Paige Hurd went by 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 Everyone Hates Chris, Energy E-book 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 good friend Musa (Stephen Bishop). Together with her husband Shabazz (Brad James) in jail, Laura took Musa up on his supply to maneuver into his dwelling together with her kids.
This act of kindness advanced into an unimaginable scenario 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 challenge.
Right here Hurd opens up concerning 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
This can be a arduous 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 one thing, there’s not a lot I may ever put collectively that might equal the quantity of torture and ache she endured. It was necessary for me to have conversations together with her to see what precisely went by. It was additionally about going to work and my lodge and never doing an excessive amount of and never being too lively 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 undoubtedly felt strain your entire time as a result of I wished to do her story justice. If she goes to relive it, I wished her to look at one thing the place she appears like we introduced her story to life and assist others who’ve been on this scenario. It was wonderful attending to know Laura. I can’t imagine how pretty and such a beam of sunshine she is after every thing she has been by. I’m simply actually grateful she was connected and that I used to be in a position to converse together with her. Simply so I may determine 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 stored saying to me she knew I’d do an excellent job. I’d share together with her that I used to be a bit of nervous. She stored telling me I’d do an excellent job. She visited us on set a bit of bit.
Paige Hurd and Stephen Bishop (Lifetime)
How was it having her a part of that final scene within the movie?
That scene particularly I used to be so emotional. Each time I made eye contact together with her, she form of broke down. After we have been accomplished, we each broke down and hugged one another. I assumed 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 total story inside that little speech. I wished to make her proud. I used to be undoubtedly nervous.
What was it wish 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 trying Stephen’s work and noticed that the quilt artwork and we have been each on it. We have been in a film collectively and had no thought. I’d say it was our first time working alongside collectively.
We initially had the thought and assembly the place we stated, “We’re in all probability 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 area.” I wasn’t allotted the chance to remain at nighttime area as a result of the youngsters have been round, who have been probably the most pretty youngsters ever. We obtained alongside very effectively. Stephen was in a position to come to work after that first week and we may converse a bit of bit and snort a bit of bit and bounce again to the place we would have liked to leap.
How was it discovering that stability with the youngsters given the fabric?
They have been all so wonderful, so lovely. We obtained alongside. They couldn’t imagine my age. They thought I used to be their age, which was so cute. It was arduous on some days as a result of I’d go to the dad and mom and say, “Please allow them to know that is nothing private. Some days I may be a bit of extra quiet than different days.” All of them did an excellent job. None of them appeared freaked out. I feel they have been nice after Stephan and I had a dialog.
Something you wish to say to viewers earlier than they watch this?
It’s a tough watch, however I feel additionally very informative. It’s arduous. I pray no one can relate to this. I hope no one has to undergo this, however I do know some folks have. I would like folks to know we did our greatest to embody and allow them to know we really feel them and likewise sending our love and help to victims on the market who’ve been victims of such horrendous crimes. I give all my like to Laura as effectively.
When 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). When you or a beloved one are in rapid hazard, name 911.
Lady within the Storage: The Laura Cowan Story premiere, January 18, 8/7c, Lifetime