Actress Lauren Buglioli is professionally dramatic. In addition to her being a talented actress, Lauren has a degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education, which she uses to help improve the lives of children — coaching and teaching kids in acting and working with special needs children. When she isn’t busy working hard, she is being a voice for self-love and body positivity in the industry and on social media, sharing her own struggles with unrealistic body expectations that we placed on her at a young age. Please read on to learn more about Lauren and how she uses her talents for good.

Where are you based?
I’m currently in Atlanta, and I travel between Atlanta, New York and Los Angeles for work.

What inspired you to get into acting?
I was born in Los Angeles, and my mom had me start auditioning for commercials when I was little. I always loved it and just continued working professionally in middle and high school before going to college. The older I got, the more I fell in love with it. I was lucky enough to have a mentor named Buck Herron who really emphasized finding joy in the process of being an artist, which has served me as an actor because so much of our time is spent auditioning, preparing and honing our craft.

You have a very interesting background. You are an accomplished equestrian and have a degree in early childhood education. Do you still ride horses? Do you feel you use your education? What made you decide to focus on acting?
Thank you! I ride horses when I can! I wish I could ride more frequently and hope to. Hopefully one day I’ll get to work with horses on screen.

In addition to studying acting, I got a degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education and I’m grateful I did. I utilize my degree when teaching and coaching kids in acting. My time as a teacher definitely motivates me to use any platform I may have as an actor to make a difference in the lives of kids with special needs. I love teaching but my heart couldn’t let go of wanting to act. I’m very grateful to have found a way to do both!

“A Jazzman’s Blues” just released! What excites you the most about playing the character, Margaret? Can you tell us a bit about the film?
It’s a beautiful and heartbreaking love story that Mr. Perry wrote 27 years ago. It was a passion project for him and a film I’m so grateful to be a part of. I play Margaret, who is one of the many obstacles that stand in the way of the relationship between the two main characters, Bayou and Leanne (played by Joshua Boone and Solea Pfieffer). It was a challenging character to identify with, because her views are very different from my own, but it was an honor to be a part of telling this story and to get to work with Mr. Perry and the incredible cast and crew of A Jazzman’s Blues.

Body positivity is a big issue for you. Can you tell us a little bit about why it is so important, especially in the age of social media?
It’s important to me because I took a break from the business about 10 years ago because the team I was working with at the time encouraged me to be unhealthy and were very fixated on my appearance. I would never want someone else to go through the heartbreak of feeling like success or the ability to pursue what you love is contingent on having a certain body type. The more I came to a place of self-acceptance in this industry, the more success I found and most importantly, the happier I became. I was once told I wasn’t “thin and pretty enough” to keep anyone from changing the channel. I was young and impressionable, so I took a little break to get to a point that I accepted myself and believed in myself enough to be able to say “it’s a no from me” if anyone was to encourage me to do anything that could jeopardize my health or well-being.

You have been in the entertainment industry since your childhood, what changes have you seen surrounding body positivity and inclusivity in the acting industry? Is it better or worse? How has social media changed the game?
Diversity, inclusion, and representation across the board matters and is thankfully being prioritized. I’ve seen things improve and I hope the entertainment industry continues to prioritize representing everyone and all bodies on screen so we can get to a place of body neutrality, where that’s not the focus. Social media can be dangerous because of how easily someone can distort their photos. I try to think about kids being exposed to that and what message are we sending if we distort our images. I love to follow accounts that feel real and make me feel good.

Was there a defining moment that sparked your journey into self-acceptance? What led you down that path?
I think I’ve always been on the journey. There wasn’t a moment where I woke up and said, “man, I need to learn how to love myself”, because I still have moments of self-doubt and comparison. I don’t think any of us are ever immune to any of that noise and garbage. I have just seen that healing isn’t linear and things get better. When I have the intention of making gratitude, love, self-acceptance, and positivity my foundation, it doesn’t mean I don’t have bad days. It just means when I’m derailed, that’s the place I prioritize getting back to.

I like to write, meditate and listen to an uplifting podcast in those moments.

You are very outspoken about body positivity and self-love, what is your advice for those seeking to let go of societal expectations?
I try to remind myself that if I wouldn’t say it to a friend or a child, I have no business saying it to myself. And we don’t have to believe everything we think. Alex Elle has a quote I love: “Self-love won’t develop overnight. I am dedicated to practicing it daily and starting over if I need to without shame or self-judgment.” We’re here to evolve so be kind to yourself. We’re always doing infinitely better than we give ourselves credit for.

Jejune loves that you have taught drama and dance at Gigi’s Playhouse, which specializes in programming and support for people with Down Syndrome. Can you tell us a bit more about Gigi’s Playhouse and what inspired you to get involved?
While I’m not currently teaching at Gigi’s playhouse, spreading the word about this amazing organization is important to me because I have a loved one with Down Syndrome who changed my life, and having community and programming for families of kids with special needs is so important. In addition to volunteering at Gigi’s Playhouse, you can support the work they do by spreading the word or donating at https://gigisplayhouse.org/.

You have also worked with Heart Gallery, a project highlighting portraiture of special needs, and older foster children to help them get adopted. Can you tell us a little bit more about this organization and why they are important to you?
I found out about the organization when I was doing theatre in Florida, and was lucky enough to partner with them for their annual gala. I try to continue to support them by fundraising and spreading awareness about this amazing organization and the work they do. If you aren’t able to adopt, you can support the Heart Gallery by donating to the non-profit to improve the quality of life of these phenomenal children in foster care while they are in the process of finding their forever families. https://heartgallerytampa.org/

It has been a crazy few years, how have you been staying positive?
I do what I can to maintain perspective and find joy where I can. In addition to writing down what I’m grateful for, I celebrate large and small wins (I literally write them down because my brain loves to convince me I’m not doing “enough”, which is just a hustle culture trash mentality that I don’t want to be consumed by), and I also adopted two dogs, Vixen and Beverly Hills Cop II through Lifeline Atlanta. Those pups have brought so much joy into my life.

What is your motto in life?
Oooo I’m a huge quote girl so I have many but some favorites are:

” Take the best leave the rest”
“Just keep going”
“Nothing is worth more than this day”
“Be kinder than necessary”

And when I need a real boost, I’ll reread Brendon Burchard’s Motivation Manifesto or Marian Wright Edelman’s The Measure of Our Success.

To learn more about Lauren Buglioli and the organizations she works with, please follow via the platforms below:
Instagram: @lauren_buglioli
Check out Heart’s Gallery https://heartgallerytampa.org/
Support Gigi’s Playhouse https://gigisplayhouse.org/.

Photography Team Credits:
Photographer: Ben Cope
Hair and Makeup: Cat Sherwin
Stylist: Anna Schilling

Lauren Buglioli Will Keep You Tuned In