Meet Lauren Richardson | Actor & Model

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lauren Richardson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lauren, why did you pursue a creative career?
Pursuing an artistic career was never really a question for me, at least not for very long. I’ve been performing for as long as I can remember so it felt like it was the natural progression for me to pursue making art as a career. The medium that has always been most compelling to me is storytelling, more specifically, theater, film, and television. I’m truly inspired by many of the projects that are coming out now. The conversations that are happening and the questions that are being raised because of this art form are so important. They are causing people to open up about issues and emotions that have not really been featured before. It’s become okay to be vulnerable, authentic, and even awkward. We are also being forced to confront our ideas about how art and politics intersect, and it’s literally making a difference in the world. I love getting lost in a story and stepping into a life that I’ve never lived, but I also have a strong desire to make a difference in people’s lives through meaningful art and that’s why I’m doing what I’m doing.

“You keep going because sometimes, if you’re really lucky, you get to be on stage and say things that are absolutely true, even if they’re made-up…You get to speak poetry, words you would never think to say but which become yours as you speak them…
I want to live a hundred lives and be everywhere and fight against the infinitesimal time we have on this planet”. (Macmillan, Duncan. People, Places, and Things).

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a trained actor and model who’s been working professionally for the last 10 years. I’ve worked on projects for companies such as Apple, 2K, Ford, and Toyota, to name a few, and have been a part of a number of runway shows and print ads. One thing that sets me apart from others is my undying love for what I do. Acting and modeling weren’t things I decided to pick up recently. I’ve had my sights set on doing this since I was in the 5th grade and my love for it has only grown with time. I’m a firm believer that we all come into this world with a purpose and if you take the time to listen to what your heart is telling you and use it as your compass, you can figure out what it is.

After years of doing commercials and print, I landed a speaking role in the videogame, NBA 2K21. The year after that, I landed another role in NBA 2K22. These roles are near and dear to my heart because I felt like they were my first real opportunities to showcase my abilities as an actor on the world stage and I was also able to work with some incredibly talented people both in front of and behind the camera in the process.

Getting to where I am today definitely came with some challenges and I still feel like I have so much to accomplish! The business is filled with a lot of rejection and that can be hard to deal with time and time again, especially with something so vulnerable as one’s art. It’s a powerful test of mental fortitude. I’m faced with answering questions like “will I continue to get up even though I’ve been knocked down 300 times”?, “Do I keep going even though I can’t clearly see the path in front of me”?, “Do I trust that this vision I’ve had since I was a child will take me exactly where I need to be”? These are questions I grapple with daily and my answer has always been yes. The most important lesson I’ve learned in my journey so far is to keep going and to never let go of your dream, no matter how many times you get knocked down. 5th grade me would’ve never guessed that I would be working for one of the biggest video game companies in the world and I’m very excited to see where this dream will take me next.

Although I’m very happy with what I’ve accomplished so far, I’m looking forward to pursuing more television and film projects. I love the idea of being a part of a miniseries. I love that method of storytelling because it allows you to expand more on ideas you wouldn’t be able to fit into a film, but it’s short enough to the point where it doesn’t overstay its welcome. I’m hoping you’ll see me in projects like that next!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The first stop on our tour would be Telegraph Avenue. If you’re a Berkeley kid, you grew up walking up and down this street and it’s one of the best places to go to get a feel for the culture and the unique, lively energy of Berkeley. While we’re there, we can stop into my long-time favorite pizza spot, SLIVER, grab a few slices, then take a walk on the historic UC Berkeley campus, which is also my alma mater.

The second leg of our tour would be heading to the Mission District in San Francisco. We’d grab vegan Mexican food at this delicious restaurant called Gracias Madre, take a walk on Valencia street, grab a drink, then head to the iconic Dolores Park where we can lay out and enjoy the view of the city with a bunch of other park-goers.

On our last day, we’ll head to Oakland, grab a coffee from Philz, then head to Lake Merritt. We’ll set up some chairs, I’ll invite all my friends and we’ll spend our final day relaxing, hanging out, and walking on the lake. This is a rite of passage in Bay Area culture!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout goes to my Mom and Dad. I’m not exaggerating when I say that they have been in my corner every step of the way. They’ve cheered me on through every play, commercial, videogame, runway show, and pretty much any project I’ve been a part of. They never pushed me to be anything other than what I was and they listened and took me seriously when I told them I wanted to be an actor very early on. Their support has given me the courage and tenacity to chase after this dream of mine and I think that’s one of the most beautiful gifts any parent could give their child.

Instagram: laurenrichardson510

Image Credits
Michael Winokur, Stephanie Girard, Jeramie Campbell, @treasure_behind_jays_lens