Habits and Hustle - Episode 89: Ally Brooke – American Singer, Former Member of Fifth Harmony, Author

Episode Date: November 10, 2020

Ally Brooke is an American Singer, Former Member of Fifth Harmony, and Author. Raised by parents without a lot of financial stability, singing, and performing at 9 years old, traveling back forth from Texas and LA for opportunities at 12, Ally shows what it takes to have a big dream and do everything you can to make it happen. She discusses her successes and failures on the X-Factor and with Fifth Harmony, her struggles and what she was not prepared for in the darker sides of the industry, her faith, and how it’s been a constant in helping her through, and more. You wouldn’t expect to hear how difficult it can be after already being a part of something so successful, pursuing a solo career, and being turned down at every turn. Ever wondered how the industry treats one of their own behind closed doors? Love the story of someone coming from nothing and making it with all the honesty and gritty details that are usually left out? Just love Fifth Harmony and want to hear some behind the scenes? Don’t miss this one. Youtube Link to This Episode Ally’s Website Ally’s Instagram ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Did you learn something from tuning in today? Please pay it forward and write us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. 📧If you have feedback for the show, please email [e-mail]  📙Get yourself a copy of Jennifer Cohen’s newest book from Habit Nest, Badass Body Goals Journal. ℹ️Habits & Hustle Website 📚Habit Nest Website 📱Follow Jennifer – Instagram – Facebook – Twitter – Jennifer’s Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Welcome to the Habits and Hustle Podcast. A podcast that uncovers the rituals, unspoken habits and mindsets of extraordinary people. A podcast powered by habit nest. Now here's your host Jennifer Cohen. Hello and welcome to Habits and Hustle. On today's episode we have Ali Brooke. Ali was a former member of the girl group Fifth Harmony, otherwise known as five H. Since then, Ali's went off

to be a solo artist from 2017 on, and she just released her first book called Finding Your Harmony. We had a really good conversation, and we spoke really honestly about the journey of rising to fame as a teen, and all the different trials and tribulations that come along with it. We spoke about work ethic, and being true to yourself in a business that sometimes makes it kind of difficult. We spoke about not just surviving, but how to thrive and how to find inner confidence. Please join me and listen to Ali and myself speak about all of these things and lots of different things in between. And I hope you enjoyed this episode as much as I enjoyed doing it. When I was reading your book, I will tell you something.

I like, I felt your pain because a lot of people don't know this, actually, like whatever. But I used to be in the music business. I used to be a marketing executive for BMG years ago. That's how I started everything. But then I left, I went into the fitness business and I actually would train a lot of their young artists like you.

So like, yeah, so I felt your pain, girl. Like I felt it when I read it. I'm sure that you have a lot of stories and you know what it's like, you know, the crazy part of our industry and a lot that goes unsaid, you know. It's hard. Obviously, it comes with such incredible opportunities and amazing highs, but there is so much that one goes through in this business. Absolutely, and I will say you have to be somebody who has to, if you don't have a thick skin going in, it's really hard. I mean, I mean, there are a few of these girls that I used to work with who I love to this day who were quite

frankly some of the most talented, like if you, like your voice is amazing, some of these girls were like, oh, beautiful. Like this, there's a girl that it was like, they said that she was going to be the next Whitney Houston and she was like amazing. She kept on getting signed and then dropped and then signed to another label. And then her entire like 10 years was like a roller coaster without making any music really, you know. It was just, that's what happens. Yes, it's so crazy because this business is unpredictable. And, you know, I mean, as you read, I had before I got my big break so many years

of being in the business and being in Hollywood pounding the pavement recording with different producers and songwriters and kind of just doing what I could and you know you have these high hopes and you know you go after these things and I tried to, you know, I had the dream of pursuing a label and of getting signed one day and, you know, things didn't work out the way that I wanted or had planned. And then X-Factor came along and changed my world. And then even during, you know, X-Factor and Fifth Harm harmony to now, it's just all so crazy and such a journey such a whirlwind, so many ups and downs. You do have to have a thick skin. I feel like I did not actually have a thick skin coming into this. And now, the business kicked my

butt girl and I've now have a thick skin. I was gonna say if you didn't have a thick skin, it's now created like a super thick skin because you have to, and like, you know, it's funny because it's like the most sweetest, kindest, gentlest girls who have like voices of angels I would meet and you would see what was happening, what the business kind of did to them. It was like heart wrenching.

And it wasn't always the most talented that became the most successful obviously. It was great. And it definitely is a weird formula how it works and it's unfair a lot of times. It's unjust a lot of times. But continuing to move forward and to persevere and to not give up and to continue to fight is how I ultimately got to where I am today. And I'm finally living out my dreams. You know, it's funny because some people are like, um, or in the past have been like, why are you so happy or why are you so positive? And I'm like, because I know what it's like

to go through hell and have made no other side. And you know, that's why I smile. That's why I give and I love because when you go through such tragedy and such obstacles, you really appreciate them now so much more. Absolutely. I want to even start with that whole journey for you, the rise to fame, so to speak, because like you were saying,

there are so many years that people didn't see that you were trying and struggling, going through the music business and the record labels, and like all those, the behind the scenes, even before behind the scene, so to speak, that you were kind of go, you know what I mean, before even. And I'll tell you this, I actually remember seeing you

on the X-Factor audition. I remember, and I was like, your voice, when you went up and down and like that long string of that long note, you crushed and then, no you're welcome. And I remember like that whole, how it must have been for you then as just trying to be a solo being put into a group. Like that whole process. I'm really curious how, how it all kind of happened. So start

from the beginning, like you were now, the Floridaers alley. Oh, okay. Such a journey. I had this dream since I was a young girl. 9 years old is when I absolutely fell in love with music and performing and it changed my whole life and my whole purpose. And then I worked so hard with my parents that performed around San Antonio, my hometown for so many years and then 12 years old, back and forth from LA to San Antonio trying to make it, trying to get a record deal as a solo artist.

