December 1st 2024.
Laura Rees was a shining star in the hit film Love Actually, despite the daunting task of standing out among a star-studded cast that nearly caused a nationwide electrical outage. TikTok users have recently discovered her brief but impactful scene-stealing moments as record label executive Gina, part of Bill Nighy's fading popstar Billy Mack's team. Her performance, without even uttering a single word, has been hailed by many as "Oscar-worthy" and has garnered over 1.3 million views on the platform.
"It's been surreal and really flattering," Laura shares with Metro about her newfound internet fame. As a relatively unknown actor at the time, she never expected her role in Love Actually to garner so much attention. On TikTok, users are saying she deserved an Oscar for her performance as Gina, but Laura remains humble, stating that her role was ultimately very small.
Despite the size of her role, Laura's starpower shines through in her few moments on screen. It makes one wonder what she could have brought to the roles she originally auditioned for, including porn performer Judy and villain Mia. However, director Richard Curtis saw something special in her and offered her the role of Gina, even though she had been turned down for the other roles. It was a welcome surprise for Laura, who had recently graduated from drama school.
After Love Actually, Laura's career had many ups and downs. She landed some other roles, but also experienced heartbreak when a major US TV project with Paul Wesley fell through and a movie with Love Actually co-star Sienna Guillory did not receive funding. Despite these setbacks, Laura remained positive and recognized that it's the nature of the industry.
Eventually, Laura decided to leave the acting industry, partly influenced by her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. She explains that she struggled with the expectation of always being "well" and felt that there was no room for sickness in the industry. However, she has now shifted her focus to her own project, The How Are You Project, which seeks to improve society's awareness of the everyday experiences of people with non-visible disabilities.
While Laura is dedicated to her project and improving access to various industries for people with non-visible disabilities, she hasn't completely sworn off acting. She recently signed with an agent for commercial work and is open to the possibility of returning to film or TV. As she says, "never say never."
Although her time in the acting industry had its challenges, Laura looks back fondly on her experience filming Love Actually. She remembers her co-stars, including Bill Nighy and Gregor Fisher, as "real gents" and appreciates director Richard Curtis for arranging for her to keep Gina's designer clothes. It was a kind gesture for a young actor and a cherished memory for Laura.
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