Alexa Losey

photography by ASHLEY SERYN @ashleyseryn, featuring ALEXA LOSEY @alexalosey

interview by GISELLE MELENDRES @gisellelisabeth

You might recognize her on screen from projects like My Dead Ex and Mr. Student Body President, or seen one of her many videos on YouTube. As an internet creator since 2009, Alexa Losey is known for many things — but being ordinary was never one. Based in Los Angeles, Alexa has made a name for herself in entertainment and new media: creating digital content in lifestyle, fashion, and beauty, and speaking openly to her audience about issues surrounding self-love and mental health. Most notably, Alexa’s talents extend out of simply being ‘talent’, where she’s taken on new roles in entrepreneurship, screenwriting, directing, acting, and social media. A millennial multi-hyphenate — we were honored to be able to feature Alexa on the cover of our very last issue and chat with her about mental health, her journey on the internet, and the importance of giving yourself unconditional love.

Hi Alexa, thanks so much for chatting with us today! To start off, tell us a little bit about what a typical day looks like for you:

I don’t think I really have a typical day. The only true structure around my life is book club every other Sunday and therapy. Some days, like today, I’m filming a new series for my YouTube channel with my production team after an early morning workout. Others, like tomorrow, I have back to back meetings then I finally get to spend an afternoon with my mom. Some days I’m halfway across the world seeing where ingredients for future products are being sourced and the next I’m in a pitch meeting for a TV show I’ve been working on. I’m pretty organized but I hardly live the same day twice.

As an LA native for many years, what are some of your favorite spots in Los Angeles?

I have so many that are very special to me. I almost don’t want to share but I do want other people to get to experience them. I am a massive foodie. Some of my favorites are Croft Alley, Jon & Vinny’s, All Time, Mz Hz, Trois Familia, Sugarfish & Din Tai Fung just to name a few. As far as everyday meals I usually gravitate to the hot bar at Erewhon market & Sweetgreen for healthy salads on the go. I’m also a huge fan of Alfred Coffee like other 90% of Los Angeles.

As far as overall places, Chateau Marmont always has a special place in my heart. It almost feels like home. It’s been full of endless memories for what feels like everyone for over a century. I really love

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the Getty museum. I love SoHo House in Malibu for an escape from the madness. I have to say the Griffith Observatory takes the cake.

As far as workout and retail, I’m a sucker for Reformation, Barney’s & Wasteland. I love SoulCycle, Hot Pilates, Prevail (the true OG boxing gym in LA), Barry’s Bootcamp is also pretty fire. Rumble doesn’t suck either ;)

You first started YouTube back in 2010. What originally made you want to start a YouTube channel?

Human connection. I had no friends and felt the only way to find like minded people was to make videos talking about things I cared about. Makeup, fashion, what was going on with school, anything that felt important. When I started only three people had hit 1M subscribers on YouTube. There wasn’t money or fame in the game. I went to the first Vidcon with only 500 people in attendance. I did it purely for the love.

You’ve been on YouTube for almost 10 years now and have seen the platform shift and evolve in such a drastic way. What motivates you to stay on the platform?

I started 8 years ago. Before people were making millions of dollars on YouTube. Before the word “influencer” was created. It was a small community. Telling someone you were a YouTuber was either looked down on or was completely misunderstood. Now if you tell someone you’re a YouTuber or Influencer for a living they usually think it’s cool. When I started I told my guidance counselor I wanted to make my YouTube channel a job and she laughed at me and told me to go to nursing school. Now being a “YouTuber” is a career aspiration for many young people.

There was a time where you left YouTube temporarily. Can you tell us a little bit about why you decided to take time off?

If you are familiar with my channel you know I talk openly about mental health and my battle with it as a young person. After a year and a half on YouTube, I checked myself into an adolescent psychiatric hospital. It wasn’t YouTube’s fault. It was my unhealthy relationship with the idea of perfection.

I was an International Baccalaureate student with a 4.5 GPA and I was a full time YouTuber. I stopped when I entered the hospital. I thought I’d never be a content creator after that experience. Little did I know, this was just going to be my first break.

A year later I got connected with a girl named Rebecca Black on Tumblr. We became fast friends and the two found a family within a group of You- Tubers that all moved to LA around the same time. They reminded me why I started YouTube in the first place, to share and create. I then had a mental breakdown when I realized I had created an image online that made me feel dead inside. I suppressed these feels for years until I hit a breaking point. About a year and a half ago I took the longest break I’ve ever taken.

I decided on focusing on taking care of my mind, pouring myself into the acting role I had just booked and graduating university.

I’ve taken breaks when I truly needed to for my mental health. I finally feel like I’m in the right headspace to make content that’s really important to me while expression my creativity. Going back to the mentality I started with as a 16 year old with a 24 year olds perspective.

Who are some of your favorite creators?

