EXCLUSIVE: Darci Lynne Talks New Movie, “A Cowgirl’s Song”, “A Cowgirl’s Song” Concert, & More

Tomorrow, April 22, the next movie in the Cowgirls N’ Angels series, A Cowgirl’s Song will be released on Vudu and we got the chance to speak with one of the stars of the new movie, Darci Lynne.

Fans of America’s Got Talent will remember Lynne from when she competed, and won on the 12th season of the hit show. During our chat with the star, we talked the new movie, her upcoming A Cowgirl’s Song in Concert event, her work ethic, and so much more. Check out what she had to say below.

Let’s jump right in and talk about your new movie, A Cowgirl’s Song. You make your acting debut in this movie, so tell me how you got involved in this movie?

“Funny story. I originally auditioned for the main character, but they just thought I’d be a little too young. So, they ended up giving me the little sister [Brooke], and I was pumped. I’m so excited. It’s a feel-good story about a teenage girl, just trying to find her confidence in her music. But my character has a little side story. She’s an injured barrel racer. She’s trying to find her confidence to get back up on the horse. It’s just a good story about gaining that confidence back when you’ve been beaten down and finding that. So, I love it.”

Did you know much about the Cowgirls ‘N Angels series before jumping into the movie?

“Yeah. I had watched the movies, and I watched Bailey Madison in the ones she did, and she’s so talented. And so, I was like, ‘This is so cool. The fourth installment. I wonder how many we’ll do. Maybe there’ll be another one.’ But yes, I have watched them before, and they’re great movies.”

Compared to the first films in the series, would you say makes A Cowgirl’s Song different from the rest?

“Oh, the biggest difference is that this one is totally a musical movie. There’s so much music incorporated into it, and that’s part of why I wanted to be a part of this because the music is so special. The Imaginaries band, Shane [Henry] and Maggie [McClure]. They’re a husband-wife duo band. They wrote all the music for the soundtrack, and they’re good friends of mine. So, when I found out they were going to be on this project and producing it, I was so excited. And then, that’s when I got to write a song for the soundtrack with them. It was so fun to explore songwriting in this project, too. And so, that’s a huge part of it, and that’s why it’s different to the other ones.”

You got to film in your home state of Oklahoma. How exciting was that?

“Oh, I was so excited when I found out it was being filmed here. It was such a good, first-movie experience because I filmed it here. It was in my home, and it felt so good. The atmosphere was so supportive, and I could just totally see myself doing this more often. It was a blast.”

Now, how far from your actual hometown were you from filming?

“It was about an hour drive, so it really wasn’t too bad at all. It was in Chickasha, Oklahoma. And it’s the most adorable little town ever, but yeah, it was not too bad of a drive.”

What would you say was the biggest thing you learned from your first feature film?

“Oh, my gosh. Well, I learned a lot. Just the little nitpicky things about filming and everything and how it works. But there were just so many things where I was like, ‘Okay, so that’s how that works.’ Even just like moving around in a shot. There was this one way you could walk where it’s called bananaing. You would make a banana where you go straight and then turn. It’s so many little things that have titles and labels. I’m like, ‘What?’ But it was so fun.”

But what was the biggest thing you learned?

“The biggest thing I learned. Oh. To just have fun, honestly. The cast was so great. We all got along so well together. And to, honestly, just to be confident because I found myself being a little nervous because it was my first time. But to be confident and know that you can do it. So, that’s probably one of the biggest things I learned.”

You got to co-write a song that is featured in the movie. What was that like?

“The song is called ‘Just Breathe.’ I really, really took inspiration from my character, Brooke, her story, and her journey throughout the movie because my character, she was in a car crash and permanently injured her legs, which made it super difficult for her to ride the horse and barrel race, what she loves to do. And it just got away from her and she distanced herself from it and just built a wall because she’s scared, and it’s going to be different. And so, I wrote ‘Just Breathe’ and based it off her. It’s just that journey of being kicked down and realizing, ‘Okay, you know what? I just got to trust myself and to trust my heart and remember what I got to do and then gain that confidence back.’ And so, I really love that I got the opportunity to write a song for Brooke, and it just so much fun. But I love collaborative writing, so writing with other people is just a blast, so much fun.”

