Check out our interview with singer-songwriter, actress, model & dancer Nancy Fifita.
Fancy Nancy Fifita co-wrote and recorded her first single “You So Fancy” at age 9 and has a passion for entertaining. On the acting front she is best known for her role as Lacy in the film GILLYMUCK. She is passionate about giving back and loves serving the community through “S & N” (Siaki & Nancy Serving Those In Need).
Follow Nancy at @fancynancy.fifita
Hi Nancy, please tell us a little about you?
Hi my name is Nancy and I have an extremely long name because I’m named after 7 people, yes 7! My birth given name is Nancy Sunitasia Briana Tapuaki Fifita and I honestly feel like I’ve inherited all 7 of their personalities. I am also known as FancyNancy Fifita and NanSei. I am 13 years old and was born on the beautiful island of Tonga in the South Pacific. I’m an Actress. Singer, Songwriter, Model and Event Host. I’ve been blessed to be featured in over a dozen national commercials and I co-wrote and recorded my first single at age 9. During my journey, I was selected to be a member of Team USA for the World Championship of Performing Arts Talent Olympics with over 70 countries competing. I won the “Gold Medal” in Singing, “Bronze Medal” in acting and Champion of the World “Division Winner”! My passion for singing has led me to perform in venues such as the Staples Center, House of Blues, Whisky-a-Go-Go and the LA Convention Center. I also dedicate my time to serve others through S & N (Siaki & Nancy – Serving Those In Need).
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Kind, Creative, Adventurous
Who is your role model?
Without a doubt my #1 role model is my grandmother Oloka. Her examples have engraved the meaning of sacrifice in my heart and mind. She migrated from the island of Tonga to the U.S. to provide her family with better opportunities. She worked hard and helped to bring many of her other family members from Tonga to the U.S. as well. She is strong, brave, resilient and never gives up on anything in life. She recently battled breast cancer and I’m so happy to say she is a cancer survivor!
How did you get started into acting?
At the age of 8, I asked my parents if I could participate in a summer theatrical program with I Am Productions. The production for that summer was “ANNIE” and I was so excited to be a part of it because I knew there would be a lot of singing and dancing involved. I tried out for the lead role of Annie and got the part. It felt so good bringing Annie’s character to life and after that experience I just knew that acting was a career path I wanted to pursue!
How has this changed your life?
It’s been an adventure for sure. The biggest change for me is missing out on the daily school experience since I’ve been home-schooled since 4th grade. But I have to say my adventures on-set and working with different people from all walks of life surely makes up for that. My daily schedule is hectic with auditions, filming and training but that’s the exciting part about the job.
What is the best and worst part of being an actress?
As with anything in life there’s always good and bad. The best part for me is auditioning for a role and getting the call that you booked it. That’s always exciting and it never gets old. The worst part is all the driving involved. Traffic in LA is horrible so I feel like I spend a lot of time in the car since I’m always on the go for auditions, being on set, training and meetings.
Tell us about your work in the film “Gillymuck?”
Working on the film “Gillymuck” was so much fun! The cast and crew made my experience on set amazing. It was an honor to work with director Dan Samiljan.
And about your role as Lacy?
I played Lacy who is friends with Tracy and Macy and the three of us just had great chemistry. It was like we were best of friends and that’s what made filming so easy because we didn’t have to act like we were friends.
What kind of roles do you like or would like to play and why?
I love playing dramatic & scary roles. I love the suspense and creating the drama around those types of characters.
What other projects you have been part of?
I booked the lead role on a movie entitled “Alien Runner” that has yet to be released. I’m excited to see the finished product because it was a very challenging role for me to take on. I had to train for about 2 months before filming to be ready for my character.
Now tell us about your music career. Describe your sound in 3 words?
Music is definitely life for me. I love to sing, write music and record new songs. My sound is a mix of Pop, R&B and I love to belt out those big notes.
Who influenced you and why did you choose to make music?
It’s been a family inside joke that I came out the womb singing lol. I’ve had a passion for singing since I was a little girl, it’s become my comfort zone. I’d sing in front of my mirror, in the bathroom, in the living room, for family functions, any and all kinds of events, if they needed a singer, I am more than happy to sing.
What is your next goal as a musician?
I’m currently working on my very first EP. In the future I plan on releasing an album and my ultimate goal is to make timeless music and perform in venues with sold out crowds.
