From Small-Town Girl to Hollywood Chameleon: How Anna Lore’s Style Transforms Her On and Off Screen
Have you ever wondered how fashion and personal style influence an actress’s ability to embody diverse characters? Anna Lore’s journey from Midwest roots to inspiring performances reveals the powerful connection between wardrobe, authenticity, and self-expression. In our interview, she shares how her costumes bring her characters to life, her unique approach to beauty and skincare, and the inspiring influences that have shaped her career. Join us as we explore the captivating story behind her rise in Hollywood and her vision for creating more authentic, diverse representations on screen.
FEATURE INTERVIEW:
As an actress who embodies diverse characters, how do you use fashion as a means of self-expression or to align with the identities of the roles you play? Can you share a specific example where an outfit helped you connect with a character?
My character in Final Destination: Bloodlines really came to life after my costume fitting. I feel like the costume designer Michelle Hunter deserves the credit for at least half of who that character is. The outfit I’m wearing in the trailer almost didn’t get chosen because it was really cold that day but I was so determined to wear that—it just felt so Julia. I had heating pads on every unexposed part of my body.
Growing up in the Midwest, how has that region influenced your personal style and the way you approach fashion on and off-screen? Are there any local styles or trends that you feel particularly attached to?
I grew up with three brothers, so I didn’t have anybody in the house teaching me how to dress or do my make up, so I kinda just threw stuff together. And we were all homeschooled, so we were somewhat insulated from trends, but I think that gave me a really unique sense of style, I’ve always mostly worn secondhand clothes. I grew up with a lot of old hippies, went to a lot of field or farm parties, so I’ve always loved a kind of vintage, boho look. But I’ll really wear anything. For a long time I didn’t think of fashion as an art form, but now that I understand it more, I love being a part of someone’s work of art. I love being a part of someone else’s expression.
via Colton Haynes
Given your extensive experience in the industry, what are some of your go-to beauty tips for maintaining a fresh look, especially during long filming days? How do you balance the demands of the industry with staying true to your natural beauty?
Water, water, water. You have to chug water, if you think you’ve had enough water, no you haven’t, go drink more. I keep an Evian spray on me. Staying hydrated is the only thing that will keep you looking fresh, especially when you’re not getting as much sleep as you probably need.
There are definitely beauty demands in this industry, but I think the camera is desperate for natural, unique faces. Actor’s faces are not necessarily supposed to be gorgeous, they’re supposed to be alive. So I just remind myself, it’s my job to be interesting and engaging, not to look perfect. It’s better to look unique. This is why I love Aimee Lou Wood in the spotlight right now. I think there’s a bit of homogeneity happening in beauty trends, fix your nose, fix your face, fix your teeth, and then Aimee comes along and we’re on fire for her. She’s so sparkly and one of a kind.
What role does skincare play in your daily routine, especially as the camera can be unforgiving? Are there specific products or rituals that you swear by to keep your skin camera-ready?
I recently started doing that thing where you use up all the products you have before you buy anything new, and so I went back to the Tata Harper Water-Lock Moisturizer that I had forgotten about and thank god I did, because it’s amazing. Other than that, I use the most boring, unscented everything because almost everything gives me a rash. There is only one sunscreen that doesn’t give me a rash, Peter Thomas Roth Mineral Sunscreen. I wear it everyday.
via Negine Jasmine Sekandari
How has your upbringing in the Midwest shaped your work ethic and your approach to acting? Are there specific experiences from your childhood that you draw upon in your performances?
I think growing up in the Midwest made me creative. There was nothing to do, so I had to create. I was constantly filming, I always had some kind of camera on me, I would make everyone I know participate in my short films or sketches. I also think I came to the film industry with stars in my eyes, I have never felt entitled to any part of this business, I’ve never taken it for granted. I’ve had to work very hard but I’ve also been insanely lucky. I saw the Final Destination trailer in a theater the other night… I can’t believe that’s real life.
Can you speak about any cultural or artistic influences from your origins that have impacted your career choices or the roles you’re drawn to?
One of my first jobs was at an independent theater in Iowa called Mindframe Theaters. They would get movies that the big theaters weren’t showing, indies and local films. That’s where I started to fall in love with off the beaten path stuff. I also got one person in for free as an employee, so when Avatar came out I had to see it like 4 times because all my friends wanted me to take them.
via Colton Haynes
Who or what inspires you the most in your acting career? Is there a particular moment or person who motivated you to pursue this path, and how has that influence manifested in your work thus far?
Wes Anderson was a huge influence for me when I was starting to get into film, I was so captivated by how imaginative his worlds were. I just love the beauty and the order of those movies, and especially the humor. I couldn’t believe a movie could look so beautiful and interesting.
When preparing for a new role, do you have a particular method or muse you turn to for inspiration? How do you integrate those inspirations into your character development?
I go through the script and ask “Why?”, over and over. Why does my character do this, why does she say that, why is she responding that way. That’s the most effective method for me. But it’s really tragic that you don’t get more rehearsal in film acting, because I’m only one half of a scene.
So much is created in concert with the other actors, that’s where everything comes to life. On Final Destination: Bloodlines, we had these improv rehearsals where we got to go through all the big group scenes and try stuff out. I think mostly what that did for us was get us comfortable with each other. By the end of those rehearsals, Richard Harmon and Owen Joyner, who play my brothers in the movie, really felt like my brothers. We had such a great rapport, and it made actually filming it so easy.
via Miles Roberts
What are your top five must-watch movies that you believe everyone should see, and how have they influenced your views on storytelling and character development in your own acting career?
Oh my god that’s so hard. I’m gonna go with “must-watch” and list movies and shows that I don’t think enough people saw. I recently saw Better Man, that movie is so fun and so heartbreaking. I had no idea who Robbie Williams was, and it did not affect my enjoyment of that film at all.
I also loved Death of Stalin, which is an Armando Iannucci film that went under the radar but I thought was so funny and insane. One of my all time favorites is Stranger Than Fiction, Maggie Gyllenhaal is perfect in that movie. Then I have to shout out Pushing Daisies, which is one of the best TV shows of all time. That show deserved 10 seasons. And then Midnight Gospel, a criminally underrated animated show that I found during the pandemic. That show got me through it.
Are there any performances in film or television that have profoundly affected you as an actress? What have you learned from these performances that you carry with you into your work?
I love Frances McDormand in Fargo. She’s so good and that is such a fantastic character. I would love to play a part like that.
via Gregory Wallace
As an emerging actress in the entertainment industry, what significant changes have you observed in the representation of women and diversity in acting? How do you hope to contribute to this evolution?
I think focusing on diversity makes casting so much more interesting, we can envision anyone in any type of role now. It makes movies more exciting. I want to see more women as villains and anti-heroes, I love when women play bad characters.
What advice would you give to aspiring actors who are just starting their journey? What are the most important lessons you’ve learned along the way that you think could benefit them?
I’m a huge perfectionist, I want to get an A on the project, but acting just doesn’t work that way. The more you try to control it, the worse it gets. I think self tapes bring out this urge in us to make it perfect, because we can watch our work back and keep doing more takes. Don’t do all those takes, just show up and listen really well. It’ll make you a better actor and a better person.
via Negine Jasmine Sekandari
TEAM CREDITS:
Editor-in-Chief: Prince Chenoa
Feature Editor: Taylor Winter Wilson (@taylorwinter)
Writer: Frida Garcia D’Adda (@fridadda_)
Photographers: Negine Jasmine Sekandari (@neginejasmine) , Gregory Wallace (@gregorywallacephotography) , Miles Roberts , Colton Haynes
