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An interview with Liam Sullivan (Kelly from “Shoes”)

Karlie Powell,
Grand Central Magazine

You know Liam Sullivan, right? No? What about “Kelly,” the blonde shoes-obsessed YouTube sensation with black-rimmed glasses and striped knee-high socks? Yeah? Well, they’re the same person. Karlie Powell chats with Sullivan about his characters, touring and the fans that think “Kelly” is a real person.

GC: So, I’m going to ask the question I’m sure everyone wonders: Why “Shoes?”

LS: I don’t know. I think I just thought it was funny to play a teenage girl who’s obsessed with shoes and put it into the smallest word possible. That obsessive, like, “SHOES!” The way it’s said was just funny. And I thought, “Oh, this is a song. Ok, this is a song!”

GC: How did Kelly’s character come to be?

LS: I was just playing around with my voice, because I’m an actor and comedian and stuff like that. So, I had done all these characters. Then, I was working on this Kelly character. I just said, “Shut up, betch!” Like that. Yeah, that was the first thing that Kelly said.

GC: And once you had all these ideas, how did the video come about?

LS: Well, I started writing all these other songs, too. And that’s where “Text Message Breakup” and “Let Me Borrow That Top” came from. So I just started writing, and then my friend Eduardo told me I should make a video and treat it like it’s a real thing. And I was like, “That is a great idea!” He helped me shoot it, and my friend David helped me shoot it. I asked all my friends, “Do you want to be in this crazy video?” And they were like, “I guess, ok.” It just became this fun thing that we did over five days

GC: What was your reaction when “Shoes” became as popular as it did?

LS: I was thrilled! Very excited and very happy; and [I] wanted to see what that would lead to. I made this video and people like it so I’ll make a Kelly MySpace. Then, I had all these other songs in my head, so I recorded an album. The album was put up on iTunes and now the video is on iTunes. It’s become this whole thing.

GC: How did receiving the People's Choice Award [Favorite User Generated Video in 2007] feel?

LS: That was pretty amazing. I had no idea. They sent me an email that I’d been nominated. I was like, “What? For “Shoes”? Really? Oh, thanks.” When I won my mother called me, my father and my sister, all my relatives and friends. They were thrilled! It was very nice. I did not expect that at all.

GC: “Muffins” is another personal favorite of mine. What’s the story behind this video?

LS: (laughing) “Muffins” was ridiculous! I got that idea and I remember writing it and just laughing the whole time because I was thinking, “This is stupid. This makes no sense.” It’s the most random thing in the world and it just never ends, it just keeps going! I was determined to get it done. My friend Eduardo helped me shoot that, too. We shot it in two hours in my apartment.

GC: During your interview with Dave Navarro you mentioned a young girl somehow obtained your phone number. Have you had any other interesting run-ins with fans?

LS: Yeah, I have. My girlfriend says, “You got to change your number because somehow it’s out there.” It’s one of those unlisted numbers but people can still find it. So, I guess I’ve got to get around to doing this.

GC: Are you working on any upcoming videos you’d like to share?

LS: I’ve got another Kelly video in the works. I think I’m going to do maybe one or two more of those and then focus more on the family. I’ll be putting those videos up on my website soon.

GC: I hear you have a DVD that will be released in March. What’s included on it?

LS: Well, I want to include the new stuff I’m working on for Kelly. Also, I want to include outtakes and commentary, like, on a regular DVD. Make it like a real DVD. Have Kelly’s mom and Mother Grandma commenting on a video as it’s playing. There are some pretty good outtakes that I want to include that nobody has seen before.

GC: So, you’ll be traveling with a stand-up tour over the next few months. What do you expect to come out of that experience?

LS: I just want to have fun and entertain people. Hopefully they enjoy what I do. We’re going to some places I’ve never been before so I want to do some exploring, too.

GC: Are you planning on touring by yourself in the future?

LS: I would love to do that! We’re trying to figure out how to get that done. I’m right at the point where I could go totally huge and mainstream or just kind of fade out. I’m trying to figure it out

GC: When you go on tour will you visit Michigan or even CMU? I know we’d love to see you here!

LS: I would love to play there! What’s the school Michigan hates? Is it Ohio, the Buckeyes? Not the college but… Well anyways, I think Michigan played football in Ohio. I was there in Ohio when they were playing and the people were going nuts. The local news had the football news, not the weather. They were wearing the jerseys, even the main anchor. I was like, “Uh, what’s Michigan?” I’ve never been to Michigan. I’d like to go.

LS: Jeff Daniels lives there doesn’t he?

GC: He actually went to Central Michigan!

LS: Oh he did? Oh ok. Yeah, he does these ads for Michigan on TV like, “Come to Michigan!” So I want to take his advice.