Check Out Elyza Halpern’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elyza Halpern.

Hi Elyza, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am a digital content creator and standup comedian originally from Severna Park, Maryland, but currently based in Los Angeles, California.

Ever since I was a teenager, I’ve had a dream of being a comedian, but didn’t think it was a realistic career goal, so I pursued a more traditional entertainment assistant route, doing standup and sketch comedy on the side. Then, in April of 2021, after being laid off due to the pandemic, I had a TikTok go viral in which I told a funny childhood story about keeping an opossum in my parent’s basement (hence my TikTok username, @possumgirl), and I began to grow my TikTok following. I now have over 75K followers and have garnered over 7.8M likes on my videos. This success helped me get over my self-doubt and anxiety about creating inspired me to get back into standup comedy.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
First, I want to point out that, like most creative people in LA, I work a day job (two part-time jobs actually) in addition to creating my art. I don’t necessarily consider this an obstacle since it’s almost universal in my social circles, but I think it’s important for anyone in a creative space to talk about. I know people with much larger online followings than me, who booked roles in big shows or movies, and who’ve even had their films screened at Sundance, who still have to work day jobs that are only somewhat related or even totally unrelated to their artistic pursuits. I also want to acknowledge that I have what’s referred to as “the privilege to be broke,” meaning that while I‘ve definitely had my struggles with money, I have family that I could go live with if I ever ended up in dire circumstances.

I also don’t have to support my family or any kids/dependents, and I have a long-term partner who makes more money than me. Not everybody has that privilege, but these industries (both online content creation and the “traditional” entertainment industry) are unfortunately set up so that those who do have an unfair advantage. I also think a lot of people, including some decision-makers within the industry, don’t understand that public presence doesn’t always equal money. I know several creators whose art is regularly viewed by millions of people but struggle to pay their rent. Even if you have a large following, advertisors still have to see you as “worthy” of a brand deal in order to get that kind of monetization.

Another obstacle I dealt with that I also think is common but I don’t see talked about frequently is anxiety about creating. When I was younger, I found myself in creative circles that didn’t get my voice or style, and I got very discouraged. I became afraid of creating because of my fear of being judged. I’m at the point now where I know how to filter feedback based on who it’s coming from and not let unfair judgment or non-constructive criticism discourage me.

I’ve also had some serious struggles with ADHD (which I wasn’t properly diagnosed with until I was in my early 20s) and depression. I’m still figuring out how I want to talk about those particular stuggles publically, but I plan on doing so in the future.

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?
You can find my short-form videos on TikTok (@possumgirl) and Instagram (@possumgirl_ig). I also published one of my recent 10 min standup sets on YouTube (channel name: Elyza Halpern). I also perform live comedy all around LA, and I’d love to perform elsewhere!

Additionally, I’m an Associate Editor at the satire publication Humor Darling (IG: @humordarling) and I recently worked in post-production on HBO Max and Prodigium Pictures’ investigative docuseries “Gaming Wall Street.”

Any big plans?
I plan to keep performing live and posting comedic content. If anyone reading this is booking a show, hiring comedy writers, or looking to work with comedy content creators, I’d love to chat and send you samples of my work!

I’m also starting a podcast called the LA Mourning Show (pun intended) with my writing partner and fellow comedian Brigitte Diane (@thefunnywitch on IG).

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/possumgirl_ig/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elyza.halpern
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/elyzawithawhy?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVVmXV7p7RhrBmZd0WeO33A

Image Credits
First image: Annie Jacobites Second image: Stephen Burr