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ROLLACOASTER MAGAZINE: EMERGING TALENT: FASHION & MUSIC.
“In my eyes, Tarotis about believing In yourself and defying the odds no matter what circumstances come up against you,” says Larsen Thompson, the 23-year-old actor proving more than most that – with equal parts determination and confidence – that anyone can achieve their dreams.
Larsen's journey into the spotlight began with pointed toes and razor-sharp turns as a dancer. Her breakthrough moment arrived with a viral fan video for Beyoncé's empowering anthem "Run the World (Girls)”, where her electrifying moves caught the eye of millions. Propelling her into the realm of professional dancing, she soon found herself appearing in numerous music videos for acclaimed artists such as Borns, P!nk, Katy Perry, and The Weeknd x Maluma collaboration “Hawái”. Larsen never let an opportunity pass her by—notably gracing the stage as a backup dancer for bonafide icons like Janet Jackson and Christina Aguilera, solidifying her status as a versatile performer.
But performer – by definition – falls short of her repertoire. It’s the feeling she elicits from audiences that remains her bread and butter. Striding from the dance floor to the silver screen, Larsen is taking her love for story-telling beyond her body movements, starring as Elise in the horror picture where a group of friends unknowingly unleash an unspeakable evil trapped within the cursed cards. It’s a genre Larsen feels comfortable despite the context, one in which inhibitions are discarded and its participants are invited to tread the unbeaten path. It’s gotten Larsen pretty far already, but there’s no way she’s stopping there.
Speaking with Rollacoaster upon the official release of Tarot, Larsen discusses her own creative journey, the typical life of an actor and most importantly: her drive to inspire others. So no, Larsen may not be able to see her future (well, after Tarot, she may have learnt her lesson), but one thing’s for sure: she’s a star set and ready to shine.
Hey Larsen! How has this year been for you so far?
It has been an exciting start to the year as I was just travelling overseas working in Venice and St Tropez, and coming home to celebrate my brother's engagement. Now, I’m geared up for the launch of our new movie Tarot, which I’m very thrilled about.
I’d love to hear about your childhood! What were your early passions? Did you always have a love for performance?
My love for performing started from an early age in dance where I trained in many different styles and with some of the best choreographers within the industry. This led to working on many different dance-related projects in commercials, television/film, live performances, and music videos for artists. Dance has always been my first love and an outlet for me to create and express myself through movement.
What was the first role you ever played?
My first opportunity in acting was a supporting role in a film called Bloodline produced by Blumhouse Productions starring Seann William Scott.
When did you decide you wanted to pursue acting as a career? Do you still want to pursue dancing at the same time? Any pieces of advice that helped you along the way?
Ever since being on set of my first acting project, I knew it was a career that I thrived in and wanted to pursue. Acting allows me the freedom to be more vulnerable and authentic in my personal and professional life by connecting to the role and bringing the character to life. Dance is in my DNA, it is foundational to being a performer and a benefit to my craft as an actor. The best piece of advice I can share is to believe in yourself, don’t allow others to put limitations on what you can achieve, and surround yourself with people that motivate and challenge you to be the best you.
Tell us about your first experience with going “viral”! Is it daunting to have so many people knowing your face?
At the time, dance concept videos were just starting to take off and gaining popularity on YouTube for performers. We were fortunate that three of our dance videos exceeded more than a million views overnight, and our fan base grew exponentially as a result. I didn’t really think about the numbers but more about perfecting the art of storytelling through movement to positively impact people with a relatable message.
Why do you do what you do? What’s your take on chasing “fame” and “success”?
I feel fortunate and blessed to work in an industry where I can express myself and connect with people in a meaningful way. My goal has always been to perfect my craft in dance or acting to be the best performer that I can. I’ve learned to fail and have experienced rejection early on which has taught me to not put my worth nor value in my successes and to just be grateful for each opportunity that presents itself.
Huge congratulations on Tarot! How did the opportunity come about?
Horror genre projects seem to find me and this script and role was very intriguing to me. I was in Florida for a last-minute trip with friends, found some time to tape for the audition, and within a couple days, I was on a Zoom meeting with our incredible directors, Anna Halberg and Spenser Cohen. From my first interaction with them and hearing their dedication and passion for this film was what really excited me about the opportunity and drew me in…A month later I was flying to Belgrade, Serbia and the rest is history.
What can you tell us about your character? How did you get into her head?
My character Elise is the life of the party and will make the most of her birthday weekend with her best friends no matter what the cost. Elise’s charismatic and outgoing nature leads to her egging on the idea of using someone else’s tarot deck to do readings, which ultimately brings them face to face with fate as they end up on a race against death. Her astrology sign is a Libra, so I drew inspiration from those certain attributes and brought a lot of my own spunk to this character. Horror is one of my favourite genres to work in as I feel it taps you into a whole new world of imagination and possibility.
What was it like working with the likes of Harriet Slater, Jacob Batalon and Avantika? Were you all close on set?
Watching the film and seeing our chemistry shine through was something special because working with this cast it came so naturally. Filming in another country it was nice to have a group of people to spend time with off screen and create some unforgettable memories. Each person brought their own unique self to these characters, and I’m grateful to be amongst such a talented cast.
In your opinion, what’s the biggest message/takeaway from Tarot?
In my eyes, Tarotis about believing In yourself and defying the odds no matter what circumstances come up against you.
Do you get nervous before a project comes out?
Not really, for me it's a lot more excitement and celebration. A project you shoot a year or more back feels like the longest wait until it finally arrives. I can say with confidence our directors, cast, and crew of Tarot gave a hundred and fifty per cent into the making of this film, and that’s all one can ask for.
How do you want your audience to feel after watching it?
Tarot offers a fun horror experience for any seeking a suspenseful thrill ride. I hope the audience is on the edge of their seats throughout the film and exits the theatre wanting more!
Out of everything you have done so far, is there a specific performance that has impacted you the most?
One of the most memorable performances in my career thus far was playing “Beautiful” in P!NK’S Beautiful Traumamusic video. It allowed me to fuse my love of dance, fashion, and acting in a three-minute musical short story which was an incredible experience. It was an honor to work alongside the artist and her team to bring this story to life!
What are you looking to do next?
I am excited to continue working in this genre and others to take on new stories that challenge me to grow professionally. I learn from each experience and want to continue evolving in my craft and using my gifts to impact others along the way.
Photography by Jonny Marlow
Words and interview by Ella West