Rising Stars: Meet Megan Beattie of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Beattie.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’m a Los Angeles-based artist working as both a musician and an actor. I grew up in the Bay Area, California, and my creative life really started in church choir. Music was my first way in. Then in sixth grade, I made my acting debut as Alice in my middle school’s production of Alice in Wonderland, and that was the moment I realized how much I loved storytelling and performance.

I went on to train formally in acting at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, graduating with honors from the Playwrights Horizons Theater School. While I was there, I fell deeply in love with performance and creative collaboration. I studied method work, improvisation, and devised theater, and those tools still shape the way I approach storytelling today.

After moving to Los Angeles, I continued building my career both in front of the camera and behind the mic. I’ve been developing and performing with bands, playing open mics, and collaborating with incredible musicians. In February 2025, I released my first EP, and later that year I put out a single called “Crazy Lady,” a song about embracing the label of being emotional, overdramatic, and “too much”. On the acting side, I’ve appeared in indie films like “Plan B” alongside one of my favorite actors, Jon Heder, which has been an exciting step in expanding the range of roles I pursue.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like everyone else, 2020 completely shifted my plans. I moved back to San Francisco to finish my junior year of college from home, and by the time I graduated, Broadway and most local theaters in New York still hadn’t fully reopened. It felt like the start of my career had been put on pause. During that time, I developed a real passion for creating my own work and making space for others to share their voices too.

Before the pandemic, I used to believe that art had to be perfect in order to be worth sharing. But during that period, I just wanted to put something out into the world, even if it didn’t feel “ready.” What surprised me most was that some of the songs I felt the most unsure about ended up receiving the best feedback. That experience gave me a sense of freedom and agency in my creativity. I learned to try things, follow instincts, and scratch creative itches without over-judging the outcome. Even now, I’m constantly surprised by the creative process, and I’ve learned that my own judgments about my work are usually not the most relevant ones.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My work lives at the intersection of music, acting, and storytelling. As a singer-songwriter and actor, and I specialize in emotionally driven, character-focused work, whether that’s through a song, a performance on screen, or a project I’ve created from the ground up.

As a musician, I write and perform original music that’s rooted in vulnerability and honesty. I’m always drawn to emotional complexity and songs about personal growth or realizations. Especially stories about womanhood, identity, and the parts of ourselves we’re often told to soften or hide. I’m known for lyrics that feel personal and confessional, paired with melodies that are approachable and catchy. I’m especially proud of my most recent single “Crazy Lady,” which embraced emotional expression instead of apologizing for it.

What really sets me apart is that I’m not waiting for permission to create. I actively build my own work, collaborate with other artists, and make space for experimentation even when things feel imperfect. I’m most proud of learning to trust my instincts and share work before it feels “finished.” That mindset has allowed me to grow faster, connect more honestly with audiences, and stay creatively fulfilled.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
I had a really great childhood, so it’s hard to choose just one memory. The first thing that comes to mind is getting to perform with my choir at Canterbury Cathedral in England. It was a deeply spiritual experience for me. We performed alongside a bunch of choirs from all over the world, all singing together in this sacred space with breathtaking architecture and hundreds of voices filling the room.

Standing there, surrounded by sound and history, I felt like I was part of something much bigger than myself. That moment stayed with me. It solidified my love for performance and community, and it helped shape what I want my career to be about: connection, shared experience, and creating something meaningful with other people.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.meganbeattie.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meg_beattie/?hl=en
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@meg_beattie
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1WO3whsUONDMN1KsIllSHu?si=NkZRoPqxR_CHpMBN0lgBww

Image Credits
Alissa Wyle