Now tell us about your song “You So Fancy?”
“You So Fancy” was my very first single that I co-wrote and recorded when I was 9 years old. I’ll never forget that experience because it was also the very first time, I had a sit-down meeting with a team I really wanted to work known as Analea and J Fotu. My mother and I flew to Utah to meet with them and I remember when the meeting started my mother turned to them and said “this meeting is between you guys and Nancy, I’m just her uber driver”. That was her way of telling me to take control and sell them on your ideas. It was a sink or swim situation, but I wasn’t about to let his opportunity slip away. What I really appreciated about Analea and J Fotu was the level of respect they showed me during the meeting, considering I was only 9 years old. I was so nervous, but I had to step up to the plate and do what I needed to do to get them to want to work with me. They took into consideration everything I wanted to do and gave me the opportunity to learn and grow with them. Til this day I’m forever grateful for that experience because it taught me so much about the music industry early on in my career.
What other projects are you working on?
I’m excited to be working on my very first EP with an amazing team! What’s special to me about this project is I’m given the opportunity to be more creatively involved. I love being hands on, not only with the song writing and music style but also learning how to mix and master on my own. I’m grateful for a team that takes the time to teach me, so I can have that knowledge and experience and it’s been amazing! I can’t wait to share with the world what I’ve been working on.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
The most rewarding part in my journey is when you witness other people’s reaction to your work, whether it be an acting job or a music gig it’s the best feeling.
What is your favorite healthy food?
Eating healthy is so hard to do when I’m always on the go. But my favorite healthy food I’d have to say is soy beans and cucumbers.
And your favorite cheat food?
My go to cheat food is definitely pizza, pizza, pizza.
How would you explain your fashion style?
Trendy and Sheek
How would your best friend describe you?
Fun, kind, outgoing and adventurous.
What’s next for Nancy Fifita in 2020?
2020 I’ve definitely focused more on my music career, but at the same time I still train hard and audition my heart out to book more acting jobs because I love being on set.
What is your own definition of happiness?
My definition of happiness is being surrounded by family who have been my biggest support system through this crazy journey. Happiness to me is also just being comfortable in my own skin and not having to measure up to anyone else’s expectations but my own.
How is a normal day in your life?
Aside from auditions and meetings, a normal day in my life always involves training, whether it be for singing or acting I’m always training to better my craft. If I have time to squeeze in some baking I bake because I love to cook.
What is your idea of a perfect Sunday?
A perfect Sunday for me is sleeping in, going to church with my family and having family lunch and dinner. Basically just being around my family is a perfect Sunday.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
I would definitely have to say Beyonce! She’s my favorite musical artist. Her talents, work ethic, ability to keep reinventing herself and stay relevant is so amazing. Not to mention she does all that while balancing her life as a wife and mommy. She’s definitely someone I look up to and would love to meet!
Best advice ever given?
“Work hard for yourself and others will want to work harder for you”! The day I signed with my manager Wendy Alane Wright that was the key advice she gave me and I’ve come to understand the reality of that saying. I’ve been so blessed to cross paths with amazing people who freely give of their time and talents to help me achieve my dreams.
Do you support any charity?
Yes, I’m big on giving support whenever possible. Some of my favorites are the Red Cross, Special Olympics, Justice for Homicide Victims and Alexandria House.
Name 3 things you can’t live without?
Three things I cannot live without is my family, music and junk food lol.
Where do you see yourself and your career in 5 years from now?
In 5 years or less from now, I definitely want to be headlining my own tour around the world.
Favorite song? Why?
Rise Up by Andra Day because I fell in love with it’s powerful message and it was my very first cover song when I was 8 years old.
What music do you like?
I like all genres of music but I’d have to say I love Pop and R & B.
What do you think of Social Media?
Social Media is cool but at the same time I don’t let it consume my life and time.
Where we can follow you?
Readers can follow me on
Instagram @fancynancy.fifita & @nansei.music
Twitter @nancyfifita02
Facebook @fancynancy fifita
Additional information is available on my website: nancyfifita.com
Quote: “If I can dream it, I can achieve it”
Favorite Singer/Artist: Whitney Houston
Movie: The Greatest Showman
Travel Destination: Tahiti
Sports Team: Lakers
Tv Show: The Good Witch
Book: Narnia
Photo credit – Brandin Shaeffer with Brandin Photography
