna be played at the halftime show at a University of Tennessee football game, which was still so surreal and crazy for me, knowing that that was the first song that I truly put out on my own and wrote on my own and was able to be a part of the producing and all of the journey leading up to the release.
(…)
And that leads to my EP and being even more emotional and vulnerable with my audience.(…) The EP is, it’s my debut heartbreak EP and I’m still so proud of it because I never talked about my feelings or opened up to anyone really. It was another situation where I kind of went through it on my own and being so in love with somebody, but keeping it all bottled up for so many years and finally being able to talk about the situation and open up about the story. And it feels so great to share the story and know that others can relate to it as well.(…) It’s been such a journey with that EP. It’s been almost a year in the works and it finally released in March of 2024. And so many people have told me that they can relate to it and all the songs in the EP tell such a story. They’re all so different. And it’s so different from anything that I’ve ever released before. There’s ballads and there’s pop country songs in there that just tell such an incredible story.
(…)
Okay, what should I talk about now?
(…)
Did I leave anything out? – Finding my way through Frank Neeson. – That’s true. That’s true, I could talk about that.
(…)
– What?
(…)
– What?
(…)
– That’s true, I could say that, okay.
(…)
So through the EP, the EP is called Always Remember.(…) And throughout writing the EP, I went through so many emotions of being upset and angry and not knowing what to think. And the only thing that I could turn to was music. It was the only outlet that I had that I truly felt could understand me and the way that I needed someone to.
(…)
And this EP is so special because it talks about someone’s first love. And people listen to the songs and they’re like, oh, like you’ve never had a first love before. You never had your first boyfriend. And that’s not it at all, but when you listen to the EP, it talks about the feeling of never knowing that you could feel a love like that and something being so real.
(…)
This EP goes through a whole journey from being so in love with somebody to every emotion that you feel throughout heartbreak. It goes from being sad and angry and happy and in the end wishing someone well and wishing them the best whether they’re with you or not. And I think that’s so important about this EP because it’s just so different from any other heartbreak EP or album that you’ve ever listened to.
(…)
Throughout my journey of music, throughout the three years I’ve been in the entertainment industry, it’s truly changed my life. I’ve got to co-produce, direct, and even involve my acting within my music videos.
(…)
Acting is also something I’m so passionate about. I’ve been in the story of God with Morgan Freeman that aired on Netflix for a little while and just being able to incorporate that with my music and just being so involved with the entertainment industry has truly brought so much joy to my life.
(…)
And with all that,(…) I’ve also been nominated for Josie Music Awards for the past three years, which I am so incredibly thankful for. I was just recently nominated this year for Rising Star of the Year, which I find completely amazing because this year especially has been really big for me and my music as I released Dear High School leading into it and Miss Tennessee over the summer and then recently there’s a debut EP
(…)
that is just so special to me. So,(…) what now? I don’t know, I don’t know what else.(…) (laughs) I don’t know. – Me, right, that’s crazy. – I don’t know what else to say.
(…)
– What about the other video?
(…)
– I was just juggling about career and school and making it go. – That is true, I could say that.
(…)
Like Just a Great Guy and stuff like that? – Yeah, because I know that we’re gonna have to run through your stuff.
(…)
And so I’m going through my head, what video or visual do we have for the things that you’re talking about?
(…)
And it’s like I’m starting to run out of things
(…)
that we can use. But we do have all the videos that we’ve done, so there’s that.
(…)
I don’t know how deep you wanna go in any of that.
(…)
– Yeah, I could talk about Just a Great Guy. I don’t know what I’d say about Just a Great Guy though.
(…)
– Oh.
(…)
What you just don’t wanna go to about?
(…)
– I just don’t know what should I say about it. Just like the process of.
(…)
– I don’t know, like maybe why?(…) Or I don’t know what the story, the underlying story was as far as like what made you wanna produce that one.
(…)
But something in there that made you wanna do it. – Yeah, I can. (laughs)
(…)
– So another single that I wrote was Just a Great Guy. And the whole story behind Just a Great Guy was
(…)
the feeling of not wanting to be used by a guy and wanting to find that perfect guy for you. And through that, we filmed a music video that my best friend was actually able to be a part of. And that was such an amazing experience as well.(…) Being able to include some of the closest people in my life with my work and also being in high school. It was also kind of challenging. I mean, I was going through school and having to do all that as well as working on my music and my acting and my modeling all at the same time. And it was really a juggle between the two worlds. But it was such an amazing experience and I’m so glad that I got to have that. (laughs) What else?
(…)
(mumbles)
(…)
I kinda did, I kinda touched on it.(…) But I don’t know what else I’d say.
(…)
Besides the more you think and think what other stuff you do for Netflix, you did some crunch stuff. – Yeah.
(…)
(laughs)
(…)
No, I mean, yeah, I can.(…) It’s just like little commercial stuff though. It’s not anything really big. Although I did just recently audition for a movie in July. So, here’s a cross I get that. – But any of the stuff that you did for Netflix, you actually can go to Netflix and watch it, right? Did we get footage of anything that you did? – Yeah, like the Morgan Freeman thing. – That we got, but what about any of the other stuff?
(…)
– Yeah, you can, I think it’s on Hulu.
(…)
Yeah, the snapped episodes on Hulu. The other one hasn’t come out yet that I just recently did. – Okay, like if– – I can send you the– – Yeah, I’m just looking for footage that we can lay on top of this. So, just the more little pieces of that we have the better stuff.
(…)
So, what else? – She was going through that hell in a world can that mic not pick up what they’re saying. – Oh, that mic that she’s got on is absolutely amazing. Those countryman lapel mics, they’re like 400 bucks or whatever. They don’t have any just– They get right up in your face, but then cut out everything like 10 feet away from you.
(…)
Thank you.
