Interview with dancer Lauren Gottlieb

I'm Vic Cohen, and it's a fair question. It's a fair question. It's a fair question. I'm Vic Cohen, and it's a fair question. It's a fair, it's a fair, it's a fair, it's a fair question. I'm Vic Cohen, and it's a fair, it's a fair, it's a fair, it's a fair quest, quest, question. Hello everyone, this is Vic Cohen, broadcasting live from downtown Los Angeles's Skid Row Studios. The name of the show is It's a Fair Question because on this show, every question is a fair question. That's right. No question is too personal or ever off limits. And tonight, I'm just gonna tell you right now, we have a huge, huge superstar from the world of dance. That's right. And in honor of her, I'm actually doing the Macarena. And I've been told by the producer in my ear that your mic is off. That red little button, push that. Very good. Hello. Oh, there she is. That's her voice. Who is she? Well, I'll give you a little clue. She broke out in, I'm gonna say she broke out. I mean, don't mean like with acne. Her career broke out. God, I hope not. No, your skin looks beautiful, by the way. Thank you. Yes. In 2005, she went in as a contestant on So You Think You Could Dance. And since then, her career has really skyrocketed. And I mean, of course it has. I mean, look where she's sitting. On Vic Cohen's It's a Fair Question. I mean, we don't take just anyone. Since that big show, she's worked with such people as Rihanna and Mariah Carey. Mariah. I really sound on top of my game. Mariah. Mariah Carey, Britney Spears, and again, Vic Cohen right here. Absolutely. Yeah. And now she's a big Bollywood star. And I'm talking about Lauren Gottlieb. Hello, hello. Hey, how are you? Good to see you. It's great to see you. You didn't mention Mob. We were gonna get there. That's true. Okay, okay. I'm a little shy. I'm a little shy. I'm a little shy. I'm a little shy. I'm a little shy. I'm a little shy. I'm a little shy about where we first met. I don't like to keep, I consider that very personal and private. It was such a big moment for me. I thought nothing was off limits here. That's true. Good point. Oh, gotcha. That's good. She did get me. That's right. It is a fair question. And we did meet on Fox's Mobbed. And we did a scene together where I was playing a mob, kind of a mob record producer. And you were one of my girls. I think it was the best episode of the season. It was fun. Yeah, we'll have to talk about it. I loved it. I had a great time. And it was fun being a little bit of a dancer during that show. So if you don't know, Lauren Gottlieb, and you are near a computer, I want you to Google her right now. L-A-U-R-E-N G-O-T-T-L-I-E-B as in Bob. You know, it's interesting with dancers, it's hard to become like a household name, isn't it? True. True. Very true. But the amount of work you've done, it's kind of like, I think your name's getting to that point where we need to help that, you know? I kind of think... Go on, what were you gonna say? I kind of think years ago, maybe it was hard. I think dancers were definitely in the background behind artists. Shows like So You Think You Can Dance, which I were a part of, helped transform us into the foreground and made us solo artists. And, you know, our names were in lights. We went on tour and it was like 15,000 people came to see us. And so I think it's been transitioning and dance has just come about like crazy. So I don't know. I think it's changing. Yeah. The game's changing a little bit. Well, your career has been... Fascinating. And there's so much to talk about. I mean, you've worked with... Not only are you a dance center stage, perform, but you also choreograph and then coach. Well, I'm not gonna lie. I get bored. When I do one thing too much, I get bored. I wanna push myself. I wanna go in different directions and change it up and stretch myself. So, you know, I've done the choreography thing, done the teaching thing, done... A little bit acting. You know, I just did my first feature film. So, just kind of trying to stretch myself into different areas. Now, I hate to go here because... But it's where my head went. You said when you do one, anything, you get tired of it, the same thing. Would that be true of sex? And that is a fair question. It is a fair question. You need to mix it up, is I guess really the question. You need to mix it up. You need to have work and then pleasure. Is that a good answer? So, what's work when it comes to sex? Like having a baby? Or getting paid for it? I don't know. What does work mean? I don't know about that. No, no, no. I like to have a personal side to my life and then I like to have the work side of my life. So, I guess that would be changing it up for me. I don't think I would say I get tired of sex. I don't think that is a fair question. It is a fair question because I have to say, and I was gonna wait a little, but I think we can get right into this. It's no secret that it's a very sensual, sexual thing. Dance. Oh, dance. Yeah. Right? Right. So, I've seen you dance. I would say that's true. That's really funny because you have seen my dance and I had no idea that you maybe had some feelings about it in that kind of way. You know what I'm saying, Vic? I think I do. I'd like you to keep saying. Dance is definitely, I mean, it depends on what you do, but I think it's bringing your emotions to the front and it's putting yourself out there. I think it can be very sexual. Yeah. I mean, I was thinking about when you've been on tour, like with Rihanna and Marie Carey. Marie Carey. Yeah. I've heard of her. She's pretty fantastic. Yeah. And she's almost as good as Mariah. Almost. Now, this is my imagination. Okay. Bunch of people in their twenties, awesome bodies, very comfortable around each other. I'm thinking there's a crazy amount of sex going on while you guys are traveling the world. Well, I would hate to burst your bubble, but everyone gets in their own zone. You can see people going off. Yeah. In the corners. You have the guys on tour, definitely get the groupies, I would say, but it just, it depends on what you're out for. You can live the tour life or you can live the business side. And I've kind of lived the business side of it. Right. And that was just a conscious decision. I mean, it has to be. Yeah. I mean, I never wanted to be that backup dancer. I grew up knowing dance. I found acting a little bit later on, but I never, I always saw my life going into a different direction. You know, recently it's gone into Bollywood and I've spent, five months in India in the last year and I did not expect that, but I kind of follow my intuition and go where it goes. And it's been very business minded. What is your intuition? What is mine? Tell me about that. Where does it come from? Oh God, I don't know. It's this like deep down feeling, a feeling inside where I don't use my head and I just go with it. It could get you in trouble and it does. Okay. Lots of trouble sometimes. In what ways? Romantically or business wise? Definitely romantically. Business wise, it's always straight on. Do you have a bad picker about guys? Absolutely. Well, who do you usually go for that you think? Probably the wrong guy. What would that be? Again, it's that feeling. I go for that feeling that I have and that feeling has not been right. And I think I had more luck growing up than I've had in the last like three, four years. So like what would be the type of guy you would just be, your picker would