INTERVIEW: Isabella Blake-Thomas Talks About ‘Secret Society of Second-Born Royals,’ Her Production Company, and New Music
Isabella Blake-Thomas is making a name for herself as an accomplished actress, singer, writer, producer, and advocate.
Blake-Thomas most recently starred as Princess January in Secret Society of Second-Born Royals streaming on Disney+. She’s made a name for herself on-screen for past roles in Once Upon a Time, Shameless, and Dr. Who. The actress started a production company with her mother Elizabeth, called Mother & Daughter Entertainment. They use the company to focus on making content that matters. Blake-Thomas is also known for her music. She released her debut EP in 2019. On top of all of that, Isabella is an official Ambassador of Suicide Awareness with Awareness Ties. Read our exclusive interview with Isabella Blake-Thomas below to find out more about Secret Society of Second-Born Royals, new music, the importance of voting, past roles, her writing, and more.
GLITTER: How did you get into acting? What was your first role?
ISABELLA: I started acting when I was four because I realized that being able to play different characters was a lot of fun. I liked the idea that you could do it all day long. My first role was the presenter on a kid’s TV show in the UK. It was called The Green Balloon Club. In most of the episodes, you can see that I’m really focused on what everyone else is saying, and sometimes I would move my mouth along with their lines. It was the first time I had ever been on camera. The director told my mum that they chose me because I was real, honest and very funny! You can watch my episodes and songs from the show on YouTube.
GLITTER: Favorite place you’ve traveled to?
ISABELLA: That would be Australia. I went to visit a friend of mine there (Olivia Deeble) for New Year’s last year, and I absolutely fell in love. I love the people, the energy, the places. It’s just stunning. I can’t wait to go back as soon as the world opens up again. We have a little slice of Australia in my home town of Hermosa called The Gum Tree. They make the best Chai Tea!
GLITTER: You’re currently living in Los Angeles; what is your favorite thing about the city?
ISABELLA: One of the things would be the different landscapes. For example, you can drive 2 hours east, and you’re in the desert, 2 hours north, and you’re in the mountains, and finally, you can be at the beach as well. And don’t get me started on the available food choices. I love food, and LA offers everything from South American to European from hot dogs to ice creams. My favorite meal is pumpkin tortelloni at Via Alloro in Beverly Hills.
GLITTER: Your latest project, Secret Society of Second-Born Royals, premiered on September 25th on Disney+. What drew you to the project?
ISABELLA: The relatability of the characters. I love how all the characters have different personalities and quirks. I love that their journeys to self-acceptance are all different, which means any person can connect with them through their own experiences.
GLITTER: What was your favorite part of Princess January’s story and character? Are you like Princess January in any way?
ISABELLA: My favorite part of her was her personal motivation. I love her reasoning behind everything she does; it’s all well thought out. She always knew why she was doing what she was doing. She doesn’t get pushed around by anyone, and she stands up for what she believes in. I’d say I’m like her in that way. I don’t get pushed around, and I definitely stand up for what I believe in. I’m a supportive friend who understands why people make the choices they make. I’m strong-minded and dedicated to anything I put my mind to. I’m also bubbly and sparkly the way she is.
GLITTER: Any behind the scenes stories you can share from filming?
ISABELLA: After filming, we would often hang out in each other’s rooms and get pizza, and if there was a basketball game on, we would watch that with each other too. Every morning we would grab a Starbucks before we got on the bus to take us to set. The funniest part of this was seeing all the cast from Zombies 2 as well! It felt like Disney had taken over the city.
GLITTER: What has the fan response to the film been like?
ISABELLA: It’s been fantastic. Everyone loves it. I keep getting comments about my character’s storyline because everyone loves my twist! I’m super grateful to everyone who has watched it and continues to watch it. This was a project that we all put our hearts and soul into and we wanted the audience to love the characters as much as we do.
GLITTER: You played Young Zelena in ABC’s Once Upon A Time; what was that experience like?
ISABELLA: A dream come true. I’d been in love with the show from a young age, and so when I booked it, I cried. I got to meet the cast when I was filming, and I was so happy. I got to spend time with all my favorite characters in person and got to know how kind and wonderful they were in real life. I also loved having magic. It’s always fun playing a character that has abilities that I don’t normally have.
GLITTER: What is your absolute favorite fairytale?
