Relationship Killers Star Assia Lau’ren [Women in Horror Month 2022]

Following our review of Relationship Killers, lead Assia Lau’ren graciously answered our Women in Horror Month questions.

Please introduce yourself:
My name is Assia Lau’ren. First name is pronounced Asia (the continent) and Lau’ren is my middle name, not my last name. I’m a black woman from Virginia. I went to Howard University for undergrad and joined the US Army directly after graduating. I served for 6 years, left as a Captain, and moved to LA to start acting in February of 2020.
 

What is it that attracts you the horror genre for your chosen field of creative work?
I can’t say that I am particularly attracted to “horror” but I do enjoy dark films. A little mix of thrill and suspense always gets the blood moving – haha! But yeah, I’m drawn to dark creative work because it allows me to explore the darker parts of my psyche that I usually don’t get to tap into on a day-to-day basis. Our dark parts are usually unacceptable in modern culture so in film I have a safe space to explore that without judgement.  

Who inspires you in your work and in life?
As an actor I’m inspired by Will Smith. He’s so honest and raw and believable whether he’s playing a scientist fighting zombies, or a grieving father, or an alcoholic superhero. He just goes there without fear. In my life I’m inspired by my parents. They’re the best humans I know, intelligent, full of love, light hearted and always laughing. They’re retired now, and pursuing new dreams in their 50’s. They are a true testament to living a full life, and not losing themselves in the process.  

What are your passions, cinematic or otherwise?
I am passionate about acting and writing. Both allow self-expression in a way that feels most healing and fun for me. I’m passionate about the outdoors, I get outside every day. I love hiking and kayaking and snowboarding and being with my dog. I’m obsessed with my dog. Her name is Nike and she’s a 4-year-old Pitbull. My heart!  

Considering this is 2022, why do you think we still need a movement like Women in Horror Month?
We still need movements for women in ANYTHING. We need movements until it’s no longer an anomaly. Women in horror who aren’t just the victim. Women in horror who get to be the villain. Women in horror get to scare people and show the next generation that we can be just as fearless or violent or vicious as a man. The movement matters because women are still an anomaly in the genre. 

What would you tell an up-and-coming creative in the world of horror who sees that being a woman/identifying as a woman as something that makes it so much more difficult at times?
I’d tell them: “Life is difficult at times, but you still gotta live it don’t you? So don’t worry about something being difficult. Don’t stray away from something you want to do just because you think it’ll be hard and you’ll struggle. Lean into suffering, it’s inevitable anyways. Fuck everything else, and just do it.”
 

What are your favorite bits of helpful advice that you have received about your work or your field?
Believe you’re an artist first. Acting is as much of an “art form” as anything else. Don’t doubt that. Don’t take not getting casted personally. The audition isn’t about YOU it’s about the character, and 9 times out of 10, the writer, director, or casting director already have a person in mind for the role and your voice may not sound like what they envisioned, or your hair, or you cadence of speak, it could be anything. Just be authentic and don’t take shit personally.
 

In honor of celebrating Women in Horror Month, who do you believe viewers should keep an eye on in terms of the creative ladies in horror?
I just watched the film FRESH on HULU. Oh my God!!! So so so good. I could tell from the opening scene’s dialogue that it was written by a woman, and then based on how the film unravels I assumed it was directed by a woman which it was! Peep these ladies below: Director: Mimi Cave Writer: Lauryn Kahn Lead Actress: Daisy Edgar-Jones 

What do you have coming soon that you can talk to us about?
Relationship Killers (short) is in its film festival circuit for the rest of this year, just premiered on Feb.26 A Shot of Jack (short) is a film I’ll be acting in and producing, it’s a neo-noir. We’re scheduled to shoot in June. Mile 19 (feature) is a film I acted in back in 2020, actually my first feature. Schedule to be released by the end of this year!
 

What do you hope to leave behind in your legacy as an artist?
I want people to see themselves in me and feel less inclined to judge their inner selves. It’s all about love.
 

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