Lara Shah on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Lara Shah. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Lara, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
My whole world has been in massive upheaval this past year after the ending of a very significant relationship. A year ago, my fiancé and I split up after 7.5 years together (4 years engaged). Since we were living together and I working for his company – I lost my partner, home, and income all in one fell swoop. What I’m proud of building is a new life for myself this past year, despite the heartache and pain. I was quickly thrown into massive survival mode.. Where is my next meal coming from? Will I be able to pay rent this month? How will I survive? It’s been quite the journey, and I’m still in the middle of quite a bit of it, but I am – piece by piece and via 4-5 jobs and a LOT of coffee – putting together a life that I am proud to call my own. This is the first time in my life I’ve lived alone, doubled down on my mental and emotional health, and really embraced the support, generosity, and kindness of my family and friends. My community has truly held me together as I’ve navigated my new normal – amidst a crazy year in LA and our country! – and I am so grateful for all of the love.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a multi-hyphenate everything (haha!) including (but not limited to)
(1) a television, film, commercial, voice over, and print actress;
(2) interior designer;
(3) event planner;
(4) waitress/server;
(5) pet (dog and cat) sitter/walker ;
(6) executive assistant;
(7) creative director;
(8) producer… and I’m trying to add
(9) writer and
(10) director to that list shortly!
Acting has always been top priority and everything else I do supports that main goal. Although, when it comes down to it, I feel immense joy in being creative in any endeavor – whether acting, designing interiors, etc. I love leaving my fingerprints on peoples’ hearts and homes. It’s important to me to make a positive impact with anything I do or with anyone I meet.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Anyone who knows me deeply and intimately knows how obsessed I am with my (late) maternal grandfather. He passed when I was 15 but he has been one of the biggest influences of my life. When my brother and I were young, our grandfather would ask us our opinions about “grownup” topics and then take the time to truly listen to our replies. He saw and heard us, and then he validated us. He never spoke down to us; we were always his equals. Living in the space my grandfather carved out allowed me to see myself as he saw me: an intelligent, capable, strong, opinionated, logical person who was worthy of a voice and a place in the world.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
My biggest fear is probably the same as many, but a fear nonetheless – a lack of self-worth, self-esteem, imposter syndrome, etc. Even with this article, I have the little voices pop up in my head: “Who is going to care? Who will be moved by what I have to say? Why does my voice matter?” Especially as an actor and storyteller, that’s especially hard because it’s literally my job to try to shift emotions in another human being. I’ve had a habit of playing it safe and small and not “going for it,” to not look stupid or weird or wonky. Which is also ridiculous because I’m (1) an actor (2) a Gemini (3) a biological being on this planet so, by default, all three force me to be a stupid, weird, wonky being. There’s no winning with this fear.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
If I could have Mel Robbins speak to me all day, every day, in my ear like a little buzzy fly, that would be most ideal. Her books, podcasts, and speeches are so insightful and inspiring. There are many motivational thought leaders I enjoy, but she’s at the top of the list. Most especially, her 5-4-3-2-1’ing things really helps break through my “analysis paralysis” and helps me get things done (like writing the replies to these prompts) where I would otherwise stutter and stall and procrastinate. One of my close friends, Marcelle, and I are always sharing little video clips and there was this one today about self-love she sent me that I absolutely adored. Mel is speaking to the author of her favorite book, “The Book of Awakening” by Mark Nepo who wrote: “A flower doesn’t dream of the bee; it blossoms, and the bee comes.” Please go find that clip on her Instagram page and I promise you’ll be just as moved and inspired!

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What will you regret not doing? 
So, I haven’t had an audition since April (7 months is a long time, I know), and I haven’t had a show air since nearly 3 years ago (“Quantum Leap,” the reboot). Granted, since the show aired, I’ve lost two soulmate cats, my fiancé, my home, my job, and my whole world has turned completely upside down, so I’ve been busy kinda *going through it,* but when people ask me my profession, I still proudly reply that I’m an actor. I rejoined acting classes for four months earlier this year, I still attend casting director workshops at SAG-AFTRA whenever humanly possible with my crazy schedule, and I memorize the crap out of our very extensive specials list at the restaurant and get applauses from customers asking if I happen to be an actress (“Indeed, I am!”). All this because I KNOW that, at the very end of my life, on my death bed, I will entirely regret not going for the career I knew I wanted at age four. I will not take my last breath thinking I sold myself out or shortchanged myself without giving my dreams a chance to breathe and flourish. Acting is a lifelong commitment, and it’s certainly not easy, but I know in my core that it’s absolutely, entirely worth it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.larashah.com
• Instagram: @larashah_
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larashah/
• Twitter: https://x.com/larashah17
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larashah17

Image Credits
Stephanie Girard Photography