So many years of hard work and determination and pushing through every day and every challenge as a family trying to get by, doing so much in between performing at schools, performing in front of five people in front of 30 people, performing wherever I could and not being signed, not having a budget, all this stuff, man. And then I get my big break in fifth harmony.

I mean, excuse me on X-Factor. And I didn't even want to audition. I was like, my mom encouraged me, and she was like, mama, you know, what do you have to lose? And I'm like, mom, I'm so scared of going on a reality competition TV show. I'm scared of failing in front of people. I'm scared of getting rejected. I'm scared of what could happen on a TV show. That's not part of my plan or something that I expected because it's so unknown. I was just scared, but my mom kept pushing me.

And finally, I, and it's so funny because the stories and the book really, I'd so much more detail. This is kind of just it in a nutshell, but I remember watching the X-Factor the first season with my dad, and I loved it. We loved that it was new, it was innovative. Right.

In a group, you can be over 40 years old because they had an over 40 status. I remember. Yeah, you could wrap, so it was really diverse and interesting. But I never thought of auditioning for it myself and then Fast forward a year later Again, my mom hears it comes to Austin. She's like you should do it. I'm like no, no, no, no, keep putting it off And then finally I I actually did it and I sent in my audition

My parents went to Costco and I always love Costco. That's the place. I still love Costco, by the way. I was the same. My parents still have their, you know, the same exact location in San Antonio. And I was so mad because I was missing out on going with them.

So funny. Then I auditioned and I said this prayer. I said, God, if this is not your will, please, by all means close the door. I was telling him what to do. And then I just had a serious moment, and a really deep moment, I just said, God, it's, but if it is your will, then please open the door.

And I present and that email, that prayer changed my life forever. And then I think it was only six days later, I got an email confirming that, congratulations, you're invited to the auditions, the televised auditions in front of Simon and Brittany and everyone and I was like, oh my gosh, my whole world just changed and Little did I know what light ahead and again audition as a solo artist and make it to boot camp and we're on the final day of boot camp and we're on the final day of boot camp and I make it through all these rounds and there's so much going on happening. And then bam they call me to the stage and say you know I'm so sorry you did not make it and I was just completely heartbroken. But then they announced like attention everybody can please have the following people come back and are afraid one of those things was mining and it was and then I had no idea it was going on.

I was like, oh my gosh, am I going to have to wrap? Because there's wrappers in this. Am I going to rethink what on earth is going to happen? Then Simon places me with these other girls and we're all together and all of a sudden he said words that changed everything and he said you as you are are going to the judges' homes and we became a group in that moment and it was like whoa I was so I was so unbelievably excited and grateful to have a new opportunity at my dreams that that moment I, I ugly cried.

I, it's a high jump that you can see like if you're YouTube. It's there. And I was so excited at, at the chance of again, having another moment to pursue my dreams. Then it hit that it was a girl group and I'm like, okay, God, this is not part of the plan at all. You know, I worked my whole life towards a solo artist and now this is happening, okay, but, but man, it totally changed my life. And I remember calling my mom be like mom this is what happened

and she was like mama trust it trust God Simon knows what he's doing he's formed one direction he's formed so many careers like just trust him I think something I feel that something amazing is about to happen and little did I know. And then obviously I was super happy and excited and grateful in all these things, but it became for the harmony. Wow, I mean, so like how did it emotionally, when you guys were all put together in that day or time, it must have been so many different emotions though

that were running through you, but all of you guys, like you guys, did you guys already have some kind of rapport being doing that whole experience together with auditions? Did you guys know each other already from that whole experience? What was crazy was no, we didn't, we were strangers and we were thrown in it so quickly, so rapidly. Because bootcamp and stuff was so, oh my gosh, it was ruling. It was so every minute, it was so much tension.

We didn't really get a chance to get to know each other and there's hundreds of people there. That was tough. Literally, we were basically strangers when we all formed as that group. It was exciting, but it was also like, what is about to happen? Who are these girls? What's their story? What's, are they nice?

Like, are we gonna get along? And they were younger than me. They're like four years younger. And is this gonna work? Is this a crazy idea? All of these emotions were happening, you know. Oh my gosh, you get another chance. All these things.

It was crazy. So then what happens like from the day, okay, so X factors over, now you're in a, now you're in this group, you know, stiff-tarmony. What's's like walk us through like day one, like here, now you're a band, right? Like now you're signed, signed to Simon, psycho and to epic records. And like you guys have like the women are like women girls have, it's complicated, right? Because there's a lot of personalities. there's a lot of, there's a lot of like, different insecurities that naturally girls go through.

Yes, and that was really tough at first to navigate, you know? And then we, oh my gosh, do you mind if I, well, I'm gonna plug this in, I'm so sorry, like, no, you're good. That it's almost at a battery. I apologize. Hold on, you don't have to apologize. This happens to me all the time. Real live hashtag 2020. Oh my god.

Yeah, exactly. Where are you anyway? Are you at home or? Yes, I'm in Los Angeles at my home. And I actually just got back from Georgia. There you go. Okay, hopefully this works. Is this okay? Absolutely.

I love this. There you go. Real life. Sorry. Yeah, exactly. No, it's true. Hashtag real life. Exactly.

