Multi-talented Olive O’Connell, a rising star in dance, acting, and hosting, reveals her strategies for navigating a demanding career in an exclusive Q&A. Overcoming early struggles with confidence, she credits her mother’s organizational support and a relentless drive to learn from both past and present legends for her success. From winning the prestigious Lacey Schwimmer Ballroom Project to interviewing Kerri Kasem, O’Connell emphasizes the importance of resilience, embracing challenges, and enjoying the journey. She aims to inspire the next generation by demonstrating that every setback is a step closer to success.
Photo Credit: Doreen Stone
Q: Mastering ballroom, hip-hop, and jazz funk requires immense dedication. What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your dance training, and how did you overcome them?
A: Confidence is key! This was something that I had to overcome – when I’m not confident, I’m not focused… This was a huge setback in my dance career, but I’ve learned how to work through it by remembering things that I’m good at and things that I made progress in before.
Q: Winning the Lacey Schwimmer Ballroom Project is a significant achievement. Can you describe that experience and what it meant to you personally and professionally?
A: Well, I’ve been going to Lacey’s Ballroom Project since I was seven years old, so personally, it meant a lot to me. I would say the professional aspect of it helps me grow in my dance career a lot.
Photo from Personal Collection [Olive with Lacey Schwimmer at the Lacey Schwimmer Ballroom Project]
Q: How do you manage the demands of your busy schedule, balancing school, dance, acting, singing, hosting, and community involvement?
A: I’m lucky because I have my mom who helps me organize my schedule. In order for me to organize my schedule, I have to prioritize it. I always try to use time that’s available to me in the most efficient way possible – if that means doing singing or warm-ups in the car while my mom is driving or memorizing lines at lunch it all helps me mange my schedule.
Q: Interviewing celebrities on the red carpet must be thrilling. Can you share a particularly memorable or insightful interview experience you’ve had?
A: Interviewing Kerri Kasem was amazing. I’ve always learned to study the people that came before you and respect them. So being able to interview Casey Kasem’s daughter who is also such a legend like her dad was so insightful.
Personal Collection
Q: If you could collaborate with any artist, living or dead, in any field, who would it be and why?
A: I always grew up with classic entertainers like Michael Jackson, Ella Fitzgerald, and Justin Timberlake. I was also a fan of Amy Winehouse as well, so I would love to collaborate with any of these legends. More current entertainers I would love to collaborate with would be Sabrina Carpenter, Taylor Swift, and SZA. They all have such unique styles.
Q: Many young people look up to you as a role model. What message do you hope to convey to other aspiring artists and community leaders?
A: I would say don’t be afraid to take risks and fall but always get back up and try again. Also make sure to enjoy the process because it’s just as important as the outcome.
Q: The entertainment industry can be tough. How do you handle rejection or setbacks, and what keeps you motivated?
A: I always try to remember that every “NO” just brings me closer to a “YES” and the work that I do is not just for me it’s for the next generation to come in and learn from us.
Q: Where can we follow you on social media?