Check out our interview with stunning model, singer and actress Parker Winston who just released her new hit single Happiest Depression which is the lead single in her debut EP “If These Walls Could Talk”.
“Happiest Depression”, which was self-written by Parker, focuses on how it can take some time to recognize the toxic nature of a relationship and finally open your eyes. The toxicity in this song is not obvious, and it unfolds slowly leaving small hints and easter eggs that there is something wrong with this relationship, and how they keep furthering themselves into a toxic isolation. Parker describes her music as a nostalgic, 50s inspired contemporary pop sound and her personalized brand is a mix of vintage / old soul aesthetic.
Follow Parker @parkerwinston
Hi Parker, please tell us a little about you?
I’m 17 years old, born and raised in New York City. I’m a singer, songwriter, actor, model, painter, and the occasional horror movie indulger.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Imaginative, Loner, Creative.
How did you get started in the business?
My start in the music business began when I started vocal lessons with my lovely vocal coach Shilo Gold. Somewhere along the road I showed her my songs that I had written and she immediately introduced me to a friend of hers who is a producer named Kate Hallowell who she thought would be perfect for the sound I was trying to achieve. Since then we have been working on my music together.
How has this changed your life?
Music has changed my life not only in terms of my career, but has become a therapeutic outlet for me and my coping mechanism.
We’re sure you have been asked this million times but how did you get in the industry?
When I was younger I had a hip disability, and in elementary school I had a really tough time with being bullied because I walked differently. All I wanted more than anything was to skip school, and completely unrelated my mom asked if my older sister and I would want to start modeling and I took it as my ticket out of school. I met with a modeling agency called Wilhelmina and immediately signed at 5 years old, and eventually along the road I fell in love with the craft of modeling which launched my career in the entertainment industry.
Describe your sound in 3 words?
50s-contemporary, Euphoric, Dark
Who influenced you and why did you choose to make music?
I’ve always had an old soul and a love for vintage archives, so my biggest influence in music are artists who capitalize on 50s music like Ricky Nelson, Elvis Presley, and Paul Anka. I grew up in a music loving family – my dad practically raised me on Journey and Queen – so my whole life I’ve had a huge adoration for music. I’ve never exactly felt like people have cared about what I have to say or listened enough to understand me, and I found that music is the universal language. There’s something about speaking in puzzles or rhythmic poetry that aligns with me which is initially why I began to make music.
Do you play any instrument?
As of now I’m semi – decent on the guitar. I am still learning, but my favorite song on the EP (which for now I’ll call “track 3”) is completely just guitar with no other instruments. It’s so raw and dark and I cannot wait to perform it live someday soon.
Do you ever get nervous?
Absolutely, however, I just played my first show with my original music and I thought I would be a lot more nervous than I was to perform, but my music is my safety blanket. I never feel more myself than when I’m singing one of my songs which completely killed my nerves. Once I’m singing everyone else completely disappears.
Tell us about your new single “Happiest Depression?”
In Happiest Depression, I wrote from a perspective of how I felt before I actually recognized how dark and toxic a past relationship was. It takes a long time before you recognize the toxic nature of a relationship and finally open your eyes, and you see me struggle with this in the song. The toxicity in this song is not obvious, and it unfolds slowly leaving small hints and easter eggs that there is something wrong with this relationship, and how me and the partner keep furthering ourselves into a toxic isolation.
What’s the story behind the song?
When I was younger, I was in a relationship where we both fell in love really fast and we both didn’t have the maturity yet to know what to do with it. We felt everything so deeply and because of that we would fight a lot, because with such strong happiness comes with strong pain. Looking back on it, we thought we were so different from every other relationship and because we felt so strongly that we burned brighter than anyone else we knew, which was twisted and ultimately pushed us into isolation with one another.
And about your debut EP “If These Walls Could Talk?”
Ahhh! No one knew the name up until right now!! I got the name If These Walls Could Talk after such a special track on the project. The whole EP tells the story of falling in love, losing yourself, and eventually putting yourself back together. Each track goes in order and represents a different stage of this relationship and the breakup. I think people will be able to see themselves within this project.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
When I get messages from people who have listened to my music telling me that they relate to what the song is about. The fact that people are connecting with my music and can identify it with their own lives is magical.
What book should every entrepreneur read?
I honestly don’t read entrepreneur based books, most of what I read are classics or fantasy.
What is the best and worst part of being a model?
The best part of being a model is completely diving into character depending on what kind of shoot it is. Sometimes I have purple hair and I look like a punk rocker and I love being able to unleash that side of me and bring it to life through photographs. The worst part would be the comparison that comes along with being a model. There are so many beautiful women in this industry and it is so vital to remember that someone else’s beauty is not the absence of your own.
How and when did you start into modeling?
When I was 5 years old I met with the head of the kids division at Wilhelmina Kids and Teens and began booking jobs immediately. My first ever job was for a bridal wear company called Bill Levkoff. Soon after I was doing big campaigns for Gap or on a billboard in Times Square for DKNY.