Totally. Okay. So, exactly. Totally. Okay, so, yes, so after X-Factor was coming off of this high, we made it all the way to the finale. We got fan base. We really had people behind us. The potential there was crazy. It was screaming at us of what we could be. And the X-Factor actually wasn't,

it was not a fun experience for me. As you can remember, it was really hard because my identity slowly from that moment became lost. And it was hard balancing a role in Fifth Harmony, trying to be, you know, I was the oldest one, so trying to be a leader, an example, and grateful, and kind, but also battling. Hey, I'm not getting like any lines in our singing, or not many, and, you know, balancing those emotions, not feeling good enough, and that all kind of circled to my childhood,

as you read before. So that was tough, but I was praying that after X-Factor, we would get a new start and things would be better. And so after X-Factor, we got signed and that was just exhilarating. And then we started working on our first album and our first songs trying to find that right single that would put us on the map as a group and identify who we were as Fifth Harmony, Post X Factor on our own. And I was hoping that it would be different, but when we had our first single, I was so sad because I only had one line and one adlib and I was so embarrassed. I remember feeling so embarrassed and just kind of trapped and I tried to talk to our manager

and she tried to make a call and make it happen but it was just too late so right off the bat that was really tough having these these hopes of, okay, a passive backwards is gonna be different now. Then you're, you know, you're again doing everything that I wanted with signed, you know, had a big old team behind us. We had agents and managers and a label. And then that happened.

That was really tough, but eventually, after a long while, things did get better. So I mean, I wanna talk about that because I think that it's important for people to understand, like you were saying at the beginning, just us about having a tough skin and having other people kind of like

form your identity, right? As you're a young girl, and the other girls kind of like form your identity, right? As you're like you're a young girl and the other girls like you said are much younger than you, right? And what that can kind of do and you know, to your self-esteem, really, right? Especially in time of cyber, you know, you had a lot of, let's talk about that.

Like it was, you know, it's hard. You have to have a lot of resilience is something that comes to mind, right? Like you have to kind of fall and keep on getting back up again and smiling and pretending everything is fine. That's actually a title of one of my chapters. I think it was called Not Down, Getting Back Up. And that's kind of the theme of my life, honestly, and in for the harmony that was that.

And, you know, the hardest part for me was losing my identity, losing who I was number one in the music, and number two, just how even I was presented the makeup that I had hairstyles, the wardrobe. It was all kind of being dictated for me, being told, hey, this is for you and you can't pick anything from this rack or I'm sorry, you can't have this color of lipstick or this hairstyle because she's in a ponytail or she has curly or whatever and it's like it was so hard to balance and again as a young woman Someone who's worked at this dream for a long time trying identity and Presentation is everything, you know because you're like I can't wait to one day have a team where you know hair and makeup And I just can wear what I want and it wasn't like that. And then when I would speak up, you know, some of the stylists and some of the hair makeup people were just kind of rude and

degrading and several times would just say, you know, you just got to be able to be here or no, like that's not for you, you can't have that or because I would ask for a different, like makeup look or hairstyle, they would just kind of say like, you know, I'm sorry, you know, like you've got to just get what you get and that was so hard because all these little things added up to who I was and who I was the world. And then to make things worse in social media, people would say, I was more stressed out of everyone in the group and what is she wearing?

And she looks terrible and it's like, you have no idea what I got there just even get on that carpet. But for then, you to confirm my fears that I don't look my best, it was painful. It's very tough. It is. How did you deal with it? Because people get upset on a very micro level when they get a bad comment on their Instagram. You're having to go out there. I read in your book a piece of, when you were doing a video and you gained some weight and you weren't really comfortable with

your body and you had to go out in a bathing suit and it took a lot of courage. By the way, it takes a lot of courage and guts for a regular girl who to go out without cameras around that, right? To go do, you know, to me without a paparazzi, you know. And then getting that cyber, getting the paparazzi or the comments online about how you look and you're not, you don't look the right part, you're bathing suit ugly, you're not your overweight, it's crushing to a soul. Man, you said it. It was, man, it was horrible. And again, so much had happened. That was towards the middle, I guess, of phytharmonie and, or middle endish.

And I'd gone through all these challenges and obstacles. And then, dealing with my personal life too, you know, worrying about my parents and my mom, dealing with my personal life too, you know, worrying about my parents and my mom, dealing with her health problems, and all of this added up. And there was a lot going on behind the scenes that was just awful. And at that point, I just felt like completely lost

and so insecure. And I felt like I couldn't trust anyone and all those things but still having to go out there and get up out of bed and to show up on the carpets and the videos and interviews and just smile. It was rough, you know, it's rough for anybody and I'm emotional and sensitive, especially at that time I was, and so all of it just felt like the weight of the world was on my shoulders and everything around me was just spinning out of control. So, to be at that place where I'm on the beach filming that music video for Flex, I'm terrified of how I look and not feeling my best. Then people around me say, no, you look great.

Oh, you look amazing. Then I find confidence. And that took a lot for me to find just an ounce of confidence. I feel good and I was proud for myself. Yeah, Ali, you went out there, you owned your body, you owned yourself, and you worked that camera. You know, I felt that moment of pride. And then just shortly later after we finished filming, I opened up social media and there were these

really unflattering photos of me and they were everywhere. And people were just blowing me up saying how ugly I looked, they were calling me fat and the same my my body was not okay and that I just looked terrible poor girl I mean all these things it wrecked me it completely wrecked me and how I dealt with that I think at that time I logged off of social media for a few days, but I really just cried, cried my eyes out, and I had to dig in deep to my face. You know what, what God thinks of me. He says, I'm fearfully and wonderfully made, and I had to try to believe that and calling my parents, my mom encouraging me, my friends encouraging me, people prying over me. And then also seeing that love there too from, you know, our fans who came to my defense

and other people was really amazing. And again, it was hard to really kind of recover from that. It took a long time and there's still a little lasting effects. You know, the different things. Sometimes I'll be like, remember when they said that and then I kind of double think and double check in the mirror, but I've gotten so much better than so much stronger and I have a community of people around me, a team who loves me, supports me. I'm now on a healthy workout regimen. Writing helps me to conquer my feelings and my good days and bad days and just being surrounded by good people and all this love and finally accepting myself. And also being in a world of 2020 where now all different types of body shapes and sizes

are being celebrated, that is what helped all of those things. It's just amazing. Keep coming back, you got plenty of space! Oof, not how you would have done that. You like working with people you can rely on, like USAA, who has helped guide the military community for the past 100 years. USAA, get a quote today.