(…)
– One thing that you probably should talk about is what your goals are for the future. Like what is your,(…) you know, what are you headed towards? – Tour?
(…)
(laughs) – Maya Rago. – Maya Rago is to go on tour to go to the Met Gala.
(…)
No, I’m kidding.
(…)
Yeah.
(…)
Okay.
(…)
I’m trying to like gather.
(…)
As a singer songwriter, my future goals are to, hold on, I never think that. – Just to sing songwriter? – No, I don’t know. – Because I’m talking about going on tour and releasing an album,(…) you know?
(…)
Because like I want to release an album(…) and I want to go on tour.
(…)
– You never went down.(…) – And what?
(…)
What?
(…)
Yeah, I want to write an album, release an album. I want to go on tour.
(…)
Want to go to the Met?
(…)
– No, it’s not an agent. – I’m kidding. Well, maybe somebody will see it and invite me.
(…)
Okay.
(…)
So as a singer songwriter, some of my future goals are going on tour. I think connecting with my audience live would be so incredible for me as an artist.(…) And I would love to eventually write and record an album and have so many songs that people can relate to and that tell completely different stories than what I have out right now.
(…)
Did that make any sense at all?(…) Not really, I don’t know what I said. That’s literally it, I don’t know.
(…)
– Yeah, yeah, yeah, because it’s kind of, yeah, it was kind of like starting to bunch up a bit there. – Okay, good.
(…)
– I don’t know what she said.
(…)
– Huh? – Things with everything? I think I covered everything.(…) – Okay, we’ll start from the top. – Do it all again? – I mean, you can do it in a chunk, but do it again, yes. So you can make sure you got the one that you need.
(…)
Sit back up and look this way. – Okay, well.
(…)
(clears throat) We’re asking her questions.
(…)
See, you know better than I do what questions are.
(…)
(laughing) So you probably got some stuff that’ll trip her up and that’s kind of what we’re looking for. (laughing) – I was just. – What does music mean to you?
(…)
– Okay, okay, end of your, okay.
(…)
Do you need to, does he need to be like, you need to hear him say it or, okay.
(…)
(laughing) To me, music is such an outlet. It’s a story that tells, hold on.
(…)
Let me gather, I know what I wanna say, I can’t say it the right way.
(…)
(laughing)
(…)
Okay.
(…)
Okay.
(…)
To me, music is an outlet and a way to tell my.
(…)
Okay. – What does music mean to you?
(…)
– To me, music’s an outlet and a way to tell my stories that I never could before.
(…)
– What does music mean to you? (laughing) – Okay. Um.
(…)
To me, music is an outlet and allows me to tell my story in a way that I never thought I could before.(…) I never talked about my feelings, so music really allowed me to open up in that way.
(…)
And.
(…)
(laughing) Yeah. – Another question?(…) – Yeah, yeah, I think of another question.
(…)
– Well.
(…)
What?
(…)
I feel pressured.
(…)
(laughing)
(…)
I think you already kinda went over. – I know, I tried to. – What did you, what made you?
(…)
Right.(…) What made you start music?
(…)
You’re gonna get that question out. I’m gonna keep re-writing it. What made you start music?
(…)
– The reason I started the music industry in general was to tell my stories to the world, to.
(…)
Stop.
(…)
– Do you got a mask I can put on? A trash bag? – Okay.
(…)
– Just sit here and look at that sky, huh? – The reason why I started music in general was to tell my story and relate to so many people because I know that there are so many people out there and through all of my journeys, I felt alone because I never told anyone about what I was going through. So I want to be the outlet other people can turn to when they’re going through those situations and hardships in their life. – Can you do that again? But also, can you flip that thing up because it’s kinda just dropped all over and then that’s not right. You started it either. – Yes it is. What do you mean? – Can you flip it some more? – How would you know why I started?
(…)
– Yeah, and plus on the other side, that hair in the back, he’s bunching up and sticking out. – Yeah, there you go.
(…)
Make it look the same.
(…)
– So she’ll be getting out of the phone. Hey, we got an ego. We got a flyaway in progress. – Hairstylist, she’d be up here. – She’d be over there on the floor probably. – She will crawl through here and go.
(…)
– See a brush coming up.
(…)
– She needs to be in bed.
(…)
– That’s her.(…) – Now you should’ve seen more than enough, we had water dripping everywhere. She came through here and tripped over a lamp.
(…)
And it must fell in the Tennessee River too. Never forget that one. – That, I would pay to see. – No, he was sort of taking a picture and he was like, wait, wait, wait. Here she goes down the river.
(…)
– That would have been absolutely hilarious. – With a hairbrush in hand and everything.
(…)
Those two flip flops on she got. – You’re leading into something. So who are the people that inspired you to, hello.
(…)
It’s not pressured, I know.
(…)
I know I’m here, but anyway.
(…)
– For me, I think the people that influenced(…) my music the most was my family and my friends and all the people closest to me, honestly, because I feel like their journeys were also mine through experiencing it with them. And I think a lot of my songs came from those experiences and them being so supportive of what I do, especially with Dear High School. Everyone was so supportive, all my friends were so willing to be a part of what I do. And I think that truly made me feel inspired to go after what I love even more.
(…)
– Here on your left side,(…) up here.
(…)
That the other side over there again.(…) Oh, you made it worse.
(…)
Yeah, just come down through that. – There you are. – Okay.
(…)
Tilt your head up, picture day, not up. Don’t look down. – Well, it made me look like a chicken in the yearbook.
(…)
– That was me. – It’s like, my God, she was like, “Lane your head over if you like more.”
(…)
Good blood! – We went through and picked those pictures. So if you’re looking at him,(…) see that piece that keeps sticking out? – Oh, yes. – There you go, that’s on.
(…)
– What the heck is it? – There you go, you got it. – La!
