Fresh off her fairytale wedding in the sun-drenched hills of Tuscany, dancer-actor Lauren Gottlieb has returned to Mumbai, recharged and ready for her next chapter. Married to London-based director Tobias Jones, Lauren’s post-wedding glow is matched only by her renewed passion for Bollywood—the industry that shaped her, challenged her, and, ultimately, became home.
Lauren’s journey into Indian cinema has been anything but conventional. The So You Think You Can Dance alum made her Bollywood debut with ABCD: Any Body Can Dance and quickly became a familiar face, admired for her fluid dance skills, infectious energy, and sheer determination to adapt to a culture she once knew nothing about.“I didn’t know the movies, I didn’t know the celebrities, the culture, or the religion,” Lauren recalls. “Every step of the way I just wanted to learn—so badly. I didn’t want to hurt or offend anyone. I just kept learning and growing. It’s been a wild ride.”
And that wild ride has transformed her. “Now the culture is in me,” she says with pride. “Everything feels more natural. Everything is so much more fun now.”
Looking back on her experiences—from navigating auditions in a foreign land to earning standing ovations on reality shows—Lauren’s eyes are now set on something new: a full-fledged Bollywood dance number. And she has her dream collaborator in mind.“Hrithik is my favorite,” she says with a spark. “I want a full song with him.”
But Lauren’s admiration for Bollywood’s dance legacy runs deep. For her, one name defines grace, timelessness, and a kind of elegance that’s fading from the current scene.“Madhuri is timeless. She has something the industry and the music is lacking right now. Songs used to be sensual and beautiful without being vulgar. We need that again.”
Lauren’s voice is that of someone who has seen the industry evolve—and grown alongside it. From being an outsider eager to learn, she’s now someone with perspective, vision, and a genuine love for Indian storytelling.
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