“Mixtape”s Gemma Brooke Allen Talks On-Set Fun, Mariah Carey, And New Christmas Single

This young actress is now a double-threat!

Gemma just made her Netflix debut as the lead in the new and top-charting movie “Mixtape”, alongside Emmy-Winning actress Julie Bowen (ABC’s ‘Modern Family’). Now, she’s here with the perfect snowy single “Happier At Christmas”.

We had the absolute honor of talking with Gemma on her new single, her biggest acting dreams, and more!

Q: When did you first realize that you wanted to start acting?

G: “I started acting when I was 2 years old and my mom was really the one who came up with the idea to put me in acting because I was so animated, and a big storyteller, very outgoing, expressive, etc. There’s never been a question about it ever since. Yes, it’s hard, but there have been so many moments where I was like “Wow this is my job!?”  I’ve had so many amazing opportunities, traveled to amazing places, met the most incredible people and I really love being able to tell stories with good messages that move people.”

Q: Tell us about your amazing debut single “Happier at Christmas”.

G: “Well, I know that it’s been a tough two years, and I wanted to write a song to give people permission to put any of their worries aside for a moment and be happier at Christmas and try to remember all there is still to be grateful for. For me Christmas has always been my favorite time of year and there’s just something magical about it. I wanted a fun song that people can dance to and put a smile on their faces. I hope “Happier at Christmas” will do that for people.”  

Q: If you could create a song with any music artist, who would it be and why?

G: “That’s a tough question because I’d love to work with so many, but I would have to say Mariah Carey is at the top of my list! I think she is such a Queen, and she’s an idol of mine. She inspires a lot of my singing style, and I look up to her a lot. I think that I could learn a lot from her!”

Q: What was working on the set of “Mixtape” like?

G: “Working on Mixtape was one of the best experiences of my life! Everyone was super nice, and I made special connections with people that will last forever. It was a lot of work for me because I had a lot of scenes and had to balance school and could only work so many hours a day, but it was just super fun when I was on set because I got to sing and dance and hang out with my awesome costars.”

Q: Do you have any funny behind the scenes stories?

G: “We were running 7 min ahead of schedule one day which like never happens, so I went up to the AD and asked if we could do a blooper take of the scene, so we did. Audrey (who plays Ellen) and I just started acting as goofy as possible and totally messed up the scene. Our parents had no idea that it was a blooper take so looked at us totally mortified. It was awesome!”

Q: What are your favorite Christmas traditions?

G: “Every Christmas Eve, my family and I bake and decorate Christmas cookies for Santa, and it feels really exciting because it means Santa is coming soon.”

Q: What are your biggest goals for your acting career?

G: “I want to keep growing as an actress and challenging myself so doing different kinds of roles and working with people I really look up to and can learn from would be amazing. The whole reason I act is to inspire others and to help deliver messages that inspire and move people. Also, an Oscar someday wouldn’t hurt lol.” 

Q: Where can we follow your amazing journey? 

G: “You can follow me on Instagram at @joyful_gemma and Tik Tok at @gemmagemmagemma.”

Je’Kayla Crawford– Founder and Director– Je’Kayla has been a journalist for years and decided to start a publication of her own, New Scene. When not helping her team and working on the monthly issues, you can find her watching a movie on Netflix or baking using a viral Tasty recipe.