say yes, and then you realize no. Probably the guy that showed me, what he wanted to be and not what he really was. I don't know. So like you fall for guys who put on an act? Probably. What we all do when, you know, everyone does in a first getting to know stage. It is, yeah. And in the business, it's a little bit different. It's a little bit tricky. I feel like everyone in LA wants to be somebody and they all put on an act. Okay. But you know, the thing about you, which is really endearing is that you come across and I really, you're like a normal person. I'm very normal. I'm very honest. I, you know, I'm a Gemini. I, I always say that Geminis do what they think. And, and if something's on my mind, if I don't like you, I'll probably tell you. So I don't hide anything. I have no secrets. Would you, now when you were on, So You Think You Can Dance, you were only 18. God, I was young. Right. And well, you're still young. And then you, for the year prior, you were helping out because you were too young to actually be a contestant. Those are big jobs for anyone, let alone someone like a 17 year old. And then being on a dance floor. Yeah. When you were 18, do you have an old soul? And if you do, where do you think that comes from? That's funny. I've always heard that I have an old soul. I don't know what it is. I hate fear. I hate the concept of fear. And it's always something when it comes into play, I can't say that it doesn't, but I always want to conquer it. So there's been lots of things in my career, like traveling to India by myself to pursue Bollywood, you know, working with Tom Cruise and being in the room with him and have him look at me for advice when he's Tom Cruise. And who am I? Now this is Tom C-R-U-I-S-E, not a Hispanic guy in East LA. No, but I think I've seen him on the street corner. I think I know who you're talking about. Yeah, because I've worked with him too. It's not that big a deal. No, it is the Tom Cruise, one of the most amazing human beings. Really taught me a lot. He taught me how to be good to everybody. Well, hold on a second, because that, I have to tell you, I'm going to be honest, it sounds a little Hollywood-y kind of thing to say, like Tom Cruise is an amazing, you know, like, like it's... No. But let me ask you, how do you really know Tom Cruise? How do you know Tom Cruise in order to really say that? It's a fair question. Okay. That's a very, very, very fair question. I want to know your experience with him. It was, because if it was 20 minutes, obviously we can't get that from 20 minutes. No, no, no. It was a month, a couple of times a week, maybe three, three rehearsals a week. Okay. A couple hours a day, invited us on set for a couple of his shoots. You know, when I was actually helping a choreographer, Ty Stiorio, who's one of my best friends, and he would go out of town sometimes. So I would go in, just me and him, and to me, the fair question about it is, is that he had no ego about him. So, you know, the time that we did spend when he's Tom Cruise and he has loads and years of experience and he's looking at me, you know, for help, because he doesn't really know dance that well. So, you know, he was dropping his ego. He was asking for help and we went along together. So in the time that I have, I would say he's a great human being. And what is it that you learned about him besides him being humble? A hard worker. He like dove into it. Like sometimes he would look silly. He actually put more out and then toned it down, which I like. I hate when people are scared and they don't want to jump out of their own skin and stuff. He just jumped for it. And I was like, okay, pull it back a little bit. And then we found the middle ground. What was the film you guys were working on? It was actually the movie awards, MTV movie awards. He was Les Grossman from Traffic Thunder, which was a funny role for him. I don't know if you saw it, but he was like the producer of the movie awards. So he ended up doing a performance. In the middle of it. And it was, it was that, that we choreographed. In the middle of the award show. Yes. Yeah. Okay. And did he, what did you learn about him as a, like a human being as far as, was it particularly the being humble part or were there other things that you took away from that? Humble, he's a family man. He has his whole, his whole team around him is his family, which I like, you know, it's people that are close to him. I can understand him being Tom Cruise, being hard, you know, the trust certain people. So his family was very generous. You know, he was with Katie and Suri was running around and just a very, very humble family man, a normal guy. Right. Now, anyone listening, I was going to say this, like, as if there are people not listening and if there are, why am I even talking to them? For those of you not listening, no, but it makes no sense. For those of you listening, the number is 800-893-9562. And the reason I'm looking up, Lauren, is because the number is up there on the wall above your head. Oh, look at that. Yeah. Yeah. Because otherwise it looks like I'm like being very valley girl, like, you know, looking up. Oh, that's very cute. You can play, you can play valley girl. I think I could. Look at that. I'm tapping into a very serious feminine side right now. I have one. Who are you? I really am. I don't get that. I'm a very straight man, but I do have, I'm very feminine in many ways. Clearly, look at how I'm gestulating. Okay. The number is 800-893-9562. That is gestulating. I don't, you know. Is that a word? That is. I'm just, I don't know where I got it from, but yeah. 800-893-9562. That's the number. That's 800-893-9562. I dare you to call. I'd prefer you not because then I get to learn all to myself. There you go. But if you would like to call, feel free. So I'm curious, you're 17 years old and you're hobnobbing so you think you can dance. How did you get on the inside? On the inside? What do you mean? Well, okay. Most 17 year olds are like putting Clarice on their face and like sitting at home doing homework. And that's not a bad thing. That's what people do when they're 17. You're hobnobbing, you know, on some network shows. I know. How does that happen? How does a 17 year old end up doing that? Good question. I was never the girl that just sat back and watched everything happen. I kind of knew early on when I was taking dance classes and I was taking from certain choreographers and teachers, I could see that they were the choreographers and teachers in LA that were dancers at the time and they were going to be the big choreographers. So they took me under their wing growing up. So I was about... 