Laura Vandervoort is immediately recognized for her action packed roles — from her dynamic role as Supergirl in the CW series, Smallville, to being a werewolf in Bitten, and most recently, Laura can be seen as a compassionate vampire on Netflix's new vampiric series, V Wars. When Laura isn’t out kicking butt, she can be found giving back! She executively produced and acted in her own film, “Age of Dysphoria”, and she passionately works with World Vision. Through World Vision, Laura has since sponsored two children and has traveled to Kenya to support their ‘Starting Strong’ initiative, which provides medical supplies, sanitization, hospital sanctuaries for pregnant women, prenatal care and child education. Please read our exclusive interview below to learn more about Laura and her projects.

Where are you based?
I am based both in Toronto and Los Angeles. I find, however, that for the majority of my work and chosen time I am in Toronto. My family is very important to me so when I have a choice, I am with/near them.

What inspired you to go into acting?
I was thirteen years old when I saw the movie 'My Girl.' I had never experienced (as a kid) a film that impacted me the way that that film did. I grew up a tomboy and very focused on school, but loved putting on plays for my family and making people laugh. I had always loved writing short stories and poetry. After watching 'My Girl,' I discovered I had an interest in performing and impacting others with emotion. My parents allowed me to take acting classes and I began learning the ropes of the 'set' by doing background work on Canadian projects. Eventually, I was booking commercials, roles on kids tv series and Disney films. As a somewhat introverted child, I believe my parents felt this new found interest would be a healthy past time for me. If anything, it would encourage my personal confidence.

You have done a ton of amazing acting over the years, including being Supergirl in CW’s Smallville, Elena on the series Bitten, Lisa on the series V, and then Indigo in the current CW’s Supergirl just to name a few. What was it like playing Supergirl? What was your favorite part about playing Supergirl?
Being a part of a fan favourite series like Smallville was an incredible experience. When I was cast, I was the first ever Supergirl on television. I knew at the time that there was a deeper importance to the iconic female superhero now appearing in people’s homes every week. I wanted to somehow be a part of encouraging young women to feel empowered and strong. I didn’t have much say on the words I was given or wardrobe I was wearing on camera, but I did have control over the encounters I had with fans. I had issues with how Kara was portrayed on camera, but at the same time I was young and grateful to have the opportunity and job and didn’t speak up. I am grateful now to hear from so many women and men how my character resonated with them. For myself, the best part of playing ‘Supergirl’ was the platform it gave me to encourage and empower young women on a personal level.

You can currently be found in the horror/thriller Netflix series “V-Wars”. Can you tell us a little bit about this show. Do you feel it is hitting a little too close to home right now?
The premise of “V Wars” involves climate change causing polar ice caps to melt, which releases a deadly prehistoric virus that had been trapped in the ice causing those infected to develop an unquenchable thirst for human blood. I think it is an uncomfortable, ironic and clear parallel to our current epidemic. The timing is uncanny.

As the disease spreads and more people are transformed/infected, society fractures into opposing camps pitting normal people against the growing number of the infected.

My character Mila is a quiet, introverted woman who becomes infected by the new virus. Mila doesn’t have an aggressive bone in her body. She can’t allow herself to succumb to her new urges, however in doing so risks her life trying to do the right thing, becoming isolated and plotting revenge. Mila staves off her thirst for fresh blood and aggression by feeding from blood bags stolen from labs. Mila becomes an anti-blood vigilante in the war uprising — a Robin Hood/slayer in a sense, for the humankind.

I hope that fans find themselves surprisingly torn between the two sides at war. I hope they feel compassion for characters when they hadn’t expected to. I hope they truly understand and see the subtext laid out in the series about humanity and how we treat one another.

Do you think there is something to “V-War’s” thoughts on how climate change will bring about more viruses?
I think there is definitely some truth to this theory. As the climate crisis rises and the planet warms we just may see more viruses unearthed. We have been mistreating the planet.

You've developed, executive produced and starred in your own film ‘Age Of Dysphoria.’ Can you talk to us a bit about this film and what inspired you to create it?
Age of Dysphoria has been, and continues to be, my passion project. It was something that I had been tossing around for a while. I met up with an incredible director named Jessica Petelle (whom I’d worked with previously on Bitten and V-Wars) and pitched it to her. Jessica loved the concept. Jessica brought on an incredible writer named Zoe Robyn. We had an all-female producing team from Toronto, FilmCoop Inc., and the incredible Brad Turner came on as a Producer. Everyone seemed to be thrilled with the concept and the story. I wanted to do something very different from what audiences had seen me do previously. Delving into great characters and a very grounded human story was essential to me.