(…)
– I’ll be sitting there in the front of the computer, I’ll be staring at it going, “Oh my God, why didn’t I fix that?” – You’ve been thinking of questions?
(…)
– Tell them who your best friend in the whole world is. – Not you. – Let’s not do that question.
(…)
– Don’t ask a question, you don’t want the answer to. – What about famous people that got you motivated into this? – Mm.
(…)
(laughing)
(…)
– I guess Luke Combs. I think Luke Combs probably is one of my biggest people I look up to in the music industry,(…) which is crazy because we actually share a drummer in one of my songs.(…) But I think Luke Combs is so talented, like he cannot write a bad song. I think Taylor Swift is also somebody I look up to and have always for a really long time since I was little. I think her album was the first one I ever listened to, Fearless.
(…)
So I think she had a lot to do with why I fell in love with music when I was six years old and why I wrote my song when I was six years old. My first song.
(…)
– What’s that like, the enemy you think? What you talking about? – I don’t know. – That was good. – Yeah.
(…)
– I should have stopped it, that’s for a second then. – Well that’s what I want. – Yeah, that’s what I bushed it, I was like, okay.
(…)
– Not JB.
(…)
– I mean, I love Justin Bieber. – You and your buddy favorite?
(…)
– Justin Bieber has always been my favorite. I love Justin Bieber.
(…)
For country, country wise, has always been Luke Combs and Taylor Swift. Pop for sure is Justin Bieber. Has always been fellow Canadian, if you will.
(…)
– Just do it in, that was good. Just start introducing it, I think.
(…)
Start your introduction again, get it stopped. – Just ask me a number of questions because I feel like that’s better. – Okay, introduce yourself. – Hey, I’m Retta.
(…)
– Like that, like robot?
(…)
– Hey, hey.
(…)
Hey, I’m Retta, I’m an actress, singer, and songwriter from Knoxville, Tennessee.
(…)
– You’re Knoxville, Tennessee. – We’ll always be home, sweet home.
(…)
(Retta laughs) – You gotta put that one in there.(…) Oh. – A little over three years ago, I started in the music industry(…) and it truly changed my life for the better.
(…)
Growing up, I was always the kid that never talked about her feelings or opened up in that way.(…) And the first time I was ever vulnerable in a song was more than enough.
(…)
And I think I really wrote that just to let others know that they’re not alone. It was about a story of me being bullied at a young age and I know that’s something that so many people relate to still today because people are getting bullied all over the world and I want others to know that they aren’t alone in what they’re going through. And I think that’s so important that they know that there’s their self worth and know that they are important and have a reason that they are here. And I think that was ultimately what I was trying to get out of more than enough when I was writing that.
(…)
Next question. – Okay, buddy.
(…)
– Oh, Dear High School.
(…)
Should I do an intro? Should I do a little lead up to talking about Dear High School or does it matter once you clip it all together? – Not sure, just kind of what you say.(…) Just do it and then…
(…)
– Another single I released that meant the world to me was Dear High School.(…) That was about so much of my high school experience and how it changed my life for the better(…) and how the people I met throughout high school(…) changed my life because I truly would not know where I would be without them.
(…)
And they were so involved with the music video(…) and so willing to be a part of it.(…) And that was the first time that I truly got to direct a video and be so hands-on and involved(…) with the production in that way. From writing it to co-producing the song,
(…)
it was just such an amazing journey that I will always hold onto.
(…)
Just the fact that everyone was so willing to be a part of what I do, I will never forget that.
(…)
(clicking) Like everyone from the football team to the this, to the staff, to the, you know, if you go through those, then I may be able to pull a lot of stuff out of the B-roll that we did for that. – So talk about each one of those? – Yeah, because we got all kinds of stuff outside the music video that we did for you because I’ve actually got that footage. – Or my mom running down the football field. – Yeah. – Oh yes, okay.
(…)
– He’s like, “Look at him, he’s like,
(…)
“the wind was crazy.” – Oh, for sure.
(…)
But everyone was so involved with Deer High School. It’s still, I’m still in awe of the fact that everyone was so willing to be a part of it from the football team to the student section, to my best friends and my mom running up and down the stands, turning on the stadium lights and just the faculty and the staff and all the people that were so willing to donate in the music video and be such a big part of it. – That was new. – Because Davidson let me use the things.
(…)
I’m not gonna say her name.(…) Not gonna name drop.
(…)
– You never drop. – Wow.
(…)
We were not talking about that in the interview.
(…)
Actually, maybe we should.(…) Maybe we should touch on that. – There’s still a name drop in there. – No. – There’s still a name drop in there. Do a number drop in there. Take care of your name, boy.
(…)
(laughing) – I’m not saying that. – Number 15,(…) Waverly Seagull. – That’s easy.
(…)
Number 15, Seagull.
(…)
– But that’s so easy. – Once upon a time, there was a school. – No, but if they watched your high school, that’s so easy to figure out.
(…)
– Good.
(…)
– No.
(…)
– Can you sing us, act like this the news. Can you sing us a little bit of Miss Finnegan? – No, actually.(…) But I think one of the most songs I’m proud of from the EP, though, is Always Remember.
(…)
Always Remember will probably always be the song(…) I’m most proud of, which is…
(…)
(laughing) Should I start over? – Yeah, I’m gonna go see her and ignore me. – I didn’t know that’s what you were doing. I thought you were having a spasm.(…) (laughing)
(…)
– I think one of the most songs I will all… One of the most songs.(…) (laughing)
(…)
I think one of the songs, does that make sense? – I think one of the songs that means the most to me is… – I think one of the songs I will always be most proud of from the EP will always be Always Remember,
(…)
just because I made it the title track for a reason.
(…)
And it was the first time I was ever bold enough to tell my story and…
(…)
What are you doing?
