CITYist

Jessica Lowndes can be thought of as a chameleon, effortlessly shifting between being an actress and a budding singer-songwriter. The 23 year-old from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada has made a name for herself by playing troubled-teen-turned-pop-superstar Adrianna Tate-Duncan on the CW’s 90210, but with the release of her latest single, “The Other Girl,” Lowndes would like to remind the world who she is, “With acting I get to tell someone else’s story, and with singing I get to tell my story.”

Thus far Lowndes has only released singles and EPs, though she laughs, “I’ve recorded enough singles to make three albums. I like to keep the momentum going and keep releasing singles.” She has been working with top music producers and promises that a full album is on the way, “but til then I like to keep people excited and continue releasing singles and see how they are received.” Indeed her music has already had a warm reception. “Falling In Love,” a collaborative single between Lowndes and hip-hop artist Ironik, made the UK’s top 40 charts and the video has nearly six million views.

Lowndes has had a hand in writing the majority of the singles she’s put out, “I’ve been writing music my whole life. I write poetry all day every day and I’ve been playing piano since I was 5. Song writing is an emotional release, I feel so much better after doing it.”

Lowndes says that her inspiration for a song varies, “Sometimes it’s about personal experiences or things I see my friends going through.” Inspired by the end of a relationship, Lowndes wrote “The Other Girl,” “I guess it’s another breakup song. This single is a little bit dancier than my other stuff.”

The green-eyed talent describes her personal style as “very classic- feminine chic. I really love vintage and dresses in that [Old Hollywood] shape that accentuate the waist.” She notes that her style icons are the stuff of Old Hollywood legend, “I love Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn. I like taking their style & putting modern twist on it.”

Lowndes, who will begin filming 24 new episodes of 90210 in July for the show’s fifth season, favors being able to combine her music and acting careers, “I love acting and singing both the same. I get to sing on the show every week. My character sings so many different styles of music. It broadens my abilities and brings me different kinds of listeners. The show is a great platform for that. Season 4 left off with my character starting a career as a country western singer so I’ll get more opportunities to sing. “ As for the future, Lowndes says, “I would love to be in a musical, like on Broadway. Right now I’m happy to do both [singing and acting].”

Though she may be equally passionate about the two careers, Lowndes notes that fans get to see her on a more intimate lever through her music career, “I feel like the words are really me and what I’ve gone through. I feel more vulnerable. It’s easier to hide behind other people’s words when you’re on the screen. Singing is what I’ve gone through and my voice. It is definitely more me.”