Today we’d like to introduce you to Zachary Merian.
Hi Zachary, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
To start off, I want to thank Voyage LA for the opportunity to share my journey, I am incredibly honored. My story starts with my upbringing in Northbridge MA. A small town just outside of Boston. I credit my amazing childhood to my loving family. We are very close, even now still with me being across the country. I am very blessed to have a tremendous support system, I truly do not take that for granted. I never really ventured outside of MA, until college, where I attended the University of New Hampshire. For a semester in school, I studied abroad in Australia. I graduated with a degree in Marketing and a minor in Theatre. Around the time of my graduation the country was still recovering from the pandemic, so the job market was dealing with those repercussions.Therefore, I worked at a restaurant near my house, to pay off my loans in the meantime. I worked there for just shy of a year and a half, and then decided to continue my serving career by impulsively moving to the island of St Thomas for no reason at all. That adventure went for about half a year, and then I finally worked up the courage to move out to LA, which has been the goal all along. I’ve been here for about a year and a half, and finally summoned the motivation to pursue my dream of being an entertainer! Proud to say I am represented by Brave Artists Management and Media Artist Groups as an actor. Still looking to grow and work on my craft, but trying to enjoy the ride along the way.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This journey, like most, has been one that has definitely presented its challenges. I have wanted to be an entertainer ever since I can remember. However, hilariously enough I only started to take it seriously until recently. Growing up gay and in the closet was truly one of the greatest challenges I have faced. It led me to being very afraid to be seen and judged by others. My internalized homophobia was immobilizing and prevented me from truly expressing myself for almost a decade of my life. Through the influence of friends I finally mustered up the courage to join my high school’s drama club my junior year. Theatre was a space I didn’t know I so desperately needed. That was the catalyst in me acquiring a theatre minor in college, and participating in acting classes and projects. I definitely am a late bloomer in regards to my delayed start to the game, but have slowly been improving my craft as time passes. Coming out, at the time, seemed impossible. Yet the love from my family and friends have finally allowed me to heal and embrace who I am. In turn, this gave me the confidence to chase my dreams and move out to California. Mental Health is something I prioritize in myself, and try to advocate and spread awareness for others. My struggle with my Mental Health in the past held me in a dark state of depression. I’ve made it my personal mission to help share the importance of it, and to end the stigma that it shouldn’t be prioritized. Especially for the LGTBQ+ community. Mental Health is health.
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 an actor and aspiring model. Stated previously, I have amazing representation, and am so thankful they believe in me. Especially when I sometimes don’t always have the same faith in myself. Theatre is where I first started, both performing and student directing in my high school’s productions. In college I not only enrolled in classes and participated in student lead projects, but I also starred in my University’s nationwide commercial. It is recorded multiple times on my grandmother’s VCR if you ever need to see it. Now being in LA with my team, I have been practicing my acting skills through each of the auditions I submit for. I am blessed to have the opportunity to work on my techniques and learn from some amazing people. I just recently created my own acting reel, which is composed of 4 original scenes with scripts I’ve created. My pal from home Josh VanBatenburg directed, and my friends volunteered to act as my co stars in the scenes. It is super fun go check it out! Modeling is another avenue I’ve been experimenting with. All of my experience has been recreational as I have been brand ambassadors for PuraVida and 4ocean, and have modeled clothes and accessories for local brands/stores. I have collaborated with some incredibly talented individuals here in LA, as we have tried unique styles and visions when creating the shots. You can also spot me in Michaela Jill Murphy’s “Close To Me” music video. I am always looking to participate in new projects and to try some new looks. I finally have been a part of what feels like a million video segments with my creator friends. They are some of the most fun I have ever had. It’s a chance for me to be silly and just simply have fun with my besties. You can find me making a fool of myself on Wafellow’s channel, and in TheEscapePodPodcast’s videos, if you’re looking for a good laugh. I also have recently been creating scripts. Something that is very new to me, but has been so exhilarating. My head is always in “fantasy land”, as I’m constantly creating stories and worlds in my mind. I’ve greatly enjoyed putting them down in script form, and would love for one day to see one of these stories come to life. As you can tell I am consistently bopping around feeding my interests, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I don’t know what will end up sticking, but I’m very curious to find out.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Let me preface by saying, this is in no way a complete success story, as I am still working towards achieving my goals in officially becoming a full time entertainer. However, the way I view my current situation is that I’ve achieved more than I thought I ever would. There was a time when I was prepared to shield my true self from the world, and go through life mourning the life I could have, constantly wishing I could be anyone else, but myself. However, I am truly blessed I found the strength, and was given so much love and support, to propel myself to take these first steps. In a way I am doing the impossible, and listening to my heart, embracing all that is to come. Even with me eventually owning my sexuality and advocating for my community, I still am fighting through bumps in the road. I took the most important step, which is the first one. Arguably the hardest one. It’s the step where you tell yourself you not only can, but will do this. I am also approaching the one year anniversary of my grandfather’s passing. To be completely honest, it has not gotten easier. However, I have gotten stronger. He was the first death in my immediate family I have experienced, and I am still looking for the piece that broke off my heart when he left us. Every chance they can, my family tells me that he wouldn’t want me to give up. Of course with them being so supportive it just makes me miss home even more. Quite the conundrum as you can see. My advice is to just listen to your heart and do what you love. Basic, but it’s true. You don’t have to be the best at it, as your success shouldn’t be measured with achievements, but in the amount of happiness it brings you. I implore everyone to really care for themselves and their well being, and to surround themselves with people that make them feel alive. I hope no one ever endures what I went through, and respects that Mental Health care is crucial for everyone. Take my story as fuel, and trust me when I say; I don’t know what the future holds, however I know that sticking around to find out is worth it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/ZacharyMerian?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=dc8b2004-c1a0-4770-a419-fd68d48ae65a
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zacharymerian?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Image Credits
1) Josh VanBatenburg
2) Bobby Rachpoot
3) Caleb Staffing
4) Josh VanBatenburg
5) Jordan Naheesi
6) Photo by Kristen Wright
7) Not needed
8) Not needed
