Meet Shay Holland from San Francisco who moved to LA eight years ago to pursue on-camera hosting and acting.
Was there a particular reason you chose LA?
A friend’s cousin was moving here for a summer job. She asked me to come so I decided to explore TV/film opportunities but never saw myself living here. We took the first place off the Internet that would rent to us sight unseen. That was eight years ago.
What do you miss most from home?
Being on the “A-list”! San Francisco’s TV/film community is small so you become friends with agents, CDs, actors. In LA, you almost have to choose friends by where they live; it’s a commitment to drive from the coast to Pasadena and vice-versa. I also miss baseball at AT&T Park and fly back for games!
What was your first impression of LA and has it changed since? If so why?
Plastic surgeons will never go hungry! San Franciscans wear more turtlenecks than bikinis so there’s far fewer enhanced body parts!
What do you find the biggest difference is living here versus San Francisco?
It’s way more competitive. In SF, there were only a few black females in my age range and type. Here there’s hundreds just like you.
Do you have a hidden gem in LA that you want to share with us?
Inspiration Point in the Santa Monica Mountains. Panoramic views from the city to the ocean.
You can hike or even rent a horse to ride up. It’s vital to have a life away from Hollywood – it’s easy to get “lost” here.
What would you suggest to others who are thinking about making the move here?
Save a TON of money, not just for your move but while you’re here. The writers’ strike hit after I came. Then the recession. Having a stable day job made the difference between staying and couch-surfing back home.
If your life was a TV show what would be the theme tune and why?
I’m a military brat, not a city girl, so it would speak to the side of me that’s more at home in combat boots than high heels.
Lastly, how can we find out more about you?
I help run a group for on-camera and event hosts (Hosts in LA). We have resources, castings and events, though we don’t raise as many pints as Brits in LA! Twitter @shayholland
