Why YouTube's Biggest Star Left (Liza Koshy Interview)
Jul 18, 2023
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Former YouTuber with over 25 million subscribers, Liza Koshy, discusses why she left YouTube, hosting the Met Gala, voice acting in Transformers, and her current roles in acting and directing. She talks about her creative process, filming techniques, unique hosting style, and the transition from solo work to collaborations. Liza shares insights on saying no to large sums, her team size, vocal impressions, and her big goals. She also mentions Obama's advice and the significance of self-evolution in content creation.
Liza Koshy prioritized mental well-being over YouTube success, emphasizing self-discovery and creativity.
Transitioning from solo work to collaborative projects sparked Liza's passion for collective storytelling and creativity.
Liza envisions a future in acting, directing, and producing, inspired by Quinta Brunson and Issa Rae.
Deep dives
Liza Kojci's Journey to Self-Rediscovery and Reconnection
Liza Kojci, a renowned creator, reflects on her decision to step back from YouTube despite her peak success, emphasizing the need to find herself and prioritize mental well-being. She highlighted the importance of honoring her creativity, expressing it freely, and refusing to conform to preconceived expectations. This period of introspection led her to a renewed sense of clarity, celebrating her accomplishments, and embracing vulnerability in her content creation.
Exploring Collaborative Creativity in the Writer's Room
Liza delves into the transformative nature of working in a writer's room, contrasting the solitary nature of past creative endeavors with the collaborative energy of a dynamic team. She emphasizes the wealth of ideas, diverse perspectives, and genuine connections that emerge in a group setting, igniting her passion for collective storytelling and propelling her artistic evolution.
Dreams, Aspirations, and the Path to SNL
Liza shares her aspirations for the future, envisioning iconic milestones such as hosting SNL and venturing into directing and producing projects. Drawing inspiration from creators like Quinta Brunson and Issa Rae, she envisions a multifaceted career encompassing acting, producing, and creating content that resonates authentically with her audience.
Lessons in Trust and Empowerment for Content Creators
Reflecting on her experiences, Liza underscores the significance of trust in the creative process, urging brands and traditional media to empower creators by honoring their unique voices and storytelling styles. She advocates for a collaborative approach that amplifies creators' authenticity and enables them to connect with their audience more genuinely.
Resilience and Growth in Voice Acting and Transformative Roles
Liza discusses her foray into voice acting and her portrayal of characters like RC in the Transformers movie, emphasizing the power of embodying strong, dynamic roles. She shares insights into the preparation and dedication required for voice acting, highlighting the transformative impact of stepping into powerful characters and exploring new creative horizons.
Before there was MrBeast there was Liza Koshy. She was one of the world's fastest-growing YouTubers and Viners, growing a fanbase well beyond 25 million subscribers. Her videos have over 2.6 billion views, but then she stopped uploading. So what happened to Liza Koshy? In this interview, I asked Liza why she left when she was on top of YouTube, what it was like hosting the Met Gala, voice acting in the new Transformers movie, and how she's applying all her skills as a host, actress, and director today. Who knows, we may just see Liza on Saturday Night Live soon enough.
Chapters
00:00 - What happened to Liza Koshy?
00:35 - Presented by HubSpot
01:45 - Liza's Creative Process
06:46 - Becoming a "Single-Person Studio"
09:31 - Filming Process: Liza vs Vogue
14:52 - Liza's unique approach to hosting Met Gala
19:22 - Taking up more space
21:59 - HubSpot Presents: Create Like The Greats
22:35 - Who's ignoring Liza Koshy?
25:56 - What people didn't see
29:20 - Creating in groups vs solo
31:53 - What can YouTubers learn from Hollywood? Vice versa?