Today we’d like to introduce you to Carys Varner.
Hi Carys, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve loved performing for as long as I can remember. Ever since I was little, I was always dancing and putting on shows for my family and others I would meet. Being on stage feels natural to me, and performing makes me really happy.
I started telling my parents I wanted to perform on TV and on stage from an early age. I convinced them with my persistent, and they 100 percent supported my goals. I began training in dance, acting, and modeling, and eventually started making music as Sassy Shorty. I love creating fun, high-energy music that lets me express my personality and confidence. Some of my songs include “Can’t Touch This,” “Call Me Santa,” and “Sleigh the Night,” and I’ve also filmed music videos for each of them.
One thing people always notice about me is my big curly red hair. It definitely helps me stand out, and people stop me all the time to compliment it or ask about it. I think its become part of my look and personality as an artist, and I love embracing what makes me unique.
My family loves music. My big sister is a musician and lead guitarist, and she helps write my songs. I also give my own ideas and input because I want the music to reflect my personality, style, and things I think are fun or inspiring. My other sister plays the piano, and I’m currently learning how to play the drums, so there’s always music happening around our house. We also spend a lot of time doing auditions together, traveling, and being on set. Working together creatively as a family has been one of my favorite parts of this journey.
I’ve been lucky to work and perform in places like Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York, and every experience has helped me grow both as a performer and as a person. I love meeting creative people and learning new things along the way.
Right now, I’m really excited because I’m getting ready to release some amazing new music, and I’m preparing for some upcoming live shows. I would describe my style as fun, energetic, and fearless. I want people to feel confident and happy when they listen to my music or watch me perform.
This journey has taught me to work hard, stay positive, and always be myself. I’m excited to keep growing and see where this path take me next.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t always been easy. Balancing school, rehearsals, filming, performances, travel, and regular kid life can sometimes be challenging. With my family’s support, I feel like I’ve done a good job handling all of it though, and at the end of the day, I think it’s all worth it, because I love what I do. Education is very important in our house, and I’m excited about starting home school, which is new for me, but I think it will allow the flexibility we need to grow even more.
There are also moments in the entertainment industry where you hear “no,” don’t get selected for something, or have projects take longer than expected. Learning how to stay confident and keep going has been really important for me. People watching from the outside might think this looks easy, but all of this takes a lot of hard work, practice, and dedication behind the scenes. I am normally in rehearsals and practices five days per week, and also audition regularly, which can take several hours per week. I’ve had to learn to remain disciplined and patient and focus on always improving.
I’ve grown so much through this process. My family has always been supportive, and despite the hard work, I still consider this fun, and love it when I see how everything comes together. I’m excited about where this journey will take me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a performer, recording artist, dancer, actor, and model, and I love expressing my creativity. As Sassy Shorty, I create fun, energetic music that mixes pop and hip hop influences with confidence, personality, and story telling. I also enjoy performing live because I love connecting with people and bringing energy to the stage.
One thing that sets me apart is I’m involved in the entire creative process — deciding how my songs should sound and helping to write the lyrics, learning about producing, etc. From an early age, I’ve wanted to see the pictures, the numbers, everything. I don’t just want to be an artist. I want to understand the business behind it. My family teaches me about owning my entire brand, and I pay attention to what I’m learning so that I can make good business decisions as I get older.
I’ve never been fearful of new things. People don’t just recognize me for my big, curly hair but also my bold, fun personality. I’ve learned to embrace what makes me different instead of trying to fit in. I want my brand to encourage other kids to feel confident being themselves too and the importance of knowing you have the right to body autonomy. That’s why in my song, “Can’t Touch This,” I share it’s okay to say no to people who try to bypass your boundaries.
One thing I’m most proud of is being able to balance so many opportunities at a young age while continuing to grow and improve. In the short time I’ve been in the industry, I’ve been featured as a model in some major retail stores. I’ve worked with phenomenal photographers. I’ve been trained by some great acting coaches. I have a fantastic professional team. I’ve also developed friendships with so many other young actors and artists in the industry. All of these experiences have helped me become more confident both on and off stage. I’m always looking for ways to grow as an artist and performer while continuing to have fun doing what I love.
What’s next?
I’m really excited about the future and all the opportunities ahead. One big change for me is starting homeschool, which will give me a more flexible schedule so I can focus more on my music, acting, performances, and travel opportunities while continuing my education.
I’m also excited about promoting my upcoming new music and performing live throughout Georgia and beyond. I love performing live because it gives me the chance to connect with people and bring energy to the stage.
Along with music, I’m continuing to study with my acting coach and prepare for more theatrical work in the future I want to keep growing not only as an artist, but also as an actor, dancer, and overall performer. I love taking everything I learn to challenge myself even more creatively.
Another exciting project I’m working on is preparing brand merchandise for Sassy Shorty. I think it’s really fun to build a brand that reflects my personality, style, and confidence.
Most of all, I’m enjoying this time in the industry with my family by my side. Having their support and being able to create music and memories together makes this journey even more special, and I’m excited to see where it all leads next.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecarysshow/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecarysshow








