If you’ve spent much time on TikTok, YouTube, or even Vine a while ago you probably know Alexandria Inez Fitzpatrick. Better known by the names Alli Fitz or AlliCattt, she’s been dominating the social media sphere for years. Beginning with YouTube in 2008, she rose to fame using Vine until the app’s imminent demise. She then made a new YouTube account in 2014 throwing up some old Vine compilations that carried her following over easily.
With the addition of comedic YouTube skits and videos she began furthering her already substantial voice online as a singer, songwriter, and comedian. As of late, she’s truly risen into the spotlight with her TikTok videos that range from funny and relatable, to quality covers and comedic renditions of popular songs. With this, she’s now capturing a wide range of social media users young and old with her extremely relatable skits and overall content.
Within the last year Alli has began striking a balance within her personal brand as a singer and a comedic social media influencer. As of May she’s put out seven original songs that showcase her range as a vocalist, as well as her undeniable love for pop music. With this recent activity, she intends to break out with a collection of songs in the form of an EP or full length in the near future.
Respect My Region had the opportunity to sit down with Alli to discuss her casual takeover, moving to Los Angeles after college, and what she plans to do with her music career.
Alli Fitz (@allicatttx) Exclusive Interview
*Interview conducted by @Plugintheox*
*Edited for clarity*
What made you want to start making funny videos on Vine?
Alli went into reverie, saying “I had an Android, but then I saw Tyler (the Creator) had an account, and he was my celebrity crush.” “So I told my mom ‘I have to get an iPhone’ to post Vines because Tyler’s posting Vines and maybe he’ll see mine.” When she finally got the iPhone, she said “I saw people that weren’t necessarily famous, but had a lot of followers so I was like, how?” Alli asked herself “how do they have that many followers when they’re just regular people?” It was then that she thought, “I could do that.”
Who/what are your comedic inspirations?
Chuckling, Alli Fitz said “my comedic inspirations are my friends. Everyone I’m friends with is so funny to me.” She went on to comment on her fellow online creators saying “I want to make videos as funny as my peers.” Concluding she said “if I had to choose someone from TV it’d be Bernic Mac; rest in peace.”
You originally began posting videos singing, at what point did you realize that comedy was a part of your brand?
In the simplest way she could put it, Alli said “well, I guess I realized it when I saw other people doing it.” She said, “a couple people have told me I’m funny so I thought if I bring the relatable jokes into social media maybe they’ll like me.” Little did she know how far it would take her.
What is the timeline between you graduating college and where you are now?
Alli had the pleasure of going to a school close to home, saying “it was like 30 minutes from where I lived so I stayed with my parents. Once I graduated I told my mom, ‘okay, you gotta understand, I need to move to LA.” She told her mom “my social media friends are out there and I need to collaborate with them more easily.” She lamented on a time that she used to send videos back-and-forth to other creators being like “can you pretend I’m in the room with you?”
With firm resolution, Alli told her mom “Vine has helped me so much, like, I have enough money to move out there, so you got to understand that it’s gonna happen.” Luckily, her mom was completely supportive and let her move out to Los Angeles to pursue her dreams. Concluding, Alli said “I just moved thanks to Vine because without that I don’t know…but it’s been really great ever since then.”
Do you think you’d be where you are now without graduating college? Did it help?
Alli spoke about attending Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio for music theater. She said “I feel like it did help me because it helped me perform in front of people I don’t know.” Concluding, Alli made the comment that “it kind of gave me a headstart for now.”
Have you had any help getting to where you are with music, YouTube, and social media or did you build it all yourself?
“With my social media, I built it,” Alli said resolutely, “but my manager helps and advises me, but for the most part I think I did it.” Going into her music she said “I’ve had a lot of help. I’ve met some really cool producers that have helped me find my sound.” She also said that “I’ve met songwriters that will take what I’ve made and make it cooler.” Overall, she made clear her promotion of collaborative efforts on executing great music and content in general.
When did you get your manager?
Alli said she had an initial manager back in 2014 for a brief period. But, when she was doing a meet-and-greet in Orlando at Playlist Live she was approached by her (now) manager, Matt Hogan from Direct Artist Management. She said he came up to her and said “your videos are amazing, and, if you don’t have a manager I’d love to manage you and blow you up and make you better than you are now, I mean, you’re already good.” It soon became apparent that Matt was a good fit.
“I signed with my current manager Matt in 2016, and I told him the only reason I’m gonna sign this is if you help me with my music.” Alli went on to say that her contract she set up with her manager was meant to emphasize that “I’m social media driven of course, but I’m really trying to transition into music.” She said he told her that he’d put her music as a priority in furthering her career as much as possible. He’s since kept her on a steady path to success that is completely evident if you look around online for even a second.
Is comedy a vehicle for you to eventually be a full-time singer/songwriter?
