Hannah Love Lanier: Roaring Into The Spotlight With Lioness

By Simi Kaur Baidwan

“It was scary for me at first. It was intimidating for me to dive into the sad stuff. I think a fear when you're just starting out is being able to cry and how am I able to portray these emotions. But once I got on set, being surrounded with incredible talent, like Zoe Saldana and Dave Annabelle - it made it a thousand times easier. I was able to put myself into the character's shoes, the emotions unlocked by doing that, and putting myself into the scene.”

- Hannah Love Lanier

It's not every day you meet a rising star who, at just 16, has already shared the screen with entertainment titans like Zoe Saldana, Conor McGregor, and Jake Gyllenhaal. Hannah Love Lanier is quickly making a name for herself in Hollywood, showcasing a remarkable versatility and emotional depth that belies her age. With a compelling role in Taylor Sheridan and Nicole Kidman's highly anticipated drama series "Lioness" on Paramount+ and a recent appearance in Amazon's "Road House" reboot, Hannah's trajectory is undeniably soaring. Beyond her captivating on-screen presence, she's also an accomplished athlete, having competed in the Youth Olympics for the long jump—a testament to her fierce determination and discipline. Our New York Editor, Simi Kaur Baidwan, sat down with Hannah to discuss her journey into acting, her experiences working with industry heavyweights, her athletic pursuits, and what the future holds for this extraordinary young talent.

Simi Kaur Baidwan: You've been acting since you were a child, what was that experience like for you and how did you get into acting?

Hannah Love Lanier: I think I had a very gentle push into it. My mom was an actress for a very long time. And I started acting with her and with my family doing commercials. My first commercial was with Oprah, so it was quite the jump into it. My first job was actually that commercial. It was with my mom and my dad on set, and we were all doing it together. And that day on set, I said, "You know, I think I really like this. I think I may want to start doing this for real." And I was 10 years old at that time. Then I started to get more into theatrical stuff as I got more into it. And here we are.

SKB: Your first commercial and your first acting job was a commercial with Oprah? You still remember it because you were 10 years old?

HL: Yes, very vividly. I remember it very vividly. It was very fun.

SKB: Just a curiosity, what was that commercial for?

HL: It was for a food brand "Oh, That's Good" that she had out at the time. And we were there for some mashed potatoes. We were at her (Oprah's) guest house that was not really a guest house. It was luxurious, and it was a lovely time. I enjoyed the mashed potatoes.

SKB: What was your journey like leading up to your role with "Lioness"? How did you decide to take on acting as a serious note?

HL: As I started auditioning more for commercials, I fell in love with the art of performing and wanted to expand more into film and television. And it was a solid five years before I got anywhere and got to where I am now. It took time and a lot of auditioning. I got "Lioness" and "Roadhouse" pretty much at the same time and it felt like it happened very quickly. It was overwhelming in the best way, because I've been doing this for all this time. And it felt like, "Oh, I'm not getting where I want it", and then boom overnight "Here I am!" I'm beyond grateful for where I am and am hoping to continue to grow more.

SKB: Both of your parents are actors and actresses, were they able to serve as mentors for you?

HL: My dad more so got dragged into commercials, but he's not much of an actor himself. I think he did theater growing up, so he likes to help me with the theater stuff, for example the singing, but my mom, she's always in my corner. She's my personal acting coach. As I like to say - my manager and acting coach, and I would not be able to do the things that I'm able to do now without her and her support. So, her experience is of great help to me in my career.

SKB: Yeah, I'm sure as a manager, they're able to guide you and look out for you in the best way. Moving on, I was really impressed at the amount of versatility you showed in your scenes in "Lioness". The anger, the frustration, the grief – it felt so real to me. How are you able to display that level of versatility?

HL: It was scary for me at first. It was intimidating for me to dive into the sad stuff. I think a fear when you're just starting out is being able to cry and how am I able to portray these emotions. But once I got on set, being surrounded with incredible talent, like Zoe Saldana and Dave Annabelle - it made it a thousand times easier. I was able to put myself into the character's shoes, the emotions unlocked by doing that, and putting myself into the scene. And it just comes by. I've been incredibly blessed to be standing beside people that make it easier for me. And as I continue to learn and grow, it's easier for me to tap into those things just by the experiences that I've had so far.

SKB: Are there any plans for you to study acting or theater? Or are you just going to be learning on the job?

HL: I am an early graduate and am a freshman in college right now. I am planning on studying Film. So yes, I will be going to school for Film. That is the plan as of right now so I'm going to have to start applying to colleges. I'm excited.

