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Our latest interview with gorgeous actress, comedienne, writer, producer, YouTube creator Syd Wilder.
Syd is best known for her 2013 breakout role in the Seth Rogan apocalyptic horror comedy, “This Is The End.” Syd has produced, directed, written and acted in over 30 original sketches for her YouTube Channel, which have been featured on sites such as: Huffington Post, College Humor, Nerdist, Cosmopolitan, MTV’s Guy Code, Sports Illustrated, Pop Trigger, The Chive, Break.com, as well as many other online platforms.
On the comedy side Syd has performed stand up comedy at The Comedy Store, The Improv and Flappers Comedy Club. While Syd’s main focus is on acting, writing, and creating online content, she continues performing stand up comedy when her schedule allows.
And on her modeling career Syd has been featured in Maxim, FHM, Ask Men, Sports Illustrated, Malibu Magazine and Viva Glam Magazine. Syd was named Ask Men’s Top 99 Crush List of 2016 and Playboy’s Top 10 Hottest YouTuber’s of 2015.
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Hi Syd, tell us about you?
I am an actor, comedian, writer and YouTube Influencer who works really hard to make all of her dreams become a reality!
Describe yourself in 3 words?
I would describe myself in three words as grateful, industrious, and passionate.
Who has been the biggest influence on your life?
The two people who have influenced me the most in my life are my grandfather, who was a Navy SEAL, and my mom. My grandfather taught me to love my body enough to eat healthy and stay fit while always remaining humble. He instilled in me that I could accomplish anything I dreamed of in life, if I had true passion and worked harder than anyone else. I am in awe that he stayed married to the same woman for 58 years before he passed away, and his commitment to love of family have been a huge influence on the way I think and feel. Which brings to my mom…she has been my rock and my biggest supporter. She left everything behind in Georgia to move me across the country to chase my big dreams of being an actor. She is just this loving steel magnolia, who taught me every single day to treat every person the same, regardless of gender, race, sexuality, or income and to give your time and care to people who are less fortunate in life.
How and when did you started in the business?
I started my entertainment career as a country singer at the age of 14 years old while modeling, and then transitioned into acting. I just fell in love with the whole process of acting and it became my biggest passion. I moved from Georgia to Los Angeles at 16, and began studying at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
What is the biggest highlight of your career?
The biggest highlight of my career is having significant roles in two comedies being released this month, Laid In America and Night Of The Living Deb, is pretty cool. And recently grossing 60 million views for my various You Tube projects is awesome…my fans are amazing!
Now about your Youtube channel, how do you come up with this stuff?
My YouTube channel is in a transitional phase right now. I used to only do SNL type sketches, and I was so against doing any vlogging as I really am a private person. I am now more open to vlogging and actually real excited to share a part of my life with my YouTube family, as I have experienced a lot over the past two years that I think can inspire and help other people by sharing it with them. I will continue to do comedy sketches, but on a more limited basis as they are very expensive to produce. I am more focused on writing and selling a pilot, than I am doing one off sketches at this point in my career. I feel I will be able to connect with my fans on a deeper level on my YouTube platform by doing more vlogging and sharing my everyday life.
How did you end up doing comedy?
I was the fat kid growing up so I really had no other options BUT to get into comedy. How I fell into comedy professionally was that I was so over going to these auditions in L.A. with these student filmmakers who were definitely under the influence of something during my audition and on set. I also wanted to share the craziness of my dysfunctional extended family, and all of the experiences of being a struggling actor in Hollywood. I thought the best way to do that was through Standup Comedy. I was doing improv before I started studying at Second City, The Groundlings and UCB. Standup comedy for me really opened the doors in my opinion as a comedian. I really value all of the lessons I learned doing Standup comedy because it has taught me so much.
Growing up, who were some of the performers that you looked up to?
