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

Hi Lauren, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I fell in love with acting and music at an early age. I grew up in the entertainment industry after I was born. Because my mother sang and my father produced music that had a lot of effect on me. I grew up watching Janet and Michael Jackson perform, inspiring me to be a big entertainer. Growing up watching Disney and Nickelodeon, actresses like Raven Symone, Keke Palmer, and Hilary Duff were the “it” girls at the time. Seeing young women on tv like that lets me know if they can do it, I can do it too. I pursued acting because it saved me, growing up experiencing good and bad parts of life, and with continuous experience, I have so much to give to the arts. To be able to feel my emotions and be vulnerable makes it easier to convey that in the characters I play.

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.
After many years of booking independent films, web series, and shorts, I finally booked a Co-Star role on the STARZ tv series “Step Up.” I’m now a professional working actor apart of SAG-AFTRA. I believe what sets me apart from others is my work ethic. I have a work ethic out of this world. I’m not the type to boast, however, I’m a firm believer in encouraging and uplifting yourself or no one else will. I have the skill to push forward even when times get tough. I’m a Gemini, and we’re intellectually curious, passionate, and quick-witted. I always bring my authentic self to the characters I play and every audition. I’m excited about the future! I just signed with Affinity Artists Agency. I plan to book and grow with my agent. I’m proud that I never gave up. I have much more work to do. It wasn’t easy getting here, there was a time of doubt, loss, frustration, and depression, but in the midst of that, I always chose to keep going because I love what I do. I overcame those challenges through my thought process. Sometimes you have to decide if you’re going to chase your dream or not. I want the world to know my art is here to give hope. I always want people to gain something positive.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my friends and family were visiting LA, it’s a few spots I would love to take them to. I love the beach, so I would drive to Laguna Beach and enjoy the summer breeze. Eat at a nice restaurant on the oceanfront. I love being in an area where people are thriving and enjoying themselves. I’m obsessed with In-N-Out burgers, so we would have to slide there and get an old-nice Double-Double. I’m big on self-care. I would suggest a nice massage at Sacred Zen in Los Angeles. You can bathe in CBD oil, and there’s complimentary wine, and you can try a Yoni Steam (for my ladies). I like BBQ. It’s a BBQ spot in Riverside called Gram’s Mission BBQ (trust me, it’s good!) Last but not least, I would take them to the Walk of Fame on Hollywood Blvd, that’s a must-visit.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My first shoutout goes out to God. I would not be where I am if it were not for his blessings. Every time I felt like giving up, he always gave me something to remind me of why I was going after what I was going after. My next shoutout goes out to my mother. She’s had my back through it all. My mother is the foundation of who I am today. I am very thankful for her. I want to give a Shoutout to my support group, all of my true friends who have always been there for me through thick and thin. Shoutout to my sister Belia Boo, my twin brother Melly Mel, and my father. Shoutout to my family back home. That is rooting for me. I appreciate each of you.

Website: www.laurendarlene.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamlaurendarlene/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMlZ5uuAgsMr7Y6PivCk6VA/featured

Other: IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11658923/

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