Check out our interview with young dancer & jewelry designer Scarlett Bella Song who recently launched her new jewelry line for Annie & Sisters, the Annie X Scarlett collection, that inspires and empowers girls with words of encouragement on each piece.
As a dancer, Scarlett has competed internationally since age three, gracing the covers of multiple national publications and performing in national commercials for McDonald’s and more. Working to inspire teens on and off the dance floor, Scarlett recently designed a teen collection for jewelry brand Annie & Sisters infused with messages of joy, harmony and love.
Follow Scarlett @scarlettbellasong
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Compassionate, creative, and ambitious
How did you get started into acting?
My introduction to acting started with a musical theater program in Massachusetts when I was four years old. I couldn’t read scripts yet – but I memorized my lines! Once I hit that stage for my first performance, I was hooked. I lit up from performing for a live audience and I haven’t looked back yet.
When I moved to LA, I trained with incredible acting coaches and auditioned for exciting roles. As I learned more about the industry and further honed my craft, I realized that acting comes naturally to me because I can tap into my life experiences and emotions to bring a story to life.
How has this changed your life?
The time I spent training in the performing arts in LA changed my life because it gave me clarity and presented opportunities that I never even dreamed of. It ultimately gave me a window into my future and the endless possibilities that wait.
What is the best and worst part of being a jewelry designer?
The best part of being a jewelry designer is getting to bring my creative vision to life and getting the unique opportunity to spread positive messages through design. The worst part of being a designer is the high risk that my designs won’t appeal to my target audience or that my designs are not distinct enough to cut through the noise of a crowded marketplace.
What inspired your latest collection?
The inspiration behind the Annie X Scarlett Teen Jewelry collection came when we were in the midst of the globalpandemic and I had been on Zoom school (and online dance training) at home for over a year. I was feeling disconnected and yearned to connect more closely with my friends. I realized that I was not alone in my feelings and I wanted to send messages of love and empowerment into the world. I ultimately sent out these messages with Annie & Sisters in the form of a 15-piece of jewelry collection .
The mission behind the Annie X Scarlett Collection is to spread messages of kindness, empowerment, collaboration, self-love and sisterhood throughout the teen community. Annie and I designed these pieces with a strong sense of purpose to unite and uplift teens. Essentially, the jewelry is a physical manifestation of the loving energy that we wish to send out into the world.
I hope that each person who wears a piece from the Annie X Scarlett collection feels like they received a heartfelt hug from us. I want each individual to feel the love and deep meaning infused into each piece. Hopefully the jewelry will unite us and help create an inclusive community where we uplift and support each other.
What is different from your jewelry brand to other brands in a very competitive market?
The core difference of the Annie X Scarlett brand compared to other jewelry brands is my peer-to-peer connection. I am a young teen sending out inspirational message jewelry to create an inclusive community of individuals who uplift and support each other.
What is the key to your success?
I attribute our success to our tenacity, patience, and personal touch. I firmly believe that meaningful design comes when our heart and mind are aligned with our intention. If you can hit your flow, then you know you are on the right path.
Favorite look from your collection and why?
What a great question! Honestly, my favorite look keeps changing! But, if I had to select one favorite look, I would say the Bar Collection because it is so versatile. It can go from casual to the red carpet – and everywhere in between.
Now let’s talk about dancing. When did you start dancing?
I initially started taking recreational dance classes when I was three years old. For my first few years dancing, I also pursued other activities (such as soccer, swimming, and ice hockey) but my heart always led me back to dance. By the time I was eight years old, I decided to solely focus on school and pre-professional dance training.
The life of a dancer is immersive, challenging, rewarding and a genuine journey through humanity. As a dancer, I’m both an athlete and an artist so I simultaneously train my body, heart and mind. This entails consistent dance training, rich life experiences, solid education, and ensuring that I have friends, family, and love in my life.
I am currently a member of DV8 – The Company – a program that trains dancers for professional careers in the performing arts. We compete nationally and we hold ourselves to high standard technically and artistically.
Any advice for aspiring dancers?
My advice for aspiring dancers is to train as both an athlete and an artist.
To develop as an athlete, we lead disciplined lifestyles where we train consistently to be in peak performance when we compete or perform. It takes a tremendous amount of sacrifice, physical endurance, and mental strength to train at this level. We have to constantly push past our self-imposed limits and elevate our skills to reach higher levels of performance.
To develop as an artist, we need to have rich life experiences to draw upon in our artistic expressions. We need to have a plethora of experiences to awaken different parts of us so we can portray different characters and bring stories in motion to life. By maintaining a rich inner life, we have our minds and hearts aligned to create and innovate.
What do you love most about dancing?
What I love most about dance is the feeling of synchronicity I get when my mind, heart and body are aligned to express myself creatively and tell stories through motion.
