Written: Sarah Eskandarpour
What do Drake, Justin Bieber, The Weeknd and the Orlando siblings all have in common? They call Canada home. As a country who has given its share of musical talent to the world, it’s no surprise that the entertainment industry is taking notice of two young newcomers - Johnny and Lauren Orlando. At 13 and 11 years old, the talented two are making waves with their singing and online personalities, turning heads wherever they go. Between filming, tours, and recording new songs, Johnny and Lauren took some time to answer our questions about Canadian pride, their family and what drives them to be the best they can be.
Johnny Orlando
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m a 13 year old Canadian singer and social media personality. I originally got my start on YouTube, but I have also gained popularity on other social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter and Musical.ly. I love performing and making music.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Oakville, Ontario. Last year, my family moved to Los Angeles so that I could work on my singing career. Now we split our time between Toronto and Los Angeles, which is so fun!
Have you and your siblings always been close?
We have definitely always been a close family, but I think that me becoming a singer has actually brought us closer together. My sister Darian and I have been working together for the last four years. She writes a lot of my songs and makes all of my music videos, so we spend a lot of time hanging out together. My sisters and my parents came on tour with me this summer, which was really nice too.
How do you think your city has shaped you to be who you are today?
I think that living in a diverse city like Toronto has given me amazing opportunities to experience different cultures, music, people… That’s not something that you get living in most places.
What makes you most proud to be Canadian?
I am so proud to live in a country where people are kind and accepting. I think Canadian culture is so unique because of all the different types of people that live in this country.
What is your biggest passion?
Music for sure. I love performing and making music.
What is the most challenging thing for you when it comes to doing what you love?
Sometimes I find it challenging to have to “work” at such a young age. I'm only 13 so I find myself wishing I could be a normal kid that plays video games and hangs out with his friends.
What is something your fans might not know about you?
I’m definitely not a morning person and I’m always tired. It’s so bad but sometimes when I go on stage I literally have only been awake for a few minutes!!
Outside of music, what other passions do you have?
I love sports. Before I started singing, sports like football, hockey and soccer were my whole life.
What has been the most surprising thing for you when it comes to touring, performing live, being a YouTube sensation and generally growing within this music industry?
I found it really surprising that the people that I've met that I once considered to be celebrities are actually just completely normal. It’s really cool actually.
What does a typical day look like for you?
My schedule really changes depending on what we have going on at that time. I still go to school, so during the year I am busy with that until about 2:00. After school, I grab lunch (Chipotle always) with my mom and sisters and then usually do something like record a song or shoot a video.
Lauren Orlando
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am an 11 year old social media personality from Toronto, Canada. I have a YouTube channel where I share challenges, tutorials and DIY videos. I am also obsessed with apps like Instagram and Musical.ly!
Where did you grow up?
I spent most of my life in Oakville, Ontario. Now we live in both LA and downtown Toronto, which has been amazing.
Have you and your siblings always been close?
Yes! For the most part we are super close and get along really well. It’s really fun having three siblings because there is always something going on.
How do you think your city has shaped you to be who you are today?
Living in a big city like Toronto has allowed me to meet so many amazing people and have tons of cool opportunities that I wouldn't ever have if I lived somewhere else.
What makes you most proud to be Canadian?
I'm proud to be Canadian because Canadians are known to be nice, polite and tolerant people.
What is your biggest passion?
My biggest passion is entertaining. I love being able to make people smile in whatever I do.
What is the most challenging thing for you when it comes to doing what you love?
To be honest, it’s pretty easy! Social media is cool because for the most part, I live a completely normal life. One thing I do find a little challenging is interacting with fans when I meet them. It’s weird because I never know what to say, but I’m working on that!
What is something your fans might not know about you?
I love dogs. When I’m older I swear I am going to have ten dogs living in my house with me.
Outside of creating Youtube skits and other videos, what other passions do you have?
I love anything creative. Whether it is drawing, painting, singing, acting or photography/videography, creativity is definitely a passion of mine.
What has been the most surprising thing for you when it comes to being a YouTube sensation and generally growing within this industry?
I think the most surprising thing for me was learning how small the industry is. It seems like everyone in Los Angeles knows each other, some way or another, because everybody works in entertainment. I've also learned that having those connections can be really helpful when you are trying to grow within the industry, which is awesome!
What does a typical day look like for you?
As I said before, I am a pretty normal kid with a pretty normal schedule. This year, Johnny and I went to a special school in Los Angeles for kids that work in the entertainment industry, so we were done classes everyday at 2:00. After school I usually do homework, hangout with friends or film and edit my YouTube videos. I still have lots of time to do the things that I love, and also to just relax!
Not everybody can withstand the pressures of their industry but be it a day of filming videos or being at school, these two know the importance of staying grounded, appreciating the opportunities of life and always being proud of where they come from. Still at such a young age, Lauren and Johnny have the rest of their lives to feed their passions and make a mark in the entertainment industry. As the inspiring duo lives the dream in LA, we in Canada are relentlessly rooting for them as they continue to represent the best our country has to offer.
