Julian Burzynski Creates Content to Provide Joy and Laughs

We may see thousands of skits and scenes while scrolling through TikTok, but let’s be honest: How often do you see Elle Woods or Lucy Ricardo with a mustache? Originally from Chicago, Julian Burzynski provides his 1.8 million followers on the social media platform a laugh every day with his acting and comedy.

Graduating in 2017 from Elon University with a musical theatre degree, Burzynski took his talents to perform on Norwegian cruise lines and later joined a year-long tour for the musical, Something Rotten! Once the tour completed, he wanted to slow down and took some time for himself.

Turning to creating content on TikTok, Burzynski not only found a new career, but a way to shed light and happiness to his audience. He has showcased his acting talent by reenacting scenes from films like Hocus Pocus and Miss Congeniality, as well as hit TV shows like Schitt’s Creek, Bob’s Burgers, and Jersey Shore. From their mannerisms and facial expressions to their accurate costumes and wigs, Burzynski embodies and nails a variety of characters.

Burzynski took some time to chat more about his videos with OFM and how he hopes his content inspires others to be and express themselves.

Hi, Julian! Thank you for taking some time to chat with me. How are you doing during these days of COVID?
I’m doing well! It has been super interesting, definitely a change of pace. I am lucky enough to have spent the first half of quarantine with my parents, and I found an awesome outlet for expressing my artistic passion. So, I am doing very well. Just trying to keep spreading joy and provide smiles to everyone out there who may not be having the best time right now.

You are a comedian who went viral on TikTok after recreating different movie scenes and characters. Can you tell us how that began?
When I was younger, I went through a lot of bullying. I have the best parents ever and I have two sisters; we are a very close family, but when I would come home, they all had stuff to do as well. So, I would find escape in movies and TV. I just fell in love with these amazing actresses and actors, and that is where I found my safe place where I felt like no one was questioning me or anything. Just me, alone, with these fantasies of incredible movies. Then I found the community of theatre and everything like that.

When everything came to a halt, I was watching a lot of TV and movies for the first two weeks. Still am to this day, I love it. I cannot speak for everyone, but I was feeling very lost. No one knew what was coming next, especially in the performing arts world. When I was watching these movies, it just took me back to a place where I felt safe again. Those fantasies helped me forget about everything that was happening. Back then, those movies helped me to not stop pursuing who I was and to keep going forward because there was something to look forward to.

That is what happened this time, too. Those memories were not only nostalgic, but I thought, maybe I could provide some happiness for others and make those fantasies become a reality, no matter how low budget they might be. They have definitely taken a step up, which is really cool, but it is just me and my ring light. I started to do it, and I loved it. It made me happy, and it felt fulfilling. Still foes. It is even more fulfilling to know that I started bringing joy to others. Also, in this time of recreating and making original content, I am very thankful for the community for building me up and supporting me through it.

Which scenes and characters have been your favorite to portray?
Some of my favorites include First Wives Club. I absolutely love that movie, and I think each of those iconic characters and actresses, there is a little bit of each one of them in me. Everybody, they have those different sides. So, I loved doing that one, and I loved getting to work with my parents because they are just so fun. My mom and dad are so into it. One of my other favorites was Miss Congeniality because we did the makeover scene, and they were all a part of it. I love Drew Barrymore; she is such a big staple in my inspiration, as well as Reese Witherspoon. Death Becomes Her was also one of my favorites.

How are your videos unique and different from the other content creators who do the same kind of videos?
I think everybody has a unique style, but for me, what I really treasure and always try to do with my videos is be inclusive and positive. Also, it is recreation, but I am bringing myself to each role. It is still me. I am still giving my full self, but also taking on each character, changing the viewpoint, and really diving deep into changing for each character. So, bringing myself, but also bringing a different background for each of the characters portrayed.

Also, I love that I do full out costumes, wigs, lighting, angles—I become my own director, costume designer, all these things. I think that it becomes very clean, which I am very proud of. Not saying nobody else is clean, but because of how low budget it is since it is just me and my ring light, I want to make it seem like it’s Hollywood in the best way I can. Really portraying that fantasy, it is not just a lip sync. I am really living in it.

How important would you say short form content has become over the past year?
I would say it has become very important, especially this past year. We are looking for escapes and laughs because so much is happening in the world. It is a form of escape. Going on social media and scrolling through TikTok and Instagram, it can make you smile, or you can even find informative content as well.

It has been so cool to be on platforms that are now connecting to larger communities that you may not be a part of. Like, I have seen so many recipes and life hacks I never would have tried. I am not much of a cook or anything like that, but when I see something cool, I am like, let me try that. A new adventure that day, or a life hack that maybe I will carry on for the rest of my life. I think it has become so important to one’s mental health. You can go somewhere and scroll through these videos for laughs and education.

What do you hope followers take away from your content?
I want to spread joy and positivity, but also, I want to be who those actors and actresses on TV were for me when I was younger. I want my content to be a safe space and inspiration to never not be yourself. I have always been feminine, and I have always been different, but growing up with musical theatre and in the performing arts world, as well as the gay community, there are a lot of things that are put on a pedestal.

Masculinity is a big thing in both the performing arts and gay community because you are either a leading man, or you have to be like this or that. Body image and all that stuff. I think this year has been a good self-reflection, as well as this outlet, to really help me realize I have never felt more myself than when I am being true to myself. That is something I am so proud of, and it helped me find other facets of my life that I did not know existed.

So, really just staying true to myself, being happy, and doing what makes me happy. Not conforming to make anybody else happy. I want people to know that I have never been happier, so I encourage people to follow their heart and not be afraid of expressing who they are in whatever way that it. It is crazy of someone seeing my video and being like, ‘Wow, I really relate to that.’ I hope it inspires them to explore that path or interest. I just want to be a safe space that encourages love, self-confidence, and self-worth.

Can you talk more about how your videos have also helped you express your own feminine side?
I look at it in a way that gender is a construct. I can be masculine and feminine. I contain all these different aspects of both those things. That does not necessarily define who I am, and that is OK. It is OK to be any range of those things, and all it does is make you amazing. Just be who you are.

You always had difficulties embracing your LGBTQ identity when you were younger?
I didn’t until high school. Like I said before, I had a really hard time with bullying in grade school and middle school. My parents, again, I cannot say how amazing they are, helped me so much. I found theatre in sixth grade, a community theatre that allowed me to finally start feeling like I could be myself. We ended up moving to the city, I lived in the suburb of Chicago, after eighth grade because I auctioned for a performing arts high school. That was my saving grace. That is when I really got to explore who I was, and that is when I accepted everything.

Have any celebrities reached out or commented on your videos?
Yes! Diane Keaton reposted, which was amazing, and she actually reposted on her socials. Bette Midler and Reese Witherspoon posted on their stories, Gabrielle Union reposted one from 10 Things I Hate About You, and Pauly D reposted some of my Jersey Shore content. There have been some awesome comments and it has been really cool. The one Diane Keaton posted, it received some comments from people like Michelle Pfeiffer, Kate Hudson, and all these icons. Like, oh my God! Also, not just celebrities, but seeing how many people these videos touch and inspire.

What more do you hope to accomplish with your platform?
When everything reopens, I want to continue pursuing a performing arts career. I definitely want to stay on social media and keep pushing content that is a good message and make people smile. I just hope to continue spreading happiness, cheer, and light. I want to be someone you can turn to if you are having a hard time and need an escape or laugh.

Follow Burzynski on TikTok and Instagram to stay up-to-date with his latest projects and creations.

Photos Courtesy of Julian Burzysnki