Vitamin water just dropped a new zero sugar flavor, called With Love. Get a quote today. zero sugar, nourish every you. Vitamin water is a registered trademark of glass O. So yeah, I totally understand, I agree with you. Not to jump back and forth, but I wanted to ask you earlier, and I didn't want to cut you off about the image you had in your mind before you became famous, and then when you became famous and all the things that were kind of coming with it, like we're talking about the behind the scene stuff, all the different things that were going on.

How are the two different? Like in your head, when you before and it all happened, what was the image that you thought when you would become a pop star that you dream that you had. I kind of had on rose colored glasses. I didn't really understand and I guess I was little naive. I didn't understand how corrupt the entertainment is and how people do, they don't have good intentions all the time. They want to steal from you, they want to hurt you. Sometimes they just want to abuse their power and make you feel less than in order for them to feel in control. I didn't understand that a lot of what happens, there's a lot of

like favors that need to be done that you're like, wait, I have to do this in order to get someone to to like me and to support me. Why can't I just do it organically? And just kind of all the different steps. I didn't understand, I mean, I've heard stories, but being in it, people are cruel in this business, you know. And so for my image, when I was younger, I thought, oh my gosh, you go, you get signed, you record the songs of your dreams, everybody loves you, and believes in you, you put it a song, and then you work hard, and you create something amazing.

You get those hits, and you are traveling the world, and people are for the most part kind, and behind you, and they're for you, and supportive, and caring. But it kind of all comes not easy. I wouldn't say easy, but I just thought it was a little bit more There is more of a healthy system that makes sense It makes perfect. Give us an example of something that happened with what happened that you were like completely like just totally shocked about There is a lot I I know. Well, I mean, I wasn't prepared for, for example,

I talked about in my book, this executive. Yeah. Yeah. Of course. I wasn't prepared for the executive. He was so inappropriate with me. He made me feel safe. I was going through a lot and I was seeking help. And there's a lot happening in the group. And so I just needed someone from the outside to give me perspective and advice on how to handle some of these situations and maybe see a big step in. I don't know. And he invited me out to lunch.

And again, making me feel so comfortable. And then when I get there, one of the first things he does is hands me this phone, which is super inappropriate, and was like, hey, you look really good in this. And I was just like completely humiliated and let down and embarrassed and ashamed, but I also couldn't do anything about it because I mean what am I going to do? Like say something tell on him at that time, you know you hear things about people, yeah they're kind of just brushed off if that makes sense. So there was never any consequences to that. Those actions and sadly, with a lot of people, you know, during that time, if you didn't

engage with that behavior, they would try to harm you. You know, they would try to blackmail you and make sure you don't work or lie about you. And so I was terrified that this person would do that. And then another time he texted me and he invited me to his hotel room and I knew where that was going. And I really confirmed that this person did not have good intentions,

that he was trying to do something really awful and disgusting that I was not comfortable with. And I was so fearful again that he would lie about me or tell my label something and the label would try to screw me over even more. And it was just awful. But thank God, well, as far as I know, I mean, that happened in a way, but it didn't really happen the way I thought it would. But in that person is not really working in the business anymore because that person has some allegations against him and sort of this other person. So that is like, you

know, justice in itself. But I'm so I'm so grateful that I had the tools to stand up for myself and say, I'm not going to accept this behavior, you know, I may not feel comfortable or safe yet to tell anybody, but at least I know that I can stand up for myself and pray to God that, you know, nothing happens and not accept that behavior. And for me to share that, and to tell other women that, hey, you can do the same thing. You don't have to be scared of them or what they're going to do. Especially now, people are, are, are, are there consequences with that type of behavior? That's what I want to do is to alert people to alert, you know, women and say, hey, this, this happens or just be careful, but no, you don't have to accept it. And then also say that it's possible to overcome that. Did you ever come forward ever and say, like, tell a

name on about them, like, once, once it was already. So, like, this whole thing happened to you with the thong and him texting you. And then you just brushed it under the carpet and let nature take its course so to speak and things happen to him anyway, right? What? You never, even when he got caught for other people, did you say, hey, you know what? That was also, you never said, hey, it was me too. He did this too or no, right?

I think a team. So I tell him. I think everything came out once. I, and. A team. So I tell them, I think everything came out once I, and everyone went solo. So I told my team and they're like, wow, that's awful. That's disgusting. I'm sorry that you went through that. But for me, that in itself was so much, so much justice. And what I prayed for, you know, and it's hard because it's like,

obviously, God says to forgive, but it's like, you know, I want this person to not, like, I don't think it's right if this person moves forward in life. If they're doing all this stuff, and so again, having that person, you know, get caught and have those consequences was at least some sort of relief. It made me feel so much better. Oh, yeah, it's so creepy too. Like, what kind of, what was that? Is it if that makes sense? It's kind of a weird psychological. Oh, it makes perfect sense. It makes perfect sense. What I find so weird is like, what moron gives a girl like a stong at lunch?

