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

Hi Lori, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
Hello, I am Lori Livingston from Harrisburg, Pa! A super small town near Philly & NYC (The Tri State)…I grew up in the projects of Pennsylvania, where poverty & Crime were synonymous! Back then things were May more family oriented…so families looked out for each other much more. I remember my Mom borrowing sugar from the neighbors, & neighbors borrowing things from us! It was a community of ppl going through hard times together! Growing up I did not have much at all, so I lived heavily through television! The Glamour of the movie Stars, & fashion models seemed so far away from my own reality, but I knew very early on that where ever they were… that was where I wanted to be!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am proud of me for never giving up! This path to success is a rugged one, filled with twist & turns, pit falls & setbacks all designed to make you give in to that voice in the back of your mind continuously telling you to give up, & to quit! I never did! What May have looked effortless or easy to some came with an absurd amount of resistance…No exaggeration! I started my career as a Dancer, gaining my first TV appearance on BET’s Planet Groove! But my heart was always to be a Model & Actor! I was never good enough for so many Agents, talent scouts, & even models themselves! Constantly judged, & rejected beyond the normal amount of judgement & rejection this industry will bring! How I over came so much was to keep going! Literally! The naysayers & those making my path difficult were my fuel to try harder! Bc in my mind, I thought I just lacked the skilled, so when I’d be turned down for anything, for a long time I’d go study, or practice the art/skill even harder! I want the world to know that there are no over night successes, it will take hard work & dedication to your dream to gain & to maintain! I am the face of never giving up! I am the poster child for ambition, & staying committed to what I believe I deserved & wanted to be.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Ha… that is a loaded question! Awesome! I would definitely show my family or friends the beauty of California! From its gorgeous beaches in places like Santa Barbara, Orange County, or Malibu… to the Hollywood sign, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, & DTLA! I would connect them with my social light friends for a night out on the sunset strip at Harriet’s Rooftop the best Lounge, or Beverly Hills Paris Tokyo! I love to Eat, so I must stop at the finest restaurants across the Valley, & the home cooking spots of south central!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The ppl that I would need to credit, & or give recognition to in my story are much lesser known names! Where the world sought to find commonality in the well known names…I often looked for the much more relatable! So I must start with them first, my Pastors & Friends, my Grandfather Artist Wiggins who was such a leader in my eyes, & my Grandmother Mamie Wright, “who made me a lady”! My Aunt Eleanor & Cousin Lisa who introduced the Arts to me as a young child! Teachers in school that believed in me when I had no idea who I was! The ppl who never gave up on me no matter how difficult… the ppl who accept me for who I am, & who genuinely Love me…. These are the ppl who deserve credit & recognition in my Story!

Super Model Iman who hired me, & believed in my talent as a professional model…when the rest of the world did not know me at all! Super Model Twiggy for her kinds words every time she hired me! Icon Iris Apfel who saw a STAR when every one else was denying me work! Actor Susan Lucci, for sitting with me that day for Breakfast after the Show…it meant the world to me! Actor Morris Chestnut, for never giving up on me on set to get my SAG AFTRA Papers, “as he’d always say”! Debbie Allen, for giving me my first speaking role!

Instagram: @LoriLivingston_

Twitter: @iamLoriLivingston

Facebook: Lori Livingston

Youtube: LoriLivingstonOfficial

Other: Tiktok @iamLoriLivingston

Image Credits
Ann Marie Clark Getty Images

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