We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Casey Hamilton. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Casey below.

Casey, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

There’s a big misconception that with social media fame comes immediate riches, and that’s just simply not the case. I was able to live full-time on TikTok funds, and money made from the occasional brand deal, but after two years, it became harder and harder to make a decent living.

A video that would have made 100 dollars two years ago is making 10 dollars or less today. That is a significant decrease, and not enough to feel comfortable about. It can really affect one’s mental health as well.

That’s why I’m glad to be back in substitute teaching. It feels familiar, yet isn’t permanent. I can still make my goofy videos without worrying if I’m going to be able to pay my rent. It has brought peace of mind to a man who can’t quite be his own boss just yet.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I was a high school Television Productions teacher in Florida; I taught my old class that I took at my old high school. We made the morning announcements for our school. Essentially, we just got to make goofy videos all day – a precursor for my eventual social media life.

During my third year of teaching, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. All of a sudden, I was alone in my apartment all day (which I was COMPLETELY okay with). My students didn’t have an exam to take, and I was NOT going to fail them. As far as I was concerned, the adults had failed them (especially the seniors, who had the most fun and exciting parts of their senior year essentially ripped from their hands). So, nobody was failing. Everybody gets an A.

That left a LOT of free time for me.

So, I started TikToking.

I wasn’t looking for any kind of social media fame; just looking for a way to pass the time. It didn’t stay that way. I started doing impressions, goofy voices – just being who I have always been. In my mind, I have always thought of myself as obnoxious and “too much”, so it was a pleasant surprise to find an outlet AND a following to go along with it.

When I had a video hit a million views within half a day, I panicked. I suddenly remembered that I was a teacher. I remembered the social media policy, and the warnings of doom and caution that my professors would tell give us. It was in that moment that I decided to keep it wholesome, keep it clean, and try to be, at the very least, a humorous distraction for people.

It has evolved into something completely beyond me. There are people that have told me that I’m a source of light for them, that I “got them through the pandemic”. I get questions in my comments that ask “where do you get your confidence?” and “how are you so positive?” To tell the truth, I have no idea. I don’t know why people say these things, or attribute such value to me.

In my head, all I do is make goofy voices and do silly dances. Maybe it’s something deeper than that. I personally can’t see it. We are all our own worst critics, after all.

I’ve met my heroes through the TikTok “fame”. Frank Caliendo, a master impressionist and all-around good guy, noticed ME of all people and decided to be my friend. Dan Povenmire, who has had a hand in writing and animating some of my FAVORITE childhood shows (SpongeBob, Rocko’s Modern Life, Phineas and Ferb), invited me into his backyard, and eventually let me a audition for a role on his new animated show (Hamster and Gretel). My life has been a complete whirlwind since this has all started, and I just feel so LUCKY to be here at all.

Substituting for middle schools makes me feel like the coolest person alive. Telling them that Lizzo has noticed me and dueted one of my videos (which was a HUGE source of my early TikTok growth) makes them SCREAM. Telling them that I’ve ridden a roller coaster with Kenan Thompson makes them question my sanity, and then when I show the video to prove it, they lose their MINDS. When I tell them that I’m not only a substitute teacher in real life, I also voiced one on an episode of a Disney Channel cartoon, they immediately ask what it is and if they can watch it on their phone right then and there. For the students who already follow me, and already know this information, they just can’t believe I actually exist.

A superhero. If only for a moment. That’s why I try to stay positive, even in the toughest moments.

I always tried to be a positive role model for my students, even as a teacher from small-town Plant City, Florida. Now, my classroom is a LOT bigger, but I still feel like the same goober that I always have been. I’m just very lucky to be here.

Can you share your view on NFTs? (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

Remember Beanie Babies? Remember how people collected Beanie Babies because they just KNEW they were going to be worth a FORTUNE in the future?

That’s exactly how I feel about NFTs.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Since I was a child, I’ve always wanted to be part of movies and TV, in any capacity. Acting, voice acting, singing, dancing, hosting, I don’t care! “Put me in, Coach” is the approach I take.

Because of social media and the connections I have made, and the MILLIONS of people that encouraged me to follow a lifelong dream, I booked my first-ever voice acting role, and for a Disney Channel cartoon to boot (Hamster and Gretel). I have signed with a voice acting agency, and have been submitting auditions, HOPING to book one.

Just the fact that I have the chance to throw my voice into the ring AT ALL makes my younger selves so proud – every single one, from four years old to four minutes ago. I’m DOING it, the thing that I’ve always wanted to do – the thing I’ve always dreamt of.

Watching my voice come out of a cartoon character for the first time made me sob. Tears of joy, of course. It was the culmination of a lifelong dream. All those hours as a child, staring at the TV wide-eyed, trying to parrot the voices of my favorite cartoons. Learning who the voice actors of my favorite characters were as a child, to now being able to say that I have been an actual cartoon? A monumental leap. I can’t believe it’s real.

My motivation is to become a voice acting legend, like all of my favorite voice actors. I want it ALL.

Contact Info:

• Website: themrhamilton.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chsteakhouse/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/casey-hamilton-728379213
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/MrHamilton
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mrhamilton?_t=8WBcCNUY0sg&_r=1

Image Credits
Jordyn Maloney Hannah Cowart Casey Hamilton