ISABELLA: The Princess and the Frog. I love Tiana because she’s your average, normal girl. She doesn’t come from a royal line, and she doesn’t have millions of dollars. She works hard for what she has and doesn’t take any nonsense from anyone.
GLITTER: You and your mother Elizabeth founded the production company Mother & Daughter Entertainment. What can you tell us about your production company? Do you have any projects currently in production?
ISABELLA: Mother and Daughter Entertainment was created when my Mom and I realized that the projects we were making had one common theme, “Making content that matters.” We decided to put together the production company because we wanted to give all of our projects an umbrella to be under. We have Mother and Daughter film, MD music, MD podcasts, and we are currently building our publishing division. We are working on a RomCom feature that will be released next year. My Mom is directing it, and I’m producing it and working on set in the crew. We have several projects to release in 2021 as well. It’s wonderful working with my Mom and creating projects that will have a lasting impact on people. I love writing as well as producing and I’m going to be directing a pilot I’m working on next year. To see all of our current projects, check out our YouTube channel.
GLITTER: First time you fell in love with music?
ISABELLA: I first fell in love with music when my Mom introduced me to musicals. She used to sing all the time, and I would join in. The first musical and probably the musical I’ve seen the most is Wicked. I am obsessed with the music from that show. I fell in love with writing music when I realized that it was an outlet for me to get out all my emotions that I didn’t know how to express. I then realized my music was having an impact on my listeners. I have used a lot of my music in movies as well. My latest single will be out by the end of the year.
GLITTER: What was the first song you listened to that moved you emotionally?
ISABELLA: The first song that moved me emotionally would have been “Peace by Piece” by Kelly Clarkson. The way she sings and the way the lyrics connected with me was unlike anything I’ve ever listened to before. I look up to Kelly Clarkson in many ways, and her music inspires a lot of what I do.
GLITTER: Your debut EP was released in 2019. What was that accomplishment like for you?
ISABELLA: It was incredibly nerve-racking. My music book is like a journal to me, so releasing the EP was like releasing my diary. I was incredibly nervous about how people would receive it, but I was lucky enough that everyone appreciated my honesty about my emotions. I’ve been working on new music constantly and I hope that when I release it all I have the same feedback I did for my first EP. I want people to be able to relate to my music no matter what situation they are experiencing in their life.
GLITTER: What message do you hope listeners of your music walk away with?
ISABELLA: That whatever you’re feeling, you’re feeling is okay. We all experience things differently, and just because one person experiences it in one way doesn’t mean your way is wrong. I want them to also know that everyone goes through these feelings in their life and they are not alone.
GLITTER: Your music was featured in your child-trafficking awareness short film, UNSEEN, which you also starred in. Tell us about that and what you hope viewers learned from it.
ISABELLA: Unseen was an incredibly important film due to its message. It was a way of educating its audience in a creative way to understand the purpose of the film, which is to address the role of technology in the facilitation of human trafficking and child exploitation. We all use social media constantly, and there are many dangers that we are not aware of. It’s available online, so please watch and share and please be careful when trusting the social media world.
GLITTER: What is your favorite thing about writing?
ISABELLA: For me, it’s about expressing myself. I love that when I write music or scripts, I am fully expressing myself on the page, and I am unapologetically and honestly me. It’s fun to create worlds and characters that are different from everyday society. Also, creating situations that appear normal, but that can be shown in a new exciting way.
GLITTER: What was the last thing you’ve written?
ISABELLA: I just finished writing the first episode of a TV show I’m working on and a new song that I am in the studio recording. That song will be out by the end of 2020, so I’m excited for everyone to be able to listen. I’m also rewriting a screenplay that will be ready to shoot next year.
GLITTER: You’re also a producer. What made you want to step into the role?
ISABELLA: I’ve always been fascinated with what happens behind the camera as well as in front of it. I love producing because even though I’m very creative, I have a very logistical head as well. I actually work as a first A.D. on most of our sets when I’m not acting. It’s important to understand every role on a film set when you’re in this industry.
GLITTER: What was the reasoning behind becoming an official Ambassador of Suicide Awareness with Awareness Ties?
ISABELLA: There have been a lot of people in my life who have lost their lives to suicide and so I became the ambassador of suicide awareness with awareness ties to let people know that it’s okay to not be okay. I wanted to be someone who people could reach out to if they needed someone to talk to. I don’t want people to feel that they are alone.
GLITTER: When did you get into golf?
