It is no easy task to have been in show business for your entire life, as has been the case for the talented actress and musician, Elizabeth “Lizzy” Small. However, all that work has been paying off, as she has just finished co-starring in a role for the film, Spare Parts, starring George Lopez, Marisa Tomei and Jamie Lee Curtis. And she also has a new single out called “Gravity,” in which she successfully crowd-funded the making of the music video last year. We wanted to touch this rising star before she took off too far beyond our heads.
Urbasm: Hi Lizzy, how did the premier of Spare Parts go?
Lizzy Small: It was super fun. It is always nice to see everyone you worked with once the final product is done. The director is always so friendly and nice, so it is awesome to see how excited he is now that everything is complete.
Urbasm: Is it getting good reviews?
LS: Yeah. Everyone I’ve talked to loves it. It is a real powerful story.
Urbasm: Tell us a little about the role you play?
LS: I play a girl who competes against them in the competition, and I am also the love interest of Christian, one of the four main boys in the story.
Urbasm: How did you get the role?
LS: I read the script and really wanted to audition, especially because it is based on a true story; it just makes it that much more intriguing. I initially auditioned for Alexa Vega’s role, and then they offered it to her and asked if I could come back in for a different role… and that was another role that I didn’t get. And then they were like, ‘Okay, actually we want you to read for another role’—so I literally had six auditions, and I had to do a take for Lionsgate the day before they had to decide for my role. It was crazy. Thankfully I got the role, but it was a process.
Urbasm: They made you work for it.
LS: Yeah they did.
Urbasm: What is your best “behind the scenes” story from making the film?
LS: Obviously working with George Lopez. He is hilarious and makes everything fun and exciting. But we were doing this improve scene where all the cast was just improving. It was a segment at the robotics competition where we are all being interviewed by the judges. So I am doing my improve segment, and when I finish, the director, Sean, goes ‘Lizzy, is there anything else that you want to do, or are you done?‘ And I was like, ‘No sir; thank you sir.’ And everyone just burst out laughing, and I had no idea why. Then I realized that I picked up saying that because the four main boys had an inside joke going with the director that after they would finish a scene they would say, ‘Thank you sir; yes sir.’ They made fun of me for the rest of the day; and they played the tape back. It was so embarrassing.
Urbasm: (Laughs) So what else do you have coming up this year that you can tell us about?
LS: On March 22, 2015, for the first time I will be performing my original song Gravity, live at the Boys and Girls Clubs Superstars of the Year Event. It is an amazing charity event that I was able to co-host last year. So I am really excited to be performing, especially since I have never performed Gravity on stage before.
Urbasm: We’ve already talked about this briefly, but we wanted to congratulate you on the successful funding of Gravity. It is awesome.
LS: Thank you. Thank you so much.
Urbasm: Yes. What is the story behind the creation of that video?
LS: The plot is about feeling that connection with someone, that no matter where you are, no matter who’s around you; there are the only person you can see and have a gravitational pull towards them. I was talking with this director the December before last, and she wanted to hear my music. I showed it to her, and she was like, ‘Oh my gosh, we have to make you a music video.’ So we set up a few meetings and came up with this story that we both had this same perspective on, and I had to figure out a way to fund it. I had heard about Kickstarter and I was like, ‘Why can’t I do one; What can it hurt?‘ So I tried it and it was a bit of work, but it was really fun and worth it. It is a great way to gain fans and meet people from all around the world.
Urbasm: What is your ultimate goal to reach with your music career?
LS: My performance is on March 22, and my hope is to only grow that. Eventually I would love to go on a world tour. I would also like to collaborate with other people, whether it is other singers or rappers. I love to combine ideas.
Urbasm: Who would be your favorite person to collaborate with?
LS: This is so tough. You got me in a bad way… (silence). Okay, John Legend for sure. He rocks.
Urbasm: Good choice.
LS: Make sure to call him up and let him know (laughs).
Urbasm: We will. And now for the big dating questions.
LS: Yes!
Urbasm: How do you give a guy the hint when you’re not interested in him?
LS: I would say with texting–you’ve got to keep it really casual and friendly. So if I am not too into a guy, I’m like, ‘Thanks, you’re the best.‘ Keeping it friendly but not flirty. Sometimes I will be like, ‘Thanks homey,’ or ‘Thanks dude.’ In person, it is the same thing, but I think the best thing to do is hang out in a group. Kind of like, ‘Let’s go to dinner, but we’ll invite these other people,‘ to make it clear that I don’t want anything more. I don’t know, maybe my tactics are bad, and maybe this is why I don’t have a boyfriend (laughs).
Urbasm: No, those are good.
LS: You need to be straight forward a little.
Urbasm: Yes you do, and here is another problem. A lot of guys guys think if they hang on long enough they can turn that friend thing around. Is that usually the case?
LS: I would say number one, that can result in the guy getting hurt a lot. I would say that the longer you try to hold onto someone, the more you will end up liking them. It is better to get out sooner rather than later. You’ll just end up hurting yourself even more. And usually when girls are really good friends with a guy, they can sense when the guy starts to like them, and they start to pull back when he tries to go further. Save yourself from the beginning.
Urbasm: Take the hint.
LS: Right.
Urbasm: So what does it take for a guy to get your attention?
LS: Oh… (laughs) I would definitely say someone with a great sense of humor. A guy should always be kind and a gentleman. He should take me on a nice date; maybe out to dinner, maybe to a movie or on a hike or to a museum. You don’t even have to spend money. It doesn’t have to be extravagant. And three, I would say that I love a good smile. But most of all is the sense of humor and being a gentleman; those are the first priorities.
Urbasm: And rightly so. And our final question is: What are the three things that would make every guy a better man in your opinion?
LS: Number one; be more aware. It is nice when guys are aware of things, and not necessarily complimenting all the time, but just be aware when a girl is having a bad day, and check up on her. If she needs something; offer it. I feel like a lot of times girls get frustrated because guys are in their own world. Two, please always smell good (laughs). And three, speak kinder. Be considerate. Think about what you are about to say before you say it.
Urbasm: Can’t argue with any of those Lizzy. You’ve been a lot of fun to speak with. Thanks again.
Get in touch with Lizzy on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and her website, ElizabethSmall.com.
Read More:
Interview with Model, Fashion Blogger Hanna Beth
Interview with Photographer Kristina Kazarina
Interview with Singer Doreen Taylor
About Dr. Eric J. Leech
Eric has written for over a decade. Then one day he created Urbasm.com, a site for every guy.
About Dr. Eric J. Leech