13 years old when I started touring the country with them as their assistant. So now, wait a minute. So your parents allowed you to travel? They were crazy, honestly. And if they're listening right now, which I know they're not because they're in bed, but they were definitely crazy to let me go. You wouldn't let your daughter go knowing what you saw or did? No. I mean, I was the girl that wanted to push every button. I wanted to be the silliest, the craziest at all times. And they knew that. So growing up, they had a hold around me and it was through dance that I was able to go a little bit. So they let me travel with these choreographers on the weekend. And when I was out of town, I'm like, yay. Was the money good? I'm gone. No, growing up, it was a training period. Okay, good. Now we've got a phone call. Go ahead. Who is this? Hi, this is Peter. How are you? I'm great. Thank you, Peter. What's your question for us? Good. Good. You know, this question actually about dance and kids. I'm a dancer. I'm a dancer. I'm a dancer. I like to dance and kids. You know, that show, Dance Moms. How realistic is that? And if I decide to put my daughter in some dance class, she has some ability. Is that what it's gonna be like if she starts touring and doing those kinds of things? Is that an accurate depiction? Because people have told me to get a better dance instructor, but I don't know what to do. Cause that looks crazy. Peter, thank you for the call. We're gonna, just cause the line gets really loud. We're gonna say goodbye to you. But thank you for calling. Yeah, go ahead. Go ahead. Did you have an Abby in your life? Some crazy woman screaming at you when you were five, making you cry? No, no, nothing like that. God, I don't even know what to say about that show. I have, I have. I watch anything and everything dance. It is not like that. And if it is like that, I would move. I would move quickly. Dance should not be that way, I'm sure. So for those who haven't seen the show, when you say dance should not be that way, what are you talking about? I just, I just don't like the crazy personality. I don't like that hype. I, I like training. I like legit training and you know, whatever they do off of that show may be great. They produce good dancers. So it could just be for television, which I get also, you know, I'm a part of the reality TV world and you know, you are too. And so you see, you, you hype it up a little bit. So if you're looking to sit down and watch a good TV show and have a good time, then that's it. But if you want to put your daughter in dance, I wouldn't say go to that school. Right. Now at some point at what age did you and your family know, wow, like Lauren's got some serious talent. I was young. I don't even know if it was talent. I think it was drive. Honestly, I, I, I never thought that I had the body of a dancer. I don't have the, the, the feet. Like I don't have a great arch. I don't have a great turnout. I don't have great flexibility. I have power and I have heart and soul. And I have like this. Strength behind me. So, um, you know, I just always wanted to push that way. So, uh, whenever there was something that I couldn't accomplish, I accomplished it in my own way. So I was very young though, when I made the connection that this is what I wanted to do and thank God, cause I don't know what else I would have done. Um, but yeah, I was, I was in seventh grade. I think I was what? 10. Did you win a seventh grade? You're 13. Okay. Cause that's when I, because that's when I had my bar mitzvah and I always remember that. Yeah. 13. Yeah. So when you were 13, was there an event that happened? You went some big, uh, like award or, you know, trophy and you go, Holy, this thing is for real. I'm, I'm really amazing. You know, I don't think it was, I don't think it was anything. Actually, if, if I could pick a one, like one moment when I knew dance was supposed to be in my life, it was the first time I walked off stage. Um, honestly, my first year dancing, I, I was seven years old and I cried like crazy, like every single rehearsal. I begged my mom to pull me out. God, I begged so hard. I remember that. And, um, and she wouldn't let me, I think she paid for the whole season. So she's like, you're crazy. So I finished and she walked me out on stage for the recital and she ran into the audience to watch me and she ran back to get me knowing I'd be upset. And she said, I came off the stage and I just had like these bright eyes and she's like, crap, she's going to do this the rest of her life. Uh, and I tried to run back on stage in the middle of someone else's routine. So I think we knew I was like stage hungry. I don't know if it was the lights, the people, but, uh, from then on, I just took off. I never stopped. Okay. Now there's some psychology here. That's really interesting to me. Are you the youngest oldest in your family? No, I'm the crazy middle. Okay. So where does a child that young feel the need? Where does this drive to succeed come from? Were you ignored by one of your parents? Were you, uh, like, have you ever gone to therapy and figured, tried, has it ever come up to figure out? That's funny. I mean, it's not normal probably when I say, I don't want to say normal. Cause that's a judgmental word. I'd say it's probably not typical for a seven year old to be so driven about their life, you know, their career and being so focused. It sounds like you're kind of like that, right? Yeah. Yeah. At seven single digits. Yeah. Well, my, my older brother is a pilot in the air force. He was always super smart. I grew up with two boys. I'm in the middle of two boys and, you know, uh, hung out with tons of guys growing up and maybe I was the only girl that wanted to prove herself in, in, in this guy environment. Maybe it was that. Did your parents put pressure on you? No, no pressure. It was, it was do good in school, get good grades, focus and, and they'll support me. And they did, you know. What do your parents do? My dad is a mortgage broker and my mom was a stay at home mom until she got bored when we all left. So you come from a really big Hollywood family. Yeah, right. No, not at all. I come from the most normal family. Here in Los Angeles. Nope. Arizona. Where? Scottsdale? Yeah. Scottsdale. Okay. Great. So, uh, you're traveling from Scottsdale with trainer, like dance instructors from LA. Yeah. Why would they? My parents are crazy. So your parents are still in Arizona? Yep. Still there. So, um, I want to play a little piece of tape. It's not very long, but I want you to listen to this piece of tape and think about, I'm curious, cause I think often in life there are markers that kind of things change after that moment. So this is a moment, um, where I think your life might've changed. Oh, this is a video of me. Yeah. Oh God. We're going to listen cause it's the radio, but I want you to hear this. It's about 40 seconds and then let's talk about it. Oh, I'm nervous. Okay. Why don't you go ahead, Jeremy and Wale. Lovely. You just performed. So, um, I think, I think your lines are really nice. I think you have really interesting dynamics in your movement. I think you have a lot of great control over your body. I think you're really good. Thank you. Did you choreograph that? Yeah. I found it really interesting. I think you have a lot of great control over your body. I think you're really good. Thank you. Did you choreograph that? Yeah. I found it really interesting. You definitely commanded attention and, uh, made me watch you. I enjoyed it. Thank you. I think you're a beautiful girl. You're a beautiful dancer. And I know that you will easily be able to do the choreography later. Um, so I would suggest straight through the Vegas. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Um, so here's my special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special special So You Think You Can Dance, it was the first big elimination that sent the dancers then onto Las Vegas. And then you were, I don't know, were you in the top five or something like top three? You went very far. Was it three or five? I got kicked off right before the finale. Okay, so you were really close. That's how this week to get kicked off. Now, when you hear that, those are the judges. I think the third one was Nigel. Yeah. Is that right? And the second, tell us the first. It was Wade Robson, my idol. That was the first guy. Yes. Okay. Yes, Mary Murphy, Ballroom Queen, and Nigel Lithgow. So what were your thoughts when you heard all those words? God, I was young. I honestly, looking back, I think I was a little too young for the show. And it was something that was very spontaneous for me. Even though I had helped in season two and I knew it was something I wanted to do, I actually didn't know about that audition until the day before. So my friends came up to me and they're like, you're auditioning tomorrow, right? And I had no idea what they were talking about. So they forced me into a dance studio. I choreographed that solo the night before the competition. Who forced you? Your friends? My friends. Yeah. My mom called me and was like, I thought I told you about this. Like everyone's freaking out. I'm like, why am I so last minute? It was almost like on a whim I was supposed to go. Like I went. So I choreographed that solo the night before. I actually couldn't make it to that audition until the afternoon. So the craziest part about it is everyone lines up at like 5 a.m. for this audition. I get there. They're like 3 p.m. I'm the jerk that comes in and everybody is sitting in this big theater in the Orpheum Theater downtown. And I don't know where. This is downtown Los Angeles. Yeah. Downtown. A very ornate old theater. Oh, gorgeous. So I didn't know where I was supposed to sit. I ended up going to sit in the spot where like everyone at 5 a.m. lined up to be in. I got pushed through right away. I was one of three people to get sent straight to Vegas. And I was like in and out in an hour. Like it was the most. Unbelievable thing. I didn't even know what was happening at the time. Nothing I expected. And honestly. So you cut the line? Is that what you're saying? I guess I did. Didn't the producers put you there though? I mean, it's hard for a contestant to just jump those lines. That's what I'm saying. You don't think that they knew this is the girl who was with us last year and was so excited to see her dance? Really? No one knew me. No, because at this point it wasn't the producers. It was just where I was sitting with all the contestants. It was like the PAs. So no one knew anything. I always thought those auditions were very kind of orchestrated. I mean. They really are. But I checked in and no one was around because everyone had been there for hours. So they go, just go upstairs. And I go, any particular place? And they go, just go up. You'll find it. Did they call your number though? No, I just got shuffled through. What about the music? Weren't you dancing to music? Yeah, yeah. So how did the music get cued and all? I mean, didn't they have to? I don't know how it happened. Really? Well, it was eight years ago. Yeah, seven years. Seven years. It was 2005. 2000. Wasn't it? No, it was actually 2007. Really? Yeah, 2007. Well, how did your life change once you went to Las Vegas? I mean, after the show, you can't beat being in everyone's living room. You know, it was something that kind of messed me up a little bit on the show. I let my nerves get control of me too much. It's the last time I ever let that happen because- Wait, how do you control your nerves? When you say you act as if that's something you can control, you go, that's the last time that will happen. I mean, it's mental. It's mental. It's mental. So what technique? What techniques do you use to control your nerves? Breath, training, and, you know, patience. Training of your nerves? No, training, like coming prepared. I don't think I was, once the show got started, I don't think I was as prepared as I wanted to be. And the idea of me being on stage, being minutes away from possibly getting voted off of like the biggest show of all time, while people back home were sitting on their couches, eating Cheetos, watching it carefree and stuff like that. That's how I do things, yeah. Yeah, I mean, Cheetos are great. Always Cheetos and I'm always carefree. I mean, it's great. It's a great lifestyle, but it messed me up. It was a lot of pressure for someone our age. Well, don't you think that's pressure for anyone, regardless of what age? Yeah, yeah. Yeah, but it's easier to handle once you've gone through some life experiences. I was fresh. So you feel that if you were to be on a show like that and go live, you would have the no nerves? Now? You mean? I mean, well, the type of person I am, I care too much. I have nerves with everything I do. Anytime action's being called, anything, I have nerves, which is good. I think that the moment that you're not nervous is the moment you need to get out when it just becomes easy and it's just, you know, you're shuffling through it and stuff. It's time to be done. I want to talk about fear again, because you mentioned earlier that one of your things in life is to overcome fear. You know, it sounds like you almost welcome fear because it's something you can, then go through. Oh God. Is that true? I don't know if I welcome it. I'd rather there not be fear, but for me, it's inevitable. Inevitable what? That it's gonna come up. You know, you start getting nervous. I start getting shaky and stuff. And it's about calming your nerves and just believing in yourself. Do you have a meditation that you do or do you have a spiritual life of any kind? Well, now that I'm coming from India, I've learned a different side of me, you know, a different culture. I do yoga a lot. I just, maybe I'm a little bit too much in my head, which is my spirituality. It's me being connected to myself. So it's not on the outside that you connect, it's something within? Yeah. That's interesting. Is that something in India you developed or is this always been? No, it's always been. I think I'm a thinker and I think through my problems and I think through everything so much. I don't know. It's a good question. How do you overcome fear? You know, I have, it's a good challenge for me. I mean, I struggle with that all the time, you know what I mean? Because I think life is scary or, you know, there's a book I love called The Road Less Traveled. I don't know if you ever read it, but it's by Scott Peck, I think is his name, something Scott Peck. And, you know, the first sentence is life is difficult. And I mean, this book is a very well-respected book. And I think that's like a Middle Eastern or not Middle Eastern, but it's a, I don't know, like Buddhist type thing. But the idea is that life is difficult. And I think part of living a healthy life for me is living an acceptance that life is difficult. Yeah, yeah. I think the problem that I will have, because I don't want to speak for everyone, is when I believe that life is not supposed to be difficult. Because who said that? That's not written anywhere. Yeah. And I think a lot of people put themselves through a lot of pain, by believing that things aren't supposed to be the way they are. It's very true. You know, so I like to believe things are exactly as they are, because they're supposed to be. Do you believe you have to sometimes go down to go back up? Go back down in what regard? Maybe get kicked down to the ground a little bit, maybe fail, you know, not get what you want in order to push yourself into a different direction? I think for myself, it's really about the, I don't think, I don't know if I have to have that happen. I think that