ISABELLA: I got into golf when I was about four. It’s a sport I’ve always loved, and I still play when I can. I have a ritual at my course up the road from my house where after I play a round of golf, I buy myself an Arnold Palmer and a snickers bar! I enjoy the peace and quiet that you get when you are out on the course, and I also love the wildlife.
GLITTER: How old were you when you became a trained pilot?
ISABELLA: I’ve wanted to fly since I was very young, but I actually started taking lessons when I was 13. My Mom bought me my first flying lesson for my birthday that year. I’m getting my pilot’s license next year, and I’m very excited to be able to fly everywhere.
GLITTER: You’re fluent in French. Why did you choose to learn that language?
ISABELLA: My Mom has spoken French to me from a very young age because she always wanted me to be able to speak more than one language. I went to a bilingual school in England that taught French and English, and my best friend is actually French! It’s very useful to be able to communicate with my Mom when somebody else doesn’t speak French.
GLITTER: How do you stay healthy?
ISABELLA: I try staying healthy as best I can. I think we all do! It’s rather difficult when you like chocolate as much as I do, though. The way I stay healthy is by making sure I’m looking after the inside of my body as much as the outside. I eat vegetables and fruit, and I’m a vegetarian, but I also remind myself that it’s all right to eat chocolate when you’re craving it. Life is short so eat the chocolate! I paddleboard because I live on a boat, so that’s the easiest exercise. I also play tennis and walk as much as I can.
GLITTER: What do you look for when reading a script for the first time?
ISABELLA: I look for emotional arcs. When I am deciding whether I want to play a character, I look to make sure she is a) relatable, b) has an interesting story, and c) has depth. Another thing I look for is the storyline of the entire project. I am looking for something that catches my eye and is new and unique in some way.
GLITTER: Do you have a dream role you hope to do in the future?
ISABELLA: I would love to play Glinda if they make Wicked into a movie. She is my favorite musical character. I used to sing “Popular” all the time with my Mom. I love how bubbly Glinda is and how she loves sparkles and the color pink! I would also like to play Amelia Earhart. Strong female characters that have interesting stories are something I strive to write, play, and direct. I also like the idea of playing the young version of my favorite actresses like Kate Winslet. Being British also means I really enjoy period pieces. Getting dressed up and playing characters from different times.
GLITTER: Someone you’d love to work with in the future?
ISABELLA: I really want to work with Dustin Hoffman. He is my idol! I got to meet him a few years ago, and I was so happy. I cried for 30 minutes. I think he’s incredibly talented, and I hope one day to be as good at my craft as he is. I would also love to find an excellent story about a girl my age that I could play and have Helena Bonham Carter as my Mom.
GLITTER: Best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
ISABELLA: To keep going no matter the amount of “No’s” you get. In this industry, it’s very easy to get discouraged. Especially when you audition a lot, and the ratio of auditioning to booking projects is very, very low. I am fortunate because I love what I do so much. I love all characters, and I love getting to sink my teeth into a role, even if it is brief. My Mom always says to me, “if you don’t say anything, you can’t be quoted” it’s important to think about what we say. If each word was worth $10, would we all say as much as we do?
GLITTER: What was something you learned about yourself during quarantine?
ISABELLA: I really love being creative. I love having the time to play my guitar and piano and write music. I also love being able to write scripts! So having six months of my own time without auditions or travel or work has given me the fantastic opportunity to constantly create. I’ve had to be in charge of my own timetable and so it’s taught me to use my time well.
GLITTER: What was the last movie you watched?
ISABELLA: The last movie I watched was a documentary on JFK on Netflix and my Disney+ movie. I watch more TV shows than I do movies at the moment, but I’m trying to get into finding some good ones! I’ve added lots of documentaries to my list on Netflix, and I’m catching up on all the streaming services.
GLITTER: Last book you read?
ISABELLA: The last book I read was Bobbed Hair and Bathtub Gin by Marion Meade. It’s about female writers running wild in the 20s. It follows Zelda Fitzgerald, Dorothy Parker, Edna Saint Vincent Millay, and Edna Ferber. I love that era so reading the book made me feel like I was actually there.
GLITTER: What is one role you’ve done that will always be special to you, and why?
ISABELLA: That would have to be January in Secret Society of Second Born Royals. It will always be special to me because it was the first Disney movie I ever did! I had so much fun creating January and bringing her to life, and I worked so hard at it that I will never forget that experience.
