Aidan Elyse McCollough of Silver Lake on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Aidan Elyse McCollough and have shared our conversation below.

Aidan Elyse , a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
For the last couple years, I have been recovering from some severe health issues. In order to heal, my entire diet and lifestyle changed drastically. Particularly, I became highly sensitive to all premade products from food to personal care. To prevent any relapses or intense reactions to chemicals, I now make all my food and beauty products from scratch.

From sauces to deodorant to breads, butters, kimchi, and even makeup, everything is handmade. It’s quite fulfilling to create all that you consume as it truly tastes and feels radically different than anything premade. Beyond the flavor, I’ve learned to deeply appreciate food and all the things we put on/in our bodies.

There is something deeply satisfying about gathering all the ingredients in their simplest form and then alchemizing them together in such a way that they create something new. As each day is devoted to testing new recipes and finding innovative ways to replicate the products I need, I often feel like a witch in training brewing her potions. What once felt like a catastrophe with my health, has now become an enjoyable and enriching régime for healing.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Aidan Elyse McCollough. Primarily, I’m an actor, filmmaker, and photographer. Throughout my career, I’ve worked in many aspects of the film industry from directing to animation to production design. As of late, I’m mainly focused on screenwriting, while still running my photo business and auditioning full-time.

However, last month I embarked on a new creative project in which I could combine all my skills into one artistic endeavor.

I began singing at twelve years old in a girls trio. Us three would perform at retirement homes and hospitals during the holiday season to bring cheer to the sick and elderly. Conducted and arranged by my mother, a professionally trained opera singer and former rock star, our performances were highly technical and greatly resembled the style of The Andrews Sisters. Of all the performing I’ve done in my career, there was none as special as singing for those saddened and isolated souls in these facilities. The joy and hope they felt after our Christmas medleys always embedded in my heart the true power that music can have: the ability to deeply affect one’s spirit.

Since my time in the trio, I have always continued to sing, but was working in many other fields that didn’t allow me to sing as much as I would like.

To fulfill my heart’s deep desire to share my singing, I created an online singing channel: Aidan Sings Stuff.

Each song is created like a mini movie with costumes, sound mixing, editing, and lighting. My intent is to transport the audience into the world of each song, so the video isn’t just another singing cover, but a minute long show.

The style of music focuses on musical theatre, Disney, vintage, and Spanish songs. To enhance the theatricality, I utilize my photography and filmmaking skills to give each video a cinematic feel.

Creating each song and video fills my heart with such joy as I can combine my love of acting, singing, and filmmaking all into one.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
When I was in high school and just beginning to truly study acting professionally, there was a kind hearted old man who saw me perform at fourteen years old. He was the husband of one of my acting teachers at the time. After he saw one of my shows, he greeted my mother and expressed how greatly he enjoyed my performance. From that moment on, this kind soul became my biggest supporter. He encouraged all of my creative work, from acting to filmmaking to photography. No matter the project, he was there to support all my creative endeavors, while always offering unconditional love and kindness. Even when I felt dejected, he always believed in me and assured me to keep creating. Without his support, I don’t think I could’ve ever had the confidence to pursue being an artist as it was his encouragement and guidance that allowed for my inner creator to bloom. I am so grateful to him for recognizing my inner potential and for helping guide me on my creative path.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
For the last couple years, I have been recovering from some severe health issues. During my healing, the symptoms were so intense that most days I couldn’t even get out of bed. The pain, the exhaustion, and the overall isolation was a lot to bear during these years. As I saw my colleagues make leaps in their careers and my friends embarking on significant life milestones, here I was unable to walk or even get through a day without having to rest. I felt so humiliated and like life had abandoned me as I saw all the things I’d worked so many years for slip away. During this time, I never believed I would create or work again, as each day was only about surviving. I struggled greatly with thinking I’d lost everything and there would be no way to recover. However, thankfully I was able to heal and start rebuilding my career and life again.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What do you believe is true but cannot prove?
Though I cannot prove it, I truly believe that within each of us we carry a soul that brings upon the planet its own unique frequency. Each soul journeys from lifetime to lifetime, incarnating to experience new lessons and adventures. We carry within each of us great power and knowledge that as we connect to our truest selves can be expressed in beautiful ways. I hope we can all embrace and unlock our own inner potential and create together a kinder and more loving world.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: When do you feel most at peace?
I am most peace when my day is balanced between work, time with my family, and relaxation. When I can accomplish all the things I intend while also enjoying the day with my fiancé, mom, and cats, and a little anime time, then I feel relaxed about my day. While I juggle many projects and jobs, all of which I greatly enjoy, it can become stressful when my time is not managed correctly, so practicing healthy boundaries between work and play is essential. As my goals are completed while also enjoying fun moments with the ones I love, then I feel most at peace.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://aidanmccollough.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aidan_sings_stuff/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@aidansingsstuff2649/shorts
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@aidansingsstuff