Liza Koshy

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1 Mar 2024

Liza Koshy

Elizabeth Shaila "Liza" Koshy, born on March 31, 1996, is a prominent American media personality and actress. With a massive following on YouTube, her main channel has garnered over 17 million subscribers and her combined channels boast more than 3 billion views. Koshy's influence extends beyond her online presence, as she has received numerous awards, including four Streamy Awards, four Teen Choice Awards, and a Kids' Choice Award.
Koshy initially gained recognition on Vine in 2013 before transitioning to YouTube, where she found even greater success. In 2016, she made her acting debut in Tyler Perry's horror comedy film Boo! A Madea Halloween, portraying the character Aday Walker. Following this, she starred as Violet Adams in the Hulu horror drama series Freakish from 2016 to 2017, and as The Explorer in the YouTube Premium mystery series Escape the Night from 2017 to 2019. Additionally, Koshy served as a correspondent for the MTV television series Total Request Live from 2017 to 2018.

One of Koshy's notable achievements is her role as the co-creator, producer, and titular character in the YouTube Premium comedy series Liza on Demand, which aired from 2018 to 2021. This series garnered Koshy several accolades and further solidified her status as a talented entertainer. She also hosted the Nickelodeon game show revival Double Dare from 2018 to 2019, earning a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for her efforts.
In addition to her television and online work, Koshy has ventured into film, starring in the Netflix dance comedy film Work It in 2020. She has also lent her voice to animated projects, including the animated adventure film My Little Pony: A New Generation in 2021 and the science fiction film Transformers: Rise of the Beasts in 2023.

Koshy's impact on the entertainment industry has been widely recognized. She was included in the 2019 Forbes 30 Under 30 Hollywood & Entertainment list and was named one of Time magazine's 25 Most Influential People on the Internet in 2019. She also appeared on Time's 100 Next list in the same year, further solidifying her status as a rising star in the media landscape.

Elizabeth Shaila Koshy was born on March 31, 1996, in Houston, Texas. She is the daughter of Jean Carol (née Hertzler), an American yoga instructor of German descent, and Jose Koshy, an Indian Malayali petroleum executive from Kerala. Koshy has two older sisters.
During her early education, from kindergarten until fifth grade, Koshy participated in a dual language educational and cultural program, where she became proficient in speaking Spanish. After graduating from Lamar High School in Houston, Koshy enrolled at the University of Houston in 2014, where she pursued a degree in business marketing. However, in 2015, she made the decision to leave college and relocate to Los Angeles to pursue a career in media and entertainment.

Elizabeth Shaila Koshy began her rise to prominence by posting comedic videos on the Vine platform in 2013, using the pseudonym "Lizzza". Her short comedic clips quickly gained popularity, and by the time Vine shut down in 2017, Koshy had amassed a following of 7 million followers. Concurrently, she also gained traction on YouTube, where her unique comedic style and engaging content attracted a growing audience.

In November 2016, Koshy interviewed President Barack Obama on her YouTube channel as part of an initiative to encourage voter registration just before the 2016 election, showcasing her ability to engage with high-profile figures on serious topics. Her videos often feature exaggerated facial expressions, a quick pace, and a commitment to humorously addressing serious issues like anxiety, societal pressures, and online trolling, making them accessible and engaging for her viewers.

By 2017, Koshy had become the fastest YouTube personality to reach 10 million subscribers, solidifying her status as one of the platform's most influential figures. As of 2021, her main YouTube channel boasts over 17 million subscribers and more than 2 billion views, while her second channel has over 8 million subscribers, with both channels collectively amassing over 3 billion views. In addition to her YouTube success, Koshy has a significant presence on other social media platforms, with millions of followers on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Twitter.
Despite her immense popularity, Koshy faced criticism in 2020 when insensitive videos resurfaced, showing her imitating Asian accents and mocking the Japanese language. This incident sparked backlash and prompted Koshy to publicly address and apologize for her past actions.

In 2016, Elizabeth Koshy expanded her acting career with notable roles across various platforms. She starred as Violet Adams in the Hulu original horror series Freakish, showcasing her versatility in a dramatic genre. Additionally, Koshy appeared in the horror-comedy feature film Boo! A Madea Halloween as Aday Walker, further demonstrating her ability to engage in both comedic and suspenseful roles.

The same year, Koshy portrayed herself in the YouTube Premium series Jingle Ballin', offering viewers a glimpse into her real-life experiences. She also took on the role of Princess Aubrey in the comedy film FML, adding another dimension to her repertoire.
In 2017, Koshy continued to diversify her acting portfolio by playing the recurring character The Explorer in the YouTube Premium mystery-reality series Escape the Night, demonstrating her commitment to engaging storytelling across different formats.
One of Koshy's significant projects is the YouTube Premium situation comedy series Liza on Demand, where she not only stars as the titular character but also co-produces the show. Premiering in June 2018, the series follows Liza's comedic misadventures as she navigates odd jobs to become an "elite tasker". The show received positive reviews, with critics praising Koshy's comedic timing and physical comedy.

Koshy's talents extend beyond acting, as evidenced by her voice work in the animated virtual-reality short film Crow: The Legend, where she voiced the character Owl. She returned to Escape the Night in 2019 and co-starred in the Netflix dance-comedy film Work It (2020), showcasing her multifaceted abilities on screen.
Continuing her voice acting work, Koshy voiced Zipp Storm in the 2021 Netflix film My Little Pony: A New Generation, demonstrating her versatility in animated roles.
Looking ahead, Koshy's involvement in the upcoming project Primos, where she will voice the character Serena, further solidifies her position as a versatile talent in the entertainment industry, poised to captivate audiences with her performances across various mediums.