Growing up, some of the performers I looked up to were: Shirley MacLaine, Goldie Hawn, The Marx Brothers, Mel Brooks, Bob Fosse, Busby Berkeley, Robin Williams, Larry David, Mae West, Lucille Ball, Richard Pryor, and Kevin Hart.
Now tell us about the upcoming Universal Pictures film Laid in America?
Laid In America was such a fun project. It was great working with Sam Milman and Peter Vass, the two writer/directors from Bad Weather Films. The rest of the cast was such a blast to work with! So many funny, clever creators…it was so much fun on set!
What other projects you have been part of?
Other projects I have been a part of are Night Of The Living Deb, which is a zombie comedy with a female character named Deb being chased. I play her rival for the leading man. It was amazing shooting the film in Maine, which is not the farthest location shoot I’ve ever had. I once shot a film in Alaska, but still pretty far from Los Angeles. I also have a film coming up called Dan Is Dead where I play a pregnant rock groupie!
Also you have worked in over 11 directing credits and 16 writing credits. Tell us about it?
That’s why I love YouTube where you can create your own material. I write or co-write all of my own sketches and have directed most of them. There is something amazing about being able to take your vision of something from the written page to the camera and be able to do it exactly the way you want it to be. I am definitely a perfectionist…ask my editor who I drive CRAZY!
How do you stay fit?
Staying fit is so important to me. I work out almost every day at my house, and of course I try to eat really clean (except when my Grandma from Georgia comes to visit and starts baking!).
What is your favorite healthy food?
Chocolate Chip Quest Bars are literally my favorite food in the entire universe. The pumpkin flavored Quest Bars are really good too and I am excited every Fall when that flavor becomes available!
And your favorite cheat food?
My favorite cheat food is easy! Vegan Red Velvet Cupcakes from Sprinkles!
In five years from now, where do you see yourself and your career?
In the next five years, I see myself having sold scripts and pilots as well as producing and starring in a sitcom that I also write and direct for network or cable television. I see myself also having set up a very successful charitable foundation, and obviously making a lot of money so I can fund the foundation by doing what I love, which is creating art that I am passionate about in many different mediums.
Who is your biggest beauty inspiration?
Biggest Beauty Inspiration: Katarina Van Derham, the creator and Editor-In-Chief of Viva Glam Magazine. She taught me so much about the art and application of makeup, as well as how that translates into your brand and business. I love her so much, and I will forever be grateful to her for all of the time and love she has shown to me over the years.
Who are some of your favorite models and designers, and why?
I love Cindy Crawford and what she has done with her career. I think she is brilliant in all aspects from modeling to business, and as a person I think she is lovely. I really love Stephanie Seymour’s body of print work. I love Kate Moss, who does not love her, she is fabulous. All the 90’s supermodels were fabulous, especially Naomi Campbell who seems ageless and Cheryl Tiegs. I really admire the business empire that Kathy Ireland has built following her success as a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model. I admit I had a huge girl crush on Carmen Electra growing up. My favorite clothing designer of all time is Bob Mackie because I love anything that sparkles! Mackie is the original OG of the sparkle…the pieces he designed for Cher and for Joan Collins on Dynasty back in the day were fabulous. Present day designers, I like Giovanni and Sherri Hill dresses. I am a real dress girl and hate jeans. I wear SKY dresses all the time as they are so comfortable to move around in. What girl does not love a great pair of Christian Louboutin heels?
What are your makeup bag staples when traveling?
Makeup bag staples while traveling: I am kind of a germophobe so I always have EOS lavender organic hand sanitizer wipes and spray in my purse. I also have Trident sugar free bubblegum, Gruthers throat lozenges, Carmex, my makeup brushes in a zippered breathable bag, along with my makeup bag and tweezers. My makeup bag is never without a bronzer and eyelash glue!
What music we can find in your iPod?
Music you can find on my iPod…Beyonce’s Lemonade (lyrics are epic), Guns N Roses, Bang My Head, Otis Redding. I have an eclectic mix on my iPad, from top 40’s songs to old 80’s hair bands to Red Hot Chili Peppers. I’m all over the place with music. Pink is my favorite female singer of all time and one of my favorite people ever. I just love her.
