Today we’d like to introduce you to Micky Shiloah.
Hi Micky, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started auditioning and booking work when I was about eight years old. My mom would take my sister Daniella and I to Manhattan pretty frequently and I booked projects like commercials, Sesame Street, off-Broadway theater, and I had the honor of performing in a show at Radio City Music Hall. When my parents had more kids (my brothers Teddy, Jonathan, and Benjamin), we had to pause. After high school, I decided to get myself back into the game and did a lot of commercial/print work. I somehow found an open call notice for a Sony/Nickelodeon project and stood in line with countless others to audition for something and I had no clue what it was. It went really well and they eventually called me to go to LA for a boot camp (acting, singing, dancing) and screen test. I went through the process twice and it was an amazing and eye-opening experience that motivated me to move to LA and push myself to the limit. My best friend Yin and I decided to move together and I couldn’t be more grateful that we were each other’s support system. My first year was a big learning experience – I got dropped by my agent after three months and thought my career was over. I spent most of my time working in a restaurant. However, I decided to cold email managers and ended up with someone so great who pushed me and believed in me. He put me in a scene study class (LPN Studios – Lauren Patrice Nadler) where I was really able to hone my craft. I was able to find and develop my love for improvisation – I still perform monthly in our troupe, The MaD JaCKRaTS (LPNSImprov.com). This all led to bookings on TV shows like HBO’s Westworld, NCIS: Los Angeles, Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders, and a recurring on the ABC show Mistresses. I’ve always had a love for music and songwriting and have honed that skill throughout the years.
A few years ago, when I was feeling stuck, I thought about writing something truthful, relatable, and fun, and a little scary for me. That ended up being my song “I’m Gay” and the accompanying music video/short. At the request of my youngest brother Benjamin (aka DRIGGZ) I put clips of the “I’m Gay” video on TikTok and that’s when I started to build my following. That led to me working with my bestie Truett Jean Butler to create the Mary & Joseph series. I loved the idea of creating on my own terms and building a following and not waiting for the big ‘yes’ moment from the industry. I eventually had a sketch idea about two characters on a first date – that video did big numbers on TikTok – and it turned into an ongoing series, Anthony & Diane. This series has helped me build an extremely dedicated and loyal following on TikTok, Instagram, & Facebook and I am so grateful for that. I have been able to take my career into my own hands, get as creative as I’d like, expand the universe I am creating, and open a merch store, set up a Patreon, and offer custom character videos. I treat this as my creative business and it’s become my passion. I still audition, have a wonderful manager, and SNL dreams, but am happy to be on the path of creating this show and I’m excited to see where it’s going to take me.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
This business is definitely not a smooth road and, like anything, comes with its challenges. Financial stability is a big one since a lot of the biz is not consistent, especially when you’re trying to get a foot in the door. But if you work hard and push through it, it will work out in one way or another. The most consistent thing about the entertainment industry is the NOT booking. And that’s something you have to get used to. Treat every audition as an opportunity to get in front of someone and show them what you’ve got – and then be on your merry way and forget about it – and on to the next. It’s not the easiest thing to do and it can take a toll on your self-esteem, but it’s a part of the game. Dry spells, survival jobs, being away from family, and the general instability is hard but keep you on your toes and force you to work harder and stay motivated. I’ve always had to remind myself that I chose this path and these are the challenges that come with it. Persistence is key – so keep going!!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am most known for my Anthony & Diane series on social media. What started off as a one-off video (or so I thought) has turned into a full-blown story and journey for these characters. I’m proud of this series because I’ve been able to build something that I love and that I can continue to grow. I am so grateful for my followers and for their love for this show and the characters. I’m having so much fun and am excited to see where I can take it.
With this show, I’ve also been able to utilize my skills as an editor, writer, and songwriter.
How do you think about luck?
What I’ve come to realize, especially in the past year, is that I used to rely too much on the idea of luck. I’m still growing and building, but I was able to push myself to the next level by taking matters into my own hands and acting on the ideas and instincts that I’ve had in me for a while. I think there’s some luck involved in the timing of things and the fact that the content I put out last year gained traction – I feel lucky that I was able to find an audience – but I think the most important thing I’ve learned is how important it is to work hard, hone your craft, and follow your friggin’ gut!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mickyshiloah.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mickyshiloah/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mickyshiloah/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MickyShiloah
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrpenGc7JHNOvoGTsdZx_zA
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/micky-shiloah
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@mickyshiloah
- Patreon: Patreon.com/mickyshiloah
- Linktree: linktr.ee/mickyshiloah
Image Credits
Headshot by Tony Minas
