Meet Meg Buzza | Quirky. Curious. & a lil’ Kinky.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Meg Buzza and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Meg, how do you think about risk?

Risk is a basic requirement of being an entrepreneurial artist. It’s always mildly terrifying to put my creative brain babies in the hands of the social media monster. I used to feel paralyzed in the face of execution, but once I finally accepted that risk-taking is an inherent part of the art-making process, I stopped strategizing how to avoid the discomfort, and started seeking it out.

In my experience, when doubt and anxiety inevitably comes up, it’s actually the “green light” to keep moving. I now have a daily Buddhist practice that has flipped my fear-based view of risk on its head. It’s a simple formula: when I am fearful, I am focusing on myself and what I am hoping to gain; but when I focus on what I can give, fear is replaced with determination.

It’s my responsibility to take risks as an artist. If I can bring joy to even one person with one of my videos, songs, or comedic bits, then I have successfully served. When I create from this place, fulfillment is no longer a far-off destination. After many painful years of seeking happiness in people’s validation of my final product, I finally learned that I feel most successful when I’m enjoying the creative process.

Everything starts with the heart: whether I have the heart to encourage, or to be validated. Which do you think is more fun? I can tell you that trying to create from the vacuum of ‘seeking validation’ is miserable, and I often take less risks from that place. So once again, taking risks is proof to me that I’m on the right path – an authentic, courageous path.

In the wise words of Buddhist Philosopher Daisaku Ikeda, “No matter how wonderful our dreams, how noble our ideals, or how high our hopes, ultimately we need courage to make them a reality. Without action, it’s as if they never existed.” Action is the key to breaking through everything. In all things, art and life, there comes a crucial moment when we must simply decide and act. If we keep our visions of twerking handmaids and crystal-obsessed millennials locked in a prison of doubt and fear, how will they ever serve their purpose of bringing happiness and joy to others?

So as an artist, and human, who battles every day to be a little more courageous for the sake of making the world a little bit brighter, I ask you: what “green light” risks are calling out to you?

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

After my family’s home and town were decimated by the 2017 California firestorms, I felt required to leave my life in NYC to help them get back on their feet. This evolved into spending the better part of a year living with my parents and lamenting that I had failed in my career. I had training and degrees coming out of my ears for dance and music and filmmaking and comedy…woof…and felt that ultimately, I had nothing to show for it. My biggest complaint was that nobody had ever ‘given me a chance’ or ‘picked me’: the whole thing was “rigged and unfair”.

Finally, one day, I just got sick of hearing myself b*tch. “Who really cares if you’re a great dancer or singer or whatever – what have you done with all that talent to give back?”. Everything changed in that moment. I let go of all the expectations I’d had around ‘success as an artist’ and decided to start serving as my authentic, loud, and rowdy self.

This freedom led to my first major production – a dancing, raucous, music video parody of the Handmaid’s Tale titled “Praise Be(ats)”. If you didn’t catch the show, it explores themes of societal oppression and female slavery. The show is intense, and I could viscerally feel my need to set those women free – so I did. “Praise Be(ats)” is a perfect taste of “Meg” (phrasing?): house music, freestyle dance, comedy and unapologetic women. All of these mediums served as a life raft for me during the most brutal phases of my life, and nothing makes me happier than sharing that medicine with others.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

This is perfect, because I just planned a 3-day adventure for my Aussie Mate who’s coming in from down under!

First stop – Guisados Tacos on the East side – they are “blow your brains out” delicious. We will burn off our tacos on a longboard cruise up the bike path in the LA river near my spot in Montecito Heights. That evening we are cashing in on an old friendship (Mike, you’re the man), as guests at the Magic Castle. We get to dress like fancy adults, nosh out, and get our “sleight of hand” on.

Day 2 – If you pop in at a decent time, the city puts up volleyball nets in Playa Del Rey. Bring a boombox, a cooler, and your own ball, and the day is yours for some bump-set-spike. Ideally we’d order delivery from Sticky Rice Echo Park on our drive home, but they prefer pickup orders to avoid silly charges, so we will oblige and pick up the dankest curry in all of LA.

Finale – Professional Dominatrix session in Downtown LA. As we step into our power as 30 year old women, we’ve decided to take a little “Intro to Domme” at a dungeon in DTLA. It’s fun to lay stigmas to rest around kink and sexuality, and we’re both excited to tap into the psychology of being a queen and a boss!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shoutout to my family, friends, and Buddhist community: the Soka Gakkai International. Daisaku Ikeda’s life example of having “the heart to encourage one person” has helped me to build an unshakable foundation as a young woman and creative artist. Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!

Website: megbuzza.com

Instagram: @megbuzza

Youtube: Meg Buzza

Image Credits
Daniel Reichert Matthew Fischer Grant Bell Vincent Gouguenheim