"The drive to make is quite a euphoric feeling for me."
After starting her beauty and DIY centered Youtube channel in 2015, Eliza Rose diverged into self discovery and openness through social media. Her raw conversations about her mental health journey with her subscribers allows a safe space for so many to feel normalized or accepted. We had the opportunity to talk to Eliza about raising a child in quarantine as a young mother, staying creative, and upcoming music!
What has it been like raising a child in quarantine? Raising a child, particularly a child under the age of one, has been beautifully challenging during quarantine. Being together allows us an incredibly beneficial opportunity for his development. We kinda stick to ourselves so there hasn’t been much to worry about in terms of contact with other people. In what ways has motherhood changed your social media content/your career? Many ways. I now am much more aware of how my content could impact a younger, or more vulnerable, crowd. I don’t know if that has to do with being a mother or simply becoming more educated about online safety.
How have you been staying creative in quarantine? I’ve been writing a ton. A lot of music. Practicing new instruments. I would like to release an EP soon. I also started and completed the first season of a podcast, titled “Period.” with my boyfriend, James Seville. We had a blast experimenting with a new creative outlet together. You’ve been candid about your mental health on your channel for years. What was that initial decision to open up about your past and share that part of your life with your viewers? I felt trapped and misunderstood. I believe I wanted to feel listened to and offered help, because for so long I was made to feel that my mental illnesses were my fault. Why did you initially start your Youtube channel? I initially started a YouTube channel because I was into creating videos as a form of media to consume. I quickly fell into the beauty / DIY community, as it was the biggest one I was familiar with, but especially loved making skits and mock music videos with my friends.
In what ways have you been using your platform to advocate for the Black Lives Matter movement? Why are you passionate about the movement? I’ve been allocating resources as best as I can, then sharing them to my stories. I’ve started reading a lot more Ibram X. Kendi and listening to Angela Davis speak. I’m diving deep into a wealth of knowledge with full force. Why is it important to support drag queens and artists in general during this time of uncertainty? It’s important because this economic structure that has collapsed particularly during the pandemic is not built to sustainably support us. There aren’t many systems set in place to make ensure everyone’s safety and stability. That concerns me.
When do you feel most creatively fulfilled?
When I feel inspired to create and right after I’ve completed a project. The drive to make is quite a euphoric feeling for me.
In 2019 you launched a single called “Runnin.” Is music something that you want to further pursue and do you have any music coming out soon? Runnin’ is the audial manifestation of a dream - and that is - music that I own the rights to, that people love. My friends send me videos of then listening to Runnin’ on repeat. I don’t know of many things that make me happier than making my family and friends proud of my art. Something about it brings me an immeasurable amount of peace and joy. The best part is the memories I’ve created with my friends singing and dancing to Runnin’.
Who are your greatest musical inspirations? My music inspirations fluctuate. I go through a lot of phases. In grade school, for instance, I had a huge Michael Jackson phase. It was followed by the news of his passing. I dove into researching his performances and found a fascination with his perfectionism. That was soon followed by a Shakira obsession a year later, which notably led to my enrolling in Latin dance classes. The core group of artists that have influenced me for the greater part of the past five years are Amy Winehouse, Adele, Lana del Rey, SZA, Lorde Beyoncé... you know, all the great women in music.
Do you have any upcoming projects to talk about?
I’m working on an EP currently. That’s all I can say.
You can follow Eliza on Instagram and Twitter @theelizarose and watch her on her Youtube channel Eliza Rose.