GLITTER: One thing fans don’t know about you?
ISABELLA: How much I love food. My life revolves around my love of food. I am always thinking about new things I can try and make and cook and new places I can go to eat. I love cooking and snacking. Going to a grocery store when I’m hungry is lethal.
GLITTER: Favorite makeup product?
ISABELLA: My benefit brow kit. I love my eyebrows. I am obsessed with them. I work very hard at maintaining them! I love the brow gel from benefit and that detail pencil. The thing that takes me the longest when I do my make up is, for sure, my eyebrows.
GLITTER: How would you describe your day-to-day fashion?
ISABELLA: Relaxed and unapologetically me. I wouldn’t say I specifically have a style. My style is influenced by current trends and things that are being sold but overall, if it’s comfortable and I like it, I will wear it. I also love swapping and sharing clothes with my Mom.
GLITTER: Would you ever want to do Broadway?
ISABELLA: 1000%. I love musicals, and I would give anything to be in one. I love Hamilton, Wicked, The Color Purple, Matilda. I just love performing. I love the idea of being able to be a character every single night but to new people and getting to become that person for the run of the show.
GLITTER: Which character have you played in the past that you’d love to revisit in the future?
ISABELLA: There are two characters, actually. One of them is a character called Julie that I played in a movie when I was eight. I’ve always said I would love to see her as a teenager and what her life was like now. That film is called Little Glory, and it’s available online. The other character would be young Zelena. I really want to see what she is like as a slightly older teen and going through the high school age and discovering her magical powers more and more.
GLITTER: What is one message you hope your fans learn from you?
ISABELLA: That it’s okay to be yourself. I spent a very long time trying to “fit in “before realizing that the world would be boring if we were all the same. I’m not saying it’s easy to fully accept yourself, but life becomes easier when you do.
GLITTER: Glitter has a celebrity #SelfLoveCampaign. What does self-love mean to you?
ISABELLA: Self-love to me, means accepting yourself inside and out, just like you would someone else. It’s not about saying that every day you’re going to wake up loving every part of you because that’s just not realistic. What it is saying is that on the days you don’t feel comfortable in your own skin, it’s all right to say, “I don’t feel great today, but I am going to love what I can about myself” it’s important to acknowledge one thing every day that you love about yourself. Whether it is an item of your clothing, the way your makeup looks, the way your hair looks, as well as what’s inside. If we can acknowledge one thing about ourselves that makes us feel good, then it becomes a lot easier to love yourself fully.
GLITTER: How important do you think it is for voters to get out and vote this election?
ISABELLA: It’s very important. It’s important to use your voice. If you have it, you should use it. On top of that, vote for the people that can’t use their voice. Just because there are so many people in America doesn’t mean your voice doesn’t count. Every voice counts. Every voice makes a difference.
GLITTER: Any upcoming projects you can tell us about that are coming up next?
ISABELLA: I am working on new music in the studio at the moment that will be out at the end of this year. I will be filming something before Christmas and then something at the top of 2021, which will be out next year. I’m constantly working on new things, so definitely keep an eye out on my social media to stay up-to-date!
GLITTER: How can fans follow you?
ISABELLA: They can check me out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. My Twitter and Instagram user names are the same @isabella_b_t, and Facebook is just my full name Isabella Blake-Thomas. My music is available everywhere, and they can also check out my production company website, which is motheranddaughterent.com
Credits:
Styled by Lisa Cera and Tyler McDaniel, Crosby Carter Mgmt | Makeup: Andrew Toma | Hair: Andrew Toma
Look 1: Striped Collared Shirt and Short Sleeve Knit Top- Elisabetta Franchi | Earrings- M.C.L. Design | Gold Layered Necklace and Gold Geometric Bracelets- Lulu Dharma | Leather Shorts- Mangano | Love Tile Bracelet- The Sis Kiss | Ring- Isabellas own | Shoes- JF London
Look 2: Denim shirt- Elisabetta Franchi | Graphic T-Shirt- H&M | Headband- Stylists Own | Hat- Goorin Bros | Lips Bracelet- The Sis Kiss | Denim shorts-Levi’s | Shoes and Ring- Isabellas own
Look 3: Sweater- Rupert & Buckley | Earrings, and Necklace- The Sis Kiss | Denim Shorts- Elisabetta Franchi | Rain boots- Stylists Own
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