11 Oct TANYA BURR TALKS OVERCOMING ANXIETY, READING REVIEWS AND FINDING LOVE POST DIVORCE ON NEW EPISODE OF STRAIGHT UP
The latest guest on chart-topping podcast STRAIGHT UP is actress and entrepreneur Tanya Burr, who first found fame uploading makeup tutorials to YouTube in 2009, reaching over three million subscribers on her channel and becoming one of the UK’s very first “influencers”.
Released today across all streaming platforms, this episode of Straight Up saw Tanya discuss how her anxiety as a teen stopped her from pursuing her love of drama, and how hours of therapy gave her the confidence to take up acting classes in her mid-twenties and become a professional actress.
Over some gin cocktails from Lockdown Liquor, Tanya talked battling body image issues and loneliness, as well as finding love in her thirties after going through a divorce at just 29. Plus, the music that reminds her of her new relationship and why she never reads reviews.
Tanya on quitting drama because of anxiety
In my village there was a drama group that would put on proper shows that were put on to the whole village and people would buy tickets. And I always did that. And then in my teenage years, I did do drama GCSE and loved it and did well in that, but I started getting anxiety in my late teenage years and early 20s. And I just completely retreated and didn’t feel comfortable doing any of it. And I took a massive break. I’ve done countless hours of therapy, so I now have quite a good understanding of the ins and outs of everything and, and I think there wasn’t a specific reason but it was just part of character, it just came out at that time.
On overcoming anxiety
I never thought I’d live in London because I really struggled with anxiety. It was a massive battle for me. It’s just crazy to think back to those days. I still have moments now…recently I was walking around Oxford Street having just had a meeting nearby and I was by myself and it was one of the hottest days of the year and the street was so packed. I remember just walking out on my own and just thinking, God, I wish myself from 10 years ago could see me now, because that just wouldn’t have been an option for me.
On being a YouTuber going into acting
People asked if it’s helped and actually no, YouTube and Instagram if anything have been detrimental, because they prefer people who are not known and underground, so people can see them as a character. But what it has helped with is that I am so comfortable in front of the camera now.
On not reading reviews
The rule of being in the public eye is not to Google yourself. The reason being is that people who have something positive to say usually say it to their friends. How often do you write something on the internet when you really love something? Usually you go and grumble to British Airways there. When I did a play, the director specifically said to me even before reviews came out, “Do not read them because I have to tell you that those theatre critics are in such a snobby industry and they will be devastated that I have cast someone from the internet. Even though she’s been doing her acting classes just the same as everyone else. Their reviews are probably pre written and they’ll have left in the interval.”
On useful criticism
Some people have said bad things about me and it’s been completely true. Particularly in my acting career…I suddenly got this job and it needed an American accent and my accent was awful because I hadn’t trained for it. And then for my next job in America I made sure that I did the work and it was fine.
On creepy DMs
It’s mostly like really gross stuff and guys with foot fetishes. In fact there’s a whole Wikipedia page about my feet. And men will message me like, “Hi, darling, here’s my WhatsApp number, what’s yours?” I tend not to go there.
On her Saturn’s Return
Saturn’s Return is associated with major life changes, career changes, breakups, engagements and relocations. So I had a really eventful Saturn’s Return! And it was amazing. My thirties are my favourite years so far. I loved being single, and then falling in love and finding the amazing guy that I’m with now…
On recovering from her divorce
Just after my divorce when I was about 29 I remember having a meeting with a friend who does PR and organises VIP events. And she was with her newborn baby. And she had just met the love of her life and had her first baby with him at 39 and now she’s 41 having her second baby and I remember just being like, “Okay, I’m fine. I may as well enjoy this time. I’ve been in relationships since I was 18 and I can’t wait to date, this is so fun”, and I just threw myself into it. I did a lot of dating through recommendations, through friends and setups rather than Tinder.
On the songs that remind her of her new relationship
There are a number of songs that remind me of him because it was a playlist that I listened to all the time when we were first together and with a couple of songs he sent me. For instance, Bags by Clairo, and Good News by Mike Love.
