Daire brings her powerful tools and skills to the music game
Photo Credit: Ryan West
Stylist: Veronica Graye
Hair/MUA: Gabriela Banda
To achieve goals in life it is always necessary to have some kind of experience or develop any type of expertise. One may assume that being just 15 years old gives you little chance of mastering anything, but that is until you meet Daire McLeod. This 15-year-old girl is not just getting experience and expertise but at the same time she is becoming, step by step, a well-known name in diverse areas of the artistic world, such as music, acting, and writing. In her spare time, Daire is also a lover of volleyball and sports in general because she also has enough wisdom to know that to enjoy what you do, you have to have fun. In her own words: "Because life is too short not to have fun!"
Living by her mantra, 'Daire to be different,' multihyphenate breakout star Daire McLeod has manifested her dream as she stars as ‘Charli Allen’ in the reboot of the Emmy award-winning series “Ghostwriter” coming to Apple+. Daire joins the all-new cast for Season 3 which premieres October 21. Prior to “Ghostwriter,” Daire can be seen in several short films and numerous musical theater productions, and most recently she can be seen in “Mysteries At The Museum,” “Coop and Cami: Ask The World” and “Danger Force.”
Daire brings her powerful tools and skills to the music game: resilience, mental strength, and tenacity. With a soft and sweet voice, the ability to write her own songs, and play a variety of instruments along the first few steps in music production, she enters the studios with a personal story loaded with some of the best music ever made, as she herself mentioned in an interview: "I was listening to Mozart in the womb."
This young girl is quite ambitious and not only because she's making a career in the music industry, but she's also acting and even writing various works of her own. In fact, one of her greatest passions and hobbies is reading, making it one of her most ambitious goals to star, direct, and write her own movie.
Born in Texas, Daire McLeod is the daughter of an 80's rock singer father and an elite volleyball player/entrepreneur mother. Because of her parents' adventurous spirit, Daire was taught at a young age to try everything and never be afraid to shine. From surfing in Hawaii to chasing fairies in Scotland to learning Karate and breaking boards to horseback riding, Daire explored numerous activities as a curious child—hunting for the one she loved most. At the very young age of five, when she was performing on stage at a kindergarten talent show, Daire found her calling—to use her imaginative talents to make people smile or feel a little better just for a while.
Daire began acting and singing in local musical theater productions and quickly realized that she wanted this to be more than a hobby. With the support of her parents, Daire spread her wings and flew to New York at the age of ten to audition for Broadway plays, sing in cabarets, and begin dance training which would later morph into a love for hip-hop. She then landed in Los Angeles, further pursuing her calling as an actress—making impact wherever she went, winning the hearts of casting directors, fellow actors, and coaches, including her mentor, Jack Turnbull.
And although life is just beginning for her, everything seems to indicate that the future will be bright and full of success for this talented and focused girl from Texas.
Lately, you have been involved in plenty of projects, from acting to songwriting, and even writing books or screenplays. What is your secret for time management?
My secret is to remember why you’re doing those activities in the first place. Sometimes, when I’m writing a song for three hours or knee-deep in my fifth hour on a script at two am, it can feel like I’m not getting anywhere or I’m just stuck. I counteract this by setting my computer or pen down, taking a deep breath, and reminding myself why I love doing what I do. It instantly refreshes my mind and motivates me to keep going because the minute you start looking at something like it’s an obligation, it won’t be enjoyable anymore. When it comes to things I keep trying to put off, that strategy doesn’t really work for me. However, when it comes to procrastination, I always find that when you try to beat yourself, it makes you a million times more motivated. When you beat yourself, you’re finally doing that one thing you’re always saying “it’s fine; I’ll get to it later!” You challenge your mind to do it now instead of putting it off. That makes the harder stuff a little easier when it’s a competition between your past self. I always give myself an imaginary trophy when I beat myself!
From all the activities and skills you are developing, which is the one you considered your favorite?
It’s super hard to pick a favorite! All my creative outlets help me digest and create the world I want to live in. People have always asked me if I would rather be an actor or a singer, a book writer, or a screenwriter. What I tell them all is, “why choose!” If you limit yourself to one thing, how can you possibly know what you’ll excel at or even love the most? We, as people, evolve and change. Growth is a part of our human nature. When you limit your growth by not thinking the “impossible” thoughts, you shut yourself off from doing things you never dreamed about. Don’t limit yourself because you can do big things when you choose to dream big!
During the writing process, how are you sure when a product is ready to go?
I think it’s all up to personal interpretation. I may think a story is perfect in every way, or the best story premise might not be someone else’s cup of tea. However, it's all about writing what makes you happy! Sometimes when I write stories, I really want the entire world to see them. Other times I just want to keep some to myself. I believe a product is ready to go when you think it’s ready. As soon as you read it and go, “I’m really proud of this, and I want people to know my name is behind this,” you should share it with the world! If you have an idea, a story, or a script that you are super passionate about, then don’t let anyone tell you differently.