My mentor growing up was (and still is) Canadian icon and legend Gordon Pinsent. He’s been my mentor since I was 13. It’s been a goal of mine for the past 22 years to work with him. The universe wasn’t providing me that opportunity, and I decided to take control of the situation.

The concept was created with, and for, Gordon Pinsent to play the male lead ‘Fred’, and very likely for myself to play the female lead ‘Finley’. Thankfully, Gordon said yes to the project and our film crew jumped on board very quickly. Between Jessica Petelle, Brad Turner and myself, we had great relationships with the crew in Toronto from years past. People were willing to pitch in and help out. Long story short, we shot an incredible short film. We have been selected into many film festivals and have been overwhelmed with the response. With the current pandemic, most festivals have postponed and transitioned into online festivals. Currently, Age Of Dysphoria can be seen on Super Channel (And Apple TV) May 29th at 9pm EST, through their partnership with the Canadian Film Fest.

Our next intention is to do a full-length feature version of the Age of Dysphoria. I’m also trying to develop a couple of other features. Age of Dysphoria touches on a topic that many people have dealt with — dementia. The pros and cons that come with memory loss, the relationships that are affected, how certain traumatic incidences in our lives can be erased, how we become ‘stuck’ in a particular moment in time — the story is about bringing together two people from two different walks of life who share one common traumatic experience and the very basic human need for connection.

Jejune loves that you are an ambassador at World Vision. Can you please tell us a little bit about this organization and what inspired you to join them?
World Vision Canada is a non-profit organization. They are global relief, development and advocacy organization empowering children, families and their communities to overcome poverty and injustice.

Fifteen years ago I began sponsoring two children through World Vision Canada (WVC). As years went on, I felt the need to do more. In 2015, I heightened my commitment with World Vision Canada by becoming a Global Ambassador. One of my first goals as an Ambassador was to venture beyond the statistics and pamphlets to experience World Vision’s life-changing work first-hand. I was asked to join World Vision Canada on their trip to Kenya to see how World Vision was helping some of the most vulnerable children on the planet.

Through World Vision, you traveled to Kenya. Can you tell us a little bit about this experience and what you learned from it?
We travelled to Marakwet County to visit a WVC funded medical clinic. Our team was there to support the ‘Starting Strong’ initiative. Starting Strong provided critical interventions that have saved the lives and futures of struggling infants, children and unborn children in the world’s most difficult places by providing medical supplies, sanitization, hospital sanctuaries for pregnant women, prenatal care and child education. We observed the recent improvements to the maternity ward and got our first glimpse of how these advancements are enriching lives. It was encouraging to see that the number of women coming to the clinic has grown. Charts lined the walls tracking many healthy births. These charts represent more children with a chance at a healthy childhood.

I had an opportunity to meet mothers who shared how the availability of vaccines has reduced the death rate in the area. They expressed how the local clinic helped them deliver their babies safely and provided them with vital information about breastfeeding and sanitation — thus ensuring their children were given a healthy start in life.

I definitely returned home with a deeper understanding of the transformative nature of World Vision’s work.

How do you feel Toronto is handling COVID?
I believe Mayor John Tory and Premier Doug Ford are doing an excellent job with communication and updates, as well as encouraging the people of Toronto and Ontario to listen to medical and scientific facts. I believe the people of Ontario are doing their best and we are seeing some progress as businesses are slowly reopening. We are so grateful to all of our essential workers.

How are you staying positive during shelter-in-place?
I am actually busier than ever! I have been taking care of my niece and nephew for the past two months while my sister and brother-in-law work. I am grateful to have been home at this time to help. A structured schedule makes such a difference and gives me purpose during this pandemic. When I do have free time, I have been painting, reading, writing a new short film (of which I hope to eventually direct) and working out. In a way, I feel this time we have been given allows us to reflect on what is truly important in our lives. I am finding new outlets for creativity, reconnecting with friends over facetime or zoom and recovering from the speed of life pre-covid. Staying positive isn’t always easy. Like most people, I have days where I perhaps feel trapped by the situation we are all in. I find comfort in knowing the world is healing as we stay home and that we are all in this together.

What is your motto in life?
“Take it a day at a time. One foot in front of the other and do the best you can.”

To learn more about Laura Vandervoort please follow her via the below platforms:
Instagram: @Supervandie
Instagram: @ageofdysphoriafilm
Instagram: @worldvisioncan
Twitter: @vandiekins22
#ageofdysphoriafilm
#lauravandervoort

Team Credits:
Photography: Babar Khan
Stylist: Cynthia Florek at Plutino Group
Hair & makeup: Michael Bonneville
Styling assistant: Lorraine Wiebe
Photo assistants: Chantel Lee and Anthony Polimeni

COVER - Laura Vandervoort Is The Eye Of The Storm