Symonne Harrison is a force to be reckoned with. Since relocating to LA five years ago, the actress, singer, and social media sensation has been on a rapid rise to fame. "My life has changed so much," says the 16-year-old, who was brought up in Cleveland, Ohio. "This city motivates me and inspires me to hustle in my daily life. LA is an amazing place for creativity and social networking and offers many opportunities in this industry."
In this interview with The Teen Magazine, Symonne reveals her musical inspirations, exciting plans for the future, and the key to being successful as an influencer.
Photo by Talia Claire
Born To Perform
Symonne's journey into the limelight began at an early age: she started performing at the age of three and launched her acting career at just seven-years-old. "I was always super passionate about entertaining others," she says, "I just always knew since [being] a young child that acting is what I was meant to do."
And this year, those childhood dreams were achieved as Symonne landed the main role of Molly in Brat TV's popular web series, Crown Lake. "Crown Lake had an amazing storyline," she says, "I loved Molly’s character and felt connected to her once I read the script. I was excited to be cast amongst a great cast, director, and crew."
"Being on set is like Christmas day for me. It’s my favorite place to be. The excitement of being a part of a story and bringing a character to life is truly magical."
But she says one of the highlights of her career so far was an appearance on another show - the Nickolodeon series, Hot Mess. "Watching Nickelodeon as a kid and then getting to be on a Nickelodeon show and get slimed was a fun dream come true," she laughs.
Keeping It Real
Initially, Symonne joined social media to document her journey from Ohio to LA, and to "keep in touch with family and friends back home".
Nowadays, it is fair to say she is posting to a much larger audience: with 3.3 million followers on TikTok and 1.1 million subscribers on YouTube at the time of writing. And she believes the key to this success revolves around one key principle: authenticity.
"I always believe in being authentic and I do show my real life, not just the good days, but I also share when I’m not having the best of days too," she says, "So I think it’s important to give my supporters positive posts but also let them know we are all human and we all have great moments as well as difficult times in life. It’s all on the way you handle each situation and know that tomorrow can be a new day and a fresh start!"
Although with this level of fame, she admits there are also challenges to overcome: “Being in the public eye brings a lot of positive support, but there will always be people out there that also want to criticize and be hurtful. I try to focus my energy on the amazing and kind supporters versus the few haters that spread negativity.”
Making Music
“I love music so I tend to pull a lot of inspiration from various artists,” Symonne says, “I love Billie Eilish, Kid Laroi, Conan Gray, Tate McRae, Justin Bieber.”
This July, her second original song - Hollywood Dream - was released in collaboration with her now former boyfriend, the influencer Nick Bencivengo. "Hollywood Dream was inspired by going through a very public relationship," she explains, "It is sometimes hard being in the public eye and balancing your private life. The lyrics were based on having a significant other give you strength and joy and being by your side when the cameras are rolling but also especially when the cameras are not on."
The Future
Despite having already achieved so much in her 16 years, it is clear that the Symonne Harrison story is still only just beginning. But what does she hope to achieve in the next chapters of her career? “I have a couple of projects in the works that I am unable to talk about just yet,” she teases, “but I’m super excited about them.”
“I want to release more music and continue to write more original songs,” she adds, “[and] I’m hoping for more amazing acting roles to come!”
10 Quick Q's With Symonne
1) Which TV or film series would you love to appear in?
I’m slightly obsessed with real estate and the Netflix series, Selling Sunset.
2) If your friends had to give you an award, what would it be for?
The cleanest room award - I love having a clean and organized bedroom and a meticulous closet!
3) What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I love hanging out with friends, going to amusement parks, and just having fun.
4) When you’re looking for feedback on a performance, who’s viewpoint do you trust the most?
My parents are always my go-to for everything, including feedback. I especially rely on and trust my manager for feedback on auditions etc.
5) What is your go-to karaoke song?
We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together by Taylor Swift
6) What is your favorite funny story to tell at parties?
The first time I ever went to a red carpet event in Hollywood, I fell and face-planted in front of my favorite celebrity.
7) Is there something you wish you had never posted on social media?
My old YouTube videos from when I was 11 years old - haha!
8) Who would you love to collaborate with in the future?
I love meeting other actors and influencers. I love to collab with other influencers.
9) If you could go back in time and tell your five-year-old self one thing, what would it be?
I would tell my 5-year-old self to keep dreaming big, work hard, and set goals and your dreams will come true!
10) What advice would you give to someone aspiring to be an actor or influencer?
Always believe in yourself. There is only one of you, so be unique, stand out and be authentic. Never ever give up!
Keep Up With Symonne
If you want to stay up-to-date with all of Symonne's latest content, be sure to check her out on Youtube, Instagram, and TikTok. You can also find Symonne's brand new clothing line at ennomys.com