SKB: What was it like for you working alongside Zoe Saldana and playing the role as her daughter?

HL: It was nothing short of amazing. She is one of the sweetest people in the entire world, you would never know that she is my boss. She's so inviting and welcoming. There are always those nerves when you're first stepping on set for Season One, and you're like, "Oh, I'm the Underdog and I'm coming in here." But as soon as I stepped on there with her I didn't feel like that at all. And by her having kids of her own - I felt like I was one of hers and it made my job easier. I've been able to learn and grow as an actor just by working alongside her - watching her pick up on what she does, the way she asks questions, takes direction, and all of it. I've been able to internalize it into my own way and expand myself and grow as an actor. I'm incredibly grateful to be able to work alongside her. And I have not one bad thing to say at all.

SKB: What are some future roles that you have on your wish list?

HL: I am a big rom-com, coming-of-age person.

SKB: We need more rom-coms. I'm sick and tired of rewatching the 90s and early-2000s rom-coms.

HL: Right! Exactly, which is exactly what I've been doing. I want to bring it back and get the ball rolling. For sure it's something I would love to do is some coming-of-age, classic rom-com. Bring them back around. Also, I want to start doing some of my own stuff - my own production company started with my mom and she's a writer. Sort of working together to build our own projects and bring some of our ideas to life is a short-term and long-term goal of mine. And yes, I want to expand and grow from what I'm already doing. And try new things and be intimidated again.

SKB: It sounds like you enjoy being outside of your comfort zone, which is a strength if you let it be.

HL: Yes, as I've gotten older. When I was younger, being out of my comfort zone was very difficult. And I would like to stay where I wanted to be. As a person, I'm not a very emotional person. And as an actor that doesn't matter. You have to express what you're feeling and that would make me uncomfortable. And as I've gotten older, the more uncomfortable I am, I find myself more. Both as a person but as an actor, I grow so much more by being uncomfortable. Finding those experiences that do that for me has been important, because I've learned so much by doing so.

SKB: That's a level of vulnerability that as a person you get to grow, but then also as an actress.

HL: Yes, agreed.

SKB: I've also heard that you're somewhat of an athlete. Correct me if I'm wrong, is it the long jump?

HL: Yes, yes, yes, the long jump.

SKB: How did you start competing in the long jump?

HL: Once again, my mom also grew up doing the triple jump, long jump, and track. I think I was 8- years-old when I first started running track. My brother and I - we were just having fun at first. And I tried the long jump out and found out that, "Hey I'm pretty good at this. I'm sort of a natural." And I was trying to do post-season, which is beyond the regular season of track, and found out I was actually in the Junior Olympic Team without even knowing it. Then I sort of ended up being in this place where I had to qualify for Junior Olympics, even though I was just trying to run more track and do more long jump, and I ended up making it. I ended up working my butt off, missing a lot of family events and time with my friends so that I could really lock in on long jump practicing. And then I placed 6th in the nation so very crazy time of my childhood. I think I was 8 or 12-years-old, the times that I went, or because I went twice. And I'm very grateful. I think it taught me a lot of resilience, and that hard work really does pay off. And sometimes missing a family event or two is worth it.

SKB: Besides the resilience and hard work, do you see any parallels into competing professionally and being an actress? Is there anything you're able to borrow between the competitions and then the acting roles?

HL: I started track and long jump before I got into acting. The discipline you must have to stick with a sport like track where everything is always going. And there will always be people that are faster than you and you have to constantly improve and keep yourself healthy. I needed to take care of my knees with long jump, so it teaches patience and trusting the process. Because there were times, I'd have days, I would be jumping and I would not jump my best. And I would be so beat, and it was important to not get in my head over that. But for the next meet, "Okay, we're going to walk in. I'm going to do this, this and this, so that the next time I can be there", and I can meet these people where they are, and I can continue to get better.

With acting its sort of the same idea where you can audition and audition and feel like you're not getting anywhere. Five years of just doing small things here and there, or five years of nothing. And then you get that one thing that clicks with the right person with the right casting director. And now here I am with "Lioness" and "Roadhouse". And being able to have the experience that sports gave me, and bring those same ideas into acting has been a huge help and something that I appreciate that I did.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

PHOTOGRAPHER tyler NEVITT

STYLIST donald LAWRENCE

HAIR chad ANDRE @ THE REX AGENCY

BEAUTY DIRECTOR | MAKEUP alfred MERCADO @ CLOUTIER REMIX USING BEAUTY PRODUCTS mac cosmetics and klur

SET DESIGNER veronia FRANZEN

STUDIO vision studio LA

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