(…)
What am I gonna say? Cause I’m not, should I be like number drop?
(…)
Should I say that?
(…)
– Oh, I thought you meant to say the same thing. You already did it in the song, so why not? – No, I’m just saying like…
(…)
I didn’t call them out though, I just kind of said… – Well, since you didn’t call them out in the woods, call them out in this. – No.(…) – I don’t know why.
(…)
– I think one of the songs I will always be most proud of from the EP will always be Always Remember. I mean, I made it the title track for a reason and named the EP after it because it was so bold. I feel like I’ve never done that type of thing before and I don’t name drop in songs, I don’t. But I may or may not have added the football number in there.
(…)
I can’t be serious.(…) How am I gonna say that? I know that. – You can’t even listen to it. – Yeah, but like that… – Talk about that, you know. – No.
(…)
– You can hear it and listen to it. – No, because that was bold. I don’t, not normally that bold.
(…)
– Sing us a little bit of your favorite part in the song. – A lot of singing, I’m saying absolutely.
(…)
(laughing) Okay,(…) so what else should I talk about?
(…)
(laughing) If you watched your high school, you know. If you know, you know, the true fans know.
(…)
The true fans know. – Where are your pants?
(…)
– The true fans know.
(…)
The true fans know who it is. (laughing)
(…)
I think wishing you well is also such a good track(…) on the EP, just because there’s so little to it, yet it tells such an amazing story.
(…)
You know? (laughing) – Aren’t you supposed to ask me questions? – Yes. – What are you asking me now?
(…)
Should I talk about Miss Tennessee again?
(…)
– Yeah, because…
(…)
– Miss Tennessee tells such a, hold on.(…) – Okay. – I feel like I already said that. – We’re going to leave at one o’clock tomorrow, so…
(…)
Oh great. We’re going to Nashville tomorrow at one o’clock. – Love. – Love, joy.(…) Great.
(…)
– Okay.
(…)
– Clear your throat.
(…)
– Miss Tennessee tells such a story about my hometown(…) and how you can go for your dreams, but always have a place to call home and come back to and know that you’ll always have people behind you, an army behind you in your corner,
(…)
that’s proud of you for what you went for.
(…)
And that’s truly why I wrote Miss Tennessee.
(…)
And it’s still such a surreal song for me and journey, because I wrote it by myself in my bedroom,
(…)
not even knowing if I was going to release the song. And after putting it out and releasing it,
(…)
I got a call from Tennessee Athletics saying that Miss Tennessee was going to be shown at the halftime show during a UT football game. And that’s still such a surreal moment for me. It’s something I will always look back on and remember(…) for future songs, because Miss Tennessee was never a planned song for me to release in the first place.
(…)
– Were you at the game? – Mm-hmm.
(…)
– Okay.
(…)
State who you are,(…) who I am and why– – Are you looking at questions?(…) – Means so much to me. – Why what means so much to me? What did it say? Is that my notes? – Yes. – Oh, which tab is that under? – Who I am and why music means so much to me. I feel like we’ve done it. – Yeah, we have.
(…)
I don’t know.
(…)
– I feel like it covers basically everything. – So maybe describe what it felt like to stand in that game and see your video on that jumbotron. And then look at that,(…) how many people were there? What, 30,000 people or something? And you’re just standing there and all of a sudden your face is on the screen. – That was a pretty factly little game too.
(…)
– Tell that story basically. You stand in the game and then all of a sudden this happens and that happens. – What is the capacity of that? – Of Neelan Stadium? I don’t know. It was a sold out game.
(…)
– What is the capacity of Neelan Stadium?
(…)
102,000.(…) Yeah, a hundred thousand people.
(…)
– Okay. – A hundred thousand UT fans. – Yeah.(…) So Miss Tennessee was played during halftime.
(…)
For Neelan Stadium with over a hundred thousand fans there. And that’s still such a surreal moment for me. Sitting there listening to Morgan Wallen on the jumbotron and then seeing my face flash up on the jumbotron, playing Miss Tennessee over the speakers.
(…)
It’s a moment I’ll never forget and turning around to the audience and everyone starts clapping for me and congratulating me on the jumbotron and my song being played was still so crazy to me because I didn’t even expect them to recognize me or anything like that to ever happen when I first wrote Miss Tennessee.
(…)
– Do you have any cell phone footage or anything of that? – Oh, you got it. (laughing)
(…)
– She can’t read, you can’t read me and everything. – I had five people on it, I was like, (mimicking sound) (laughing)(…) I don’t know.
(…)
– I’m gonna check it out for room.
(…)
– And then I’m gonna have the EP cover on a Times Square billboard that I can also send you
(…)
to put in for the EP section.
(…)
(clicking) – Go through it again.
(…)
Speed it up though this time, let’s see.(…) – Speed it up. – Not speed it up, we’ll go faster, more energetic.
(…)
– Should I do one more energetic? – Yeah, go energetic and like, yeah, just so we can see.
(…)
Sound like a director mother.
(…)
Do it for real. – Like all of it? – Yeah.
(…)
– More energetic and speed, like not speed, because you wanna get everything, but.
(…)
(clearing throat) – Okay,(…) should I start with my intro again?
(…)
I guess, are you gonna ask me the questions or? – No, this one is gonna be kinda like you did that first thing, but just, sorry. I’m gonna let you have a walk with your thing.
(…)
(humming) (mumbling) – Hey, I’m Rona.
(…)
Okay. – Take your computer, go to the coffee shop, go straight to work.
(…)
Let’s see if I can go to the commercial room.
(…)
– Got it.
(…)
Do it, straight through. What’s up, y’all?
(…)
(laughing) – Ayo, okay. – That’s my vlog, me?
(…)
What did I say in it? – What’s up, vlog? Okay, here we go.
(…)
Okay, ready?
(…)
You can’t look at me.
