Exclusive Interview: Lauren Lucas on Her Creative Evolution and Composing for Netflix’s ‘Leanne’

Lauren Lucas’ legacy is one of storytelling—rooted in the South, shaped by soul, and carried through every note she sings. A Tony and ACM Award nominee, she’s built a career defined by range—moving effortlessly from Broadway to the Grand Ole Opry, from hit records to headline tours, and now to the screen.

Most recently, Lauren joined forces with longtime collaborator Keb’ Mo’ as part of the composing team for Netflix’s Leanne, also lending her unmistakable voice to the show’s main title theme. It’s the latest evolution in a journey built on authenticity and heart.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to sit down with Lauren to chat about Leanne, her creative evolution, and how she continues to bring soul and storytelling to everything she creates.

PC: Your music lives in so many different spaces and transcends genres. What has played the biggest role in helping you discover your voice and the message you want to share as an artist?
Lauren: I believe several important factors have helped me discover my voice as an artist. I grew up doing community theater in South Carolina, starting at the age of three. In those productions, I performed all kinds of music—from Motown and golden oldies to country and blues. Without a doubt, those genres shaped the natural soulfulness I now gravitate toward in my music.

I’ve also had the good fortune of working with and learning from some of the best writers and producers in the business. Songwriting from an early age and eventually stepping into producing have both helped me articulate what I want to say and how I want it to sound.

PC: You’ve built an incredible body of work, and your music has connected with listeners everywhere. If you had to choose one song that best defines you—both as an artist and as the soundtrack to your life—which would it be, and why?
Lauren: It’s difficult to choose just one song after more than twenty years of making music! As I’ve lived more life, different songs have defined me at different times. But there’s one I always come back to that feels like the truest reflection of who I am—it suits my voice, embodies the “southern soul” sound that runs through most of my work, and holds deep meaning for me as a songwriter—and that’s “If I Was Your Girl.” It’s a song about unrequited love, a universal emotion we’ve all experienced at one point or another.

PC: You’ve already achieved so much in your career. When you look back, is there a moment that stands out as especially meaningful to you?
Lauren: If I’m being completely honest, there are several career highlights I look back on now and think, “Dang, I wish I’d slowed down and really enjoyed them in the moment.” A Tony Award nomination, playing the Grand Ole Opry—youth really is wasted on the young, at least in my experience. I was so focused on asking, “What’s next?” that I didn’t let the gravity of those moments sink in until much later.

These days, I’m truly savoring every opportunity and the process of doing the work. I’m especially proud of my recent collaborations with one of my greatest musical influences, Keb’ Mo’.

PC: Your latest project, Leanne, sees you not only composing and performing the music between scenes but also creating the theme song. How did this opportunity come about, and how did the writing process differ from working on your own material?
Lauren: I feel like being asked to do the music for Leanne on Netflix was a right-place, right-time moment. I had recently written with Keb’ Mo’ for one of his upcoming albums, and when he got the call from Chuck Lorre to compose the music for Leanne, I happened to be top of mind. I’m so grateful that he trusts me musically to deliver. He put together a team, and we composed all of the transition music, as well as the main title and end title themes. I was also super excited to be asked to sing the title themes.

This was the first time I’d ever composed instrumental music to picture, and the transitions were super short—just five to ten seconds each. It was definitely a different process in that sense, yet similar in terms of melody and production. The experience really helped me hone my producer chops and gave me a lot more confidence in that area.

PC: As we look ahead to the end of 2025 and into 2026, what can fans look forward to from you?
Lauren: I’ve been making a lot of new music, and I can’t wait to share it with you! I plan to release singles throughout 2026. I’ve also been writing with several artists for their upcoming projects. And… Leanne was just renewed for a second season on Netflix! Here’s hoping we’ll be gearing up to compose new music for that in the new year.

To keep up with Lauren, follow her on Instagram, Spotify, and Apple Music. Watch Leanne on Netflix today.

Photo Credit: Nathan Chapman