Today we’d like to introduce you to Abby Burkholder.
Hi Abby, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Growing up, I always dreamed of working in the entertainment industry, but I didn’t come from a background with connections or a clear roadmap into acting and modeling. For years, it felt like something that lived in my imagination rather than something I could realistically pursue.
Much of my early adulthood was spent helping my family. I worked for my father’s business for nearly a decade, first as a receptionist and later helping run the shop when he became ill with cancer. At the same time, I was helping care for my older brother, who has autism. Those responsibilities taught me resilience, patience, and work ethic, but they also meant putting many of my own dreams on hold.
Even during those years, I never stopped researching the industry. I spent countless hours learning everything I could about acting, modeling, and content creation, hoping that one day I would find a way in.
That opportunity finally came through a simple social media post. I saw an Instagram thread looking for models and decided to take a chance on myself. That single decision opened the door to runway shows, fashion events, magazine features, and opportunities I never imagined would become part of my life.
Acting followed a similar path. I found casting calls online and started submitting relentlessly. I applied to hundreds of projects before landing my first role. One of my earliest experiences was working as a background performer on a production featuring Channing Tatum. It wasn’t a starring role, but it was proof that I belonged in the room and that the dream I had carried for so many years was finally becoming real.
Since then, I’ve built a career as an actress, model, voice actor, creator, and streamer. I’ve had the opportunity to work on films, walk in fashion events, build an audience online, and connect with incredible people along the way. The journey hasn’t been traditional, and it certainly hasn’t been easy, but that’s what makes it meaningful to me.
Today, my mission is bigger than simply booking the next role. I want to show other creatives—especially those without industry connections or strong support systems—that it’s possible to build something extraordinary through persistence, faith, and a willingness to keep showing up. Every audition, casting call, runway, and project is a reminder that sometimes the biggest dreams start with taking one small chance on yourself.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges was simply believing that a career in acting and modeling was possible for me. I didn’t grow up with industry connections, financial backing, or a support system that understood the entertainment world. For a long time, my dreams felt far away from my reality.
Much of my life was spent balancing responsibilities at home. I worked for my father’s business for nearly a decade and later helped keep things running while he battled cancer. I was also helping care for my older brother, who has autism. Those experiences shaped me into a hardworking and resilient person, but they often left very little time or energy to pursue my own goals.
After my father passed away, I faced the challenge of navigating grief while still trying to build a future for myself. There were many moments when I questioned whether I was starting too late or whether I had what it took to succeed in such a competitive industry.
Like many actors and models, I’ve also faced rejection—far more rejection than acceptance. I’ve submitted to hundreds of opportunities, heard “no” countless times, and dealt with the uncertainty that comes with pursuing a creative career. Learning not to take rejection personally and continuing to show up anyway has been one of the most important lessons of my journey.
Financial challenges have also been a reality. Building a career in entertainment often requires investing in classes, headshots, travel, self-tapes, and marketing yourself before you see a return. There have been many times when I had to take a leap of faith and bet on myself.
Looking back, I think every obstacle taught me something valuable. The challenges forced me to become resourceful, persistent, and grateful for every opportunity that comes my way. They also taught me that success isn’t always about having the perfect circumstances—sometimes it’s about refusing to give up when the circumstances are anything but perfect.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I describe myself as a multi-disciplinary creative because storytelling has always been at the center of everything I do. While many people know me as an actress and model, my work also includes voice acting, music, content creation, live streaming, and creative education.
As an actress, I enjoy bringing characters to life across film, television, and voiceover projects. As a model, I’ve had opportunities to walk in fashion events, appear in magazines, and collaborate with brands and photographers across a variety of styles and campaigns. I also maintain a professional home studio for voice acting and have recorded demo reels across multiple genres.
Outside of acting and modeling, music has been a huge part of my life. I’ve released multiple albums and spent years writing songs, performing, and exploring different genres. Music taught me how to express emotion through storytelling long before I ever stepped onto a film set. I also stream on Twitch, where I combine gaming, creativity, and community-building in a way that allows me to connect directly with people around the world. I also have two poetry books out and I make jewelry/soaps to sell at markets.
What I’m most proud of isn’t any single credit or accomplishment—it’s the fact that I’ve built a career across several creative industries without following a traditional path. Every opportunity has come from persistence, self-education, and a willingness to keep learning. I didn’t have a blueprint, so I created my own.
I think what sets me apart is my versatility. Whether I’m stepping in front of a camera, behind a microphone, writing music, streaming live, or mentoring aspiring performers through my acting academy, my goal is always the same: to create meaningful connections through storytelling. Each creative outlet strengthens the others, and together they’ve allowed me to build a career that feels authentic to who I am.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Growing up, my dad told me how to play piano with my grandma and grandpa so now every time I see a piano, I have to try to play the song that they taught me and it was a funny little version of Heart and Soul because I had no clue what the words were
Contact Info:
- Website: https://artsyabbyofficial.my.canva.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/its.artsy.abby
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@artsyabbyofficial5054
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@its.artsy.abby