(…)
– Hey, I’m Rona Andriopoulos. I’m an actress, singer, and songwriter from Knoxville, Tennessee.
(…)
Three years ago, I started in the music industry, and it truly changed my life for the better.
(…)
As a kid, I was never open about my feelings and never told my stories. I went through it all alone, because I never liked making a song and I never liked making my issues anyone else’s.(…) I think the first time I was really vulnerable with people in general was when I wrote More Than Enough. And More Than Enough was a story about me being bullied at a young age, and I know so many people can relate to that and are being bullied around the world.
(…)
And I think it’s so important for everyone to know their self-worth and how important they truly are, which is why I wrote More Than Enough.
(…)
Okay, and then Dear High School.
(…)
Another single I’m so incredibly proud of is Dear High School.
(…)
Dear High School was a song I wrote to tell about all the amazing experiences I had throughout high school and how all the amazing people I met throughout the way,(…) I would never know what I would do without them or where I’d be.(…) And it’s still crazy to me how supportive all my friends and family were about being a part of Dear High School and helping out.
(…)
All of my friends were so willing to be a part of what I do, and that is something I’ll never forget. From the football team to the student section, to my best friends, to the staff,(…) everybody that was involved, there was so many people that donated for the music video,(…) and it’s just such an amazing experience that I will always have to hold on to and look back on my senior year and know that I had the best people by my side
(…)
throughout that whole entire journey.
(…)
Miss Tennessee is a song I wrote about my hometown(…) and how special it is to me.
(…)
It tells a story of being able to go for your dreams and leave, but always having a place to come back to and call home,
(…)
and always having an army to stand in your corner and to stand behind you and be proud of you no matter what.
(…)
Miss Tennessee was a song that I started writing by myself in my bedroom, and I didn’t even know if I wanted to release it. And I finally convinced myself to go and record it after playing it for my guitar teacher, and he said, “You have to finish this. You have to record this. This is your best one yet.” And so I went home that night, finished the rest of the song, and decided that it was a song I wanted to record.(…) And I ended up recording it, and within a month later, I get a call from Tennessee Athletics telling me that my song is going to be played on the jumbotron during halftime at a University of Tennessee football game.
(…)
And at that game, in that moment,(…) I was sitting there listening to Morgan Wallen on the jumbotron, and then my face flashes up, and I hear my voice in Neland Stadium
(…)
for over 100,000 people.
(…)
And that moment is still so surreal for me and something I will never forget. And to turn around after my song was played and see the fans clapping for me and appreciating the music that I wrote, that’s all I ever wanted for my music,(…) was for it to be heard and for people to love it.(…) And that is such an amazing moment that I will never forget.
(…)
– Good job.
(…)
– Thanks.
(…)
– What else? EP? Is it hard for EP again?
(…)
My latest release was… Who in the world was that? Why would you tell me that? Who is that?
(…)
Okay.
(…)
My latest release was… My latest release was my EP. It was my debut EP.
(…)
And it was a heartbreak EP.
(…)
And that is still such an amazing…
(…)
No. I need to stop saying that because I feel like I’ve said that three times in the past two minutes.
(…)
Okay. I don’t know what I’m saying.
(…)
My latest release was my EP called “Always Remember.” It’s my debut EP. It’s a heartbreak EP.(…) And I feel like going through the heartbreak music was what I turned to. It was always the outlet that I went to.
(…)
I felt so many emotions during that time and it was something I went through on my own.
(…)
I felt sad and angry and upset.(…) All these emotions at once. And it was something that I had to go through and figure out for myself. So I turned to music in those hard times and that’s how this EP formed and came about. The EP tells a story from being so in love with someone and not knowing that you could ever feel that kind of love to being so upset and angry with the situation to in the end wishing them well and wanting the best for them no matter if they’re with you or not. And I think this EP will always hold a special place in my heart for that reason.
(…)
This EP has been in the works for a little over a year and the situation has gone on for quite some time. I think one of the songs in the EP I’m most proud of and always will be is “Always Remember.”
(…)
I made “Always Remember” the title track for a reason and named the EP “Always Remember” because “Always Remember” is such a bold song and that’s nothing I’ve ever done before.
(…)
It’s so different than anything I’ve ever released and I don’t name drop but I definitely did add a football number in the song. If you know, you know.
(…)
I had to say that.
(…)
Probably not going to make the cut though.
(…)
You know, you know. [laughs]
(…)
“Always Remember” is such an EP I’m so proud of. I think “Wishing You Well”(…) being the final track is also so important to me because there’s so little to the song.
(…)
There’s two instruments and my vocals and it’s so raw and genuine(…) and tells such a story. It’s so emotional and vulnerable and shows how hard you fought for something to work out in your favor and in the end just being so exhausted with fighting so hard and wanting something so bad and never getting the result that you wanted.(…) And I think “Wishing You Well” is so important to me too.
(…)
[laughs]
(…)
[laughs] Yeah.(…) [inaudible] No,(…) that’s nine.(…) Nine o’clock.
(…)
Seven minutes, almost ten.
(…)
It’s real time.
(…)
Oh my gosh.
(…)
[inaudible] Yeah. [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [clears throat] “Wishing You Well” part was good though.(…) [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible]
(…)
Oh, I’ve done all kinds of stuff like that. [laughs] I would have cried. I’m getting the hit record.
(…)
I fell to the football field and forgot. And I like rushed back up there, but I never outfied cry.(…) I’m done,(…) man. I love it, Sid. When she was doing some shoots when I’m taking some pictures.
(…)
Literally, at the hospital of that newborn baby,(…) her memory card got erased.
(…)
Oh my gosh. I mean, she was tore up. I mean, Lovett was not right. She was trying to recover that thing, find a way to get back.(…) She was all over the place. She gave me a turn up and everything more.
