BETTER THAN NETFLIX.
Actress and YouTube phenom Liza Koshy believes that content is a universal language. And if it gets people laughing we’d have to agree-- as does her following. With over 15 million followers on IG and a loyal YouTube crew that checks in to see the new vids Liza uploads every Wednesday. Like her 73 Questions Vogue parody, featuring her character Jet Patinski, or Helga, her 8th wonder of the world, ethnically nondescript character who likes her eggs, “unfertilized.” Same.
A self-made star that’s only on the rise, find out what’s new in Liza’s word in 2018 and why you shouldn’t take your eyes off her.
Binge on Liza below.
How would you describe what you do?
I’m making content to make people feel content.
When did your interest in video start? How’d you start creating content?
I started on Vine in High School. When I switched to YouTube I started to create more elaborate sketches. I moved to Los Angeles when I was 19 and signed with Creative Artists Agency to build my brand and put some strategy behind the funny.
Who were your biggest inspirations growing up?
Jim Carrey and Raven Symone. That’s So Raven was my jam!
Your social media feeds seem custom tailored for each platform. Your YouTube and your Instagram look so different from each other. How do you maintain your unique consistency online?
I treat each app as a different diary of me. I wish I could tweet the one-liners that I come up with for YouTube, but my audience, the bosses will call you out for recycling content.
You did a pretty cool collaboration with Giving Keys and had a line of necklaces out last year. How did that come about and what’s the meaning behind the necklaces?
My parents had gotten me one of the Giving Keys necklaces as a gift. After meeting the founder of the company, Caitlin Crosby, we started talking about a collaboration and what she wanted to put into the world. We both want to put out all sorts of good words and intentions. I decided to focus on the words 'Trust' and 'Laugh’ as they’re major themes in my life.
In your video titled “Mixed Kid Problems,” you mention bouncing among racial groups and constantly fielding queries about your ethnic background. What is your background and how do you feel like your audience relates to this?
I’m perceived as “ethnically ambiguous” online and I think that helps me broaden my Gen Z audience, which is more ethnically and racially diverse than most older generations. My father moved to the U.S. from India as a teen, and my mother is white. I mostly just describe myself as a “little brown girl.” My bosses are a bunch of 11-year-olds and they’re more informed about the world and more opinionated about it, which isn’t a bad thing. But it makes them a little more touchy at times.
You’re stepping into a new realm with your latest television deals. How does this feel?
This phase of my career relies on my bosses sticking around and following me to these new outlets. It is kind of hard to give up parts of the creative process now. I’m nervous about not setting up the camera and pressing record myself.
What’s the best part about what you do?
I can’t get fired.
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
Bad breath.
If you could switch jobs with anyone who would it be and why?
Jessica Alba. Her company Honest, honestly it’s amazing.