How did the songwriting process for this song compare to your own songwriting process?

“I don’t know. Honestly, I would say I love writing by myself because it’s just kind of an inner experience, and I love writing poetry. That’s how I write a lot of my songs, I write a lot of poems, and they turn my poems into songs. When I write with Maggie and Shane, they’ve been writing for years, and I’m super new to this. I only started two years ago, so it’s fun to see their perspectives on everything and to have different influences into one song, because we all have a different perspective on Brooke’s story. And it’s so fun to just see everyone’s different ideas. But I would say it’s definitely different writing for another person instead of just writing what comes out me.”

Were you able to relate to Brooke’s story?

“I do relate to Brook’s story in a way because in a way it’s super universal. It’s, honestly, just telling yourself it’ll be okay. And you just got to breathe. It’s so universal. So, I definitely relate to it in a way.”

Did you write the song before you started work on the movie or did you guys write it as you were working on the movie?

“We wrote it as we were working on the movie. It was more towards the end of filming when we decided, ‘You know what? I would love to write a song for Brooke,’ and they loved the idea, too. And so, we started working on that, and I came to them with a couple lyric and melody ideas, and then we just ran with it.”

I love that you basically pitched the idea!

“Yes. I don’t know. I was like, ‘Oh, it would be so much fun.’ I just felt like we needed to shed light on Brooke’s story because it’s a really good story.”

Was there a certain point in filming that you realized that you wanted to put a song in the movie?

“I don’t know if there was a certain point, but just everything leading up to it. Because the script’s so good, and it’s just such a good movie. Oh, you just feel good at the end. It’s one of those movies. And I was like, ‘I just feel like Brooke beats a song.’ But it’s also super cool because I didn’t write it just for Brooke. There is this girl who makes an appearance, she’s a woman. She makes an appearance in the movie. Her name’s Amberley Snyder, and she is, in real life, a paralyzed barrel racer. And so, she’s a part of Brooke’s story, too. Her story is just incredible because she was in a car crash, as well, and she’s paralyzed from the waist down, and she barrel races today and is a champion. So, it’s also a song for people like Amberley, and it’s just super cool.”

How do you prepare to play a role like Brooke?

“Honestly, if I’m being quite honest with you, I have no clue because this is my very first movie, and this is the first time I’ve ever done anything like this. I don’t have like a set process I go through yet because I haven’t done this enough. I was just taking it step-by-step because I have never done this before. This is such new territory for me, and it’s actually such a serious character and storyline, too. It was interesting, but yeah, like I said, I don’t have a set process yet.

I think I read through the script and took it step-by-step and tried to put myself in Brooke’s shoes and to learn her story and how she would feel about things and try to gather maybe some past experiences of how I was, on AGT [America’s Got Talent] I worked the hardest I ever worked in my entire life. And so, I put that mindset with it. I would love to be in another movie just so I can learn the craft better because I love acting. It’s so much fun. I want to get better at it, for sure, because it was so fun.”

How did your experience on this movie compare to your time on America’s Got Talent?

“That’s such a good question. They have their similarities because on the show, I look back and I’m like, ‘I don’t know how I did that,’ because I was 12. I’m like, ‘I don’t even think I can do that now,’ just because it was the most stressful time of my entire life. It was crazy because we only had a certain amount of time to prepare a routine or an act before a show. It was always just scrambling. I practiced for hours on end every day because I wanted it so badly.

