Meet Iliyana Apostolova | Actress, Comedian, & Content Creator

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

Hi Iliyana, why did you pursue a creative career?
Ever since I was really young, I loved entertaining and doing little things to make people laugh. I would dance in a funny way or make silly faces just to get a reaction from my family, and I got addicted to that feeling — making people laugh. I always knew I wanted to bring that kind of joy to others.

At the same time, I was really drawn to acting, and I always loved comedy, so deep down, I felt like entertaining was something I was meant to do. My dream has always been to pursue film acting, whether through movies or sketch comedy shows like MADtv or Key & Peele. Originally, my intention wasn’t necessarily to become a social media comedy content creator, but as I kept expressing myself online, my social media started to blow up. I realized I could do what I love – entertain and connect with people through social media while still pursuing even bigger dreams.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My love for acting has been there for as long as I can remember, and it really stems from my love for making people laugh. I majored in theatre at the Las Vegas Academy of Performing Arts, and during the pandemic, I started posting skits online to entertain friends and family. Soon after, my content went viral. It happened unexpectedly but truly changed my life.

Since then, I’ve continued to grow across platforms — with over 5 million followers combined. I recently hit 1 million subscribers on YouTube, which was a huge milestone for me. I remember being younger and looking up to creators with millions of subscribers, never imagining that one day I’d be one of them, or that I’d end up working with some of those very same creators.

One of my highlight viral moments is my Miss Universe parody series, where I exaggerate how contestants shout their countries on stage. I was just being playful and having fun, and I didn’t expect it to end up reaching over 400 million views across platforms. It’s funny because I can never say a country name the same again.

Another big milestone for me was joining the cast of Everybody Dies By The End, an independent horror/comedy film centered around a maniacal director who mistreats his team. The movie was selected for the Frightfest UK Film Festival, and I had the incredible experience of attending my first-ever red carpet movie premiere in London. Seeing our work come to life on the big screen was truly surreal. The film went on to win ‘Best Ensemble Cast’ at the San Diego Film Awards and is now streaming on platforms like Tubi TV and Amazon Prime.

I’d say one of the things that sets me apart as a creator is that I’ve always focused on being myself and being comfortable in my own skin. When it comes to my content and comedy, it’s never been about looks or trying to be perfect. A lot of social media tends to revolve around appearance or aesthetics — for me, it’s about having fun and connecting with people through laughter, not through image.

What has kept me grounded through it all is my relationship with Jesus. I owe everything to God. He’s the one who gave me a platform and a reach, and I believe He’s using it to allow me to bring joy, laughter, and light to others.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’ve only lived in Miami a little over a year, I still feel like a tourist myself — but I’ve found a few spots that I absolutely love. If my friends were visiting, we’d definitely spend a day at the beach in Sunny Isles. The views are breathtaking, plus I can get some grocery shopping done at the Eastern European Market, Matryoshka.

We’d ride bikes along South Beach, it’s such a great way to take in the energy of the area, and there’s always something happening along the way. One of my favorite places to eat is El Otro Tiesto Cafe. It’s a Dominican-Japanese fusion restaurant, and the food is delicious (so is the vibe). Every friend I’ve taken there ends up wanting to go back.

We’d have to get on a boat at some point. There’s nothing like relaxing in the water, catching the sunset, and seeing the beautiful night views of the Miami skylines. It’s honestly one of my favorite Miami experiences.

And for a perfect rooftop idea to end the day, I’d take them to Sugar or Rosa Sky. Both have beautiful views of the skyline and are the ideal spots to grab a drink and take some selfies.

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?
I want to dedicate my shoutout first to my family. I come from a line of entertainers — my uncle was featured in the Guinness Book of World Records as an acrobat, and my parents had their own variety performance act in Bulgaria that combined physical stunts and comedic entertainment, with my dad specializing in balancing acts. Growing up around that kind of creative energy made me fall in love with entertainment even more, and I’m so grateful to them for planting that in me.

I also want to give a special shoutout to Dimitar Marinov. He is a huge inspiration to many Bulgarian actors. Taking his acting classes challenged and inspired me to keep getting better and continue growing in my craft. I’m thankful for the influence he’s had on me as an actor.

I have to also mention that shows like MADtv, the Wayans Brothers, Key & Peele, and the Chappelle’s Show had a huge impact on the way I perceive comedy. It taught me how much boldness, and authenticity matter when it comes to making people laugh. I learned that it isn’t about people-pleasing, it’s about finding the humor hidden in real-life experiences and telling the truth in a way that connects with others.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iliyana_apostolova?igsh=endpejc5MjlwYnF2&utm_source=qr

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077020525976&mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@_iliyana?si=RZHt_7eMxG-1QnkI