Right now I am fucking obsessed with Best Dressed. She’s blunt, candid and talented. I am in love with her mind. Jenn Im is not only an amazing friend but an innovator in our space. I respect her hard work, outlook on life and candor. I really admire David Dobrik’s content and how he was build his career. I will also always love Shannon Beveridge, Chris Kelemens, Lauren Elizabeth, Olivia Sui, Alisha Marie, Remi Cruz, Violet Benson, Sam Elkins, Larson Thompson, Devon Carlson, Ellie Thumann, Tatiana Ringsby, Meredith Foster, MyLifeAsEva, Adrian Bliss, The Merrel Twins, Joanna Simon, Amy Serrano, Casual Allure, Amy Lee, Madison Chertow, Maia Mitchell (when she posts content), and of course my best pals Caspar Lee, Nick Hissom, Julia Kelly, Riley Taylor & Cierra Ramirez. That’s a long list, I know, sorry for dropping so many damn names. Trust me, you need to go follow all of them

photography by ASHLEY SERYN @ashleyserynfeaturing ALEXA LOSEY @alexalosey

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What is the most challenging part about being a social media influencer? What are your favorite parts about the job?

I have a hard time feeling the pressure of being “on”. For so long I felt the only way to success was to put myself on strict diets and workout plans to feel good enough. I convinced myself brands wouldn’t want work with me and casting directors would hate me because I wasn’t their perfect image.

The best part is having the freedom to be able to do whatever the fuck you want whenever the fuck you want. You can share anything that means something to you without needed a network to approve what you say. Also getting to go on brand trips and try out endless product is a pretty cool perk.

You’ve been pretty open about discussing mental health on your platform, sharing your own experiences in dealing with mental health issues. What inspired you to start creating content surrounding mental health?

To be honest, I feel like I’ve said what I want to say. I am now trying to focus only sharing my mental health as a journey rather than a report. I don’t want to dwell on it or continue to share the past because I feel like it holds me back. I want to check in and let my audience know how I’m doing because I know it means something to them and to me but I want to grow mentally at my own pace and not feel pressure to share it.

Was it difficult to initially start sharing such personal information or experiences with your audience?

Yes, but it was weird why I felt this. I was so worried the guy I was secretly in love with was going to see it and never be able to love me back. The only thing holding me back from feeling candid and finally free with sharing myself was one persons opinion. Thank god I just let it go. It felt so worth it when I got amazing feedback on the video and also got messages that people that watched it

took charge in seeking the help they needed.

What is one of the most important lessons about mental health or self-love that you’d hope your audience can take from your content?

Seeking health is brave and needed. Medication isn’t evil and understanding it’s a lifelong battle that is possible to conquer is essential in living a healthier life. Your mental illness does not define you. It does not make you any less worthy of your dreams, goals and love.

What is your best advice for learning to love yourself?

Let go and give yourself permission. Allow yourself to grow from mistakes. Put yourself in good situations. Take care of your body. Give back whenever you can. Say yes more. Say no more. Ask for help when you need it without the fear of being shamed. But overall build foundation you need to give and accept true, unconditional love.

Outside of YouTube you’ve acted in a handful of roles in series like My Dead Ex, Mr. Student Body President, Relationship Status and more. What made you want to pursue acting? What is your favorite part about acting?

I felt the need to express myself as another part of myself. It’s a craft I truly love and enjoy. So many people around me get into acting for the money or the fame. I never had a goal to book a show. My only goal ever going into an audition room was to have fun and put on a mini one person production to whoever in the casting office would watch. It makes me feel like a lively human. My least favorite part is waiting countless hours on set.

You’ve told me a bit about wanting to step away from the talent side of the industry and get into some of the more ‘behind-the-scenes’ roles of entertainment such as screenwriting, producing, etc. Can you tell us a little about that?

I’ve written a couple scripts that sold but I know will never see the light of day. It sucks but it taught

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photography by ASHLEY SERYN @ashleyserynfeaturing ALEXA LOSEY @alexalosey

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me how brutal this town is and how to get better at my craft. I would love to ultimately direct, write and produce films and tv shows. I like to see a story told from start to finish. That’s where I feel held back as an actor.

You have such an incredible personal style. Where do you get your inspiration from? What are some of your favorite stores or brands to shop at?

That’s the nicest compliment. I mostly go off French and Italian girls on Instagram that are way to cool for their own good. Los Angeles and Aussie street style in general had really influenced what I wear. I love following 80’s and 90’s accounts. I like mixing trendy pieces with classic styles I was raised on. Nothing is better than a classic Chanel pump with a trendy Reformation dress. I’ve just become one of “those” girls and I’m not mad at it.

You’ve also recently discussed an interest in adopting a more sustainable lifestyle. What are some of your best tips for shopping more sustainably?

I have been trying to become more aware of staying away from fast fashion. If I do go to a trendy store I make sure I focus on buying pieces that will last. I’m learning that being an outfit repeater is better for your wallet and our earth. I like supporting local brands that focus on sustainability, even if they are more expensive. Some of my favorites are Reformation, Realisation Par, Rowie and Christy Dawn.

I’m also a huge fan of shopping second hand and at vintage stores. I love Wasteland, Crossroads, the Melrose Trading post on Sunday’s and Jetrag.

Describe yourself in three words:Kind, tenacious and endlessly curious

KEEP UP WITH ALEXA: Instagram/Twitter: @alexalosey // YouTube.com/Alexa