that is just what happens. You know, I think acceptance that, you know, everyone comes in when I interview a lot of people or my own life I look at, and oftentimes I'll think it should be easier, you know, but- Interesting. You know, but then I go back to, well, who said? Yeah. And it's not supposed to be easier because it is what it is. Also, usually when I have thoughts like that, I'm looking at comparing. Ah, exactly. You know, and that's never going to work for me. Yeah. I mean, for me, when things aren't, when things aren't easy, when it's very difficult, when you don't think that you can get through it, that it's those moments in my intuition that goes, okay, this is extremely difficult. I can't, I can't accomplish it. And that's when I know I have to, like when you push through that, that layer, you know, that says that you can't do it and stuff. And that's when the magic happens. That's when all of a sudden you transform into something else. Like, like last year, I was like, I'm going to do this. I'm going to do this. Last year, I flew to India to star in my first film. Not my language. You know, it was in, in about two weeks, I had to learn a foreign language, be able to act and react in a scene when it's nothing I can fully understand. Like I, I'm not going to lie. I cried for two weeks straight. Like this is not possible. Did you cry in Hindi? Or were you crying in English and American? Oh, that was too good. Oh God, I was crying in everything. I was ugly crying. Every language? It must've been messy. It's really funny. Yeah, it was a mess. Was that in India or were you here? That was in India. Yeah. And why were you crying? It was too difficult. I mean, how do you, how do you look at words on a paper and try to pronounce it? Yet the vowels and the consonants and everything is not the way that you've learned it. And, you know, you having to break it down and having to see the line in Hindi and look up above and see it translated into phonetic English and then below see the translation and then see the translation. And it's like, you can't just stand in a scene and not understand the direction that the director's giving you. And with the director saying to the lighting crew and it's like, you can't grab any little bit on set. It was too difficult. How much dialogue did you have? How many lines? I had a lot. I was the lead character. Pages and pages and pages? I mean, not pages and pages. Enough, enough for it to be pretty difficult. Very challenging. You know, for me, and I'm curious if this is for you, if I have a stressor, a challenge around a work type challenge, often because I'm accountable to other people, I completely rise to the occasion. I can actually get adrenalized often, especially performing. Yeah. But if it's stuff that's other kinds of stuff, sometimes I get kind of depressed. Interesting. You know, and then it becomes harder because I'm actually depressed. That's really sometimes when I'm doing my own thing. I don't know. It's an odd thing. Do you ever get depressed, Lauren? Yeah, absolutely. I'm always pulling for inspiration. There's times when I run out of steam because I'm always running. And when I run out of steam, that's mostly when I go down and I just want to close off and be in my own world. Yeah, I've stopped caring when something doesn't happen in my life. When a job falls through, when a relationship falls through, when anything goes in a direction that I didn't mentally plan for, because I always try to control everything so much that when it goes out of my control, I go, okay, let go. Because it is always meant to be. And I think just through experience in my life where I've seen things fall through and I've been super depressed about it and totally upset. And then a month or two later, I see a door open and I'm like, wow, wouldn't have done it. So I've just, I've given up control, which for me is difficult because I try to control everything. So that's something I've worked on. That's great. For me, if I'm anxious or getting concerned about like career type stuff or love type stuff, I like to believe that I don't know anything to some degree. And I don't mean literally I have no knowledge, but if I trust that everything's happening as it's supposed to, and that I'm not God, because I'm either God or I'm not. You're not? No, I'm not. Wow. But if I believe that everything is supposed to happen a certain way and I'm supposed to get that job and I'm supposed to be with that person, I might as well be God. It's very true. Right? And I don't want that responsibility. So much. So many people to look over. Right. It's very relieving to just go, that's none of my business. I just, and then I feel a relief because I know I'll be taken care of. Yeah. Life does work out. It's nice to not control it. Yeah. How long have you been using this strategy? About 30 seconds? A little bit longer. Actually, So You Think You Can Dance taught me a lot. The producers on So You Think You Can Dance especially helped me. I think I was a very stubborn kid. I wanted it. I wanted it this way. I wanted it now. I was the only girl. I was successful at a young age. So that whole thing of thinking you know everything was definitely me. So- It served you? It did. It pushed me. It pushed me in the beginning. And then throughout the years, I've just realized I can let go. I mean, it's that whole thing of being in control. Like I was very, very much in control and too much in control and try to control other people and it didn't work out well. So- Yeah. You know, I think that's the interesting part. And also the other interesting thing about growing and getting older is for myself, cause I don't wanna again speak for you or anyone, but for me, it's, you know, our cells are changing. We're aging physically. And I think that sometimes there are things that I loved as a kid and I'll think, well, I should stay true to that. Cause that's me. Well, I was a kid, you know, things change. Absolutely. And who I am emotionally, my needs change. And it's sometimes hard for me to remember that. Cause I'll be like, oh, when I was a kid, I just, I was this way and that way. And this way and you know, in positive ways that I wanna have now still. But I'm like, well, that worked then and now- You gotta move. You gotta change. Yeah. But the spirit of the child still lives. Oh God, I love it. I love, I love children. I love seeing that spirit. Well, you have it yourself. I think I'll always be a child. I keep trying to grow up. Well, you have a big sparkle in, you know, there are sparkles in your eyes. I'm sure you see, you hear that, right? My dad has said it forever. Yeah. And it just, you do light up. And what do you think that is? I love, I love being here. I love life. We're happy to have you. Thanks God. I love people. I think that's one of my best qualities. If I can say that I love people as much as I love myself. As much as I grow and find success, I want everyone around me to, and I really truly care. So I don't know. Maybe that's a little bit different. Than when you were younger? No, than a lot of people I run into. Oh, I'm sorry. Okay, right. So that's worth dressing the sparkle. That's the sparkle. Maybe. When someone, let's say one of your friends gets a part you really wanted, I've talked to some other people in the business about like how they deal with envy and how do you deal with that? You want a story? Sure. Step up four, went to a good friend of mine, Catherine McCormick. Tell everyone what step up is. Oh, step up. God, if you haven't seen step up, where have you been? No, I'm kidding. Step up is a very successful franchise, dance movies here in the United States. There's been step up one, two, three, and now four. I was in step down 12. Wow. Step down. Yeah, it was a little different. It's interesting. It's just a lot of old people, walkers. I wanna see that. Yeah. And they were falling down a lot. Yeah. Ouch, you're okay. Well, I wasn't one of the old people. Sorry. I was one of the nurses. