Interview with Ava Gold
Yvette Gonzales-Nacer, musically known as Ava Gold, is best known for playing the starring role of Kiki on the Emmy Award-winning Nickelodeon TV series, The Fresh Beat Band, a critically acclaimed children’s TV show. Today, we interview Ava on when she started acting, what it was like to be on Nickelodeon’s The Fresh Beat Band, her musical influences and where you can find her next!
GLITTER: When did you first start acting?
AVA: As a kid, I was always running around doing all kinds of weird accents. I was writing plays for my sisters and I to perform for my family when I was about seven or so. In my early teens, growing up in Miami, although there were limited resources, I did all kinds of community theatre and pretty much whatever I could get my hands on.
GLITTER: What was it like to play Kiki on Nickelodeon’s The Fresh Beat Band?
AVA: It was a lot of fun and it was challenging, but all in all, an incredible experience.
GLITTER: How would you describe your sound?
AVA: It’s soulful and it’s got some urban and Spanish elements thrown in the mix.
GLITTER: What can you tell us about your “Havana” music video under the name Ava Gold? Where was it shot?
AVA: The video was shot in Los Angeles, but there is also some footage that was taken in Cuba. I wrote this song about my parents coming to the US and the sacrifices that you have to make sometimes for a better life. The video is almost like a short film in the storytelling aspect and there’s a real hopeful quality to it.
GLITTER: Will there be either an EP or album out soon? Inquiring minds want to know! 🙂
AVA: Yes! I am releasing an EP later this year and will be putting out a few singles and videos over the next few months.
GLITTER: Do you have any musical influences?
AVA: I have so many! I grew up listening to the music on the radio and then what my mom played in the house which ranged anywhere from The Beatles to Celia Cruz, Whitney Houston to Queen, Stevie Wonder to Vivaldi…what can I say, I’m a musical mutt, but I like it that way.
GLITTER: Do you play any instruments?
AVA: I play violin, guitar and piano but I’m always learning and picking up new instruments.
GLITTER: Where do you find your inspiration?
AVA: I find inspiration all around me, in everything.
GLITTER: What was the first single that you ever released?
AVA: The first thing I ever released was actually a live album called Not Gonna Wait – The Live Sessions.
GLITTER: Where are a few places that people may have heard your music at?
AVA: I’ve written for various other artists and have had my music on some television shows, etc. but I’m most excited for people to hear this new project Ava Gold.
GLITTER: How do you give back to your community?
AVA: I work closely with the Rock & Roll Camp for Girls in Los Angeles, which is an incredible organization that empowers girls through music education. I am a Celebrity Champion for the Alzheimer’s Association and also recently created a non-profit called Creative Minds Care, whose first undertaking is dealing with finding a cure for Alzheimer’s. I am currently working on creating an annual benefit concert and my vision is to see a world without Alzheimer’s.
GLITTER: Is there something about you fans would be surprised to know?
AVA: I love learning. I have an insatiable thirst for knowledge.
GLITTER: Best advice you were ever given?
AVA: Don’t be afraid to take the road less traveled.
GLITTER: Is there someone you’d like to work with that you haven’t worked with already?
AVA: So many people! But to name a few, I would love to work with Marc Ronson, Pharrell & Santana.
GLITTER: Any projects you can tell us about that you’re working on next?
AVA: I’m doing the voice of Kiki on a new animated show on Nick Jr., called The Fresh Beat Band of Spies, which airs June 15th! There are some things cooking in the oven that I can’t talk about just yet, but I’ll be posting some updates real soon!
GLITTER: How can fans follow you?
AVA: www.twitter.com/avagoldworld
www.instagram.com/yvettegnacer
CLICK THE LOGO BELOW TO GET INSTANTLY
ON NOOK OR SUBSCRIBE OR BUY A SINGLE COPY
Editorial Director | Writer | Tweet me @heatherriccio
