Today we’d like to introduce you to Katrina Alysha.
Hi Katrina, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was about seven years old when I first auditioned for the community theatre in my small town growing up. I remember the feeling of being on that stage, lights on and unable to see the people in front of me. I felt a sense of freedom that was so exciting and also so needed. Being able to take a step away from myself and bring to life a whole other person, channeling those emotions to share them with others so they can experience those very same things. That right there is such an incredible and special feeling. I was on track to attend a school in New York after high school but life had other plans and I stepped away from acting. As hard as that was at the time, I had no idea what it was going to mean for me in the future. I moved to Los Angeles in June of 2015 and began my discovery of the film industry. And what a ride it has been! I think one out of two of the biggest lessons I’ve learned out here though is to never say no to new opportunities. Sometimes doors will open that you never expected and for me that was becoming a content creator on YouTube alongside being an actor and model. A very good friend of mine Paula Deming and I have been running our own channel for two years now called The Gallifrey Gals! That leads me to the second most important lesson I’ve learned while living in LA, the community and people you surround yourself with. I’m at a point in my life where I am unbelievably grateful for the people in my life. Being around others who are not only kind and caring but also share the same fire and passion you do, is so incredibly important.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Oof, I wish I could say it’s been a smooth one but what would life be without trials, right? I feel like Los Angeles has ways of testing you over the years living here and let me tell you I have had my fair share. I think one of the most difficult struggles was my choice to stop drinking. It’s not easy at 21 to admit that you have a problem, especially after just moving to a new city and living in a world where drinking can be very glorified. In my first few years, I felt extremely isolated in so many social situations. It was difficult to network or bond with people when I was in the mindset of believing I needed to drink to make friends. Learning to find out who I was without alcohol was so hard but incredibly important and I would not change it for the world. Throughout it all, I’ve found myself surrounded by so many wonderful friends who have supported me through some of my hardest moments. But hey, six years sober y’all!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Over the years, I have had the honor of working on several independent projects that you can find on my IMDB. One of those includes a feature film project called Little Miss Jungle where I played the lead Katie Herman. There’s so much more to share this coming year and I’m so excited for those projects on the way!
Modeling has also become a large part of my life as well over the years and I love bringing to life all sorts of visions and ideas between myself and photographers. One of my proudest moments in my modeling career is having trained myself to become an underwater model as well. I have done several underwater photo shoots including times as a mermaid!
Going further into my work with the YouTube channel The Gallifrey Gals, we react to TV shows like Doctor Who, Star Trek: TNG, Gravity Falls and so so many more. It’s been such a fun time bringing together a collective of so many different people to the channel. I think what sets Paula and I apart from other reaction channels is our willingness to be vulnerable with our emotions, mental health and opinions. One of the things I’m most proud of in myself (and Paula) is that ability to share our struggles with mental health and life in general. If I have shown one person they’re not alone in how they feel then my job feels fulfilled. The amount of people who have reached out because of the channel to say how we have helped them through difficult times has been such a remarkable experience.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I think one of my biggest strengths is exactly what I referred to in that last question, my willingness for vulnerability and sharing the hardships in my journey with others. While sometimes it has brought some of my biggest struggles, it has also brought some of the most beautiful opportunities and people into my life. I think success is so much more than just the content you put out into the world but also the growth in yourself and how you continue to face the challenges that come with that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.patreon.com/gallifreygals
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katrina_alysha/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/katrinaalysha
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCStUhnOvTGs-pnS82PTeYKQ
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=katrina+alysha
Image Credits
Steve Meier Mary Hansen