In music, what are your influences?
My parents always taught me to appreciate all forms of music. When I show people my playlists, they wonder if I hacked into other people's phones and stole their playlists. I was exposed to music before I was even born! Seriously I was listening to Mozart in the womb! With time and more life lived, I grew to appreciate music even more. I went from listening to the 80’s hair-metal like AC/DC, Guns and Roses, Van Halen (with David Lee Roth) with my dad. I listened to classic jazz/soul singers like Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, and 90s grunge classics like Soundgarden, Alice In Chains, Nine Inch Nails, and The Cure with my mom. New wave, Classical, Indie, Country, and everything in between! For my newest single “Hey Honey” I definitely tapped into my southern songwriting side. My country cousins and I always have family get-togethers, and when we do it's always karaoke, going out on the lake, riding four-wheelers, and we have the best time. So this song was heavily inspired by the soundtrack for those days, Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, Dolly Parton, Lady A, and more. However, some of my biggest inspirations in general are kinda all over the place! My biggest inspirations are Halsey, Post Malone, Aretha Franklin, Amy Winehouse, Joan Jett, Prince, Yaz, Taylor swift, Lana del Rey, Queen, and Depeshmode, just to name a couple. (Like I said, my love for music is everywhere!)
Let’s talk about acting. Do you have a role model to follow when developing a character?
I don’t have an exact role model for my process of developing characters. However, there are a lot of actors I look up to. Some of my favorite actors are Tina Fey, Mindy Kaling, Melissa McCarthy, Jim Carey, Robin Williams, and all of my co-stars on Ghostwriter (of course, I had to give everyone a shout-out cause they are AMAZING). When I develop a character, I create a whole world for that person. One of my favorite ways to develop a character is to create a playlist for them! I think music can show a lot about a person. It can show what kind of mood they’re in, what they like, and even their outlook on life! So I created a seven-hour playlist for my character Charli in Ghostwriter, which I would listen to on the way to set each day. I also love the research side of acting. I get to learn about things I may not have known before. When approaching a role I create a likes and dislikes page, a playlist, research, and, most importantly, I have fun with the character. Because life is too short not to have fun!
What are you working on at the moment?
I’m currently working on writing some new scripts! I’ve started one that’s like Gilmore Girls meets the Goonies, one about a secret coven of witches, and a LOT more ideas in the works, so stay tuned to see a “Daire to Dream Production” near you soon! I’m also delving even deeper into my love for music by learning how to produce. I’ve already started developing several songs that will hit the airwaves in the future! I’m also expanding my charity called “Daire 2 Read”. Reading has been a love of mine ever since I was young enough to walk. I believe reading is a true superpower because it can take you anywhere. Books have the power to inspire, teach, and most importantly, they can give some hope. However, I recently learned not everyone has access to the magic of books, so I wanted to change that. “Daire 2 Read” has a mission to put a book in the hands of any child who wants one. Because when we can inspire hope, we create a hopeful world.
In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge of being an artist?
I think remaining true to yourself is the hardest thing anyone can do. So when you have to stay true to yourself despite possibly thousands of other people saying otherwise, that becomes even more difficult. When you create a show, a movie, a song, a book, and/or any creative work, you subject something that’s a part of your heart and soul to endless love or brutal criticism. What helps me power through is my motto in life; Daire to be Different! This means despite the obstacles and opinions of others, you remain true to who you really are. Why go through life if you aren’t the beautifully weird you’re born to be! When you hide your light under a bushel (yes, I’m using this little light of mine, lol), you don’t let the world get to experience the magic of you. By continuing to be the unique and beautiful person you are, you can be a light that’s impossible to put out.
What kind of activity helps you to disconnect from a busy day and keep your mind clear and curious?
When I need to unwind from my day, I always find a really good book to be my best bet! I love cuddling up on the sofa with a blanket, hot cocoa, and one of my cats beside me. What completes it is a cozy fire when it's actually cold out! I love when I spend time watching movies with my parents because it's always nice to be around some of the people you love most. Other times when I’m feeling super chill, I’ll put on some of my favorite movies or shows, eat chocolate chip cookie dough, and be chillin’ like a villain. Sometimes the best way I can unwind is by going and hanging out with my friends. Whether we have a fun night out or my bestie and I just talk and eat ice cream! Finally, I love going on trips with my family. Whether it’s to the mountains and skiing or a sunny tropic, that’s definitely my favorite way to disconnect. (Usually, I end up with a good book at some point too!)
You’re passionate about writing. What is your favorite time of day to work on a book or screenplay?
I usually write when the inspiration hits. Sometimes I’ll be at a restaurant or crowded place when I see something inspiring. Other times I’ll listen to a song and start creating off of that. I find that my imagination runs rampant after one little spark. So when I see something that motivates me, I’m usually up until midnight writing about it. However, I am more of a night owl, so if I had to give a favorite time to write, I would say nighttime!
