Lucy Hale Is More Than a 'PLL', She's a Host!

This Sunday marks the 31st annual MTV Video Music Awards, with your pre-show host... drumroll please... which comedian is it... Oh, never mind. It's Aria Montgomery from Pretty Little Liars! Yes, Lucy Hale is your VMA pre-show host this year, and if you're like me, you're thinking, "Hmmm, well that's a creative choice..."

On Aug. 24, Hale will work the pre-show red carpet alongside MTV's Sway and Christina Garibaldi. Not gonna lie, this choice appears to be a bit of a head-scratcher. I mean, no shade towards Hale, but she seems rather out of place with this hosting gig. After all, she she doesn't really have a background in celeb tele-journalism. Plus, I thought she was a designer now! Is she even remotely involved in the music industry? Funny you should ask, because contrary to popular knowledge, she's more than a Pretty Little Liar. She's actually been a singer all her life and released her freshman record this year. OK, so things make a little more sense now.

Actually, if you have the memory of an elephant, you'll remember that Hale got her start in showbiz on 2003's American Juniors. Just to refresh that old brain of yours, this was like American Idol for children. Check out little 14-year-old Lucy back in the early aughts, wailing her little heart out to "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me." Aria Montgomery, is that you?

Originally her goal was to land a record deal when she moved to LA after American Juniors. However, this was another genuine case of life happening, and she ended up veering off her planned path and getting into acting. However, when the execs from Hollywood Records heard her voice in her musical performance of A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song, they were chomping at the bit to work with her. In 2012, Hale penned a record deal with the company, and her debut album dropped in June of this year. The record's first single, "You Sound Good to Me" has the country pop sound that she closely identifies with, given her Memphis roots.

Yep, that looks like a country video to me. Sure, her PLL character may be the farthest thing on Earth from Carrie Underwood, but there was no question in Hale's mind about what genre of music she wanted to perform. She told MTV in a 2012 interview, "It just really speaks to me. Country music has so much soul and is so heartfelt. I think it’s a perfect fit for me. I think it will surprise people.” I mean, I can't say I'm unsurprised. Hale's latest single is called "Lie a Little Better", and I'm choosing to believe that she's making a wink to PLL. Get it? Lying is the operative theme here.

In addition to her music career, Hale hosted the Teen Choice Awards in 2013 alongside Darren Criss. From what I can tell, it appears that she is fully able to introduce celebrities and musical performances. Especially with some co-pilots, she should be able to work her uber-enthusiastic steez while conversing with fellow celebs.

Alright, so I guess is makes slightly more sense how she got this gig, then. She has hosting duties on her resume, and is in the music industry. Bully for you Luce!