While Alli is known for her comedic content, her true intent has always been to sing. She said, “yes, I do think comedy is my way of getting my foot in the door. I think it does help, but at the same time it hinders you.” Most importantly, “you have an audience from your funniness.”
Do you feel like it’s harder to be taken serious as a pop singer with a background as a comedic creator?
Furthering the conversation on Alli’s intentions to be known more her singing, she said “I do think it’s hard to transition from comedy to singing.” She said she knows that putting out a serious music video may cause people to say “oh it’s a parody so I’m not gonna watch it.” She commented on the fact that critics may “think it’s a joke before they even listen,” because she’s widely known for comedy.
Continuing, Alli Fitz said “it’s hard to get people to take you seriously when you’re like ‘this is my dream, this is what I really want to do.’ So you have to get them to trust you.” To further explain, she said, “you got to put out an EP or a few songs saying, ‘I’m here guys.’” Giving an example, she said “Scotty Sire is a prime example, people trust him as a comedian and a singer.”
You’ve worked with companies such as MTV, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Fanta, Coke, Ritz Crackers, Universal Records, etc. How did these brands approach you and what did you do for them?
Alli Fitz broke down the way in which she usually puts together brand partnerships through her channels. She said, “well they usually email my manager and he’ll come to me and say ‘hey, Ritz Crackers wants you to do a little ad for their bacon flavored crackers, will you do it?’” Her manager then asks “do you think it’d be something your audience would like?” Alli said “If it’s something that I think they would think is authentic but still an ad, I’ll go for it.” Going on, she said, “I’ll put a funny twist on it and make it something people can relate to, but still selling the product.” Concluding, Alli said the people of the internet are quick to say “ew, sell out” if an ad appears obviously inauthentic.
You seem like a big fan of Disney, where did that start?
You could see the amusement on Alli’s face with this question. “I’ve been watching Disney since I was little, That’s So Raven was my favorite!” She went on to rattle off a few favorite titles such as the Lizzy McGuire movies, and Wizards of Waverly Place. More notably, Alli said “I really started becoming a big hardcore Disney fan when Demy Lovato hit the scene.”
“Like, she came out with Camp Rock and at first I didn’t like her because I was like, lowkey jealous.” “Because she’s such a good singer, she’s a dancer, and she acts.” Alli said, “She’s the triple threat I always wanted to be for Disney.” Concluding, Alli coyly said “I still wanna be on there; I feel like I could.”
Will you always make pop music or do you see yourself experimenting with other genres?
“I’m mainly pop but I do experiment,” Alli Fitz reported. For example, “we just finished this lo-fi hip-hop song, so I feel like I’m experimenting to see what my voice sounds the best with.” She added that “people say that I have soul in my voice as well so I’ve done an R&B track before,” but “I’m just tryna see what’s best.” Alli finished by saying “but I think pop is the best for me.”
What routines do you think are essential to becoming more successful for aspiring YouTubers/singers/artists?
When trying to break it down to three or four key points, Alli Fitz said that “number one is consistency, you need to be able to keep putting things out.” She went on to say that with “YouTube, post once a week at a particular time to let people know when they can see you.” With singing, she said “put out a song every couple months so they don’t forget about you.” Another crucial factor is to “make good connections, [some] friendships turn into collabs.”
Lastly, Alli said this isn’t for everyone but, “be mostly family friendly, because ads and brands are looking at you.” “If you want to get a brand deal you want to be family friendly so you can represent their brand in the best way.” We’ve all heard YouTubers throw around terms relating to demonetization.
Once you release your debut album, do you see yourself taking a break from YouTube and your social media to pursue more of an identity as a singer?
“Honestly, I think I’m gonna try and do both,” Alli said with a smile that was indicative of how much work that entails. “Maybe I’ll get an editor so they can edit for me while I’m on the road.” Either way, it seems like Alli is already able to divide herself amongst many creative endeavors.
Who are some of your favorite influencers and video makers?
Without skipping a beat, Alli said “definitely Liza Koshy, she is the bomb at everything like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram; she’s a killer.” Next she spoke about her best friend, Drea Okeke, saying “she’s so funny and she’s grown so much. We’ll be walking in the mall and they’re like “DREA!” She also said she’s a fan of James Henry, saying “he’s so funny, and his videos are so relatable.” “He always has a big group to collaborate with so it’s always a party with him. You’ll never see the same person in his videos twice.”
In the final notes of our interview with Alli Fitz she wanted everyone to know that she’s got an EP or an album coming. “I don’t know which one I’m going to be doing first, but there’s a collection of songs coming soon!” It’s also worth mentioning that you’re in LA this Friday, you can see her perform at the Avalon in Hollywood. If you want to hear the full audio for our interview with Alli Fitz listen below on Respect My Region’s official Soundcloud.
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