Do you ever get nervous?
I’m pretty confident in my ability to model. That may sound silly to those who think modeling is just about looking pretty and posing, but modeling is an artform. What makes me nervous is the way I look. There’s always a box I’m not checking, whether I’m not tall enough, or not slim enough, or too slim, you can’t ever win. I’ve learned to be who I am and let that take me where I’m supposed to go.
The most important thing when you are shooting is?
A good playlist. For sure.
What’s your advice for the newer models?
Do not compare yourself to other models. Everyone in this industry is insanely beautiful, but we all are guilty of comparing ourselves to one another, which can lead to some severe crippling insecurities when it comes down to doing your job. You’re in this industry for a reason. One person’s beauty is not the lack of your own.
Now let’s talk about your acting career. What is the best and worst part of being an actress?
The best part of being an actress is being able to bring a character to life. Having the power to personalize your character and making it your own is a crazy experience. The worst part is definitely the audition process. I get in my head almost every time.
How do you prepare for a role?
I have a little notebook that I keep for my roles and auditions where I make a biography on my character. I give them a backstory that relates to the script to help me truly feel like my character. Every infliction on how we act on a day to day basis is based on our story, and it’s no different for made up characters as well.
What projects have you been part of?
So far, I have been in a short film called “The Shallow End”, it takes place in the 1980s and is a coming of age story. I played Theresa, the poster child for everything terrible about teenage girls, which landed me a “Best Youth Actor” Award from the Revolution Me Festival.
What kind of roles do you like or would like to play and why?
This may sound strange, but my favorite roles are anti-hero characters or villain roles. I think they’re the most interesting characters. Maybe not in real life, but on the screen I’m always fascinated by anti-heros and would love to play one one day. An example of those characters would be Wanda Maximoff or Harley Quinn.
What would you say are the greatest lessons you have learned so far?
I think the greatest lesson I have learned so far is that every hardship I experience is a lesson in itself. I have learned I can deal with pain that comes my way as long as I learn from it and grow from it.
How would your best friend describe you?
I actually asked my best friend and he said, “Independant, smart, and loyal as hell. You’re an introvert and family person but can read the room/people. You’re the kind of girl I would trust to help me hide a dead body, be my therapist, or accompany me to any party.”
If you were a book, what would be the title of the book and why?
I love this question. Me as a book would be titled, “The Tales of an Insomniac” because my life really does feel like I’m just an insomniac navigating my life through exhaustion.
What’s next for Parker Winston in 2021?
I have my debut EP, “If These Walls Could Talk” coming this fall, some big modeling moves, and many surprises for everyone to look forward to. I’m on my gap year this year before I begin theatre school the following fall, so 2021 Parker is determined and hardworking. This whole year is dedicated to furthering my crafts in every facet.
What is your favorite healthy food?
My favorite healthy food is oatmeal. I swear for a few months the only thing I would eat was oatmeal.
And your favorite cheat food?
My favorite cheat food is Pizza for sure. Dumplings are my weakness as well.
How would you explain your fashion style?
Sophisticated with a rocker edge.
What is your own definition of happiness?
Happiness to me is freedom. I am most happy when I don’t have a worry in the world and can just appreciate life itself.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
I would like to meet Elvis Presley. There’s so many music related questions I would have for him, and he also just seems like a cool guy.
Best advice ever given?
“Everything will be alright in the end, and if it’s not alright, it’s not the end.”
Do you support any charity?
I do! I support two animal driven charities, the first is the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Their mission is to help protect and preserve wildlife and habitats in East Africa. I send donations to help support food for the animals, and I adopted three elephants named Ziwa, Ambo, and Kibo to which I sponsor and help support. The other charity I support is called the North Shore Animal League. They foster dogs, cats, and birds, and they really need the money for food and medication for the animals.
Where do you see yourself and your career in 5 years from now?
5 years from now I see myself probably onto my 3rd album performing live across the world, starring in a huge action movie, and surrounded by my family and dogs.
Favorite song? Why?
My favorite song will forever be Yesterday by the Beatles. Everytime I listen to it it reminds me of my mom and dad and it’s very special to me.
What do you think of Social Media?
I love and hate social media. I believe we as human beings weren’t made to be able to process as much information we do and be exposed to so much on the internet and it’s a lot to take in and absorb. I’ve come to a point where I don’t spend too much time on social media and just hop on to post things or see what my friends are up to. I am grateful for social media to be able to connect and pioneer my music to as many people as possible, but I think it’s important to remember that social media is a double edged sword.
Where we can follow you?
You can follow me on Instagram: @parkerwinston, Twitter: @parkerwinstonn, TikTok: @parkerwinston, and YouTube: Parker Winston
Book: The Great Gatsby
Quote: “Romantics are the new rebels” – Bridgett Devoue
Movie: Remember Me
Tv Series: American Horror Story
Favorite Food: Margarita Pizza
Travel Destination: Capri, Italy
Sports Team: Knicks
Photo credit: Mikayla Kits
