With her latest single release, Elle Winter is taking one more step into the world of music.

The 18-year-old singer-songwriter, who was discovered by Radio Disney at the age of 12, is paving her way into the entertainment industry as a rising star.  She’s worked on music with top-level producers, acted with Elle Fanning in the film Three Generations, and has even more movies and music to come in 2018.

Everly Mag talked to Elle about her passion for music, who inspires her, her love of acting, and her latest single: “One More.”

Everly Mag: How did you get your start in singing and find your passion for music?

Elle: My family says I started singing and talking at the same time! I always loved listening to music and performing for anyone and everyone who would listen! I grew up listening to Britney Spears, Avril Lavigne, [and] Black Eyed Peas.  I knew every word to all their songs!  I used to love jamming out to Avril’s “Sk8r Boi” and “Complicated” – I was obsessed! It’s funny that I have this passion for music, given that no one in my family is a musician.

Everly Mag: What was it like when you got discovered by Radio Disney?

Elle: I auditioned for Radio Disney’s Next Big Thing when I was 12 and I remember being extremely excited and nervous!  I remember on the drive over to their offices, I was so anxious that my Uber driver told me to get out of the car and do my audition for him on the street!  Before this opportunity, I was signed to an agent and working on projects in NYC, but the Radio Disney opportunity took my career to a whole new level, and it all happened very quickly. I got the call that I had gotten a spot on the show, and I suddenly was thrown into a nationwide tour, singing my original songs for a whole new fan base. It was a dream came true.

Everly Mag: Which musical artists inspire your work?

Elle: The musical artist who inspires me most is Bruno Mars. I find him [to be] a true artist and entertainer. He is so talented and his energy is contagious. I am also really inspired by Ed Sheeran. I find him brilliant. He writes such beautiful songs, that are so unique and real. I also love Cardi B, she is unapologetically herself and I admire that.

Everly Mag: Tell us about your process.  How does an idea become a full song release or a music video?  How long does the process take?

Elle: My process has changed throughout the years as I have matured into a complete singer-songwriter. For this new music project that I began working on last year, I have been completely involved in the songwriting process and involved in the creation of the music from its inception. I really wanted this project to reflect me in the truest light and tell my stories. I have worked on this project with a variety of producers and other songwriters.  If I’m meeting a producer or songwriter for the first time, we will spend time together at the beginning of a session discussing songs, vibes, [and] artists I am drawn to, what I am feeling and dealing with at the moment, and what I want to write about and sing.

A song can be created in three hours or three days. Sometimes a song gets started and finished at another time.  Once the song is recorded I sit down with my team to decide if it is a record I want to make my own and perform and/or release. If so, a record is usually then worked on by the producer to finish the track and mix the record.  For my new single “One More”, I wrote it over several days with a producer and another songwriter in the U.K. Because I plan to release this record, we have also created a music video that will be released at a later time. I shot the music video this past week in Los Angeles with a great team.

Everly Mag: Besides singing, you’ve also branched into the world of acting.  Tell us about some of your recent roles and what you love about acting.

Elle: In Three Generations, I played Elle Fanning’s love interest while she was transitioning from a girl to a boy. It was an incredible project to be a part of, given the caliber of talent and the important story it brought awareness to.   I also played the lead with Kylee Russell from Disney’s Zombies in a 2016 short film about girls who code called Code Red.  I most recently played a young Shelly Hennig in After Party, a Netflix film scheduled for release June 2018.

I love acting because I love telling stories and connecting with others. In my life I love meeting new people and learning about them and finding ways we can connect, even when we are so different.  I think that is why I love taking on different characters, because it requires this level of empathy and interest in others. A movie role requires the actor to become their character by finding ways to connect and relate to how that character feels and why they make the choices they do. Being a different person than yourself on a movie project can be challenging but exhilarating at the same time. Movies allow stories to be told and give audiences the ability to get lost in those stories.

Everly Mag: Tell us about your latest single, “One More.”  What inspired the song?  What do you hope listeners experience when they hear this song?

Elle: I wrote “One More” in London last October.  During that time, I was going through my first breakup, but I wasn’t ready to write about it yet and I also didn’t want to bring that negative energy to my first studio session in London Town! So, this song was inspired by my sister, who called me my first morning in London to tell me about a date she had the night before. She told me what a great feeling it was to meet someone that you really feel connected to and like so much.

I wrote this song about how randomly we can meet people and feel like they really could be the one and that it was destined for you to meet at that exact moment, the “right place, the right time”, these “sliding door” moments that alter your destiny. (“Sliding Doors” is actually an English movie about one’s destiny). Since writing this song, I have also experienced that feeling of hope and excitement you get after meeting someone you really like and it blows my mind how things really do happen for a reason!

“One More” has a dance, pop feel and even has some trap elements in it. “One More” is special to me because it not only discusses a concept I’ve wanted to articulate for a while now, but it is very refreshing. I think it is unique and fun and filled with nuances; every time you listen to it, you will hear a new element that you may not have noticed before.

Everly Mag: Outside of singing and acting, what do you like to do in your free time?  What are your hobbies and passions?

Elle: I enjoy fitness, staying active, traveling, and reading! I am very curious and am always eager to learn something new. A cause I am passionate about is putting an end to gun violence. It makes me sick to hear countless stories of people who can no longer feel safe in these spaces that are meant to inspire and expand the mind, like concerts and schools.

I am passionate about gender equality. I am extremely close with my sister and my mother, and being surrounded by such incredible, strong women definitely inspires me to stand up for what I believe in and never allow myself to be taken advantage of. I hope [that] with my music, I can empower other women.

Everly Mag: Describe your personality in 5 words.

Elle: Energetic, positive, kind, creative, curious.

Everly Mag: What are the 5 most important things in your life?

Elle: Family, friends, music, exercise, food.

Everly Mag: What are your hopes and dreams for the future of your career?

Elle: My main goal as an artist is to inspire, motivate, and bring joy to people through my music. Music brings me so much happiness and I really hope I can help others heal, have fun, and enjoy their lives when listening to my songs, the way I feel when I listen to some of my favorite artists sing about their stories.

Everly Mag: Finally, is there anything else you’d like our readers to know?

Elle: I hope you download and enjoy my new single “One More”! There is a lot more new music following this song and I can’t wait to share it with everyone. I am excited for where this journey takes me!

Find Elle Winter on IMDB, Instagram, and YouTube.

If you liked this article, you might also enjoy reading:

• Interview: Dancer Sarah Reasons
• Interview: Dancer and Singer Tate McRae
• The Top 5 Songs We’re Loving this Week

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Feature Image Credit: Elle Winter via Instagram