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

Hi LeeAnne, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I have always been drawn to my creative side since I was a kid. It started initially in music, and I recall during some of the hardest moments in my life, I have always relied on music and creative outlets to get through. There is something innate to human nature that I think draws us all to creativity, a connection we make with the arts. I think I try my best to really lean into that!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve spent over a decade now in the arts, between music and acting. And over the years, there have been so many ups and downs. I’ve moved across the country now several times in pursuit of my creative endeavors – Los Angeles, Nashville, New York. And there have definitely been times I’ve questioned my abilities and my purpose with it. There have been times I have needed space to regroup, and events with bandmates and other actors that have felt like setbacks at the time. But the underlying current of it has always continued to push me forward, and stick with it. My connection with it as a human, as an individual creative, it always remains. The emotional energy and the way the arts move me as an audience member, I hope I can give that to someone else. Having pivoted from music and focusing more on acting has been really fulfilling, and being able to really embody characters and circumstances that I may not have had space to do in my pedestrian life, its been greatly satisfying. I think we all come with some baggage, and being able to have the freedom to express those life experiences through the lens of a character or role, it’s unlike anything else. I think my biggest strength comes from the contradictory nature of my life experiences and my personality versus my image and how I am perceived. That is in and of itself, is my brand. I get a rise out of surprising those that judge me for my appearance, and showing them who and what experiences I am actually a product of. Those characters, those types, they give me life and resonate with me at a core level.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My style is to experience life outside of the mainstream tourism locations, and to mix a bit of adventure with it. Experiencing a bit of the local culture, and places that aren’t plastered all over social media. I’d take them for a concert at a live music location with a cool local rock band, perhaps up to LA to the heart of Koreatown to experience the local fare there, or down south closer to Mexico to my favorite taco spot. I’d schedule a kite surfing lesson or deep sea fishing endeavor to experience life on the coast. Experiences are by far the greatest gift you can give someone, and I so very much enjoy culture and adventure.

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?
I would not be the woman I am today without the support, love, and encouragement of two very important men in my life. First, my father. He raised me by himself, and gave me all the things I needed as a child with strong abilities for music – encouragement, passion, praise, and inspiration. His unwavering support and mantras to instill in me that I could truly do anything I set my mind to, he was so proud of everything I did creatively as a kid, and looking back, it set me up for success in for my future. The second is my husband, who really helped me take a leap into another side of my creative space that I didn’t have the courage prior to explore, which is acting. In this business, having a supportive partner is as critical to success as any other piece of the craft. And he does it without pause, selflessly, seeing the successes I’m having and doing it together, has meant more to me than I can even begin to describe.

Website: www.leeannebauer.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/leeanne_bauer

Image Credits
All photos – TJ Hastings (Phuck It Photography)

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