Beyond Art with Laela
Laela As An Actor
Laela Duncan is based in West Los Angeles training in the Ruskin School of Acting under John Ruskin and Michael Myers, and Los Angeles Acting Conservatory under Teferi Seifu. Laela brings a natural, relatable energy to her roles, often cast as the ‘crush’, ‘girl-next-door’ or ‘professional’ in MacDonald’s & Pepsi commercials including La La Land (2016), Grey’s Anatomy and Bones. Laela is a sweet and sultry, multi-faceted artiste recognized for her commanding screen and stage presence and “soulful, empathetic storytelling”. When not acting, Laela immerses in singing, painting, poetry, tennis and dancing, bringing dedication and emotional depth to every role, often utilizing her visual, athletic and musical background to enhance character rhythm, movement and haunting imagination. She is eager to bring her other artistic skills and athletic background to new projects with focus on TV/film, commercial and theatre.
Laela as a Singer-Songwriter
Laela is an ex-Sony Music singer-songwriter who opened for John Legend, graced the stage with the Vienna Opera Orchestra and held a No.1 spot for her single in Bangkok’s International Hit Music Radio Station which brought her to perform in exotic lands—from Thailand to Hong Kong, Jakarta, the Philippines, and Guam. Expanding her horizons, Laela formed her own group and performed at the House of Blues, and Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles. Between a lack of committed accompanists and heart-breaking personal tragedies, Laela took a break. Today, Laela brings her sophisticated blend of bossa nova-jazz standards as she returns to the mic with a commanding 5-language repertoire, creating a unique, timeless atmosphere that bridges classic international sophistication with heartfelt performances.
Laela as a Dancer
Laela loves dancing! Inspired at a young age by her grandmother who loves to chacha, Laela trained belly dance with the Los Angeles-based legendary Greek belly dancer and director, Angela Buttrey. Whether it’s a seductive solo or high-energy troupe performance, she dances to bring joy (and a lot of hair flips) to the floor. Laela is dedicated to creating a safe space for feminine expression and joy. With a focus on emotional storytelling and musical interpretation, she empowers her audience to celebrate their own uniqueness and inner strength. Through mesmerizing shimmies and fluid movements, Laela reminds us all that dance is a powerful act of self-love and liberation. She is looking forward to continuing to share her love of dance with you.