Do you support any charity?
I support the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program, as I lost my stepfather to suicide in 2012. I also support the Wounded Warrior Project, as wounded veterans are very important to me having a grandfather in the military. I support the National Cervical Cancer Coalition, as I am a cervical cancer survivor. I support the Good Shepherd Shelter in Los Angeles, as I believe women and children that have been abused through domestic violence always need a safe place to turn too in a time of crisis.
How’s a normal day in your life?
A normal day in my life consists of….well there is really nothing about my day that is normal and if that happens, it is usually not a normal day! My days are like a roller coaster. Some days are up and some are down, but I always try to start my mornings off by eating breakfast, meditating and reading Joel Osteen because he inspires me every day to be positive. After that, I begin writing a minimum of 2 hours a day. Next up, I post and respond to fans on my social media platforms. I then eat lunch, check emails, and work out. Then I shower, have a healthy snack, and work on research for upcoming projects I am planning, whether it’s a photo shoot, a sketch I am producing for my YouTube Channel, ideas for future vlogs. I also spend a lot of hours with my video editor going through film we have shot either late in the day or on the weekends. At any time I can receive a call or email from my team about an audition – then everything literally stops! I drop everything and begin studying sides and doing a character breakdown analysis to prepare for the audition, which is usually within 48 hours. My focus then becomes studying sides and working with my acting coach so I can nail the audition and book work! It’s unpredictable, exciting, and I never know what will happen tomorrow! I love my life.
3 things you can’t leave home without?
Three things I can’t leave home without are my iPhone with Lumee case attached, Trident sugar-free bubblegum, and a Tumi phone charger.
What do you think of Social Media?
I think social media is amazing. I think it gives you different ways to express yourself it gives you a powerful voice. It gives you a platform to implement so many different things and I am so grateful to be a part of this generation that can influence the next generation and others. I am really looking forward to inspiring people in a positive light in using my voice and my social media platforms to do that. I really enjoy connecting with my fans and audience. It’s just really nice to have that connection and make new friends.
Where we can follow you?
You can follow me on Instagram: @sydwilder
Twitter: SydWilder
Snapchat: SydWilder4Real
YouTube: SydWilder
Facebook: TheRealSydWilder
Favorite Food: Mini Vegan Red Velvet Sprinkles Cupcakes
Favorite Song: I don’t think I can pick a favorite song, but any song Pink sings I love. I’m such a mood person, so it depends on if I want to dance…and do I want to belly dance or salsa? I would not dance to a Pink song. Beyonce’s Lemonade album is kind of amazing right now. I love Rihanna….I just can’t pick one favorite song. This is the hardest question!
Travel Destination: Honestly, Los Angeles, is my favorite city in the entire world. Capri, Italy is one of the most visually stunning locations I have ever seen.
Celebrity Crush: It used to be David Foster, but now it’s definitely Drogo, from Game of Thrones because I will never meet Drogo, so I will never be disappointed by the reality of Drogo because he will always be a fantasy!
Favorite Restaurant: For the view it would be Yamashiro at sunset in Los Angeles–it’s just spectacular.
Favorite Actor and Actress: Julia-Louis Dreyfus. Lisa Kudrow, Gene Wilder, Sandra Bullock, Mel Brooks, Jim Carrey Goldie Hawn also have to be mentioned. It’s so hard to just pick one!
Favorite Quote: I’m a really big quotes person so it changes quite often. Right now my favorite is by Vicktor E. Frankel, “The meaning of life is to give life meaning.”
Favorite Book: This is the easiest one…The Bible. It’s on my nightstand and I read it every day.
Favorite Movie: This Is Spinal Tap by Christopher Guest. Love that movie!
Favorite Drink: Belvedere and Zevia Cola. I am obsessed with Zevia Cola right now…it’s so good!
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