Actress Aria Brooks talks working on Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings on Netflix and more

During a recent interview with singer and actress Aria Brooks, we discussed her work on Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings series, Nickelodeon’s All That revival, and much more. Continue reading for additional details.

Aria Brooks is a rising star who has been picking up roles on major projects. Brooks recently played part in Harriet, and now she’s appearing in the Netflix series, Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings.

For anyone unfamiliar with Heartstrings, the Netflix series consists of eight episodes that center around stories adapted from Dolly Parton’s most famous songs. The stories told are rather wholesome, touching on themes perfect for the holiday season. “If I Had Wings” being a good example.

As for Brooks, she appears in the episode entitled “Cracker Jack” as the adorable Nola. We don’t want to give too much away if you haven’t seen it, but we will say that Brooks had an excellent performance for her first Netflix appearance.

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In addition to a part on Netflix’s Heartstrings, Aria Brooks can also be seen in Nickelodeon’s All That revival. It was resurrected in 2019, but fans will have to wait a few weeks to see more. A release date for the next episode has yet to be announced, though our guess is it’ll happen towards the beginning of the year rather than after an extended hiatus.

For more on Aria Brooks’ upcoming projects, you can check out the transcript of our interview with the young actress below.

Hidden Remote: Aria, I understand you were recently cast in an episode of ​Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings​ on Netflix. What was the experience like working on a big-budget Netflix show?

Aria Brooks: It was great! I got an opportunity to work and learn from a group of very talented actors and a wonderful crew who made me feel very special. I also got a chance to meet Dolly Parton, so that was a big plus!

HR: I noticed quite a few of your career credits are music and performance-related, but now that you’ve worked on a Netflix series, do you intend on pursuing similar projects in the future?

Brooks: One of my goals is to eventually release an album, but my focus right now is perfecting my acting skills in several different areas. Having worked on the feature film Harriet, a Netflix series, and now All That, I feel like my music may have to take a backseat for just a little while.

HR: Speaking of future projects, you’ve been cast on Nickelodeon’s revival of ​All That​ and you’re a series regular on the sketch comedy series. What, if anything, can you tell us about your work on the show?

Brooks: Working on All That has been a dream come true. I get to work with seven talented and very funny castmates who have become my extended family. The sketches that I’ve been in have truly challenged my improv skills and pushed me to make a variety of choices without second-guessing myself. I’ve also had to do a ton of research which, luckily for me, is watching TV and movies. I also get to work with some of the original All That stars and they are very helpful on set.

HR: Did you participate in any particular sketches that you believe will make a big impression on audiences?

Brooks: The writers are constantly coming up with new sketches and characters for me that are guaranteed to leave a big impression on the audience. Be sure to check out the new episodes in January.

HR: Having already worked on the show, did the notion of participating in a revival make you nervous while preparing for the role? I ask because reboots and revivals tend to garner a lot of harsh criticisms regardless of content, so did that place any sort of pressure on you?

Brooks: I was a little nervous joining the reboot cast because I wanted the approval of the original All That fans, but people are harsh critics regardless. I eventually became more concerned about doing a good job on set and, making sure I could handle the responsibilities of being a series regular. Of course, I hope old and new fans enjoy the show, but my focus is to just do the best I can.

HR: Outside of your on-screen acting, do you have any live performances coming up? And are you working on any new music at the moment?

Brooks: I don’t have any live performances scheduled…yet. I am working on music so that when the time comes to release my album, I’ll be ready.

HR: Are you collaborating with any artists on your music-based projects?

Brooks: There are no plans yet, but I’m always open to collaborating with other up and coming artists in the future.

Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings is currently streaming on Netflix. Nickelodeon’s All That returns in 2020