Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Kiirstin Marilyn of Harlem

We recently had the chance to connect with Kiirstin Marilyn and have shared our conversation below.

Kiirstin, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
I wrote a song years ago called “The Struggle.” The opening line, “I rely on the struggle, heart pumping up with trouble,” was my way of admitting that I had grown weirdly comfortable in the chaos of being a starving artist. It’s that “devil you know” logic – I wasn’t even sure what I’d do with myself if I ever actually found success.

Still, I keep chasing my version of success: an artistic life that’s sustainable, not glamorous. I don’t care about fame or fortune. I just want to make a living through my music, my acting, or some mix of the two. The truth is, if I stopped chasing it, or if I somehow caught it and the chase disappeared, I’m not sure who I’d be.

As the song hinted, the struggle has shaped me. It’s part of my identity. Letting go of it would probably throw me into a full-blown crisis.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I recently completed a four-week workshop for “multi-hyphenates,” where we were encouraged to wear all our hyphens, loud and proud, instead of trying to force ourselves into a single artistic box. Throughout that experience, I realized that, in addition to being an alt-pop singer-songwriter, actor, musician, content creator, editor, and activist, I can now add musical-theater writer to my list of growing hyphens.

I started my artistic journey as an actor, specifically in musical theater. Then I discovered how much I loved writing songs and soon after graduating from college with an acting degree (much to my mother’s chagrin), I joined a band. Today, I take joy in exploring all those creative paths simultaneously, a possibility I never would have believed in back then.

I have experience both on stage and on camera as an actor. I’m currently working on a six-song EP, the first single, “Free Luigi,” was released just last week.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
One moment that reshaped how I see the world was when I first stepped into mutual aid work around New York City. I’d always cared deeply about people and justice, but actually showing up, handing out food, clothes, and support with community members who were all doing it simply because it needed to be done, changed something in me. It made the idea of “community” tangible.

I saw how powerful collective care can be, how people who have very little still find ways to give, and how real change often happens outside institutions. It pushed me to see art, activism, and everyday life as deeply interconnected. Since then, I’ve tried to build my life around valuing people, choosing compassion, and showing up – in my work, my art, and my community – in ways that actually matter.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes…honestly, more than once. Pursuing a life in the arts while juggling activism, day jobs, and the emotional weight of it all, has pushed me to the edge a few times. But every time I’ve thought about walking away, something pulls me back: inspiration for a new song, landing a role, or showing up for my community and remembering that what I do matters.

Those moments have taught me that the impulse to give up isn’t a failure, it’s part of the path. And every time I choose to keep going, I come back stronger and clearer about why I’m doing this work in the first place.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
One important truth I believe – that only a small percentage of the planet is fully on board with – is that the way we treat our fellow animals is inseparable from how we treat our fellow humans. For me, veganism isn’t just a diet or a lifestyle choice; it’s part of a broader belief in justice, compassion, and refusing to cause harm when we have alternatives.

A lot of people see animal issues as separate from human issues, but I’ve seen how deeply connected they are. The same systems that exploit animals also exploit workers, communities, and the environment. When we challenge that, even in small personal ways, we’re pushing back against a much larger pattern of harm.

It’s not a popular opinion as people have strong feelings about food, but it’s a truth that guides how I move through the world and how I advocate for change.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
Yes. Early in my career, I finally landed what I had spent most of my young life chasing: a paid role in a musical theater production. It was the exact milestone I’d been aiming for; the thing I thought would prove I’d “made it.” But once I was there, I realized I didn’t feel creatively fulfilled.

That experience surprised me, but it also pushed me toward something truer. I started writing my own songs, exploring my own voice, and eventually shifted away from theater into making music and joining a band. Not getting the satisfaction I expected ended up being the catalyst for discovering a much deeper artistic path.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.KiirstinMarilyn.com
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/KiirstinMarilyn
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/Kiirstin
• Soundcloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/KiirstinMarilyn
• Other: https://therealkiirstinmarilyn.bandcamp.com/

Image Credits
FotoCavallo