Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsay B. Davis.
Hi Lindsay B., we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
As I answer this first question, I am looking at an old photograph of myself at 8-years-old in a very ’80s red and black leotard, oversized, off-the-shoulder tee, tights, and legwarmers. The occasion was my fourth-grade final project on “DANCE” for which I had interviewed cast members of the Broadway musical “A Chorus Line” and choreographed/performed a solo routine to the song “Axyl-F” from the movie Beverly Hills Cop. I keep this photo on my fridge for a number of reasons, but mostly because it’s a daily reminder of how proud, passionate, uninhibited, and self-possessed I was from such an early age when it came to the performing arts (not to mention ’80s workout gear). I was born in Queens and grew up on Long Island; my family made it a point to expose me to the arts & culture scene of the city from a very early age. I was very fortunate in that regard.
In my childhood and teen years, I also thrived in sports and science, eventually landing at Cornell to study pre-med and play varsity soccer. I like to share this because it is a reminder that you don’t have to have it all figured out when you’re 20. I certainly didn’t! I was struggling really hard with an eating disorder at the time, felt completely burdened by internal and external pressures, and could barely maintain relationships or any semblance of career direction. Eventually, I started to find my own way by returning to what I loved so much as a child: the arts. I graduated with an English degree, and in the years that followed found healing, meaning, and community studying acting, dance, voice, movement, creative writing, and anything tangentially related, which eventually lead to working professionally in theatre, film, dance, music, fitness, and more.
New York City in the early-to-mid 2000s had a LOT going on and I was so immersed in the culture. I feel like my life was so unconventional – as many of my friends began to settle down, get married and start families, I was staging my first full-kength play, getting my breaks in television, and taking all sorts of creative risks (some to better effect than others!). In many ways, it was what I needed most to heal and grow. I never became rich or famous doing any of these things but my experiences were invaluable. Fame or celebrity was also never my goal because despite being outgoing and dancing my a– off on Facebook way back in the day, fame actually terrified me and I much preferred to be performing at the Lower East Side Festival of Arts in relative obscurity.
The call to move to the west coast started (at least according to my journals) in around 2011. I wanted to get closer to the mothership of Hollywood, which I had grown up completely romanticizing ever since I saw “Gone with the Wind” and read the book in its entirety. The film industry had something of a mythic presence in my imagination, and I also recall how hard it was for me to separate the actress from the role — Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, Steel Magnolias, and Mystic Pizza comes to mind, like I legitimately saw her as this larger than life conflation of a gorgeous woman occupying these three roles on a giant screen but also in life. It was very confusing lol. I cried in the theater and for days after seeing Glory on a school field trip. It felt so real. Dirty Dancing changed my life, and I don’t think I ever had a bigger crush than on Patrick Swayze. The 80s were a golden era for music and film. I could go on for days here but won’t for the sake of time and VoyageLA readers! There was just something about the movies and music that activated me in ways that felt like something much larger than myself and I think ultimately I felt so drawn to LA to see if there was a way that little (literally 5’3″) Lindsay from Plainview, Lawngisland, could possibly fit.
That said, I also felt and sensed a deeper reason. Healing from the eating disorder I mentioned earlier that nearly killed me in my 20s lead to a spiritual journey. Whenever I visited California for work or personal reasons, I would sit by the ocean and just feel this calling (something like “Commmeeee to meeeeee” in this weird, slightly nurturing if not other worldly voice lol). I felt intuitively that in order to really deepen my growth and get to the next level I had to leave my big, bad New York nest. I was telling myself again and again how “over New York” I was feeling because of the myriad ways the city itself was changing from cost of living to beloved cultural institutions turning into Duane Reade’s or banks but in hindsight, I believe that was just my mind rationalizing something I knew in my soul, which was I had to take this big leap to take even as I had no idea what lied ahead.
