Aubrey O'Day rocketed into spotlight as a member of the girl pop group Danity Kane. P. Diddy created the group that was featured on its own reality television show for MTV called Making the Band 3. Their first album debuted at number one on the Billboard charts.
When the group split O'Day started her own reality show on the Oxygen network then competed on Celebrity Apprentice season five.
She hits Pride Fest this month bringing new tunes and a brand new O'Day.
Windy City Times: Hello, Aubrey. The last time we spoke for your reality show All About Aubrey. How have you been?
Aubrey O'Day: Great!
WCT: Who do you keep in contact with from Danity Kane?
Aubrey O'Day: I'm proud to say finally all of the girls. We are sisters.
WCT: How do you feel you were portrayed on Celebrity Apprentice?
Aubrey O'Day: Smart, creative, impatient, talented and kinda bitchy—which are all accurate.
WCT: I have gotten to know Lisa Lampanelli over the years through interviews. She became a great friend of yours from doing that show, correct?
Aubrey O'Day: Lisa was my sanity during filming. It was nice to constantly have her mind to use and experience!
WCT: Thanks for picking GLSEN as your charity. How do you feel about Trump's stance on gay marriage?
Aubrey O'Day: I try to find honesty and inspiration in everyone. ... His stance on gay marriage isn't those things, so I disregard him on that issue. Equality is equality. You can't pick and chose between categories of people, you either believe in it or you don't.
WCT: Favorite memory of being on Broadway with Hairspray?
Aubrey O'Day: Sitting on the floor in Jenifer Lewis' dressing room during every intermission with my new [at the time] puppy Ginger planted in her bosom, while she told me wild industry stories—sex, love, and assholes to stay away from!
WCT: You have done so many musicals. Do you have an all-time favorite one?
Aubrey O'Day: I enjoy so many for such different reasons. I can give you top five favorite classics: Rent, Cats, Evita, Miss Saigon, Phantom of the Opera.
WCT: I imagine lots of dance music on the new EP. Any guest stars or producers you can talk about?
Aubrey O'Day: Between Two Evils for me was an expression of a period of time in which I was so deep in the pain of a bad relationship that all I could do was write. Therapy nor exercise was getting it out of my body. There is some dance, there is more midtempos, it is all heart. I'm sick of making radio songs or music that other people consider popular. For once I just wanted to sing and write music for myself. With that being said, I hope it can touch many people and possibly help them heal from their struggles.
WCT: Speaking of people's struggles, you have been a big activist for AIDS over the years. Is there a personal connection to it, maybe friends or family?
Aubrey O'Day: Yes. My moms close friend, who was also my first live-in babysitter was a man with AIDS. He lived in my home until he died. I liked him more than anyone I played with in school. We sang. We danced. Our energy was electric. Before he got to a point where he didn't want me to see him anymore, he asked me to perform for him one last time and then said, "If you could be anyone in the world who would you be." I said, "me." He then replied with his last words to me "don't ever forget that response, always be you and choose you." So I do. He taught me that. That was in the late eighties. I've seen AIDS education and awareness change so much since then but it's always been personal I suppose.
WCT: What kind of set list are you planning for the Chicago one?
Aubrey O'Day: Obviously some of my new records, some DK and then I will do an acoustic set of music that's inspired me. It'll probably be whatever I feel that day. [Laughs]
WCT: Will you sing "Automatic" or "Wrecking Ball?"
Aubrey O'Day: Yes.
WCT: Are you ready for the hot sweaty crowds?
Aubrey O'Day: Definitely.
WCT: Will you be blonde or burgundy for the show?
Aubrey O'Day: Blondes have more fun.
WCT: How are your pets, and aren't they on a reality show: A-List Celebrity Pets?
Aubrey O'Day: Yes, and they are as wonderful and loving as always!
WCT: What are you doing to celebrate when you hit 1 million Twitter followers?
Aubrey O'Day: Already there, but who cares about Twitter when we've got Pride here!
Look for O'Day on June 22 at 2 p.m. on the North Stage on Halsted Street. Details of the festival can be found at www.northhalsted.com .
