Taryn Southern

Taryn Southern is an American storyteller, artist, speaker, and brand strategist who has made significant contributions in emerging technologies. With a background as a TV host, actress, and YouTuber, Southern has showcased her talent and versatility. Born and raised in Wichita, Kansas, she discovered her passion for the arts at a young age, landing her first starring role in a pre-Broadway theatrical production. During her teenage years, she co-hosted a regional teen talk show for WB Kansas. Southern pursued higher education at the University of Miami, graduating with a B.S. in Anthropology and a B.A. in Journalism. Notably, she competed in American Idol and received a grant to study the shamanic use of ayahuasca in Peru. In recent years, Southern has explored the realm of virtual reality, creating experimental content that has garnered recognition and awards from esteemed organizations such as AT&T and the Streamy Awards. She has also been an ambassador for The Geena Davis Institute's Gender in Media #ShesGotDrive campaign, advocating for female representation in the industry.