Like it's so creepy. It's creepy, you know, and that's how confident they were to knowing that, oh, I can do this and nothing will happen. You know what I mean? Nobody's going to punish me. Nobody's going to punish me. Nobody's going to bring me down. Type of mentality. It's awful.

The arrogance. It's awful. The arrogance is terrible. More from our guests, but first a few words from our sponsor. Do you have an idea but not sure how to bring it to life? Well, you've got to try Canva Pro. It makes designs simple whether you think you're creative or not. Whether you want to create a stunning social media post or make it for some marketing materials,

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Fundrise.com slash hustle, go for it. When you guys were kind of like growing and then you, you know, you were kind of like kind of growing and growing and then work from home came out and it was like, it was like massive, right? Beyond. Beyond like what, like two billion, like, I don't know, whatever, like views or is that what it is? Yeah.

It's good. And crazy. It takes you to a whole new level. Tell us about how that went. How did it change? It changed the dynamic in the groups. It become more competitive when you became that big. And talk about that whole transition from being working, being known to then hitting it out of the park. Yeah, a super smash. So our first big hit was worth it and that

changed our lives. Yeah. But work from home, man, unstoppable. Yes. The biggest you can get is one of the biggest records that decade, Wait, because we're in 2020. Yeah. We're in 2020. It was 20, when did it come out? 16, so 2016. Yeah, 2016. And I mean, man, I mean, again, we worked so hard and we went through a lot. And I think we had just a few days off in a year.

And it was a lot. But when work on how came out, man, it was who's insane. I mean, just things. At that time, we had new management, our new team, and a lot was happening in circling and it was tough balancing that immense success but also balancing chaos. A lot of just chaos that kind of came with that. I tried my life. Stay rooted. It's a lot from the industry and like different like whispers and scenarios happening and people's like intentions not being good and motivated being not good, you know, without going too deep into it. That was really tough and not being able to trust people, even more.

It's like, you're at the top, but it's like, you're still not satisfied or fulfilled. The weird thing, because you really do picture it one way and then it's another and again, I mean, that's what, you know, it's probably because of being in the group and, you know, having, you know, whisperings and stuff from your label and from your management and from the agents and, you know, that was what was challenging about it. But, you know, I ever came in and I tried to take it for what it was and I tried to still enjoy us traveling around the world

And us being on the biggest award shows and stuff, but it was yeah, like as a young girl. That's like super cool, right? Like you get to do all these things that you never thought world Yeah, you get that and again, you take that but it's hard when you have certain distractions And you can't I don't know just all the anxiety that comes with With fame and then the pressures people telling you what to do and who to be and It's it's a lie. You know, it wasn't what I thought but again, I attribute that to you know being in a In a you a group, you're not your solo artist,

so you can't make all the soul decisions, you can't say, hey, I wanna do this music and I'm comfortable with this lyrics and I wanna do this video. It's such so many chefs in the kitchen, so. Oh, I can't, honestly, I can't even imagine. Like, I know how it would be just with one person and all the different people gapping in your ear about how you should look and dress and feel

and do this and not that. Then you have like a bunch of girls together. I mean, like, and then like, the competitiveness, I'm sure, between, and the personalities, I mean, did you guys have like any, was there someone in the group that you were super solid with? Um, I tried my best to be like the mom of the group and be there for everyone as much as I could. So that's what I kind of held on to, you know? Um, yeah, so that was kind of my experience, but I loved different, you know, I loved what I did and I loved being there in ways that I could and also trying to balance my own

inner issues and stuff was tough. Oh, absolutely. It's tough for anybody. Yeah. Then when you went from the now you're now you're in a group and then you transition, let's talk about the transition from now a girl group, you know, girl group it's like your work ethic has to be, I think there's a big thing, you're very hard working, right? Because you have to constantly, you're constantly hustling, struggling, kind of like going

and going. You know, it's, you must, you have a very strong work ethic, regardless, right? You have to go through this. Totally. And also another thing is to, before, you know, we all decided to part ways and stuff or before, you know, the group expanded, the last year was something that was really great. I think that was one of our best years for sure. We got a right so much. We got to really just connect in a lot of different ways, you know, me and the girls. So I do want to note that we definitely had, you know, something that will have forever, you know, all cherished forever. And I wrote something at the end of

with Harmony, and my book about, you know, we went through so much together and I hope that one day we do end up, who knows, we'll end up on a big stage again one day, you know, and I'll always have love for them. So I want to make that clear. I think a lot of, it was hard in a lot of moments. And, but I definitely, we made that clear. I saw that. I saw that. Yeah. I definitely had some really, really nice moments with all of them at different times. It was hard to kind of believe me 100% for everyone when you weren't even 100% with yourself. So I want to make that clear.

No, no, I know. It is clear. I mean, I just think as a girl, right, as women, my point was it's difficult with groups of friends, you know, never mind being a group of girls who are traveling the world together with a bazillion people telling you how and what to do. I mean, it's, that's a lot. I mean, that's a lot. Yes, and you totally get it. And so now transitioning from

to my own thing, I was so, I was so sad at first. I was not ready and I told the girls, I was like, no, I'm not ready. Like, we have so much more left to do. Come on, let's rally together, but there was a lot of obstacle in our way. We had heard from our management that our label was not going to support another album and you know it was a possibility of okay we have to go search other albums and all that so I

I did have to understand that. I was mad and I was sad, but I also had to ultimately respect the group's decision. So once I got past that, all of my emotions just surge towards, oh my gosh, this is the beginning. My life's about to begin. I'm going to pursue the dream that I've had my entire life being a solo artist. And that was the most phenomenal feeling in the entire world. Because now I have a platform, I have fan-based and opportunities and connections and I knew all the writers and producers, et cetera. Now I just take that and put it in, taking on my own was incredible.

