TRENDING

Olivia Sanabia knows what it's like to feel different—and that's what her newest original song, "The Train," is *all* about. "The song is kind of a personal journal entry, a peek inside my mind," the Coop & Cami Ask the World star shares with Girls' Life. "To be completely honest, these thoughts have been in my head for a long time, so I wanted to get them out there so other people can hear them and hopefully connect with them."

The actor and singer, 17, hopes that listeners won't just relate to feeling out of the mainstream, but take pride in who they are. "I've always felt different from my friends," Olivia confesses, "but the song is me embracing that and acknowledging it and realizing it's OK." She wants the message to resonate with her teen audiience—"you don't have to jump on the bandwagon with everyone else, you don't have to like the same things or do the same things." 

After three months of mulling over the lyrics and melodies, Olivia got in the studio to record (which, in typical 2020 fashion, was a greater challenge than usual): "[My producer] and I were able to get in the studio, and he went in the booth separate from the studio, so we were able to figure out how to record in a way that was safe for social distancing," she explains. "I'm so happy we were able to figure it out, because I felt like I was ready to give this song to people." 

Jam out to "The Train" rn: 

Want more Olivia? Check out our exclusive Q+A with the fabulous singer-songwriter...

GL: What artists inspire you?

Olivia: I'm one of those people who goes through phases of artists. Once I have a phase, the artist sticks with me for life. So I'll have several months where I'm only listening to Tori Kelly, or Christina Perry, or Selena Gomez or Hailee Steinfeld. Those are definitely my top artists. Lately I've been listening to Gracie Abrams. She has some amazing songs and such a vibe and unique essence to her—it's very specific but I love it so much.

GL: How'd you get your start in the industry?

Olivia: I was that performer kid—I loved singing and acting in front of people. I started singing when I was about two years old. My parents tell me that, at two, I started singing the full version of "Tomorrow" from Annie and I wouldn't stop.

When I was about six, I got into musical theater, and I just fell in love. I remember my first play—I was so nervous, but then I stepped out onstage and the nerves just kind of floated away. I felt a sense of being at home, like I belonged. Ever since then, I've just been chasing that feeling and that love of acting and singing. Creating my own music was always part of the plan, it was just a question of "when" rather than "if." 

GL: What's your process when it comes to writing music?

Olivia: I have notes in my phone filled with song ideas. I'm one of those people who will think of a melody or find a lyric idea or something on the piano I like, and I just need to record myself. I have a billion videos of me—terrible angle, no makeup, pajamas—but just running to the piano and filming it because I had an idea. 

GL: How did you spend your time in quarantine this year?

Olivia: This year, it's been so great to be home and just spending time with family. I'm doing more typical teenage things—driving, talking to friends, slowing down and reconnecting with hobbies. 

GL: Dream place to travel?

Olivia: New York is my favorite city, so I'd love to go back there and see friends I haven't been able to see in a while because of the pandemic. 

GL: What's your style been lately?

Olivia: I would say that I'm not very trendy. I like classic pieces, dressing a bit older than I am but in a mature sense. I just love sweaters, jeans, simple outfits. 

GL: Best advice for Girls' Life readers?

Olivia: Being confident is completely how you feel on the inside. It's about finding what makes you unique, what you care about, what your passions are, knowing you're kind to others—that's the most important thing. And then also what's super important is having goals, dreaming big, being determined and never giving up.

Images: @oliviasanabia

by Katherine Hammer | 11/25/2020