We recently connected with Abby Burkholder and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Abby, thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I think the moment I knew wasn’t loud — it was quiet, almost sacred. I was a kid who never really fit into the boxes people tried to put me in, but every time I stepped into something creative…. singing, acting, writing, performing, I felt like I could finally breathe. it stayed like this for a while because I had to run my dad’s business when he was sick with leukemia, and art was really the only way that I could escape. What started as a place of escape slowly became the only place I ever felt fully myself.

The real turning point came the first time I stepped onto a stage as an adult. I remember the lights hitting my face, the hush of the room, and this deep awareness settling over me that this was the space where I felt the most alive. Not just confident… but called. I wasn’t pretending or performing for acceptance; I was stepping into a part of myself I’d been reaching for my whole life.

From that moment on, everything aligned: the hustle, the self-teaching, the late nights building portfolios, the hours spent recording music, the vulnerability of auditions, the discipline of crafting characters, and the joy that always followed, even when things were hard. Choosing a creative life didn’t feel like a decision. It felt like I was finally saying “yes” to who I’ve always been.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Abby Burkholder, and I’m a multidisciplinary creative whose work lives at the intersection of storytelling, performance, and emotional connection. I’m an actress, model, musician, voiceover artist, and community-builder — but more than anything, I’m someone who believes in the power of creativity to heal, to liberate, and to inspire people to see themselves more clearly.

I entered this industry almost accidentally. What began as a place of escape slowly became the one space where I felt completely alive. Acting taught me how to step into truth. Music gave me a voice when I didn’t always feel heard. Modeling became a way to reclaim confidence and identity. All of these paths blended naturally into the creative career I lead now.

What I create:
I produce a wide range of work — film performances, voice roles, original music albums, runway and editorial modeling, creative direction, and community-centered projects like 704 Misfits Magazine and my podcast. My work focuses on narrative depth, emotional honesty, and spotlighting people and stories that are often overlooked. I love creating worlds, characters, sounds, and imagery that make people feel something.

Who I serve / problems I solve:
My artistry helps people reconnect with themselves. Whether it’s through a role, a song, a poem, or a photograph, my goal is always the same: to make people feel seen. Many of my supporters tell me that my work gives them hope, helps them through personal experiences, or encourages them to pursue their own creativity. I also provide representation — as a mixed woman, I know how powerful it is to see someone who looks like you taking up space in these industries.

What sets me apart:
My versatility is one of my greatest strengths. I’m not just one thing — I’m an actor who writes music, a model who builds communities, a voice artist who designs worlds, a storyteller who moves between genres effortlessly. I bring emotional intelligence, lived experience, and spiritual depth into every project. I show up prepared, professional, and passionate, but also deeply human.

What I’m proudest of:
I’m most proud of the fact that I didn’t wait for permission. I built my career from the ground up — my albums, the magazine, my runway opportunities, my acting credits, my growing online community, and my collaborations with creatives across the country. Every milestone is a reminder that following your calling, even when it’s difficult, is always worth it.

What I want people to know about my work:
My brand is about authenticity, intentionality, and connection. Everything I create is rooted in purpose — whether it’s elevating other artists, telling a powerful story, or making someone’s day a little brighter. My mission is to continue expanding my craft, building supportive communities, and using my voice and platforms to inspire others to pursue what lights them up.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

There was a period in my life when everything felt like it was collapsing at once — my family situation was chaotic, my dad had just passed from cancer, my stability was fragile, and I was juggling multiple jobs while trying to hold onto my creative dreams. I remember shooting projects at night, working shifts during the day, rehearsing lines in break rooms, and recording vocals in my car because it was the only quiet space I had.

During that time, stepping into my career wasn’t glamorous — it was survival. But it was also the moment I realized resilience isn’t just about enduring difficult circumstances. It’s about choosing your purpose despite them.

One specific moment that stands out happened during a particularly rough week. I had an audition due, but my environment was loud, stressful, and emotionally draining. I drove to a random parking lot, set up my phone with shaking hands, and filmed the audition anyway — crying before the take, then pulling myself together because I believed in the work. That audition ended up opening doors for future opportunities.

That moment taught me that resilience isn’t perfection. It’s commitment. It’s showing up even when you’re exhausted, trusting that the version of yourself who refuses to quit is the one who is building your future.

My resilience didn’t come from having an easy path — it came from refusing to let the hard parts define me. Creativity saved me, gave me structure when I had none, and guided me forward when everything else felt unstable. I’m proud of the woman I’ve become because she fought for this life every single day.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I believe society thrives when artists do — because creativity is how we process our world, challenge it, heal from it, and imagine something better. To support artists, we need more than applause. We need infrastructure.

First, society must treat art as essential rather than optional. That means expanding funding, education, grants, and accessible creative spaces so artists from all backgrounds — especially marginalized voices — can create without impossible barriers.

Second, we need to normalize paying artists fairly. Too often, creatives are expected to work “for exposure,” which only benefits those who already have resources. Fair compensation allows artists to sustain their craft and build a career instead of burning out.

Third, community matters. Support looks like local venues giving rising artists platforms, media outlets uplifting grassroots creators, and people actively engaging with independent work. A thriving creative ecosystem is built through collaboration, not competition.

Lastly, society can support artists by honoring the emotional labor behind creative work. Art comes from lived experience, identity, vulnerability, and countless unseen hours. When we value that, we value the humanity behind the work.

If we want a flourishing creative future, we have to invest in the people who imagine it into existence.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.canva.com/design/DAFOkGV-CTs/nwwOvmWhaBEO_0Gp6ioTdQ/edit
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/its.artsy.abby?igsh=bGx0Z3NyeDAzcHJh&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1H1reYZ2iL/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG4RdjmhnqA-fp88EhuesHg?sub_confirmation=1
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/artsyabbyofficial?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
• Other: Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@its.artsy.abby?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

  Pinterest:https://www.pinterest.com/ArtsyxXxAbby/?invite_code=7a58b3a0ae934b868c3e7dd7db8c287f&sender=821414556944405042

  Linktree: https://linktr.ee/artsyabbymusic

  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4v2v1GQWuknZTPYNqVWq0H?si=bSQUcrz8QwiDCyjvnhsvPg

  Apple Music:https://music.apple.com/us/artist/artsy-abby/1618955058

  IHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/artist/artsy-abby-37852843/

  Amazon Music: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Artsy+Abby&i=digital-music&ref=dm_aw_ps_adp

Image Credits

Photos by: stefeemayphotography, blugraphics, Daverynnephography,bdesignphoto, Roofman (movie), AdifferentEyeChris