IN CONVERSATION WITH LEAH PIPES

interview by JANA LETONJA

Actress and producer Leah Pipes is best known for her dynamic performances in both television and film. She first gained recognition for her role on The CW's hit supernatural series ‘The Originals’. With a career spanning multiple genres and platforms, she continues to establish herself as a force in the entertainment industry, and is currently working on a new movie production set to release soon. 

Your role as Camille in ‘The Originals’ gained a lot of attention. What drew you to that character, and how did you approach portraying her complex duality between humanity and the supernatural world?

I feel so fortunate for getting to be part of ‘The Originals’. Cami was a character that I felt drawn to because of her empathy for complex people. However, she certainly had a lot more patience than I do at times.

You’ve appeared in a wide range of TV shows, including ‘Life Is Wild’, ‘Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles’, and ‘Ghost Whisperer’. How do you adapt to the different tones and genres that each project presents?

It’s nice to work with talented people who make my job easy. Hair and makeup artists, costume designers, directors, writers, the whole crew. I get to embody characters other people create for me. And however well I’ve done is more a testimony to the people around me than a personal achievement. 

Over the years, you’ve portrayed a wide range of characters. Which role has had the biggest impact on your personal or professional life, and why?

‘The Originals’ has definitely had the biggest impact professionally so far. But personally, getting to live in South Africa for ‘Life is Wild’, learning legal ease for ‘The Deep End’, making lifelong friends on ‘Sorority Row’, or working with Connie Britton on ‘Lost at Home’ are all examples of life altering experiences in their own right. Not everything I’ve worked on has been as successful as ‘The Original’, but every experience I’ve had in my career holds an equally special place in my heart.

As both an actress and producer, how do these two roles complement each other? Do you approach storytelling differently when you’re behind the camera compared to being in front of it?

It’s actually wild transitioning between actor, producer, and writer. Each mode has a very different mindset. My true love is acting, which makes me feel like a dork to admit, but it’s true. Writing is my personal hell. Sitting alone with my thoughts staring at a blank page? The worst. Producing as of now is figuring out how to fix the plane while flying. It’s exciting, but also a little daunting, while being an actor is just play. Even in serious roles that’s true for me. It’s a cross between dress up and vulnerability. I feel like a kid again when I’m acting. And I much prefer feeling like a kid than an adult to be honest.

Can you share more about your experiences as a producer? What kind of stories or projects are you most passionate about bringing to life?

I love stories that are both entertaining and have an undercurrent of meaning that goes beyond the story itself. Life is such a strange thing to live through and we’re all expected to walk around like it’s perfectly normal all the time. I’d like to give people stories that make them feel more at ease and less alone in the strangeness of it all. 

You’re currently working on a new film production. Could you give us a sneak peek into what we can expect from your upcoming project?

I have a few projects I’m hoping to get into the can and onto the screen. I’ve had the privilege of meeting and working with some of my most favorite creative minds over the years. I kind of collect them actually. And I’m determined to facilitate in the general public having the same privilege as I do enjoying their brilliance.

How has your role as a producer evolved with this new endeavor?

It’s in constant evolution. I feel like that fish that crawled out of the water for the first time that eventually became our distant ancestor. This is new territory. And I’m curious and hungry to learn as much as possible at all times.

Looking back at your career, what advice would you give to young actors who are just starting out in the industry? What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned along the way?

Being an artist is about experiencing your life as an artist as much as it is the work itself. That sounds pretty cheesy, but it’s true. I’ve found creative capacity is directly correlated with the extent to which someone allows themselves to experience their own life. No matter what the circumstance. 

shoes CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN
coat Vintage
belt RERUN ARCHIVE

With so many accomplishments both in front of and behind the camera, what are some of your future aspirations as an actress and producer? Are there any dream roles or genres you haven’t yet explored but are eager to try?

My future aspirations are boundless and I hope that’s true for the rest of my life. I love movies, I love watching movies, and I love making movies even more. For me being on set is like a cross between summer camp and a pirate ship. Every time I hear “That’s a wrap on Leah Pipes”, my heart breaks, but it’s so worth it. You become a family for a limited amount of time. And the goal is to have created something together that means something to people. I can’t describe in words how much I’m in love with all of it. And I hope to be fortunate enough to continue making movies for the rest of my life.

How do you see the future of the entertainment industry evolving, especially in the realm of streaming and independent productions, and how do you plan to navigate these changes?

Whoever has the answer to this question please contact me. I am desperate to know. 

TEAM CREDITS:
talent LEAH PIPES
pr & executive director ALESSIO FILIPPELLI
photography JESSE LIROLA
styling RAQUEL DERIANE
styling assistant SETH POKRYWKA
glam RACHAEL VANG