Which musician would you like to collaborate with?
There are so many musicians I aspire to collaborate with because I admire them so much! I’d love to do a “Hey Honey” remix with Kenny Chesney singing with me. I think my country cousins would actually PASS OUT if that happened. I’ve always dreamed of opening for Taylor Swift and collaborating on a song. If I got the chance to sing with Taylor Swift on a giant stage in front of millions of people, I don’t think I’d be able to stand. I would have loved working with Amy Winehouse, Chris Cornell, and Prince. I want to work with Lana del Rey because she is a brilliant songwriter and vocalist. I want to work with Adam Lambert because talk about a vocalist with POWER. Anything with Depeshmode would be a dream come true. Finally, I’d love to work with Post Malone because of his awesome production (bonus if I get to go to his Utah house)
Do you get nervous when performing? How do you handle your nerves in front of an audience?
For me, imagining people in their underwear does NOT work. So in my opinion, don’t do that. What works best for me is all about preparedness. I was a big musical theater actress since I was four or five years old, and musical theater is all about live performance. In live theater, if something goes wrong, you don’t get the opportunity to do it again. You must be quick on your feet and ready to cover if someone forgets a line or a prop goes missing. However, this prepared me to deal with nerves because if you can deal with the most unexpected setback, you can do anything! I remember my first opening night as a lead I was so nervous because I had only done one show where tickets were sold. I took a deep breath and told myself “You’re prepared as you can be for this moment; no matter what happens, give it your all.” That mindset has affected me ever since. When you actively make the choice to believe in yourself, trust in your preparation, and remember why you perform, you completely forget you were even nervous in the first place. I believe that a certain amount of nerves are a good thing. (as much as it sucks sometimes!) Nerves are a sign that you care about what you’re doing and want to do well. Butterflies are also like a battery in your chest! When you can harness that energy and use it in your performance, you can make the most out of those nerves! I love performing live because I get to see how my performance affects people in real-time. When you can make an audience laugh, cry, dance, and clap, you know that you’re doing what it means to be an entertainer; you’re changing lives for the better, and that’s what it's all about!
If you were not acting or singing, what do you think you would like to do for a living?
That's a tough question! I’d probably be a writer because reading is incredibly important to me. I love telling stories and creating worlds! I’ve been telling stories since I was three years old. My friends and I would play imaginary games all time when I was super little. We’d be warrior princesses one day and then dragon slayers the next! I love that writing allows me to find those stories, write them down, and share them with others. Another thing I’d do is go back into Volleyball. Every single woman on my mom's side of the family played volleyball at some point, and I am no exception. I played club ball at about eight or nine and was on my school's volleyball team. I really enjoy playing, so I’d probably delve back into volleyball. However, I think the biggest prospect if I wasn’t acting or singing would be to become a lawyer! I actually promised myself that even though singing and acting are what I want to do with my life, I want to go to college and get a law degree. Law is a degree you can use in every profession, especially entertainment. I really want to go to Harvard, like Elle Woods. I’ll be Legally Brunette instead!
How is a perfect day, in your opinion?
A perfect day for me can vary. Some days a perfect day for me is being on set with amazing cast members doing something I love. Afterward, we eat at a beautiful restaurant we’ve never been to before and then go home to watch Grey’s Anatomy. On other days a perfect day is when I get to be with my best friend on a trip to a place we’ve never been. We explore together, go shopping, and enjoy the beauty wherever we are. Sometimes a perfect day is doing absolutely nothing at all! I think the idea of a perfect day is hard to define for me because every day is another day I get to experience something new. Somedays, I like better than others, but even the ones I don’t like as much, I can still find I truly enjoyed them. I try and find the moments that matter in the day and count the yeses! Because every day can be an amazing day if you make it!
14- Can you give us updates about your new album or new projects?
The next single of mine is on the way! The song is called “Learn To Count!” It’s a lot more indie pop feel with all the base and crazy stuff going on. We are currently in production, but it will be out soon! After “Learn To Count!” I will begin creating my debut album, which will be a self-expression of all of the music I love to listen to. Speaking of singing, I really want to work on a project where I can express my love for acting, dancing, and singing simultaneously! I’ve always loved Glee, so if anyone needs a Rachel Berry type, sign me up! I want to be a girl power superhero to inspire other girls to be their own heroes and let them know they can do anything. I want to be in a dramatic project to show off some of my dramatic flare. One of my life goals is to play an iconic character they make a Halloween costume of! Mostly so I can go as myself for Halloween one year. I’m also going to continue writing my own projects so I can be the youngest person to star, direct, and write my own movie! Finally, I’m going to keep dreaming big and chasing those dreams because my dream is just getting started!
MEET THE AUTHOR
Mariana González – Venezuelan journalist
I am interested in novelty, talent and creativity. I put my lyrics at the service of those who genuinely strive to build an alternate narrative about the common and humdrum. Rival Magazine has been the open window to put a face on emerging talent.