So that moment was just, wow, it was powerful. Attention, Kruger shoppers. Did you know there's a world of innovative services and patient care right in store? It's where an award-winning pharmacy and nationally recognized care come together. Connect with one of our licensed pharmacists today at your local croger and experience the care you and your family deserve. Croger Health, a world of care is in store.

Services and availability vary by location. Age and other restrictions may apply. For coverage, consult your health insurance company. Visit the pharmacy or our site for details. Yeah, and then how, but like let's talk about how it wasn't like everyone thought everyone was telling you was going to be easy and you had to then have the resilience and relentlessness to go through that process. Yes, oh my gosh. So I had really, you know, right off the bat, have the right team around me and it took a while.

I went through a few different managers because, you know, you have to, it's like dating, you know, you have to meet someone, and it's a whole life story, and then see if it works out. And it doesn't always blow, and that's how it goes. And by the way, we've all, my previous managers all ended, you know, on a great note. So it's not like anything terrible happened.

So once I finally found the right team, well, at the time, I was, you know, meeting with Lely's labels for the first time. And I was told by my, one of my managers at the time, that girl is going to be so amazing because you're coming from the biggest girl group in the world. You have all this success. You have so much incredible talent. You're going to have a bidding war. They're going to be offering you deals left and right.

And I was like, wow, really? Oh my gosh, this is the dream. This is wow, you know, this is again, I work so hard toward this for my, you know, entire life. And then I went on these, I went to all these different label meetings. And I weren't as, as I don't want to say easy, because it's not like I was expecting it to be easy, but I was expecting it to at least be a little easier. You know, the room sometimes was a little like stiff and sometimes meetings were super quick

and it was very like, okay, what's your name? How are you doing? What's your songs? Tells which artistry and I'm like, okay, you know, and the energy wasn't right in some of the rooms. And I guess I just expected a little bit more excitement in a way, you know, and like respect. Like you came from a girl group for so many years,

and you made it, and you made it in so many different ways. So, you know, what's up, Ali, we're happy to have you here. One of them actually was like that, and it was incredible. But a lot of the other meetings were harder. And then one day, my manager will. My manager will. He is still your manager, right? Yes, he is.

OK. He is getting together. He is pissing in all girls. Yeah, wow. One day. So the hardest part was being told that all of the labels that I met with said no, they passed, they rejected me. And I was completely devastated.

I mean, oh my gosh, I'll never forget sobbing on the floor you know kneeling down and agony and being mad at God and saying why you know I've already went through all this in my childhood. I already went through all this in Fifth Harmony like you think that maybe you could give me something here and you know it was a lot of pressure from the press and the fans who innocently would ask where's your music, who's your label, everybody else had announced their labels and all this pressure and then damn like you don't even have an option was awful awful and I had a moment of just crying out to God saying why but I in my, will was there to encourage me? I didn't tell anybody. I didn't even tell my parents. And that was

even worse because I'm holding in that secret. And again, they work their whole, well, not their whole lives, but a lot of their lives to support my dream. And I want this more for them than me. Well obviously I want to bless them and give them that good news after my book crack. That good news. All the crazy things, all this crazy stuff we've been through. So it's horrible but I had a moment and at the time Jesus take the wheel of my care and who would was just in my heart And I had chosen that to sing at this event that I was singing at and I just literally prayed like He says take the wheel of my life. I'm I

Have no direction. I have no hope right now. I don't know what I'm going to do. I don't know if I'll be able to make music again to finally have a label. Please help me. And then he helped me. You know, it was very sad, very sad, and alone. It was not in a good space for a long time. But then he reopened one of those doors and that was with Charles Chavez, which was Atlantium, Atlantic, and I signed to them and my whole life changed in that moment. It was just sensational. You can imagine. I can. I mean, you've done so much.

I mean, you've lived like five lives in like a very strong. Yes, you did it. You were like, you know, why'd you write a book so young? And just like you said, I look five lives. But again, I made it through it all. And I made it through the storm. And I'm here with my head tall. And I'm living out my dreams. And I'm it to the storm and I'm here with my head tall and I'm living out my dreams And I'm here to tell someone who feels like I did maybe they feel like that in the industry or they feel it in school or in their current job or whatever it is I just know sorry go ahead. I'm sorry. I'm just gonna say I just want to hear that message that you can overcome even more than you could imagine.

And you really can live out your fullest life. We'll have moments of crying the floor. There may be many moments of that as I encountered, but you can thrive in your life and there is hope. If there's anything I want this book to leave people with, is that there is hope. I love that you say that because your book is called Finding Your Harmony by Ali Brooke and I get why you are. I mean listen, I think that it's, I understand why you, I mean listen, I think that it's, I understand why you'd wanna write this

because I think there's a lot of value, like you said, a lot of valuable information for a lot of women, young girls who are not just curious about the evolution of what happens in a career like yours, because people have big dreams,, you're shining a realistic light on what happens, which I think is important for sure. But more that not only can you survive, but you can thrive if you hold on. Yes, that's exactly it. That's exactly the message. And again, like being that voice for that little girl or that mom or even that grandma, it can apply, my story can apply to so much and I even open up about so many things in my life,

my personal life, you know, there's a diet, there's a cancer diagnosis in the family. You know, my mom's scoliosis dealing with that. My mom not having a relationship with her dad, you know, her whole life and his whole life, but without giving it away too much as you've read, miracles And miracles happen, you know, in life. And things that I didn't even think were possible. It's beautiful. And I know a lot of people need that, especially now. I think that's beautiful. I think it's also, you never know where the road takes you, right?

