Paige Hurd went by means of deep emotional depths for her gripping new Lifetime film Lady within the Storage: The Laura Cowan Story, which dramatizes a real-life story and premieres January 18. The All people Hates Chris, Energy Ebook II, and Hawaii 5-0 star performs Laura, a mom who faces the trauma of psychological and bodily abuse by the hands of a household buddy Musa (Stephen Bishop). Together with her husband Shabazz (Brad James) in jail, Laura took Musa up on his provide to maneuver into his residence along with her youngsters.
This act of kindness advanced into an unimaginable state of affairs the place Musa finally would finally maintain them captive in his storage. It’s then as much as Laura to discover a method to not solely save herself and youngsters, however different victims imprisoned. Hurd felt the added weight of the function with Cowan, now an survivor advocate and speaker, as a co-producer on the mission.
Right here Hurd opens up in regards to the course of and gripping story forward of the premiere.
How a lot do you know about Laura’s story earlier than the function happened?
Paige Hurd: Once I obtained the chance I really didn’t know a lot about Laura’s story beforehand. I instantly went into doing analysis, getting the rundown of her story and eager to see if I used to be even able to doing such a job. I didn’t know something actually earlier than I obtained the preliminary name.
Lifetime
It is a laborious story to digest. The place would you say you pulled from to go to the darkish locations required for a few of these uneasy scenes?
I simply pulled from Laura. I really feel while you’re enjoying somebody like Laura, who went by means of one thing, there may be not a lot I might ever put collectively that will equal the quantity of torture and ache she endured. It was necessary for me to have conversations along with her to see what precisely went by means of. It was additionally about going to work and my resort and never doing an excessive amount of and never being too energetic as a result of I nonetheless wished to really feel the sense of being locked in someplace and never having an out per say.
How was it having somebody as Laura as a useful resource?
I positively felt strain your complete time as a result of I wished to do her story justice. If she goes to relive it, I wished her to observe one thing the place she seems like we introduced her story to life and assist others who’ve been on this state of affairs. It was superb attending to know Laura. I can’t imagine how pretty and such a beam of sunshine she is after every part she has been by means of. I’m simply actually grateful she was hooked up and that I used to be capable of converse along with her. Simply so I might work out her persona and quirks, particularly these earlier scenes earlier than she is locked and trapped within the storage.
Are there any phrases of recommendation she gave you?
No. Laura simply actually believed in me. She simply saved saying to me she knew I’d do a fantastic job. I’d share along with her that I used to be somewhat nervous. She saved telling me I’d do a fantastic job. She visited us on set somewhat bit.
Paige Hurd and Stephen Bishop (Lifetime)
How was it having her a part of that final scene within the movie?
That scene specifically I used to be so emotional. Each time I made eye contact along with her, she sort of broke down. After we had been achieved, we each broke down and hugged one another. I believed it was a robust second for her. I feel in that second we felt okay, she is within the room. I’m wrapping up and telling the complete story inside that little speech. I wished to make her proud. I used to be positively nervous.
What was it prefer to have Stephen as your scene associate with him enjoying such a villainous character? He had that scary aspect.
What was humorous is we thought it was our first time working collectively. I really was in a film with him years in the past known as Grandma’s Home. I don’t suppose we ever crossed paths within the scene work, which is why we don’t bear in mind. As I used to be wanting Stephen’s work and noticed that the quilt artwork and we had been each on it. We had been in a film collectively and had no concept. I’d say it was our first time working alongside collectively.
We initially had the thought and assembly the place we stated, “We’re most likely not going to talk to 1 one other throughout filming. We’re going to attempt to do our greatest. Don’t take it private. This isn’t who I’m, however we’re going to attempt to hold our distance to create that house.” I wasn’t allotted the chance to remain at nighttime house as a result of the kids had been round, who had been probably the most pretty youngsters ever. We obtained alongside very properly. Stephen was capable of come to work after that first week and we might converse somewhat bit and giggle somewhat bit and bounce again to the place we would have liked to leap.
How was it discovering that steadiness with the kids given the fabric?
They had been all so superb, so lovable. We obtained alongside. They couldn’t imagine my age. They thought I used to be their age, which was so cute. It was laborious on some days as a result of I’d go to the mother and father and say, “Please allow them to know that is nothing private. Some days I is likely to be somewhat extra quiet than different days.” All of them did a fantastic job. None of them appeared freaked out. I feel they had been nice after Stephan and I had a dialog.
Something you need to say to viewers earlier than they watch this?
It’s a tough watch, however I feel additionally very informative. It’s laborious. I pray no one can relate to this. I hope no one has to undergo this, however I do know some individuals have. I would like individuals to know we did our greatest to embody and allow them to know we really feel them and likewise sending our love and assist to victims on the market who’ve been victims of such horrendous crimes. I give all my like to Laura as properly.
In case you or somebody you realize is the sufferer of sexual assault, contact the Rape, Abuse & Incest Nationwide Community‘s Nationwide Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). In case you or a cherished one are in rapid hazard, name 911.
Lady within the Storage: The Laura Cowan Story premiere, January 18, 8/7c, Lifetime