Cut to to 2019 when I moved to Los Angeles shortly after turning 40. Even as I write this I almost can’t believe that I sold most of my belongings, packed it all up, and moved to LA. By that point, I had done a good amount of acting and writing but had yet to join a union, so that was certainly a goal of mine. I also had this private-ish obsession with singing, songwriting and pop music that I played around with a bit in New York but once I moved to LA it was like any wall or ceiling was lifted. It was just me, the mountains, the beach, my car, and a LOT of inspiration. I had no idea how much inspo I would find in the California sound but from the moment I got here it took over; within a year I had met an electronic music producer (on Hinge during the pandemic, good times) who asked me to feature on one of his tracks aptly called “Waiting for the 80s.” That went great. Then I was cast in a Yung Gravy and bbno$ music video that shot here in Venice. A lot of people asked me how I got that and the answer is through a self submission on Casting Networks (I knew no one involved with the project). I felt like those two things were little arrows directing me towards this dream of making music of my own, which I first did back when I was 20 in New York, but never took seriously. Eventually, I was introduced through my friend and fellow instructor at Equinox to a brilliant producer/composer with whom I started making music in early 2022. This has lead to seven single releases and a music catalog with over 250,000 streams from across the globe on Spotify, which fills my tummy with butterflies to even share like how did this even happen!? I’ve worked as an actor and eventually joined SAG-AFTRA but with the pandemic, strikes, and decline in LA production, it’s been a challenge at times. I loved this supporting role I shot opposite the great Sam Anderson in an indie film called The Lift, and it was really cool to play this rehab coordinator in another indie (and Vimeo pick) called Intake. I’ve had some really positive experiences doing background and stand-in work for network + cable, including ABC’s 9-1-1 and HBO’s Winning Time (catch me dancing in the Season 2 opener!). I am keeping the faith while continuing to hone my craft, audition for bigger roles, and support the #StayinLA initiatives to bring LA production back to pre-pandemic levels.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It is funny to answer this on the heels of my first trip to Joshua Tree last month for my birthday where I encountered a sign on the road to my AirBnB which said, “PAVEMENT ENDS.” That was the at which point my KIA and I traversed unpaved roads until we reached our destination, and I smiled to myself that it was a lot liek my life.
So no, it was definitely not smooth, but before I share some of the biggest challenges and obstacles, I will at least say that while I do consider myself on a road, or a path, I no longer consider myself driving towards any destinations. Like, this is it. This moment is the destination. It’s all we have; the now.
For the purpose of this interview I’ll share the biggest ones I’ve faced since moving to LA in 2019, or else we’ll be here a long time. I was settling in really well in what I fast learned is quite the coveted thing (an affordable westside guest house!) and fell in love with LA instantly. Within a month I signed with a new talent agent, booked an indie film, and did some commercial and print work. I transitioned well into teaching fitness classes, too, which had become something of a major side-hustle career.
A few months later, in the Summer of 2019, my dog Charlie, who was literally the light of my life, son and soulmate in fur, came down with aggressive mouth cancer. I became completely consumed with saving my baby but the surgery and radiation only kept him going for so long. When then pandemic hit and we were all in lockdown, he took a hard turn for the worse. In April 2020, after trying every last ditch attempt to cure his cancer, I had to put him down almost a year to the date after I moved to Los Angeles. The last thing we did together was dance to Phil Collins’ “Take Me Home’ (yes, I am that someone who dances with her animals) at which point he told me with his eyes it was time. My heart was shattered into a million pieces. I had never experienced that level of emotional pain, and navigating those grief waters in the early pandemic while socially distanced in a little guest house thousands of miles away from my closest friends and family was one of the hardest things I had ever done. It was such a dark time and painfully contrasted the bright, new beginnings energy I had been feeling only a few months prior.
This kicked off a deep spiritual quest of sorts that took me to new places both internally and externally; I couldn’t understand why this happened or how to move on. In many ways the pain propelled my self-discovery to new heights and years later, I can now say losing Charlie, while incredibly tragic, was a blessing that availed me to discover the real source and spiritual energy of the Universe that he embodied so fully.
The other biggest challenge has been my own mindset. While there are so many outside elements we cannot control as artists and entertainers, if it is one thing we absolutely can it is our mindset, self-concept, and confidence. I had already successfully overcome my biggest life challenge, which was bulimia, but after moving to LA I realized I still held onto some deep-seated, limiting beliefs about what I could accomplish, and what I deserve. It was the voice in my own head, which one of my favorite books The Artist’s Way calls “the Blurts” and The Four Agreements refers to as “The Judge.” I’ve spent a lot of dedicated time working through some of the origins of my critical thinking and releasing / replacing it with much better ideas. It correlates with my healing and spiritual practices, including addiction recovery and loving kindness. LA has actually helped me soften a lot, so much so I almost don’t even recognize myself sometimes. Me underneath my old negativity is a really good hang! Learning new coping and stress management tools in order to show up day-by-day at my best whether it is going to set at 5:30AM or writing, recording and performing a new song has been essential. It’s a daily practice for me, and I am so grateful.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am passionate and committed multi-disciplinary creative artist — an actress, singer-songwriter, writer, director, and producer. My work spans film, tv, theatre, and most recently (and excitingly!), music you can find on all streaming platforms. I am also a certified fitness instructor for over 15 years, which taps into my love dance, athletic training, and inspiring people to move their bodies.
I think I specialize in alchemizing my life experience into works of art, or at very least creative offerings within certain crafts that are personal, moving, meaningful, fun, healing, and real. In so many ways, I pour what I’ve gone through in over four decades of life on this planet into my work, whether I’m on screen, writing a play, or recording a song I wrote. Creativity allows us to dive deep into memories, characters, motifs, visuals, stories, vulnerabilities, and the like. We need it as humans to feel alive and to grow! Sometimes I mine the gold of my own experiences while other times it’s pure escape, as I take flight into pure fantasy and my imagination to create a new reality.
