Exclusive Interview: Laura Marano & David Lambert Talk ‘Original Sound’, Creative Sacrifice, and Finding Your Voice

There are two sides to the artist’s journey—the one fighting to be seen, and the one who’s already arrived but is quietly questioning what it took to get there. In Original Sound, David Lambert and Laura Marano bring both perspectives to life with a grounded, affecting honesty, offering a portrayal of creative ambition that feels deeply lived-in and true to the realities of the industry. The film doesn’t just trace the pursuit of success—it sits with it, exploring the space between aspiration and arrival, and what it really means to “make it” when the cost of getting there begins to blur the very reason you started.

Driven by the pulse and rhythm of Brooklyn and Queens, the film follows beat maker Danny Solis (David Lambert), who is still trying to break through, and pop star Ryan Reed (Laura Marano), who has already achieved the kind of career he’s chasing. When Danny’s track is taken by Ryan, her manager brokers a collaboration to keep him quiet, pulling Danny into Manhattan’s music scene while forcing Ryan to reconsider the direction of her career. What unfolds is a layered look at ambition, authorship, and identity—shaped by betrayal, creative compromise, and the tension between staying true to yourself and becoming what the industry demands.

At the center of it are David and Laura, whose performances make both sides of that journey feel specific and personal. They capture the push and pull of artistry—between hunger and pressure, passion and expectation—revealing that whether you’re chasing success or living within it, the questions remain the same. We caught up with David and Laura to talk about stepping into these roles, navigating the realities of creative ambition, and what it means to hold onto your original sound.

PC: The film takes such an introspective look at success and invites audiences to reflect on what that means to them. As artists bringing Danny and Ryan to life, did embodying these characters shift or reinforce your own perspectives on that idea? What does success mean to you today?
Laura: I love that question—that’s a really astute point. It definitely reinforced some of my own experiences in the music industry and how the idea of success can shape your choices, both personally and professionally. You’re almost chasing this ideal that you don’t even know truly exists.

It’s also something that everyone around you views as a goal or destination. It might sound a little cheesy, but the older I get and the more I pursue music and acting, the more I realize that success is the journey—it’s not the destination. It’s like chasing perfection—if you actually reach it, then what?

On one hand, it’s about appreciating the small wins you experience every day. On the other, it’s about moments like this—getting to talk about a film we made in 2024 that’s finally coming out, knowing people will get to see it and engage with it. That, in itself, is a success. I feel much more inspired now to take in those moments rather than chase some external, objective definition of what success is supposed to be.

David: From my perspective, I, for the most part, agree with where Danny is coming from. I commend him for what he’s trying to accomplish. I can’t say that I always agree with the way he goes about certain things. He’s scrambling, and maybe he loses a bit of his grace, patience, and awareness of the situation at times with people.

But I do think it’s fun to represent that type of artist in that place in their life—worrying about the things he’s worrying about, and that concept of legacy: what is he about? What has he done so far? What does he want to do next? Is he ever going to get the chance to really do what he wants to do? Then there’s the financial side, where he’s always broke. These are the things that artists deal with throughout their careers. They might not always be broke, but these are things that weigh on them internally. Playing any one of those elements is fun because it’s valid and it’s true.

I really identified with how he’s young, hungry, and trying to stay true to himself. I really respect that. I enjoyed playing those elements. It’s fun to play someone who’s all about his craft.

For me, it really just reinforced my perspective. It was fun to champion that initiative and passion that Danny has. If there was ever a shift, it’s just that I love that this movie is being received—that it gets to be seen—and that everyone involved is a really great group of people. I was honored to be a part of that, and I’m really happy people get to see it.

PC: It’s one of my favorite films of the year. David, you’ve said that your North Star is chasing what you love. As you mentioned, that journey comes with peaks and valleys, and the realities of being an artist are often only seen by yourself and those closest to you. This film does such a brilliant job highlighting the importance of a support system—or, in these characters’ cases, the lack of one—while also emphasizing the need to be your own champion. Who have been the people in your life who’ve shown up for you in those moments? How did you learn to show up for yourself, and how did that inform your approach to Danny?
David: Wow. I have to start with my mom, first and foremost. She’s been there since day one. I wouldn’t have been able to get my start without her. I was fortunate to begin working professionally at a young age, but I couldn’t drive—I was still a minor—so I needed a lot of support. There’s no way I could have started when I did without my family, especially my mom. To this day, she’s still there, supporting and helping me navigate life. She’s the first person who comes to mind.

Then there’s Danny Nucci, who played my dad on The Fosters. He’s not only a very close friend, but also a mentor. He’s someone who’s balanced a lot in his life—an acting career alongside everything else—and has really shown me how to navigate this industry in a grounded, realistic way without losing yourself in it.

As actors, we need a sense of community more than we sometimes let on. It’s essential, because so much of this work lives in your internal dialogue. It can take you to places that aren’t always healthy to sit in for too long. Having people around you who understand that is incredibly important.

Danny has been a huge part of that for me, but I’ve also been very lucky to have a strong inner circle of close friends—many of whom are or were in the industry. We show up for each other, and that kind of support makes all the difference.

PC: Definitely. Laura, your performance here is so nuanced. There’s something deeply heartbreaking about Ryan’s journey. On the surface, it feels like she has everything she’s worked for, but underneath, you feel the weight of what she’s had to sacrifice to stay there. How did you navigate that tension between her authenticity and integrity and the voices around her, while also bringing that internal struggle to life in such a visceral and effective way?
Laura: I agree with you. When I read Ryan’s journey, I saw it as quite tragic—we meet her at this turning point where she’s potentially falling out of love with music. Not because she doesn’t love it, but because she’s starting to question what she has to give up in order to succeed in the thing she loves. And whether what she’s being asked to sacrifice is actually the very thing that made her fall in love with it in the first place. That tension really defines her journey in the film.

Without giving away the ending, there’s a choice she has to make. I understand why she makes it, but it’s also heartbreaking, because it means letting go of parts of herself. One of those things is maybe the reason she got into it in the first place—her creative vision and using it as an outlet for what she feels. And the character she’s almost playing for people to receive her is taking her away from her real self and her ability to truly connect with people.

Make sure to follow Laura (X/Instagram) and David (X/Instagram). Original Sound is out in select theaters.