Jacqueline Lord's website is here.
Jacqueline Lord's profile on IMDB is here.
SHANNON CAINE: You're a model, actress, musician and more. Which of these career paths is the most personally meaningful to you?
JACQUELINE LORD: They are all personally meaningful in their own way. Modeling, while not as creatively stimulating as music and acting, has provided me with the most monetary support. My financial independence allows me the freedom to pursue artistic endeavors! That said, I definitely get more creative rewards through acting and music--but mostly music. Acting, unless you are doing theater, is way more about the director's, writer's, or producer's vision, depending on whether you are doing TV or film. Music, on the other hand, is (right now, at least) solely my voice and interpretation. Now I don't have a record label breathing down my back and have not 'broken' into any mainstream music scene yet, but I surely hope none of that would change if I do. Music is and will always be the perfect creative outlet for me.
CAINE: How long have you been working as a model, and how did you get into that field? Also, what do you find the most challenging about modeling?
LORD: I have been working as a model for roughly 13 years. Certainly longer than I thought I would. I was 'discovered' in my hometown of Champaign, Il. They sent my picture to NY, I met with all the agencies and signed with IMG shortly thereafter. Modeling has a myriad of challenges. It is an unregulated business that preys on young, beautiful girls. When you are young and inexperienced, it is hard to know whom to trust. These days, the greatest challenge for me is staying in shape and keeping up with the higher shot-count demand. The recession has taken a hard toll on the business and more clients are shooting as many shots in one day as they can. Gone are the glamour days when you did a couple of shots, made a ton of money and flew home! Now it is upward of 35 shots a day! In other words, it has become a more physically demanding job then ever before.
CAINE: Who are your musical influences?
LORD: My mom was a professional violinist and taught piano and violin from our home while I was growing up. Bach, Beethoven and Mozart were music staples in that environment, and have remained highly influential. When I was in high school, I studied musical theater and started learning about classic rock. I actually thought I had 'discovered' Led Zeppelin. I became a Tori Amos fan in my early adulthood and found that artists who play piano are still the most appealing to me. Ben Folds, Coldplay, Regina Spektor, Aslyn, Vanessa Carlton--I am attracted to those styles because I think they reflect my own musical ideas. Not the other way around. Lately I have been having a major musical 'affair' with Muse and Sia.
CAINE: Of your film and TV projects, which one has been your favorite, and why?
LORD: Well this is easy because I don’t have a very extensive resume! I absolutely love doing half-hour comedy, so those projects are always super fun. What a dream-job that would be--to be a series regular on one of those shows. Too bad they are a dying breed! But I have to single-out something I would say Mercenary for Justice. It was just such an awesome experience. I still feel honored they chose me for that role! The location, my co-stars, just the whole thing was mind-blowing. It was also terrifying! I had never done a real movie before. Sure, I had done a couple of independent projects, but this was a whole other level for me. In addition, my dad was able to spend 2 weeks with me in Cape Town while I was filming. He had always been a huge Seagal fan and was so excited and proud to be there with me. Sadly, it was the last time I would ever spend with him, as shortly thereafter he passed away tragically in a car accident. I will always be so grateful we had that time together in Cape Town.
CAINE: Did you enjoy working with Steven Seagal in "Mercenary For Justice"?
I had a great time! I'm not going to lie--I had received warnings about him. 'I had heard he was difficult to work with, and that he was overbearing on his female co-stars. I did not have any of those experiences with Steven. With me, he was nothing but warm, professional and extremely funny. He used to play guitar outside his trailer. He is very good at Bluegrass. We did not hang out a lot in between filming, but we always had fun shooting our scenes together.
CAINE: Are there any actors you haven't had a chance to work with yet, but would like to?
LORD: There are many actors with whom I have not worked but find fascinating. Hugh Laurie is a current favorite. I would love to be on House! Maybe I could be a fashion model who gets very sick...oh, I get ahead of myself...Tina Fey is brilliant and would be an amazing person to learn from. I just want to soak up the talent from these wonderful, talented people!
CAINE: Your website states that you have developed a personal style that sets you apart from other "piano girl" comparisons. What do you bring to your music that's new and different?
LORD: I like to think that I do! LOL...but really, if you look at all the piano girls out there, they are all unique in their own way, too. Everyone has their own voice and style. I don't know many piano girls out there that are doing rock, so that is where I stylistically have made my distinction. But I am always experimenting with different styles musically. I am enjoying getting to know my voice better, as well. My latest endeavor, "Too Drunk to Fuck", is indicative of that.
CAINE: Have other artists covered songs that you've written?
LORD: Ha ha! No. Not yet. But that would be a hoot!
CAINE: How did you end up covering the Dead Kennedys' "Too Drunk to Fuck?"
LORD: A few years ago when I first got to LA, I was dating this real rock 'n roller type. He was very into the DK's and I would always complain that I couldn't tell what they were saying. He would recite the lyrics line by line then play the song. I thought they were hilarious! Before that, I have never heard a DK song before. When I was thinking of cover songs to do, I immediately thought it would be great to slow down one of their songs so others could hear the brilliant lyrics as well. I did "Forest Fire" first, but it was "Too Drunk to Fuck" that really struck a chord. It was just so funny to hear the juxtaposition of the lyrics with the melodic, slow tempo music I had created for it.
CAINE: Tell us about your Chihuahuas.
LORD: Barry White and Chester Copperpot. My little buddies. It is just really nice to always have my little companions with me wherever I go. I am constantly between LA, Miami, and NY. Going to bed and waking up with them around is the only consistency I have. People are amazed at how well-behaved they are. On the plane, in restaurants, I have even taken them to movies and plays. The only time they barked was when a dog in the movie barked. It was pretty funny. People really get a kick out of them, so I include them in almost everything I do.
CAINE: Have you found that social networking, such as Facebook and MySpace, has helped you increase your fan base?
LORD: Absolutely. When I first got on MySpace I was enthralled by the potential. You really have to be your own publicist these days, and these networks allow you to do so with relative ease. I spend more time on the computer than ever before, but making connections and 'friends' is crucial to having some sort of a base.
CAINE: If someone were completely unfamiliar with your career, and you were going to show them one project as an example of your finest work, what would you want them to see or hear?
LORD: "Broken". One of my best songs yet. Excellent production, too. I am very proud of that song.