‘God-given talent’ – Russellville’s Ariel Cothrum pursues singing, acting

Story by MARÍA CAMP Photos by MARÍA CAMP AND CONTRIBUTED

FRANKLIN LIVING MAGAZINE

“I can express who I am when I’m singing,” explained 11-year-old Ariel Cothrum, daughter of Erica and Brandon Cothrum. “I sing with the same people over and over again, and with acting, I can always make new friends.”

CONTRIBUTED/ERICA COTHRUM – Ariel Cothrum, of Russellville, Ala., enjoys pursuing acting and singing opportunities.

PHOTO BY MARÍA CAMP – Ariel Cothrum performs in the Roxy’s Great Pretenders show.

The Russellville Middle School sixth grader is doing what many people only dream of – pursuing her passions for singing and acting. ‘Ariel knows singing is her God-given talent, and she wants to use that. She absolutely loves acting and being on the set,”said her mother, Erica. Performing has been a lifelong outlet; Erica said there are videos of Ariel “barely talking but trying to sing.”

“She started acting last year, but she’s been in the Roxy productions since she was 6 years old,” Cothrum added. “She hopes to one day get a lead role … She’s doing background acting right now, and she said it prepares her for the day when she will get a lead role. She knows you hear more ‘no’ than ‘yes’ in this business, and she’s OK with that, knowing that one day her ‘yes’ will come along.”

CONTRIBUTED/ERICA COTHRUM – Ariel Cothrum acts in the Netflix movie “Our Little Secret.”

CONTRIBUTED/ERICA COTHRUM – Arieal Cothrum acts in a Milo’s tea commercial.

Ariel has performed in shows at the Historic Roxy Theatre including The Great Pretenders, “A Salute to Broadway” and, along with her sisters, the “The Roxy’s Christmas Spectacular.” She has also performed at the Watermelon Festival in Russellville.

PHOTO BY MARÍA CAMP – Ariel Cothrum (far left) performs in a production of The Roxy’s Christmas Spectacular.

“She has grown immensely over the years in her singing, dancing and acting,” praised Hillary Malone Hall, director of the aforementioned Roxy shows. “By participating in the shows at the Roxy, it has led her to do other acting roles at different locations.”

PHOTO BY MARÍA CAMP – Erica Cothrum enjoys supporting her daughter, Ariel Cothrum, as she pursues acting and singing opportunities.