And that’s similar to the movie because I had a little bit of pressure. I put a lot of pressure on myself because I’m my worst critic, and since this is my very first movie, I wanted to do my absolute best. So, in a way, it was, I wouldn’t say stressful, but I definitely challenged myself, for sure. It was so much fun. Honestly. I really want to do more things like this just so I could push myself even more because I always love challenge and learning new things. But yeah, they definitely have their similarities, for sure, and their differences.”

Was there something, while filming this movie, that learned about yourself or about the filming process?

“Yeah, so I had to do this crying scene, and it was interesting. I was so nervous the whole entire filming process. If you ask my mom, she will tell you. I was just nonstop, ‘Oh my gosh. I’m so nervous for this. I’ve never done this before. I don’t know how to do this.’ And I had to take my own advice in the song, ‘Just Breathe,’ and to trust myself, and I am proud of myself for it.”

I think it’s also interesting that you said, you went back and watched yourself in the movie. There are a lot of people who don’t do that, who refuse to watch anything that they’ve been in.

“I am one of those people! But this movie’s so important to me and I’m trying to learn this craft better. So, I did watch it back. It was painful, but I did watch it back, and there were moments where I was like, ‘Okay, this is something I could work on.’ Whenever I put my mind to something, I do it. With ventriloquism, I was 10 when I taught myself. It was something I had to learn how to do, and I did. It’s the same way with acting. When my mind clicks on to something, I’m like, ‘All right, we’re going to do this.’”

Well, the ventriloquism, and that’s insane to me. You make it looks so easy.

“When people ask me, ‘Darci, how do you do it?’ I honestly don’t know how to answer them sometimes because I feel like it was so divinely influenced that I picked that up. I never would’ve imagined I’d be here because of ventriloquism because it’s just not a common thing that kids pick up. Usually it’s, ‘I want to take ballet or learn guitar.’ But no, when I was 10, I was determined to talk to puppets, but it brought me here.”

It sounds like you are the type of person who is, once you have your eye set on the goal, you’re going to go for it no matter what.

“Oh yeah.”

Where does that come from?

“I definitely inherited a lot from my parents. My mom is a singer, and that’s kind of how I got into this. I came from musical roots, and my grandparents sing and everything, and my dad is super hardworking. I definitely inherited a lot from my parents. With the work ethic, I did gymnastics for six years. A lot of people don’t know that about me. I did it for six years, and that was my passion before anything. Singing was just a hobby for me, honestly. And gymnastics was a huge part of my life. I realize that more now as I get older, and I look back. I was taught such discipline because it’s a brutal sport, and it was tough. I get my discipline and work ethic from that time of my life. Yeah. It carries on with me today still.”

Well, to jump back to the singing track. Not only is the movie being released on April 22nd, but you also have a little concert you are taking part in on the 22nd.

“Yes.”

Can you tell me a little bit about that and what you guys have planned?

“A Cowgirl’s Song in Concert at Tower Theatre, Oklahoma City, I’m so pumped. I haven’t done many shows by myself without any puppets singing on my own. So, it’s a new atmosphere for me, but I’m super excited. It’s just going to be a night filled with music from the movie, of course, with my good friends, The Imaginaries, who wrote the music for the soundtrack. They’re going to sing some of their original music, and I’m going to sing some of my original songs that are unreleased that I’ve written. And, of course, ‘Just Breathe,’ the song we wrote. And it is a benefit concert. So, all the proceeds go to Amberley Snyder’s Freedom foundation. I’m so excited. I’m inviting all my friends, all my family. It’s going to be fun.”

Is there a particular song that you’re excited to perform live?

“Obviously, I’m so excited for everyone to hear, ‘Just Breathe.’ Then, I wrote a song a couple weeks ago, and The Imaginaries helped me finish it. It’s called ‘Someone Wake Me Up,’ and it’s a really funky song. I feel like I have yet to find like my set sound of the music I write, but I feel like I’m inching towards it. This one’s super soul-pop infused and really funky. I love it.”

