Meg Donnelly has been a staple in the entertainment world from a young age. A self-proclaimed “theater kid,” she began honing her voice, dance, and acting craft at just six years old, training at Annie’s Playhouse – School of Performing Arts in Far Hills, New Jersey.
From there, Donnelly starred in Disney Channel’s Zombies franchise, gaining widespread recognition for her role as Addison. She also stars in the hit ABC series American Housewife as Taylor Otto and has appeared in The Winchesters, a Supernatural prequel, portraying Mary Campbell.
Donnelly’s passion for the entertainment industry began with singing. From a young age, she had a deep love for music, which ultimately fueled her dream of becoming a musician. Donnelly’s debut single, “Smile,” released in 2018, marked the start of her music career. The song showcased her mix of emotion and optimism, quickly connecting with listeners. Since then, she has released several singles, each reflecting her growing artistry.
Donnelly sat down with ECHO to discuss her newest release, “By My Heart,” a deeply personal track that blends her signature emotional depth with a fresh, melodic sound. During the interview, she revealed how her new aesthetic, centered around blue, influences the song’s vibe and promotion. She shared insights into the song’s creation, explaining how it reflects her mental and emotional state while drawing inspiration from the calming yet powerful shades of blue.
“I love the color blue a lot,” she reflected. “I think it came from coming up with the distinct color for what I want this new music to sound and look like. Blue is something that I’ve envisioned in all the other songs I’ve been recording and also in my heart.” Blue, especially royal blue, symbolized her music and the emotional depth she sought to convey. She adds, “The spiral kind of imagery is something that I’ve always loved… it looks cool, but I feel like my mental state is constantly spiraling—whether it’s before bed, during the day, or with music.”
In an industry where artistic identity often grapples with diverse influences, finding the sweet spot between personal expression and audience engagement can be challenging for emerging musicians. For Donnelly, this means embracing the balance of aesthetics, her music’s inspiration, and more while working on “By My Heart.” When asked about the inspiration behind the track, the actress highlighted finding the balance in her way.
“I want to make music and perform live, but it’s about finding a balance between all my music tastes. Interestingly, with my music, specifically the writing process, my lyrics are way more vulnerable, self-deprecating, and maybe more emotional. The music I like to listen to and want to put out is very dance-heavy or soul-like, Afrobeat inspired.” She explained. “Finding a balance between the singer-songwriting lyrics, but then having something like a production that people can dance to has been challenging. But I think with “By My Heart” it’s the start of a new era. It’s not a dancey song, but you can dance to it; that was my goal.”
The singer-songwriter has opened up for major artists like Alessia Cara and Doja Cat, an experience she describes as pivotal in her career. These opportunities allowed her to showcase her musical abilities to wider audiences while learning from seasoned performers. Reflecting on these experiences, she emphasizes how live performance has always been at the core of her artistic identity, drawing on her background in theater.
“It was incredible. I grew up a theater kid. Performing is definitely in my DNA, nature, or why I even started—live performing,” she explained. “To be able to create songs and then, hopefully, perform them live soon enough is just the goal.”
When discussing her creative process, Donnelly opened up about staying inspired and organized amidst her busy life. For her, writing is not just limited to music but is an ongoing process of capturing thoughts and ideas as they come to her throughout the day.
“I feel like during my day, every day, I’m always just jotting down a million different things, whether it’s like, oh, next week, like on Tuesday, I should like to work out because that will make me feel better now. It’s just crazy sh–t like that. With writing, I will always just jot stuff down in my notes app. I have a bunch of journals that I like to write down. Going into nature also helps a lot.”
As Donnelly looks ahead, her vision for her music is clear: she wants it to inspire confidence, joy, and movement. Her latest track aims to create a soundtrack for moments of empowerment, whether in a club, a bar, or in front of the mirror while listeners get ready for a night out. “My goal is that people will dance to it,” she shared, emphasizing the feel-good energy of uplifting songs.
Donnelly is creating a unique fusion of nostalgia and modern beats. Her next chapter combines the introspective lyricism of “By My Heart” with the confident, carefree energy of her upcoming fall release, “In My Bag.” She aims to craft a soundscape combining emotional depth with infectious, dance-floor-ready rhythms.
“In My Bag” is interesting because I feel like with my music, I’m trying to find a hybrid between “By My Heart” and “In My Bag.” They’re cohesive, but “In My Bag” is about finding your confidence. My goal is for people to dance to it in a club or bar setting or for girls to play it while getting ready to feel confident about themselves because I have songs that make me feel that way. It’d be cool if it becomes one of those songs.”
Drawing on her experiences and influences, Donnelly crafted the track to celebrate confidence and self-expression. It is ideally suited for a night out or a feel-good moment.
“It’s literally about being in your bag—being confident—and it’s a dance song.” She said, “It has a lot of influences from the early 2000s, which I love, with some weird samples that go back to the music I grew up on.”
As Donnelly continues to build her music career, she is thrilled to return to Disney’s successful Zombies franchise, reprising her role as Addison for a fourth installment. Since its debut in 2018, the franchise has garnered a dedicated fan base and significant acclaim for its engaging storylines and catchy musical numbers.
When asked to summarize the next installment in three words, Donnelly immediately responded, “Nostalgic, epic, and emotional.” This new chapter lets her revisit a character cherished by fans and introduces her to a vibrant group of young actors.
“It’s been incredible. Milo [Manheim] and I have been on this niche journey together. It was cool because we were in New Zealand, a different place. It didn’t feel like Zombies fully because we weren’t in Toronto with the original cast, and it was just me, Chandler [Kinney], Kylie [Russell], and I from the original cast, and all these new kids. I’m always the youngest one on set. So being one of the oldest on set and kind of stepping into being a mentor, like an older sister, was different and emotional.”
After years of honing her craft in the music industry and starring in successful projects, Donnelly finds herself uniquely positioned to nurture and guide the next generation of Disney stars. As she steps back into the familiar world of the Zombies franchise, she feels a profound sense of responsibility and joy in mentoring these young talents.
“I feel like I was crying so much because I was just so happy. I loved all of the kids so much. It reminded me of us when we were on the first one because they were all so excited and hyper and liked making sure they knew the choreography, the songs, and the scenes. It was just really inspiring to see.”
As she reflects on her journey, Donnelly expresses heartfelt gratitude towards her fans and followers. “I hope that you love the new music, and I can continue to create for you guys,” she shares, revealing her desire for her audience’s approval.
“Just thank you for the support because honestly, being in this industry—just life in general, but especially being in this industry—can be challenging sometimes, especially mentally.”
Donnelly admits to struggling with self-doubt, wondering if her voice and acting skills are good enough. Yet, the unwavering support from her fans, many of whom have been with her since childhood, motivates her to keep pushing forward. “It keeps me going, like more than they know,” she emphasizes, highlighting her deep connection with her audience.
With anticipation building, Donnelly’s new single, “By My Heart,” will be released on all platforms on October 11. It will be followed by her upcoming track, “In My Bag,” which will drop later this fall. Together, they promise fans an exciting new chapter in her musical journey.
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Featured Photo Credit: Cibelle Levi