We already told you about the event, now let’s tell you about the people.
The 22nd Arthur Ashe Kids Day featured more than just tennis greats like Venus Williams and Roger Federer. Musical talents like Why Don’t We and New Hope Club showed us their singing chops while Alex Aiono and Sofia Carson hosted an entertaining day for children of all ages. With all the acts showing us their best, here’s some highlights from our interviews with them.
Alex Aiono:
You’re hosting Arthur Ashe Kids Day!
“It’s amazing. It’s been such a journey for me so far. I’ve played Arthur Ashe Kids Day on the festival stage five years ago, so it means so much to me that I get to be here hosting, performing with an amazing line up and amazing tennis players.”
Do you play tennis?
“I played tennis a little bit and have dated a lot of girls who play tennis, therefore, I’m a byproduct tennis player. But it’s such a great sport and it’s a sport you can play over your lifetime. It’s inspiring kids with many foundations like Arthur Ashe Kids Day and all the tennis players have their own foundations that help kids play– it’s a great culture.”
Tell us about your new single.
“‘Does It Feel Like Falling’ comes out September 15. I’m so excited about it. I got to work with amazing producers and writers. And we have a great feature on it as well that I’m excited to announce later on but I gotta lead you guys up to it, you know?”
Why Don’t We at the 2017 Arthur Ashe Kids Day.
Saving Forever:
How does it feel to play at Kids Day?
Khaden Harris: “Crazy. Amazing. I mean look at all the people. That’s not even the whole thing!”
Kye Harris: “It feels great. I’m not even bothered by it.”
Khaden: “I’m a little nervous. It’s exciting nervous.”
What should fans look out for?
Kavah Harris: “Right now, Million Ways, and we have an EP coming out soon.”
Khaden: “Million Ways is going to be on there and there are some bangers on there too.”
Spencer Sutherland:
How’s it like playing here today?
“I’m very excited, this is an event that I wanted to play for the last five years, so to be here in this superbowl, I couldn’t be more excited.”
Did you ever play tennis?
“I did for one year, in the seventh grade. I was okay, I was good at ping pong.”
Anything you want fans to know about?
“I have a new single that’s called ‘Selfish.’ It’s been out for a couple months and that’s my new single, but I have a couple more singles in the EP coming.”
What can we expect to see?
“There’s stuff about girls and relationships, but there’s stuff about me as a person and me, so more real stuff. More personal than ever before.”
Are you nervous to put that out there?
“For a long time, yea, because why would I not be vulnerable to that? But I want people to see all sides of me. Especially my fans who love me the most.”
Jack & Jack singing at the 2017 Arthur Ashe Kids Day.
Why Don’t We:
How’s it like playing in this huge stadium for Arthur Ashe Kids Day?
Zach Herron: “It’s a blessing. It’s our biggest performance yet and we’re very thankful to be here.”
Daniel Seavey: “Yea it’s unreal to all of us, being here. Just looking up at the crowd, looking at fans, it’s unreal.”
Corbyn Besson: “And being able to do a fundraiser like this for our first show is such a blessing, we’re so happy about it.”
Jack Avery: “And looking at the line up of people who’ve done it in the past, it’s crazy. Justin Beiber, Ariana Grande.”
Jonah Marais: “We’re really excited and very thankful.”
You guys were recently on the Today Show.
ZH: “Oh my gosh. It’s surreal, exciting, and tiring all at the same time.”
DS: “A lot of red eyes, a lot of hard work, and even more fun.”
ZH: “That was perfectly worded.”
Have you ever played tennis before?
JA: “In my gym class, there was a gym class with tennis. I wasn’t good but I can play a little bit.”
ZH: “We’re all good at ping pong, does that count?”
JM: “Ping pong I’m good at.”
ZH: “Jonah, I swear he’s good at tennis.”
You released three EPs not even a year after forming. What’s the secret?
JA: “Our philosophy is to keep doing the music that we love and keep pleasing our fans that have been going so hard for us.”
ZH: “Making music is what we love to do.”
New Hope Club:
How do you guys feel playing at Arthur Ashe Kids Day?
Reece Bibby: “It’s amazing. We’re very honored to be here.”
George Smith: “It’s going to be a good show, we’re going to have lots of fun. And it’s our first time in a stadium so that’s going to be very cool.”
RB: “A lot of people here. Literally so many.
Are you nervous?
RB: “A little bit, yea.”
Blake Richardson: “The nerves are going to kick in just before we go on stage, watch. We’re always quite calm throughout the day and then you put your guitar on and then you’re like okay, you got this. And then you start playing.”
GS: “Well the first show we ever played was to 50,000 people and since then, we learned to be good. I don’t think you can prepare for this kind of event, it’s kind of amazing. It’s great.”
What are you guys working on?
RB: “We’re releasing a music video soon. That’s coming out in the next month or so, so that’ll be pretty cool. And we actually have two music videos coming out.”
