I basically raised her. Ariana and I are 10 years apart, and she grew up with a really gay brother who just loves her unconditionally, and it's reciprocated.
Anything that has a dragon, a wand, pixie dust, fairies, magic, any of that, I love it. I'm obsessed with it, I will read it, I will watch it, I will commit it to memory.
I showed my nana, who lives in Delray, my writeup in the 'New York Times,' and she said, 'When will you be in the 'Sun Sentinel?'
My first audition ever was for 'Bye Bye Birdie' in fifth grade.
I definitely take influences from my idols David Bowie and Billy Joel. I've combined them with the Frankie Grande-isms that I've cultivated over singing every night for two shows a week for four years on Broadway.
I'm obsessed with Maggie Smith - the way that she can be the most brilliant actress in every single situation and then do Harry Potter, and still make me cry while she's casting spells with a wand?