(…)
That’s so sad. That is. She’s like, I like,(…) fill up everything.
(…)
[inaudible] Did I cover everything? I think I did.(…) Look at my list.
(…)
Checking in list.
(…)
Checking in list. Checking up toys.
(…)
How does that go? Maybe somebody up.
(…)
How do I go? Check my list.
(…)
You purposed your wife. My wife? You purposed your wife. You did it. Oh, yes.(…) How much do the music industry means to you as a career?(…) I did that.
(…)
More than enough fighting, kind of, Sid.
(…)
Funny day.
(…)
I mean, do not throw it.
(…)
You’re grandmother is not right.
(…)
You’re not swooping so loud with songs and music for the first time. Juggling your career in both schools. Maybe you didn’t do that one again.
(…)
That’s true. Juggling both your school, career, and you did it when you was in high school.
(…)
I mean, you got more time now.
(…)
But that in a perspective was like schooling. That’s true. I actually have a good way of– Even–I don’t know if you want to say your word, but you say–
(…)
And I have a job. I mean, you don’t have to say it, but I–
(…)
That’s true.
(…)
Okay. Okay.
(…)
With starting in the entertainment industry at such a young age, it was obviously challenging. There was so many things that I had to juggle. I was a full-time student in school, and also working on my music going back and forth between Nashville and Knoxville,(…) and also working on my acting and my modeling and trying to balance out everything. And that’s why it was so important to me to have all the support system and so many people involved,
(…)
because it really kept me going and motivated to see what the future held for me.
(…)
Oh, thank you. I don’t know. I don’t know. Was that good or not?
(…)
Let’s try again. Okay.
(…)
What should I say? Was that not cute?
(…)
Let’s just try again.
(…)
With starting out in the entertainment industry at such a young age, it obviously came with so many challenges. I was a full-time student in school. Why do you keep talking like that? I don’t know. What am I supposed to– Because you run through it smoothly.(…) Okay. I’m just starting in the music industry at such a young age as I did. With starting in the entertainment industry at such a young age, it obviously came with so many challenges. I was a full-time student in high school, and I was working on my music going back and forth between Knoxville and Nashville,(…) working on my acting and modeling, and to have so many people supporting me and having such a strong support system meant the world to me.
(…)
And I will never forget the people that stepped up and supported me because that’s the reason why I was motivated to keep going and truly see what was held in the future for me.
(…)
That made no sense. What did I just say? I couldn’t even go on. Well, he can cut that part out.
(…)
The first part was good. The second part wasn’t much. I think we need to leave a blooper at the beginning.
(…)
There are so many bloopers. There could be a whole blooper reel of us. Exactly, yeah. That’s good though. So we either use–(…) What if there was a blooper reel at the end of the interview? So you know that I just showed you that laughing thing that he was doing. Who? In that video? Who was laughing? I just showed you. No, I don’t know what you’re talking about. Okay, never mind.
(…)
Either one of those or–
(…)
I just want to sing in this clip a little bit.(…) Whether it makes it in it or not.
(…)
The first look across the room, I’ll never be me.
(…)
As a friend for my number. Who was that? Who was that? You.
(…)
Maybe you shouldn’t get my phone number out. You ain’t got where it’s at, but it’s happening. You got my number in your phone.
(…)
Make it like, “What’s that thing?” What? I think you got a lot of stuff. What’s that thing? Talk about your lyrics. Go down the line of your lyrics.
(…)
What was your favorite song?
(…)
Always Remember from the E.G. Go down by the lyrics and talk about it. I mean, not necessarily.
(…)
Go down by the lyrics. The lyrics being, “First look across the room, you would be me and you.” From the photo shoot.
(…)
And then ask a friend for my number.
(…)
You giving out my number.
(…)
Maybe I don’t like this one. Yeah, I was going to say. Let’s do Promise Me.
(…)
Why are we doing Promise Me?
(…)
♪ Tidal eating for you ♪ Oh my gosh, that could be my intro. That could be my outro. Oh my gosh, what if it was like the outro and then be like, ♪ When I’ll always remember ♪ And then it’s like cut and then seen.
(…)
Well, you’re going to do it for me. He’s like, “Oh,(…) where can Natsby on Tennessee be?” ♪ Making plans every Saturday night ♪ ♪ Just like you ♪ ♪ And then where that Natsby on Tennessee ♪ ♪ When I let me home sweetheart ♪ I want a burger.
(…)
What?
(…)
Do you know how prime I’m at? It’s 10-05. Is it really? McDonald’s right now. Oh my God, I was supposed to go to the gym.
(…)
♪ You’re not to Tennessee ♪ ♪ We’ll always be home sweetheart ♪ Yeah.(…) ♪ For as if you know your name in mine ♪ He had carved into a tallau pine.
(…)
But it actually wasn’t because he didn’t carve his name into a tallau pine, I think. Instead, he actually… ♪ It was my first time ♪ ♪ Long time ago ♪ ♪ You’d be in the ♪ ♪ Sitting tight in my whole business ♪ I could go through Miss Tennessee. Miss Tennessee would be a good one. Okay, we’ll do it. Okay.
(…)
Twelve years later, I’ve got a man, Jack.
(…)
No, that’s not him.
(…)
No, it’s not Miss Tennessee. Cut. Everyone be saying this to this. Everyone said…
(…)
We’re not putting this in here.
(…)
You’re trying hard for mine, is it?(…) Yeah. The more you be giving? The more I give, he’d want me less.
(…)
Because he’s not ready to let real love in. Oh, this is not that song. You said Miss Tennessee. I was like, “It sounded wrong.”
(…)
You’d be growing up staring at that? Growing up staring at that screen.(…) Watching that touchdown school by my pain.(…) The Vols. Always been a fall fan. Since I was born, ride or die. Up by six, up by a teddy.