Do you think you want to go more towards the soul-pop route or stick to the pop-country route because of your Oklahoma roots?

“You know, I just don’t know yet. I’m still figuring that out. I’ve taken a couple trips to Nashville, and I just love it there. I really would love to spend some time there after I finish high school and figure things out there. I don’t know, put out an album or something. I would love to do that, but I got figure out my sound.”

What you just said is also eye opening, you’re trying to do all of this while also completing high school. That’s a whole lot to be asking of one person. How do balance it all?

“It has been difficult, I will say. I look back on the last five years. This has been about five years since I won. It was crazy because after I won, I still was in public school. I was in eighth grade. It was so weird. After I won, I went straight to touring on the road. I was about 13, almost 14. I would go to school Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, leave on a Friday, sell out a show on a Saturday, a Sunday, come back home on a Monday, and go back to school. It was so weird. I call it real life Hannah Montana. On the road, I was like Darci Lynne. And at home, I was just Darci. It was completely different lives. It was weird, but it was great.”

Did it ever get to be too much?

“Yeah. I think, my freshman year of high school, I went online. I’m a junior now. So, I’ve been doing it ever since. And it’s great. It’s still so hard to juggle with everything, but it’s at least easier than having the physical obligation to be there.”

Are you still physically in Oklahoma or have you relocated?

“Yeah. No, I have lived here my whole life. I think what helped me balance my life and stay somewhat normal is that I didn’t move out to Hollywood, or I didn’t move or completely just change everything after I won. I think that’s what helped me stay so grounded is having my parents and my family, such a great supportive system and just staying home. I like to tell people after I won, I mean my whole entire life just turned upside down and changed, but I didn’t. I’m glad I stayed home. I don’t want to live here forever because I want to get out there and do things, so we’ll see. I don’t know where life will take me after high school, but we shall see.”

So then, what’s next for Darci Lynne? Any future plans?

“Well, I am going to finish out my tour, My Lips Are Sealed (Except When They’re Not). I go all the way till August, I think, then, we’ll see where next year takes me. I have some fun projects in the works. I can’t really talk about them, but they’re fun. I definitely want to audition for more things, and I’m going to go out to Nashville a lot and write tons of music. Meet people, make connections, and figure who I am and just finish high school.”

Is there anyone in the music world that you want to collaborate with or has inspired you over the years?

“Oh, wow. Well, I have already gotten to sing with one of my long-time inspirations. Her name’s Kristin Chenoweth, and when I look at her and her career and her life, it’s so incredible what she’s done. Not only is she’s just a kind-hearted person because that’s what I strive to be, she’s done about everything. When people are, ‘Where do you see yourself in five years?’ I’m like, ‘Well, there are so many things I want to do.’ I want to act, be in a movie, which I already check that one off, and want to release music, maybe be in a Broadway show someday because I love theater.”

I was going to say, especially with the Ventriloquism, there’s a lot to offer for you going on Broadway.

“Yeah. And I’d love to be on TV, maybe even have my own variety show. That’s been a dream of mine, but we’ll see. I don’t want to limit myself to anything or put myself in a box.”

Good for you! Well, my final question for you today is what are you hoping fans get from the movie?

“Oh, wow. Well, I would say I really hope people are inspired because I know there are just so many people where things hold them back. Especially for me, when I started in ventriloquism, I just was like, ‘Oh, man. Are people going to like this? Are people going to enjoy with this? Are people going to appreciate this as much as I do?’ Or ‘Can I do this?’ So many just what if questions? And I ask myself, ‘What if?’ every day? I just hope that some people are inspired to just be themselves because that is all you can do. That’s all I’ve done is be myself and believe in myself. I hope people are truly inspired by Hailey, which is Brooke’s sister in the movie. Her story is just incredible too, is finding that confidence on stage, which is what I had to do, too. And both their stories are just amazing. So, I just hope people are inspired by the movie.”

*This interview has been edited for length and clarity*