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So, so step up three, I was actually in the running for, and I didn't get it. Step up four, I was home in Arizona in the house I grew up in, found out that I went to a good friend of mine. Now, it was something I had always seen for myself. I saw myself in that role, you know? I'd pushed for it, and it went to a good friend of mine that we actually walked the red carpet for step up three together. Like, we have pictures together. So, I just wanna say, I wanna say, I wanna say, I wanna say, I wanna say, I wanna say, I wanna say, I wanna say, I wanna say, I wanna say, so I went, called my manager, called my friends. I called my parents my room. I was very, very upset. Looked up everything online I could find. It was totally picking through the internet. I went through three hours of just being down and having this ego and just feeling selfish, wanting that movie, and I didn't get it. So, I wanted to be happy for my friend. Like, I really, truly did. And the type of person I am, I was not going to call her and tweet her, Facebook her, whatever. Congratulations if I didn't really truly feel it inside. I have no need to do that. So I went through three, four hours of trying to push that energy from being selfish to actually really caring and being happy for my friend. And four hours later, I did it. All of a sudden I took this deep breath and went, I don't care. I don't care about myself. So called her, Facebooked her, tweeted her, text her everything. Congratulations, you're a rock star. You're gonna kill this. Like truly felt it. It was about four in the morning, Arizona time. And I checked my email box. And in my email box was an email from India, UTV Motion Pictures about India's first 3D dance film where they wanted me as their lead. So to me, that was a huge shift in my life. You know, and to transfer that energy, I really think it happened for a reason because I mentally for four hours tried to shift that energy. And the second I did and really felt happy for someone else and not myself, I got the opportunity I'd always been searching for. Yeah, that is a great story. I wish it were true. I do too. I mean, it's really good. They told me to say that. No, it's fantastic. I'm so inspired. Can you tell me another fictitious story? Yeah, give me about two seconds. Okay. No, that is really a great story. Kind of scary. Now let's, we do need to address, cause you know, this film. Yeah. Now, Bollywood, it's like Hollywood, they go crazy over there, particularly for dance. Right? I mean, we say Bollywood, we're really talking dance film, aren't we? No, Bollywood is their Hollywood. It's their film industry. So it's the range is for like, we have our range. Everything. Yeah. The only difference about Bollywood is song and dance is integrated in every single movie. Okay. Pretty much. You know, they love, they eat, breathe, sleep. It's part of their culture is dance. You can be walking the street, you turn the corner and there's this big, huge celebration. So that is something totally different in their culture that is just so exciting. So like, I mean, if you look at the Schindler's List, if there were an Indian version, there'd be all this horrible stuff and then there'd be everyone would be singing and dancing. Like they always managed to do work a song and number it. Kind of. I don't know if it would be like the glitz and the glam and the booty shaking, but it could be in there. They managed to work it in. They do. They do. Right. So what does this mean? The first 3D dance movie, does this mean it's gonna be coming to the United States? Is it here? It was here. It was, I mean, it came out February 8th and I think there's another Bollywood film that has taken over the theater. Here there was, I think there was about 30 or 40 theaters around the US that had it. You're a superstar in India. It's kind of scary. I walked the streets in a foreign country and in two days everyone knew my name. It was unreal. And what is your name in Hindi? I don't know. I don't know what that is, but like Rihanna, like Beyonce, I really don't think Lauren is as cool as those names, but in India, no one is named Lauren. Right. So, you know, here you go, Lauren. You're exotic. There. Yeah, well, there I'm Lauren. I mean, here too. There I'm like the Lauren. They don't know anyone else. No. That's great. It's kind of insane. Yeah. Yeah. So what happens after this film? How big a film is this in India? It's been called the first hit film of 2013 for Bollywood. It actually broke a record of being the highest grossing film opening weekend with a non-star cast in the history of Indian cinema. So it's a pretty big deal. And, you know, there's a couple opportunities that have come about, nothing I can actually talk about at the moment. Is there a sequel in the works? There is. There is. They're actually gonna come here. Do they have a part for me? You want me to talk to them? I mean, you've seen my dance moves. I love your dance moves. You know, I have to say, I am so impressed by anyone who can dance. It is incredibly hard to remember the moves. I can't remember any of those moves. Yes, you can. I have seen it. No, I was faking it. I was faking it. I mean, the stuff you guys do, I mean, I want time- I hope your viewers on this show have seen you dance. And the listeners. Yeah, that's what I meant. That's what I meant. There are probably a few people staring at their stereo. And I gotta tell you, if you're doing that, it's not gonna work. No matter how long you stare. No, no, no, Jeannie in a bottle. That's true. No, yeah, if you look on Mobbed though, on Google or YouTube, Vic Cohen. There you go. You will see a little bit of dancing. I want time, I will be real quick with this. My agent once sent me on an audition, a dance audition, and it was for a chorus line. So she first calls me, she says, Vic, do you know how to dance? Wait, like the chorus line? This is for real. Yeah, Long Beach. I guess there's some dance company in Long Beach. Do you know anything? There's some big thing. So this was about 12, 14 years ago, something like that. So I get this call, my agent, she's really out of it. I mean, she shouldn't be in the business anymore. And she said, you know, we have this audition. It's at the Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio. Yeah, yeah. You've been there, right? The North Hollywood, I think. Yeah, North Hollywood. So you go, we want you to come out. And I said, well, what kind of, you know, I mean, yeah, I've danced, but it was like bar mitzvah contest type dancing. Right up your alley. Well, no, that's what I've done. That's not what the chorus line was. Oh, it was. Yeah, there's no scene in chorus line like with a dance contest for bar mitzvah. So anyway, so she's like, don't worry, it's for the gay character where there's no dancing. It's called a chorus line. I rented the movie the night