Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Rebecca Zamolo

There are many ways you can describe Rebecca Zamolo: actress, gymnast, and content creator are just a few. And now, you can add New York Times bestselling author.

Alongside her husband Matt, Rebecca has taken the magic from their popular YouTube channel and brought it to the page with her debut book, The Game Master: Summer Schooled.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to chat with Rebecca about her rise on YouTube, the release of The Game Master: Summer Schooled, and her work as an advocate.

PC: How did you discover your passion for content creation and the arts?
Rebecca: I was a gymnast when I was younger. My favorite event was the floor because I loved performing. I was so heavily into sports growing up. I never took an acting class or anything like that, but I knew I wanted to perform. I loved creating things.

When I moved to LA, I wanted to be an actress. At that time, I felt very confined to letting others determine what I would do. While I was doing that, I started making videos on my own and taking control of my future.

It came from feeling like I didn’t have enough control, and I wanted to be able to make things. I started with a flip phone. I learned everything I could. I made a lot of mistakes, but I always loved being creative. I love everything about creating. I love the behind-the-scenes parts. I love being in front of the camera.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Rebecca: My mom. She’s had a big influence on me. I remember I was starting artistic gymnastics when I was nine, after being in acrobatic gymnastics. We went to two gyms—we were trying to decide between the two. At the first gym, they were like, “She’s so talented. She’s going to be amazing.” They loved me. At the other gym, the coach was like, “She’s weak here. She’s missing this. But if she works hard, we can get her to that.”

I loved that first gym because they were praising me. I was like, “This is amazing,” but my mom was like, “No, I don’t want you there. You might not be the best, but you have to learn.” That was really important because now I’m not afraid to take the road less traveled.

She really made me fearless without me knowing it at the time. Even in kindergarten, they told me that I wasn’t socially there yet. My mom was like, “She’ll figure it out. She needs to learn.” She put me in those situations where I had to be fearless; I didn’t have a choice. I’ve really brought that into my life. I’m not afraid to try anything.

PC: You’ve had a lot of success throughout the years. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out to you?
Rebecca: Being a New York Times bestselling author. It feels so surreal. I would have never dreamt it. I feel really lucky to be able to make a living doing what I love. That was a really cool moment.

PC: You’ve used your platform to champion causes and issues that you’re passionate about. How did you discover your voice as an advocate? Is it ever scary to be that vulnerable?
Rebecca: The reason that I started YouTube was because I had a surgery where I had to have my colon removed. I kept that a secret for so long because I was acting. I was dropped by a manager one time when I was stuck in the hospital and I couldn’t go to a callback. From then on, I realized I had to hide my sickness, or I wouldn’t be able to fulfill my dreams. It was really tough to keep such a big part of my life a secret. I had to pretend I wasn’t sick and that I was okay.

When I had to have my colon removed, as hard as it was, it was also very freeing, because for the first time I could tell everyone what was going on. I could be very honest, and that’s what started me on YouTube.

It’s been hard at times, but also freeing. For example, I spoke about having a miscarriage. That was devasting, however, I felt so much freer, and the people that I connected to and the people I talk to and the stories and support have made it so worth it.

PC: Tell us about The Game Master: Summer Schooled and the inspiration behind it.
Rebecca: I love escape rooms. Our channel is escape room meets Amazing Race. In all our videos, we love when the audience interacts with us and helps us solve things. They find things before we do. This book was created to do that.

We wanted to base our book on our series. It’s the younger version of ourselves, but the bigger part of the book is that we’re all using our skills to figure out clues and to escape. The audience gets to go along on the journey with us.

Everyone in the book, just as in my real life, has strengths and weaknesses. It’s about the journey of everyone finding their strengths and where they excel. It’s also about realizing that weaknesses aren’t bad; it’s about knowing each other’s strengths and weaknesses and working together.

PC: You shared on social media that this book has been two years in the making. Has anything surprised you about the process of putting it together?
Rebecca: Everything has. I had never written a book before. I knew how much work would go into it, but I had no idea the amount of time it would take. We have a whole team behind us, from the illustrator to the editor to my sister-in-law who’s been helping with notes, getting edits, and grammar.

HarperCollins has been amazing. We could not have done it without them. It’s been such a collaborative process. We’ve really made sure that it was in our voice and the characters said what we would say. Every little detail is true to us. I’m so happy with it.

PC: Like you were saying earlier, you recently became a New York Times bestseller. Congratulations, by the way! What has that milestone meant to you? How did you celebrate the news?
Rebecca: We haven’t celebrated yet. We’ve reached out to our friends and family and thanked them. We couldn’t have done this without them and the people who watched our videos. There have been so many people that have supported us. Without their support, we would have never been able to write this book, and we would have never become New York Times bestsellers.

I’m so incredibly grateful and humbled. We wouldn’t have made that list without the people that bought the book. It’s been so awesome. We have to celebrate! We’ll probably do a Zoom with fans.

When the book came out, I did a Zoom with fans and anyone that bought the book. We had three hundred people on Zoom for the book release. That was so much fun. We have to do something like that again.

PC: What do you hope readers take away?
Rebecca: I hope readers are inspired to be fearless. They can do more than they think. A lot of times, we underestimate ourselves. When you’re put in situations where you have no other choice but to be fearless, you realize how incredible you are.

To keep up with Rebecca, follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and subscribe to her YouTube channel. Pick up your copy of The Game Master: Summer Schooled today!