Leah Pipes: “I think one of the reasons I’m an actress is because I literally can’t do anything else.”

Known for series such as ‘The Originals’, Leah Pipes sits down with Xmag to share her best on-set anecdotes, her experience filming with Carrie Fisher, and her love for fashion inspired by brands like Jean Paul Gaultier.

After over two decades in the entertainment industry and a wide range of characters under her belt, Leah Pipes finds it challenging to pinpoint a single standout moment. “There have been so many… I’ve had the chance to work with incredible people and live amazing experiences. I spent some time in South Africa, then I was in Atlanta filming ‘The Originals’, which was incredible… And now I have the opportunity to travel the world and meet fans. It’s like a gift that keeps on giving,” she reflects. However, Leah does recall a moment from ‘The Originals’ that left a profound impact. “There’s a scene where Joseph Morgan (Klaus) approaches me, and we have a conversation as if we’re meeting and talking for the first time. The interesting thing is that I had been in that exact spot in New Orleans probably a year earlier, and I told myself: ‘I want to do a show set in New Orleans.’ A year later, it was happening.” For Leah, this realization underscored the power of intention: “Wishing for something is almost like creating a path for yourself and moving toward a direction.”

‘The Originals’ has been one of the most special experiences for Leah. The American actress played Camille, a psychologist who falls in love with the vampire Klaus. However, when asked about her opinion on the supernatural beings from the series, she admits that in real life, she would steer clear of vampires entirely: “Ugh. In the show, there’s so much drama and chaos, and for Camille, in particular, it didn’t end well. My advice would simply be to walk away. I don’t care how sharp their cheekbones are or how handsome they look. Just walk away,” she says, laughing.

In addition to vampire series, Leah Pipes is well-versed in the horror genre, with roles in films such as ‘Sorority Row’, ‘I Will Follow You Into the Dark’, and ‘Fingerprint’. Despite being easily frightened by horror movies and unable to watch them, she thoroughly enjoys filming them and creating that tension-filled experience for audiences. “I really love that more ‘chaotic’ part of filming. That’s when I feel like I’ve had a truly complete day of work—when I’m sore from doing stunts and covered in fake blood and dirt,” she shares.

On  ‘Sorority Row’, Leah had the incredible opportunity to work alongside Carrie Fisher, someone she had admired for years. “When I found out she was going to be in the movie, I remember thinking, ‘Okay, I’m going to become best friends with Carrie Fisher. We’re going to fall in love and spend the rest of our lives together,’” she laughs. “But every time I was in the same room as her, I got so nervous that I couldn’t act naturally. I don’t even know what I said, but I think I sounded like an idiot, and she looked at me like I was one. So, she probably thought I was a bit weird,” Leah concludes, laughing again.

“Wishing for something is almost like creating a path for yourself and moving toward a direction.”

Despite her nerves, Leah says she learned a great deal from watching Carrie Fisher work and experiencing her commanding presence. “I learned so much about protecting your energy—how to be professional while still knowing your worth and self-esteem, and how not to care about what others think. That was an issue I struggled with, and still do, but it was so eye-opening, especially at 19, to see a woman I admired so much standing in her power and knowing her value, regardless of whether she was appreciated.”

Leah Pipes has recently discovered a passion for fashion, and just weeks ago, she was spotted attending the opening of Los Angeles Fashion Week. “Day-to-day, I’m a sweatpants and hoodie kind of girl. But when I wear a look that makes me feel powerful, it’s a way to lift myself out of a slump. There’s something about clothing—it’s almost like armour—that makes you feel empowered. If you have an outfit you feel good in, nothing can touch or stop you. You’re unstoppable,” Leah remarks.

Through her current manager, Leah was introduced to Jean Paul Gaultier’s designs and shares her admiration for the brand. “His pieces embody what I was saying about empowerment. When we unpacked the clothes and I tried them on, even without hair and makeup, it was amazing how good they made me feel,” she reveals. Leah also appreciates the brand’s inclusivity: “The fact that a piece can fit me and a male friend who’s taller and has a completely different body type, and that we both feel empowered wearing it, is incredible. It’s a bit like ‘The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants’.”

Having acted in numerous films and TV shows, Leah admits she would love to switch roles and direct a project. “I’ve started writing and creating projects to try to learn as much as possible. Acting is so much fun because you show up, they tell you what to wear, what to say, where to stand, and by the end of the day, you’re like, ‘Alright, goodbye!’ But as a director, you’re in charge of everything and need to know what everyone is doing, which I imagine is much more challenging. Still, I’m curious to take on that role,” she explains. When it comes to the genre of her hypothetical film, Leah has a clear idea: “Given how many horror movies I’ve done, it’s probably the genre I’d direct best. But honestly, what I’d love most is to direct something with friends and people I care about and believe in, just having fun with the script, no matter the genre.”

Hearing Leah speak so passionately about her profession, it’s hard to imagine her doing anything else—and indeed, she herself admits that acting is the only path she sees for herself. “I think one of the reasons I’m an actress is because I literally can’t do anything else,” she says, laughing. “I look at my sister, who works in finance, and it’s a complete mystery to me. I tell her, ‘That’s not a real job.’ And she replies, ‘No, you’re the one without a real job.’ So, I guess I just don’t know how to have a real job, which is why I have to make movies.”

As an actress, Leah believes that versatility is one of the most important attributes for an actor, and she concludes the interview by sharing how she’d like to be remembered in her craft: “It’s a bit selfish in a way because that’s the most fun—playing all kinds of roles. It’s great to portray a kind and innocent character, but playing a villain is on a whole other level. It brings out that slightly bolder part of you that you’re not supposed to let out—but we all have it—and letting it express itself without remorse or consequences is incredibly liberating.”