before. It's a great film. And I had the worst, it's a great film, but when a movie's called a chorus line, it's pretty, you gotta be pretty sure there's gonna be dance throughout wall to wall. So that night I watch it, the film, I rented it and I could not sleep. You know, I don't know if you've ever, have you ever had this feeling when you have an audition, you're a pro, maybe you don't get feelings like this. But I was like, I don't know how to do any of this stuff. But so I couldn't cancel. So I went to the Debbie Reynolds dance studio. I don't even know what to wear. How'd you do? So I wore sweatpants, these like Russell gray sweatpants, which probably aren't really what you wear. I don't know. And I had an Indiana University wrestling shirt. Oh God. Not like the striped. Not like the straps, but like a t-shirt. Okay. Okay. I wasn't that geeky. Did you fit in? No, because first of all, not to be stereotypical, but there were all these gay men who were like all, you know, like socializing. Cause you have a small community, right? The dance community, you guys all, do you would go to open calls anymore? Yeah, I mean, there was a ton of dancers here, but when you really look at it, it's a small community. So I show up as the new kid on the block and no one's seen me before. And I'm really short. That was probably an advantage for you. I'm losing my mind. I'm losing my hair. I mean, now it's, you know, I look like a mess as far as dancers go. I mean, a good, a true male dancer, perfect body would be like probably six, two, very lean, you know, very long lines. And then I come rolling in and they've never seen me before. And I've been, it's like, they're all curious. And they're seriously, they're like, I loved you in Pippin. You know, they're all talking to each other. Oh no. You know that feeling, right? Yeah. Everyone's, they're very social, but they were very snooty too. Oh, absolutely. They did not welcome me. What is that? I don't know. It's one thing about the dance community I don't like. And I think through being here all these years, I'm late everywhere I go. And I think that's part of the reason. We started late. We did. I mean, I like you and I had to come from somewhere else. I'm thrilled you came. I'm not complaining. I'm not just saying, you said you run late. To dance auditions and stuff in particular, I'm always late. I'd rather go in, get there last second and be there for my dance. And be there for my job. Because the whole chit chatter in the beginning, like can psych you out. Oh, that's a great point. People will psych you out. Yes. Yeah. And this is what happened. And it was just like, and like you've probably seen this in these movies. In your regular auditions. It's true. They gave me a number and they pinned it to my shirt or I pinned it, something like that. I don't remember exactly. And they said, they showed us what we had to do. And they're like, okay, we have to do a, like, I don't know, it was like a pirouette and a- Look at you, the terminology. I don't know, like two step or something. I don't even know. Herc, yeah. And then another thing. Okay. And I don't even remember. So I've never, I mean, let alone do these things, I've never even heard of them. And I'm about to audition. So how'd you do? So, well, this is the thing. I'm walking, I'm sorry. Then I go into the warmup room. Everyone's warming up and I'm thinking, what am I stretching for? I don't even know what I'm about to do. So then I start- Were you copying the stretches? Yeah, right. That's awesome. Yeah. Well, no, then I was watching the guys weren't practicing their moves. And I'm like, what was that? Was that a pirouette? I mean, this guy, you know, and they're getting pissed, I think, because it's a total insult that I'm part of their community. That's amazing. Right? And they've committed to this. Like this is their life. And then they've got this jackass who's like, what's, is that a pirouette? Can you show me how to do a pirouette? And they're not helping. No. Not at all. No. They totally want to see me fail. See, I'm the opposite. And everyone knows it in auditions. People come up to me and ask me for help. And I'm the kind of person growing up, like I, when I first got here, I wanted to do this. I wanted to set my name in the community. And I was that jerk that would freestyle and just be in the front and be such a show off. And now I'm like, you know what? I can step back a little bit. I mean, once the community knows you and stuff, you can do that. But people come up to me and ask me for help. And I'm like, sure. The better my group can do, like the better I look, but. I agree. So how'd you do? I want to know. Okay, so they put us in groups of 10. I don't know if this is common. Yeah, absolutely. And they said, this is what we want you to do. I walk in, there's a red line. And we're behind the red line about two, three feet. The guy goes, I want you to come out, say your name, your age, where you studied, and then do your thing. Tell me, what does he say? Well, the first guy came out and he's like, I'm John Roberts. Oh, your height too. I'm 6'2", Juilliard. And then he just nails it. And then he does his thing. You had to dance right there, right there in line while you're slating. First you do, you walk up three feet away from the line, say your name, age. Where you studied, your height. And then you just go. Do your thing and go. So the first guy goes, second guy again, like some major dance background. He nails it. And then I go up and I just like, I'm like, and I totally committed to it. I'm like, oh, this is the other thing. I called my agent before I went up. And the first thing she said to me is, you're not backing out of that audition. That's what she said. Oh my God. I said, no, I was just calling because I'm just checking in. Just wanna let you know I'm here, which is totally not true. Like what a buffoon I'd be if I called my agent every time just to check in. Yeah, right. That's what I'm trying to get out of it. Totally. Yeah, yeah. But no, no, no. Just calling to let you know I'm here and about to go up soon. I'm like, you know, there's a lot of dance here. She's like, you'll do great. So anyways, so it's my turn. Now I've just seen these two guys, you know, they look like Baryshnikov. I mean, they're, I mean, amazing. And then I step up, I'm like, hi, I'm Vic Cohen. And they're very curious. The eight, you know, the judges have never seen me before. I'm new, new to them, new in the community. So I- I'm dying. This is so exciting. And I go, I do this thing where I, I did this, I went like, I go, I'm Vic Cohen. I'm not gonna say my age now. Indiana University. And you know, like there's no dance program. And like, you know, and also, like I said, I'm short. I was a little heavier. I mean, did not have the classic body of a dancer, but their faces were so eager, you know, to see what is, what has he brought to us? So I did this thing where I, and then I, I just, I basically did this. I'll do it for you. You can describe it. Okay, I'll commentary. So, so, okay. I did this. I just went like, Oh, oh, it's a little tap step and a little turn. And then I did jazz hands. And I mean, I shuffled around like a monkey and- Did you sell it? I totally sold it. I totally committed it, committed, committed it. That's good. I really speak well. I committed completely to the thing. And their faces went from pure joy to horror. It was like, I took a shit on the floor. No