People who know and have worked with me often note my work ethic, preparation, and commitment, which I think goes back to not only my education but childhood in competitive sports that culminated in playing D1 college soccer at Cornell. I am finding that applying the same level of discipline, practice habits, and mental toughness that served me well as a serious athlete and longtime fitness professional is now doing the same for my arts and entertainment career (as long as I am not too hard on myself).
Some people do know me best as LBD the fitness instructor, others as a quirky downtown NYC theatre artist who left for the west coast to give it a go in Hollywood, and still others for my blossoming music career (fun fact: my three biggest listening markets for the +200,000 streams amassed on Spotify are the US, Mexico and India). I’m spotted for the true crime reenactment lead roles I had on Investigation Discovery and am occasionally recognized for being that “Hot Mom” who flips a pizza in the Yung Gravy + bbno$ music video for Wussup. To be honest, as a child of the 80s who grew up on MTV, I always dreamed of being a music video vixen, so that job still makes me smile big…but my even bigger dream coming true is to be making the music and videos I am now! And lastly, if you don’t blink, you could also see me on some pretty big network and cable shows (among them Winning Time, 9-1-1, Paradise), as I’ve been doing background and stand-in work the last few years through Central Casting in LA to earn my SAG-AFTRA card and health insurance.
What I am probably most proud of is that I don’t quit. I tend to gravitate towards resilient people like myself who in addition to pursuing creative passions also work day jobs (and night jobs), hustle from gig to gig, and are committed to their art first and foremost for process, not profit, while also working to make a living. I have a certain kind of stamina and consistency, which looks like I show up, take risks, and am no longer afraid to fail. I don’t even consider “failure” possible because to me there is so much success in just going for it with a humility, passion, and desire for excellence, to touch or reach peoples hearts in some way. To be of service as a storyteller, whatever the job demands, starting with being able to show up to set on time at 5:30am or stay up late to perform a music set. I am also really proud of the progress I am making as a singer thanks to proper training and vocal health habits, which is part of my overall self care. And last but not least, I am still full of joy and humor, which I know not everyone can say who work in the industry but is how I operate. I love what I love, refusing to let cynicism take me over or disappointment kill my dreams. Maybe I am most proud of that.
What’s next?
The most exciting thing on the horizon for me at the moment is the release of my seventh single called “Lost in Malibu” which came out on June 20th. It’s an electronic, indie pop collaboration with LA-based producer, KI, who I mentioned earlier and have been making music with since 2022. I wrote the melody and lyrics for “Lost in Malibu” in November 2024 when, after a therapy session, I was feeling emotional, so I went for a drive up the PCH into the Palisades and then Malibu to process what was going on. That drive is one I’ve been doing since first moving to LA in 2019; the stunning landscapes always brought me peace and the ocean, my forever source of spiritual nourishment, always feels like it is holding me even from my car. When you see the mountains and the glistening sun on the ocean; for me it is nothing short of awe (every…single…time). Malibu was part of my romantic image of what Los Angeles was like growing up in New York. I would imagine roller skating on Venice Beach and running on the sand in Malibu like a brunette Baywatch babe.
While was driving through a neighborhood looking at the beautiful homes and children laughing, I just started humming what would eventually become the chorus and hook of the song: “I get lost, I get lost in Maibuuuu.” This is the second time I’ve written a song while driving, the last one being “Maybe” which came through in a similar way but with that one I was in Topanga and the canyon…anyway, I wrote some of it down, then waited until I got home and the rest just poured out of me. Of course, I had no idea at the time that this love letter to a place so precious, magical, and meaningful to me would be burned to the ground causing absolute devastation for its inhabitants. I have friends and students who lost homes, lost everything. About six months after the fire, my producer and I felt it was the right time was right to release “Lost in Malibu.” It was emotional to record, likein a way I felt like I was singing this love letter to a part of my and LA’s past but of course we are all rebuilding and moving forward together as a city and state. I am in awe of the strength this city is showing in that process and besides it just being a sweet song for summer, I hope “Lost in Malibu” brings healing, peace, and some simple good vibrations to everyone who loves Malibu as much as I do… Beyond that music release, I am really looking forward to performing my music on a few small stages in LA this summer, including on July 23rd in Echo Park at Val’s Show (check my insta for more details)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lindsaybdavis.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelindsaybrookedavis/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lindsaybdavis
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1BqFXH7eoJgSNZEpYhSQUL?si=Ig0ko4RCR0OJeKzk9pfydw
Image Credits
Top Left is a screenshot from 9-1-1 on ABC and the final image (jean jacket) is headshot photographer Michael Roud