I mean, like with Fifth Harmony, it, you know, there was a lot of things about it that were difficult at times, but it gave, like you said, it opened up such a world to you that it gave you so many other options that you would never have known of. Like now you did dancing with the stars, you are doing a movie, you know, it's like you have to kind of be open to any opportunity and walk down that road. Yes, that's what I did, you know, and again, even the moments when I wasn't or I was scared, having that team of people around me to push me and to speak some life into me and some truth into me. Man, that has helped me and shaped me so much. And for a long time, I didn't feel like I had

that community of people who I knew were there through thick and thin, whether I was in Fifth Harmony or I, you know, I wasn't or whatever. Just having that also changed it. And, you know, I, I wasn't or whatever. Just having that also changed it and, and, you know, in moments I did have a period where I'm like, man, I'm not finding my right circle of friends yet who, who I can trust and who don't want to use me to get to someone or use me to try to get, you know, a meeting with this person or being able to just trust them with certain things in my heart or that I'm going through. But I finally found that in my team, but also in my friendships. There's so much I'm covering this book and so many different topics.

So, that's awesome that you recognize that. Thank you. No, you're welcome. I also, I thought like even is very courageous. Just courage because you went on a show dancing with the stars and you talk about this in your book a little bit. Like people on online would be like, you're the worst dancer. You don't know how to move. And then you went on a platform to dance, you know what I mean? And you overcame, I think you overcame something. It's very courageous because like that again,

it's like a difficult thing to put yourself out there in a way where people are criticizing you and you're like, you know what, I'm gonna try it. I'm gonna do it and I'm gonna overcome it and I'm gonna show them like a dance. And you were good. Yes, thank you so much. It's crazy because they asked me like multiple times and the first time I said no because

mostly I was super scared of exactly what you're saying. They're calling me the worst dancer. I'm going to dance in with the stars and I'm probably going to make a fool out of myself. Nope. I'm too terrified, sorry. But they asked me again, and my team and my parents said, Mama, I think you should do it. This is going to be an awesome opportunity to one, be part of a show that you're a fan of,

but also to show people who you are, your heart, and also to challenge you to become a better dancer. And then I got a lot of advice too for my friends. And I finally, I was scared and I didn't want to do it because I was nervous that I'm going to be so, I'm going to embarrass myself. And I'm going to confirm that, you know, oh my gosh, you can't dance. But I did it anyways.

And with the strength of that encouragement, that love and that positivity, I was nervous, I was fearful, but I chose to do it anyways. And it led to one of the greatest experiences of my life. It was so special and magical and fun. And it, like I say in my book, I entered like a little cub and left the show like a fierce lioness. It was, it was incredible and again, even if you're scared, still walking through that door and still saying

yes, it can lead you to an amazing part of your life. Absolutely. Like how, where did you always this way? Were you always very resilient like this? Did you always, were you always this, you seemed very ambitious and driven. Was that always just your personality? Thank you. I don't know, I guess so. My parents. vicious and driven? Was that always just your personality? Thank you.

I don't know, I guess so. My parents say that, so I guess. I've always dreamed big as a young little girl. And that's really thanks to people like Selena. She, I would watch her music videos and her interviews and her movie, Countless Matter of Time time since I was a baby literally and I think just seeing her someone who also looked like me and Mexican American woman from Texas just a few hours away, you know was beautiful

and I got a lot of my hope from her was beautiful. And I got a lot of my hope from her. And then my parents were always so loving and encouraging and kind and taught my brother and I to dream big, but also to work hard. Nothing's coming easy, you know, Ali and Brandon, you got to work hard in life. My parents worked hard. They came from poor backgrounds. My dad, as I write, he, sometimes the kid did not have a bed. He wondered what utility bill would be shut off. And my mom, she shared a bed with like seven of her sisters or something like that.

And, but they worked hard to get where they were and encourage us to do the same. So I think having that foundation really helped to get me to to dream big and believe in my dreams. Yeah, and believe in yourself even with knock downs like that to get back up and try again. Yes, that's right. Who are some of your other role models that you look up to besides Selena? I know also Gloria Estefem also you mentioned. Oh my god, I adore her. Man, talk about someone who's a fighter and someone, you know, she has an incredible story of,

you know, the record label told her in Emilio, Congo would never be a hit to change this and that. They said, no, we're not changing a dang thing. And one of the biggest songs in music history. And they are pioneers and they are givers and they are dreamers and they are dreamers and they are philanthropists and he has the metal of honor, freedom, or one of those, they're just an unbelievable level and they're also one of the kindest human beings on earth. So I really get inspired by people like them and also Gloria has a kind of similar story to my mom as far as you know she had horrible accident that. So yeah. Roll her back, you know. I remember that, yeah.

She fought every day and they told her you may not be on stage again. She every day worked hard and she got that stage and that's similar to my mom. My mom's a fighter, you know, in trying to search for a doctor and being discouraged, she found one years, years, years later that helped her so much. But I love Gloria Estefan, Jennifer Lopez, huge inspiration, Carrie Underwood, as you read. Shakira Adele, Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake. I'm drawn towards entertainers, the singers, and just really wonderful artists, people who are not afraid to be themselves and who have made their own lane. The roar of our engines, the pump of our hardwoods, the pedal to our metal, the sparks that

ignite us, the pistons that push us, the passions that drive us, from the feelings that move us to the places that pull us on the roads that unite us. With nearly 6,000 stores and over 17,000 auto care centers, Napa has America's largest network of parts in care, here to keep you five all cylinders. Yeah. I'm telling you, if you were to put a picture beside you of J-Lo, with like looking like how you are,

you guys look identical. You look like a little J-Lo. Thank you. I don't know. You're a lot of I'm wish. No one said that to you. No one's ever said that to you with your hair like that and the little bun.

