She sang as Fantine in “Les Miserables” at the Hollywood Bowl earlier this month; made her feature film directorial debut in 2007 with the movie “You,” and has produced two albums of her writing and singing.

She says of her multiple talents: “I’m always very very keen to keep my eyes and heart and ears open to opportunities to be creative. That’s really my reason for being on this Earth.”

Listen to our podcast interview at Inner Talent Interviews.
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Melora Hardin, multiple talents

“I have never ever felt when I walked into a room as a brunette that anybody was testing my intelligence. But as a blonde, I certainly felt that way. That was really weird. I really enjoyed being blonde, but I felt myself being tested more, by men especially, but by women also….

“This is what I have, this is my package. I just happen to be wrapped with this color paper and this color of bow: my looks. It’s nice that it’s pleasing to a lot of people, and that I don’t have to struggle with that in this lifetime…

“If I were Claudia Schiffer I’d be glad to make millions off of my long legs and big breasts and blonde hair, I’d have no problem with that. But I’m not her, and have other things that are appealing, and I don’t mind using them.”

Labeling of artists is “a pain,” she agrees – “And we all hate it, but it’s one of those things you have to have a sense of humor about. But this is a business. and you have to give the businessmen something to grab onto: that labeling is not for the artist, it’s for the businessmen; they’re not creative thinkers, they don’t think the way we think, they can’t be whimsical the way we can be, they need concreteness.”

Quotes from my interview with Melora Hardin

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Melora Hardin, keeping your integrity, integrity in art, artistic confidence