offense. It was the most disgusting look I've ever seen. Disgusting looks on their faces. I mean, and then, and there's actual, the worst part of it is during my little audition, there was snickering from the other guys. Of course. Like mocking me. Trying to get you out. Does that surprise you? No. That's really catty. Yeah. I mean, it happens. I didn't need to have snickering. So what, did they ask you to leave? So the last guy, the next guy loves me. Cause he, you know, he could be like in a wheelchair and he would be like, nailed it. So they're done. They go to the 10th guy. And I don't know, it was just calm in a dance. Cause it was really beautiful. It was very theatrical. The guy running it goes, I'd like to, Vic, thank you. We've seen enough. Thank you very much. And the rest of you, please, we'd love for you to stay the day with us and dance with us. Wow. Have you ever heard that kind of thing? Want to dance with the, please spend the day and dance with us. No. Usually it's not that friendly. Usually it's just like, okay, get off the floor. No. Next 10. But the, thank you, Vic. I've seen that before. Yeah. They just like singled me out. I'm sorry. I slithered out. Mentally, did that, what kind of effect did that take on you? It just, it didn't feel good. I called, this is the greatest part of it. I called my agent right after. It's so funny cause there were no cell phones. It was a while ago. So there's a cell, so I'm on a pay phone and I'm like, hey, it's Vic. And I just wanna let you know, I just finished the audition. I think it went pretty well. No. Yeah. They said, thank you. They seem to, they definitely, I think they'll remember the audition. I thought, and she's like, great. It's really great. You know, this way, if something comes up that maybe you're more appropriate for, they'll remember you. Wow. This was like back in the day. Like that's like classic agent voice. Yeah. It was like, yeah. It's awesome. Yeah. And as the truth is like, I basically destroyed any opportunity to work with these people. I destroyed her agency's name. Maybe. Completely. Which may not have been your fault. No. Not my fault. It's like, I don't care. It's like, I don't care. Which may not have been your fault. No, not my fault. Completely. Hey, I did what I was supposed to. I love it. I totally committed. How brave are you? I was proud that I did it. I didn't back out. I think that's amazing. So thanks. That's pretty huge. Yeah, I was like- It didn't like take a toll on you? You didn't like go into deep depression? Not at all. You were great. Because you know, I'm all about the doing, you know, and I did it. Someone else would have just left or lied or quit their agents or whatever. Absolutely. No, it was an amazing experience and I got the story out of it. That's huge. So that was a true story? A hundred percent. Oh, I wouldn't make that up. No, everything I'm saying here is true. We're just throwing around fake stories. No, this is a hundred percent true. I swear to God. That's a pretty great story. That's my chorus line experience. Well, what's interesting, I told that story when I was working on Howie Mandel's daytime talk show and he really thought the story was ridiculously fun, like hilarious. I love Howie. So he did a documentary about me. Did he? Yeah. How is Howie? He's great. What is he doing right now? Right now, let's see, it's about 11, 10. He's probably, he's been on an exercise kick. He might be on a treadmill. Oh, really? Oh, wow. Yeah. No, he was just out of town for America's Got Talent. I'm actually seeing him tomorrow. I'm working on another show with him. Please tell him I said hi. I will. I will definitely say that. And, but anyways, I know how hard it is because I've actually experienced it, you know? Yeah. Wow. And I don't know, I was looking at Dancing with the Stars and like, I know you've worked a little with that group, right? Not with Dancing with the Stars. Nothing? I thought I read something like you were working with one, I don't know. No. Maybe you worked with, danced with someone who was on Dancing with the Stars. Possibly. Something. But I'm always amazed, like, how do these people keep it together when they know millions are watching? Like, how do you do that? Oh, God. Well, that is what hurt me on So You Think You Can Dance. And coming back as an all-star, not having the pressure, because as an artist, you want to perform. And I think art is art and everyone should appreciate it. But then once you're done with your routine and you take that little walk over to the judge's table, you know, I don't think naturally that happens where someone in front of the entire world. Right. Says what they think about you. Right. You know, it's just not, not my favorite thing. You know, I understand the show and that's the premise of it. But to be an all-star and to be there and mentor people and not get kicked off is the best of every world. But yeah, it's, it's pressure. It's a lot of pressure. Auditions. There's so much pressure, especially when you see yourself in the role, when you see the money behind it, potentially, you know, everything, the experience. Can you get, because we have to, we're actually almost out of time, but a couple of quick questions. Can you get rich? As a dancer, because it used to be, you become a dancer for the love of the art. See, I don't know if you can get rich as a dancer unless you keep hustling your entire life. I think nowadays where everything's going, dancers are being smarter and they're trying to stretch themselves, like going into acting, going into hosting, you know, having clothing lines, opening up dance studios, like just being multi-talented. And nowadays through social media, you can do that and you can stretch your name out there. So I think that's how you do it. I want to talk with you more, but we're so almost out of time. How can people find you? Oh God, Twitter, Lauren Gottlieb, Facebook, official Lauren Gottlieb, my website, lauren-gottlieb. Anywhere you can find me. I'm curious also, anyone in your life ever tell you that, no, Lauren, you know, because the truth is you don't have that body that you see when you think of classic dancer. I mean, your, your stature is a little smaller, isn't it? And, and you're not built like, like, like this thin, like kind of rail with no hips or anything. Did anyone ever say to you, Lauren, no, this isn't going to work for you? No, not like looking at me like this career path, is it going to work for you? There's been certain jobs that I haven't been good for. I like who I am. It works. I don't care most of the time what anyone says. And again, it's that desire and that, that push that I have, you know, in my life where, where when it works, it works. Well, you've been really inspiring and I'm so happy we had this chance to talk because when we're working together, there is no time. I know. Because you're dancing. Let's do this again. Let's do this again. I would love to. I want to thank all of you for listening. Again, thank you, Lauren Gottlieb. Look her up online. Become a friend. She's so nice. I'm okay. She's great. We'll see you soon. Bye. Thank you. Bye-bye. I'm Vic Cohen and it's a fair question. It's a fair question. It's a fair question. I'm Vic Cohen and it's a fair question. It's a fair, it's a fair, it's a fair, it's a fair question. I'm Vic Cohen and it's a fair, it's a fair, it's a fair, it's a fair quest, quest, question. Um. Um. Um. Thank you.