What type of dance do you like best?
I enjoy learning new styles and adding to my dance vocabulary, but my absolute favorite dance styles are contemporary, jazz funk, hip hop and ballet.
What would say are the greatest lessons you learned so far in this business?
The greatest lesson I learned in this business is to embrace an abundance mindset. For me, adopting an abundance mindset has evoked the law of attraction where the right opportunities present themselves to me at the right time. With this outlook, I don’t get distracted by what others are doing and I realize that there are plenty of opportunities for everyone. This philosophy helps me stay focused, positive, and connected to others. The more people who embrace this philosophy, the sooner we can build a sustainable community where we celebrate each other’s successes.
Now talking about Instagram, can you share some tips for keeping your account interesting?
The first piece of advice I would give to keep your account interesting is to focus on creating content that is genuine from your heart. If you are authentic from the start, you will attract like-minded followers and build a sustainable community.
The second piece of advice I would give is to just go for it! Social media doesn’t require a plot of polish or professionalism to get started. People enjoy seeing what is real and authentic! It might initially seem daunting – but there is always an appetite for more voices. Remember, you have a unique and interesting perspective to share with the world. You would be enriching the platform by contributing your own distinct gifts and ideas.
You are followed by so many people. How do you feel about that pressure of doing always the right thing, and encourage people to follow their dreams?
I feel that it is critically important for me as a creator to be mindful of the impact that my platform might have upon others. It is both a privilege and responsibility to be a public figure because people will be influenced by the content I share and my ultimate goal is to make a positive contribution towards (and impact on) humanity.
How would your best friend describe you?
My best friend would (hopefully! ????) characterize me as empathetic, loyal, kind and caring – as I would describe her. We share a lot of the same values, interests and character traits.
If you are a book, what would be the title of the book and why?
If I were a book, my title would be “ ???????????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????????? ???? ???????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????? ???????????? ???????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????????? ℙ????????????????.” As a dancer, actress, student, designer snd philanthropist, I find that having a free mind allows me to innovate, break down barriers and conquer any self-imposed limitations stemming from internalizing from critics or other negative external forces that disturb my flow.
What’s next for Scarlett Bella Song in 2022?
Right now, I’m in the midst of promoting the Annie X Scarlett Teen Jewelry Collection and I’m the midst of my rigorous dance competition season. I also recently walked the runway (and danced live) at venues during New York Fashion Week as well as had the exciting opportunity to walk in a fashion show with The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders.
In terms of what’s next, I was recently invited to perform this summer at my first international fashion gala and I was invited to become a resident dancer for an event production company. I am still evaluating these opportunities because I have so many entrepreneurial interests I wish to pursue and I’m going to have to make tough decisions to focus my efforts.
What is your favorite food?
I am an undeniable chocoholic. I love Nutella, hot fudge – pretty much anything (and everything!) chocolate!
What is your own definition of happiness?
My own definition of happiness is about creating meaningful connections to those I love and also finding fulfillment in terms of my passions and ambitions.
How would you explain your fashion style?
I would describe my sense of style as eclectic. I appreciate many different styles because each distinct style appeals to a different facet of my personality. I don’t like feeling boxed in when it comes to fashion. I enjoy dressing to reflect my mood or whim. I draw inspiration from the world around me and I love to grow and explore… so fashion is a journey for me.
Who is your biggest beauty inspiration?
For me, I’m inspired by inner beauty, confidence, meaning/standing for something and uniqueness. I find that Zendaya and Rihanna embody these principles for me.
Do you support any charity?
I support several philanthropic and charitable efforts through fundraising and giving. Giving back is definitely a major driving force behind my efforts to build a platform.
Where do you see yourself and your career in 5 years from now?
In five years from now, I see myself continuing to flourish as a dancer, actress, designer, entrepreneur, and human. I am excited for my journey to further unfold as I continue to build upon the foundation I created in many facets of my life.
What do you think of Social Media?
Social media, if leveraged safely and positively, is an incredible tool to unite people from all over the world. For me, social media is a method to create connections and build relationships. Of course, like any tool, it is important to use social media responsibly and with positive intent.
Where we can follow you?
You can follow me on Instagram at @scarlettbellasong
Book: “A Night Divided” by Jennifer A. Nielsen
Quote: “???????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????????? ???????? ???????? ???????????????? ???? ???????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????? ???? ????????????????-????????-???????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????.” – ???????????????????????? ????????????????
Movie: To All The Boys I Loved Before
Tv Series: Gilmore Girls and Gossip Girl (the original series)
Favorite Food: Chocolate
Travel Destination: France, Germany, Italy and South Korea
Sports Team: USA Gymnastics (Olympics)