They do, they actually do. They have said that a lot of times, especially when I have my bun. Yeah. I definitely take that as a huge compliment. She's such a queen and just flawless. I wish I was half, even an ounce. Well, I'm telling you, where are those,

where's those, you're welcome, where are those hoops and you're bun and you're, you're, you're like mini-gaylo. Oh my God. What is, how much a girl best compliment? You're welcome, you're welcome. I have one more question for you I want to go to the best fun moment. You're welcome. I have one more question for you because the podcast is called Habits and Hustle. We know that you have a lot of hustle girl. We know that.

What are some of your daily habits? Are there things that you, besides I know that you pray, you seem to be very religious. You pray a lot, yeah? Yes, definitely. I need to. That's good. Crazy. Somebody ups and downs.

But I also pray for a lot of other people too. My fans, my friends who are going through things, praying for health, safety, all the other things. But besides that, my habits every day, when I'm not working, I've really discovered the gift of writing. Writing your feelings, writing your thoughts. Obviously I wrote a book.

Yeah. So. Hello. Hello. Hello. Yeah. Love it. So it's a powerful tool.

You don't have to be a writer. You just write your feelings, write your thoughts, or you know, writing songs is such a powerful tool. Also, what helps me talk into friends? That fills me up so much. Face timing, phone calls. Also, I love looking at like interviews of people that I admire. Not just singers, but also actors. I absolutely love Galica Dutts. She's one of my heroes

for so many reasons. Also, I love Margot Robbie. I love the rock. I wrote about him, my book. I saw. I saw. Oh my God. You had 200 million other people who follow him love him. Right. I love Dali Harden. So, kind of listening to their interviews and what they have to say and how they navigate through life has been really awesome. I love spending time with my cats. I love being in the couch, sipping coffee or tea,

and having quiet time and just reflecting on life or praying or writing. And when I can, I love to run because it gets me to a whole different space in my head listening to music, even just like movie soundtracks or Classical music it'll just cleanse my mind. So there's a lot of different things that I do I also looked at cook and bake and watch movies watch films. Wow

What's your favorite movie you are TV show right now? You're watching something like a series right now? Oh my gosh, I am so behind. So I actually, you mentioned earlier, I actually just got back from Atlanta, Georgia because I was filming my very first movie called High Expectations. No, it's amazing. Such an incredible journey, such a gift, such light. Oh my gosh, I wrote a whole Instagram post about it

so you can see that and see all the beautiful things that came along. Tell us how it even happened. How did you even get that opportunity? Wow. Well, I've been going on editions for so long now. As you see in my books since I was 12 years old, and I've got a role, not just a role, but a dream role because of the script what it's about, because my character who she is, and the producer, he had me in mind. He kept asking me to audition, and I didn't hear it, hear about the audition until the third time, it was kind of a crazy thing that happened. And I met with him in Miami while I was rehearsing for my time to shine tour in March.

And I ironically did the interview over, I mean the, so I met him in person, but the actor and the director were over Skype. Little that I know how significant Skype would be in 2020. Right, right, right. We've liked now, in any way, so that's how I got the role, I auditioned a first guy. I met the producer, slash writer and person. It was, man, it was remarkable. And then now we're, we filmed during this time. It's just, it's just crazy.

But we became such a family. And some of the greatest people I've ever met in my life were on that set and a part of it. It really did change me and was such a huge gift. Oh my gosh, it was unbelievable. When is it coming? What do you know when it's going to be scheduled to come out or you don't know yet. Not yet, but I heard possibly spring 2021. We'll see what I'll do. But definitely, you know, sometime in 2021, I can't wait. Amazing. And how about your tour? Is it now because it's been put on hold, right? Because of everything. Oh, yes. I'm so well, obviously, I'm at a much better place now, but I was so devastated.

Again, what's your... See everything, you see what I went through to get to that point and then bam, this come taken. But I'm grateful that I did at least four shows and I showed the people, showed the world what I'm about. But so unfortunately, we don't have really a date to our timeline of when concerts would be back. I heard possibly a summer. We shall see. We'll find out. I hope so. I mean, right now people can read your book, Finding Your Harmony. It's a really nice read. And you're so welcome. And where I mean, we all

know how to find you, but just kind of give us all your info anyway. And because if people want to go dig deeper into Ali, where were they go? Yes. So you can follow me on all social media at Ali Brook and Falling in Spotify too and YouTube. Also I just came out with three new songs. My new single is called What Are We Waiting For? And it's with Afrojala. You can check that out. I had another feature come out last week called Gatekeeper with Beth the Grand. That's really fun. And then today I actually just came out with my very first original Christmas song called Baby I'm Coming Home. So please check all of that out. I know we all could use some Christmas spirit right now.

I hope you guys love it. So follow me everywhere. Awesome. Well it's been really nice talking to you, Allie. And I like, I can't wait to listen to all that new music and see you in a movie. Well, thank you so much. This episode is brought to you by the YAP Media Podcast Network. I'm Holla Taha, CEO of the award-winning Digital Media Empire YAP Media, and host of YAP Young & Profiting Podcast, a number one entrepreneurship and self-improvement podcast where you can listen, learn, and profit. On Young & Profiting Podcast, I interview the brightest minds in the world and I turn

their wisdom into actionable advice that you can use in your daily life. Each week we dive into a new topic like the Art of Side Hustles, how to level up your influence and persuasion and goal setting. I interview A-List guests on Young & Profiting. I've got the best guests. Like the world's number one negotiation expert, Chris Voss, Shark, Damon John, serial entrepreneur, Alex and Leila Hermosi,

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