(…)
Singing old Rocky Top.
(…)
This is not funny. I don’t know why… Who did you see do this? And thought that it was cute.(…) Okay, well, walking through the lift… Not for this. Because that’s not what your girl is for.
(…)
That would be a cute YouTube video, though, to go line by line. Yes, and that’s what… What’s the thing called on YouTube where their logos are like a smiley thing? I don’t know. It’s yellow.
(…)
And they…
(…)
go down there?
(…)
Oh, lyric genius or whatever. I’m not…(…) Where’d it just go?
(…)
Then I cover everything. Should I do a little outro?
(…)
I’m Myrna Andriopoulos.
(…)
And welcome to my YouTube.(…) And I’m just getting started.
(…)
I’m kidding.(…) I’m kidding. That’s not cute. Well, I need an outro, though.
(…)
What should I say from outro? Like,(…) sign me your label. [COUGHING]
(…)
Catch up all my latest deeds at myronamedia.com. [LAUGHING] How can I be my label?(…) Oh.
(…)
I don’t know. What should my outro be? Just be like, “I’m Myrna Andriopoulos.” And I approve this message. Nope.
(…)
Now I’m skipping.(…) I don’t know.
(…)
[SINGING] Actually, I guess my outro could be me talking about, like,
(…)
how it changed my life, whatever, blah, blah, blah, blah, and then it goes, “Then I’ll always remember.”(…) And that cuts off. That’d be cute, huh? Do it. I don’t know.
(…)
Because I don’t know what outro.
(…)
[SINGING]
(…)
Why don’t you do it?
(…)
I wish I knew if I was performing at the opera, then I could say that.
(…)
I think I covered everything.
(…)
Is there anything you want to go through again?
(…)
I don’t know. I think I went through everything three times. Slow, fast,(…) medium speed.
(…)
[SINGING] You know, like, my name’s Myrna, and thank you for something. And I hope that blah, blah, blah– that’s kind of like an outro thing, right? I mean, you’re summing up the thing at the end and inviting them to explore more of what’s going on. So just say, like, “I’m Myrna.
(…)
Thank you for–” you say, “Thank you.” You’re like, “Again, I’m Myrna.” Oh, okay. I’m looking forward to blah, blah, or something along those lines.
(…)
Let me see how he ended it in there.
(…)
Um…
(…)
I don’t know.(…) Myrna?
(…)
Hmm.
(…)
[INAUDIBLE]
(…)
Or do you have, like, a quote that you go by every day that you kind of want to hand on?
(…)
You know what’s crazy? Like, my quote, like, when I first started music, was literally, “Always remember you’re beautiful and we’re stronger together.” And that’s crazy because I literally named my EP “Always Remember.” Oh, she– I just thought of that. That’s crazy.
(…)
I literally, like, called that three years ahead of time before I even released my EP. That’s insane.
(…)
Justice, what is this? I’m not–
(…)
That’s not cute.
(…)
I’m not doing that.
(…)
[INAUDIBLE]
(…)
Your girlfriend?
(…)
She is my ass.
(…)
Okay. I’m gonna show this to you 50 minutes later. I know. I can’t– See that one over here?
(…)
Okay.
(…)
So just say, like, again, I’m Myrna and I– Okay.(…) [INAUDIBLE] No.
(…)
I can’t wait to continue telling my stories and–
(…)
I don’t know.
(…)
Connecting through new music. And then you can break the wall by looking at the camera and saying something like, “And I hope you will be a part of my experience,” or something along those lines to try to make up one singular personal connection with the person that’s watching the video. Because if they see this, they’ve made it all the way to the end. That’s true. And they’re, like, die-hard fans or something. So you’re gonna really like– I should, like, end it with “always remember,” though, like, the– you know, like, saying, like, “when you’ll always remember.”(…) And then cut. Because that would be good. Because that would refer to my music.(…) You know? So, like, okay, so I can be like, “Again, I’m Myrna Angelopoulos,
(…)
and I can’t wait to tell– to continue telling my stories and connecting.”
(…)
With everyone, too, maybe.
(…)
And connecting–(…) Whether it’s music. With everyone. Whether or not it’s music.(…) Or whether it’s music.
(…)
No, because I need to lead into– Because you’re acting really good. Whether the songs that I write, the roles that I play. Yeah.
(…)
He gets what I’m– So then how do I– how do I word that, though? Just like he said? Okay. So–
(…)
Everything’s like, “You’re Rick, what you used to do?” Okay.(…) So, again, I’m Myrna Angelopoulos,(…) and I can’t–
(…)
Okay. And I can’t wait to continue telling my stories and connecting with so many. Should I say audience? So many others.
(…)
So many others. So many others. That makes no sense. So many.(…) So many others. And connect– Whether it’s through. Whether it’s through music,(…) the role– my music, the roles I play. [silence] But I hope you’ll be a part of my journey when you’ll always remember.
(…)
Ay! Yes! That’s it!(…) That’s it. That’s so good. That was so fire. Let me rehearse one more time. Okay. And when you say “you”– When you’ll always remember. You look at the camera and then look back at him. When you’ll always remember. So then there’s no, like, all these people or anything. It’s like, “I’m gonna connect with you.” That’s so good, Myrna. That’s so good. That’s so good. Okay, hold on.(…) So what did I say? Let’s back it up. So, again, I’m Myrna Andriopoulos, and I can’t wait to continue telling my stories and connecting with my audience, whether it’s through new music, the roles I play.(…) And I can’t wait for them to be a part of my journey. One you’ll always remember.
(…)
That was good. That was good. Can you do another one? That was really good. Anybody else want to say anything? Is when you were saying–
(…)
Can you be a little bit more– Yeah, I was kind of running– I was kind of joking, and then it kind of worked.
