Meet Katy Foley

Katy, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
Growing up, I had a learning disability. My parents sent me to a rigorous K-12 Math and Science school. When I was little, I struggled a lot academically and often felt behind from my classmates. Most of my teachers did not know how to cater to my disability. When I was 12, I got academic probation and almost got kicked out of school. I had to teach myself how to succeed academically. With self discipline and the help of my parents and tutors, I overcame this. By 7th grade, I was nearly a straight A student. I apply this experience to my resilience. Especially when it comes to my career.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
For the past 13 years, I’ve been working in many facets of entertainment. After graduating from the TISCH school at NYU, I moved to Los Angeles to be an actor. I quickly realized – I’m a lot more than just an actor. Through bookings, I discovered I also can model, host and do voiceover. And through my passion projects, I discovered my love of writing, producing, and editing. As much as I love being an actor (and to this day it is what ultimately keeps the lights on for me) my actual goal is to create stories I’m passionate about. Therefore, I love having a hand in everything. My brand is all about subverting expectation to ultimately bring joy. I love comedy, satire, and any kind of content that allows people to escape their day to day reality for even just a moment. That’s what fills my cup up.

As far as what’s next for me, it’s very much to be determined. One of the things, I love about my career. I’m currently writing this from my tent at Electric Forest where I’m performing all weekend. But I have no idea what next month will bring – I know it’s terrifying but also invigorating. My life is a constant surprise.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back on my life growing up – I think the three things that have sustained my career and helped my life overall are being present, planning for what’s ahead (and if there’s nothing ahead – creating an opportunity for myself), and not letting the word “no” get in my way.

On the token of being present, this is a life time struggle as I love to plan. My motto is always on the next – whatever that might be. This can take you out of the current moment. My biggest take away from NYU was my first day training at my assigned studio: the Atlantic School. During orientation we learned that acting is not about YOU. It’s about your scene partner, whether that’s the person you’re working with or the audience – depending on the medium. In order to truly bring the story to life: you must put your attention on your scene partner and allow them to affect you. Get out of your head. Be there. Be present. I try to translate this to my life as well.

At the same token, even when you’re on a gig – you need to look out for the next opportunity. And be open to it. My favorite memories over the years are taking on jobs I thought I would never be able to accomplish. Some examples of this are: rapping in a music video, dancing in the Super Bowl, and modeling when I’m only 5’3″. I could’ve censored myself for fear of failure – especially when you’re doing something you were told you could never accomplish for, saving yourself the fear of failure. But instead, I love trying to subvert this expectation and get out of my own way.

This follows hand in hand with my hate of the word “no”. People have joked “you’re in the wrong industry” – this industry is all about rejection. I don’t look at it that way. Every job I audition for is not going to make or break me. Why? Because there are endless jobs out there. So if I’m not a right fit for a job. Guess what? That job was also not a right fit for me. I was not meant to get that job because the job that is the right fit will fill it’s spot. I’ve found this time and time again in my career. As they say, when one door closes another opens. I remember one summer, I was set to film two movies in the Midwest. One didn’t go due to funding. The other, I ultimately had to turn down due to artistic differences. But I booked my first network television show that summer instead. Never let no get in your way.

As far as my advice to people looking to get into the industry, stay present, keep hustling and don’t let anyone stop you – including yourself.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
Probably sound like a broken record because I seem to write about my Mom in every interview I do. But my Mom really taught me work ethic and resilience. My Mother was one of the first female public defense attorneys in Chicago. She was one of the first people to go to college and grad school in her family. Over the years, she has battled sexism in an overly male dominated profession. She has worked her tail off to make sure our family was provided for. And she still has a sense of humor about everything. She’s always been the person I look up to.