Interviews

Published on July 31st, 2017 | by Darren Paltrowitz

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Time to Shine: A chat with Briannagh D at the 2017 St. Kitts Music Festival

A singer, songwriter, actress and dancer, Briannagh Dennehy — also known as Briannagh D — has already been turning heads for a few years. Within her acting career, she has appeared in episodes of Bizaardvark, The Middle, Gortimer Gibbon’s and Nicky, Ricky, Dicky, and Dawn. As a vocalist, she has performed as part of the St. Kitts Music Festival, Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, the Nu Skool Sings Old School Awards, and England’s the Harambee Pasadia Afro-Music Festival. Her latest single is “Going Up,” as featured on YouTube, while August 26th will find Briannagh opening for Dru Hill at Pennsylvania’s Bushkill Conference Center.

While attending this year’s St. Kitts Music Festival, I had the pleasure of speaking with Briannagh D shortly after her stand-out show-opening performance. Her on-stage charisma is indeed matched by her positivity and overall likeability. More on this rising artist can be found at www.briannaghdennehy.com.

What made you want to become a singer or performer in the first place? Did a certain person inspire you?

Briannagh D: I’ve actually just always had this — I’m not sure what it is — inside of me since I was three or four years old. I’ve always wanted to perform, I’ve always wanted to sing and act, I’m not sure what it is, to be honest.

Did you start with piano lessons? Did you have parents that were pushing you to perform?

Briannagh D: No, my parents, they actually didn’t push me at all. I’ve always been asking them, “Please, please, can I do this?” I actually did start off with the piano, that was my first thing I got involved in. But I’ve been singing before I learned piano.

So far is there a thing that you are most proud of in your career? A specific accomplishment?

Briannagh D: I definitely have to say being on the Disney Channel episode of Bizarraardvark. That was really life-altering for me, because I’ve always watched Disney Channel. Just to see myself on TV, specifically on Disney Channel, was life-changing.

Do you see yourself as more of a singer or an actress?

Briannagh D: I really see myself as a combination of both. I really love both singing and acting equally. I’d definitely say I see myself as both.

Is there a person that you look at and say “That’s the career I want to have?” Someone who especially inspires you with their career, not just the music and acting?

Briannagh D: I really look up to Zendaya and I think she is a terrific role-model. Decisions she has made are to my liking and I would definitely say that if there were anyone I could copy (laughs), I would definitely say Zendaya.

So finally, Briannagh, any last words for the kids?

Briannagh D: For all the kids out there listening, I would definitely say just be yourself, be true to yourself, never give up, work hard and you’ll make it, whatever you want to be.

Website: http://www.briannaghdennehy.com

Twitter: @BriannaghD

Bonus: This is what all the ruckus is about!!!

Producer: Kenrick Georges; “Going Up” is an original song by Briannagh Dennehy.

Can’t forget the #1 teammate – Mom!

Briannagh D and Mom meet and greet in VIP after her stand out opening performance – St Kitts 21st Annual Music Festival (Photo: Jerry Doby/The Hype Magazine)

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Tags: Apollo Theater, Bizarraardvark, Briannagh D, Briannagh Dennehy, Disney, Disney Channel, Dru Hill, St. Kitts, St. Kitts Music Festival, Time To Shine, Zendaya

About the Author

Darren Paltrowitz Darren Paltrowitz is a New York resident with over 20 years of entertainment industry experience. He began working around the music business as a teenager, interning for the manager of his then-favorite band Superdrag. Since then, he has worked with a wide array of artists including OK Go, They Might Be Giants, Mike Viola, Tracy Bonham, Loudness, Rachael Yamagata, and Amanda Palmer. Darren's writing has appeared in dozens of outlets including the New York Daily News, Inquisitr, The Daily Meal, The Hype Magazine, All Music Guide, Guitar World, TheStreet.com, Businessweek, Chicago Tribune, L.A. Times, and the Jewish Journal.Beyond being "Editor At Large" for The Hype Magazine, Darren is also the host of weekly "Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz" series, which airs on dozens on television and digital networks. He has also co-authored 2 published books, 2018's "Pocket Change: Your Happy Money" (Book Web Publishing) and 2019's "Good Advice From Professional Wrestling" (6623 Press), and co-hosts the world's only known podcast about David Lee Roth, "The DLR Cast."

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