(…)
When you were, like, you know, connecting with other people, with so many other– I would say since we’re at the end,(…) it’s no longer about all the other people. It’s about the one person that’s sitting here watching your video. So, you know, you could just, you know, like– With you, you know, like– You’re talking to that person, because you’re close– This is the closer right now. Like, you’re closing the deal.
(…)
And so,(…) it would be really cool if at the end, you make that personal connection with the person that’s actually watching this thing. So what you did, like, was perfect. I would just modify the,(…) you know, about the audience. Like, don’t worry about the audience. Worry about that person that’s watching this right now, and then just make that glance, and then start looking in their eyes when you make those statements.(…) So anyway,(…) give it another whirl and see where it lands.
(…)
Okay.
(…)
Again, I’m Myrna Andriopoulos, and I can’t wait to continue telling my stories and connecting with you through–
(…)
Cut.(…) You’re not winding back. And when you mention you, like, really look at the camera, you can make like– Oh, you may say you this way? Yeah, yeah, yeah. But when you do the you thing, you’re only– You’re breaking that wall just for that one statement, and then you’re back looking at him again.(…) Because you know that the camera’s watching, you know there’s somebody– So you are being interviewed, but to break away from him and, like, single out the person that’s, like, watching the video and then going back to him, I think would, like, hook, you know, the person that’s watching it a little bit at the end there. Okay.
(…)
Again, I’m Myrna Andriopoulos, and I can’t wait to continue–
(…)
What did I say before? And I can’t wait to continue writing– Is that what I said? Oh, telling my story. Okay.(…) Again, I’m Myrna Andriopoulos, and I can’t wait to continue telling my story and connecting with you,(…) whether–
(…)
That did not sound good. Because I would literally say “you.”
(…)
Yeah. Oh, crap. I forgot about your hand.
(…)
I was going to say, because you could, like– Like you. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, yeah, all right. Yeah, as long as you don’t use the other hand. Yeah, that’s kind of–
(…)
Yeah,(…) that’s what I was trying to go for. Like, you’re actually kind of, like– You’re having fun. What about you put that left one in your pocket, just to see how it looks? I mean, don’t make that fuck awkward, but if one of them is kind of out, and then you can kind of turn your body the other way. Myrna, in your pocket. Is it not that?
(…)
Can you get it in there? Yeah. And just kind of, yeah, rest it. That looks stupid. It kind of does, yeah. What the crap do you want? But, I mean, close your elbows, just kind of make it look–
(…)
[Laughter] Like, yeah, like– Do you see what I’m saying? I just kind of– Connecting with you. Well, I look stupid.
(…)
Yeah, the only place where your hand works is right where you got it. Or like, I can do that.
(…)
[Laughter] Yeah, everything’s on its own arm. Yeah. Especially since it’s like the only shot that’s in that angle.
(…)
I just felt like connecting with you. Yeah, actually, you just did it. That’s all it takes. Yeah, it doesn’t need to be like some big thing, but you’re calling out the person that’s– You’re like saying, “Hey, thanks for watching this five-minute video.” So I should say that entire line towards this camera. No, no, you say everything to him, but when you mention your audience or whatever, you just say, “And you.” And then turn back to him. And then turn back to him. And then say, “And I hope you’ll be a part of my journey when you’ll always remember.” And then say that to the camera. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, because you’re talking directly. Perfect. And I hope you’ll be a part of my journey when you’ll always remember. Oh, that’s good, because then I’ll be like, “Oh, we need her on our label now.” Yes, that’s good. Okay. Okay, that’s good. Okay.(…) Ready?
(…)
Okay.
(…)
Here we go.
(…)
Again, I’m Myrna Andriopoulos, and I can’t wait to continue telling my stories and– Wait, what did I say? Continue telling my stories and connecting with you– Yeah.
(…)
Through– should I say through music and the roles I play? Whether it’s music or– Whether it’s music or– The roles I play. Okay.
(…)
Again, I’m Myrna Andriopoulos, and I can’t wait to connect–
(…)
Continue.(…) I know. That’s it.(…) Again, I’m Myrna Andriopoulos, and I can’t wait to continue to connect–
(…)
Here we go again.
(…)
Again, I’m Myrna Andriopoulos, and I can’t wait to continue telling my stories and connect with you, whether it’s through music or the roles I play.(…) And I can’t– Dang it.
(…)
I’m gonna set up again for the roles I play, and I hope you’ll be a part of my journey. Okay.
(…)
Again, I’m Myrna Andriopoulos,(…) and I can’t wait to continue telling my stories–
(…)
What did I say?
(…)
Oh.
(…)
Again, I’m Myrna Andriopoulos, and I can’t wait to continue telling my stories and connecting with you, whether it’s through acting–
(…)
Here I go. I messed up again.(…) That makes no sense. Why would I say that?
(…)
[growls]
(…)
Again, I’m Myrna Andriopoulos, and I can’t wait to continue telling my stories and connecting with you, whether it’s through the new music I write or the roles I play, and I hope you will be a part of my journey when you’ll always remember.
(…)
That was good.
(…)
That was good.(…) Now say that same thing, but just let it roll right off the top. Okay. Just just– Just shoot– Just go for it if you screwed up. Just the one– Just the last part, like the one you all are. Or the whole thing. Just help them with it.(…) Again, I’m Myrna Andriopoulos, and I can’t wait to continue telling my story and connecting with you, whether it’s through new music or the roles I play, and I hope you’ll be a part of my journey when you’ll always remember.(…) That was it. That was it.
(…)
[laughs] That was good. That was good.
(…)
Did you bump the camera? What? I don’t know.(…) The white is in there now. The what is? The little bit of the light.(…) Oh, that’s always been in there. You just haven’t seen it. I’m going to cut–(…) I’m going to battle around her, so it’s– [mimics a