You Are Beautiful with Lawrence Zarian

What makes you FEEL beautiful? This is the pivotal question stylist, author, designer and host Lawrence Zarian has asked the thousands of women and men who have come to him for his advice and guidance over his 25+ year career. As LZ says, "It’s not what you wear, it’s how you feel. And it’s not how you look, it’s how you LIVE."In his new podcast, “You Are Beautiful with Lawrence Zarian”, LZ celebrates his guests from all walks of life exploring what makes them tick; in the past two years we’ve all had to pivot our lives in some capacity and there’s been this glorious time to regroup, refresh, reset, restart, and renew. What is beautiful? This podcast digs in deep to each guest’s interpretation of the word to find out what used to be, versus what is now, what they have learned over the years in time of success, in time of struggle, EVERTHING in between, and of course what makes them FEEL…truly beautiful inside and out.

  1. Justine Lupe

    2D AGO

    Justine Lupe

    Lawrence Zarian welcomes actress Justine Lupe to his podcast and they joke about prisms, John Hamm comparisons, and first meeting at The Kelly Clarkson Show.  Lawrence asks Justine what she sees in the mirror, and she says she most identifies through her relationships—as a daughter, mother, sister, wife, and friend—crediting her close, codependent upbringing for prioritizing intimacy and safety over career volatility.  They discuss her early creative spark (playing the Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz), her New York years, and her work on Succession (choosing Shiv on a desert island) and Nobody Wants This, including Morgan’s vulnerability, fearlessness, and dynamic with Sasha.  Justine talks about transparency around body image and social media, advises focusing on soulfulness over aesthetics, and defines relationship essentials as mutual respect, vulnerability, and optimism. She ends by stating she is beautiful because she is soulful, kind, thoughtful, and deeply witnesses the people she loves. Timestamp Menu:  00:17 Prism Compliments00:58 John Hamm Mixup02:10 Kelly Clarkson Encounter05:33 Singing Suddenly Seymour07:06 Finding The Right Fit08:47 Mirror Question Identity11:21 Family Roots Of Closeness15:19 Midwest And New York Years16:58 Early Spark For Acting20:00 Parents And Healing23:10 Succession Breakout26:32 Desert Island Roy Pick28:57 Nobody Wants This Praise29:43 Fearlessness From Dad30:41 Embracing Goofy Humor32:56 Fearless Creative Risks33:35 Trusting the Film Crew35:56 Desert Island Character Pick36:48 Why Morgan Resonates39:25 Morgan and Sasha Chemistry41:33 Body Image and Transparency43:56 Advice for Social Media Pressure53:23 Season Two and Relationship Keys58:21 Beauty Definition and Farewell

    58 min
  2. Melissa Errico

    FEB 25

    Melissa Errico

    Lawrence Zarian hosts an episode of “You Are Beautiful” with guest Melissa Errico, beginning with a candid, humorous setup about lighting, auditions, and aesthetics before moving into Lawrence’s background as a longtime TV makeover expert and QVC clothing designer behind “Beautiful by Lawrence Zarian.”  They talk about how fashion is less about how you look and more about how you feel, share favorite pieces from Lawrence’s line (including blues, an off-the-shoulder rosette top, and a scalloped V-neck stripe), and discuss what Melissa wears to feel confident—V-necks, black-and-white Breton stripes, vintage biker boots, and eclectic, artsy combinations.  Lawrence and Melissa also answer a mirror question about what they like seeing in themselves that day, including Melissa’s healing from an eye stye, feeling rested, and fresh red hair, and Lawrence’s enjoyment of wearing blue, having a good hair day after hair loss post-COVID, and embracing turning 60.  The conversation expands into Melissa’s artistry and origins: her father playing Michel Legrand at home during the Vietnam era, how that music later led to Melissa’s close collaboration with Legrand on Broadway and on a symphonic record (“Legrand Affair” with the Brussels Philharmonic), and her formative experience seeing “On Your Toes” on Broadway that made her sob and sparked her desire to perform. They discuss Sondheim’s “Beautiful” from “Sunday in the Park with George,” which Melissa reads aloud to frame beauty as something that changes, and Lawrence’s intent to focus his podcast on the essence of people rather than projects.  Melissa then describes her evolving relationship with Barbra Streisand—how Malcolm Gets pushed her to truly listen, how Streisand’s artistry feels like a force of nature, and how Melissa’s “The Streisand Effect” concert is an homage exploring what Streisand made possible rather than a tribute imitation. They share personal connections to Broadway (including Lawrence’s first love story with Hugh Panaro after seeing “Les Misérables,” and plans to coordinate seeing him perform again), and Melissa recounts meeting Streisand briefly backstage at Madison Square Garden.  Melissa also describes creating a new song concept, “Daughter of Fire,” inspired by Streisand’s memoir and a moment with her own daughter, and she closes by sharing her current release: an album titled “I Can Dream, Can’t I?” rolled out as weekly singles via a “waterfall release,” featuring classic American songs and ending with Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now.”  The episode ends with Lawrence’s signature prompt—Melissa answering “I am beautiful because…”—and she responds that she is beautiful because she feels music deeply as something precious that passes through her. Timestamp Menu:  00:51 Broadway Beginnings and My Fair Lady01:49 Meet Lawrence and the Beauty Theme02:46 Fashion Crushes and QVC Picks04:24 How a Designer Is Made08:31 Podcast Origin and Mirror Question09:32 Melissa on Exhaustion and Healing12:38 Three Things You Like Today15:14 Aging and Self Acceptance at 6017:24 Sondheim Beautiful Reading21:58 Melissa Musical Spark and Legrand26:56 Broadway Awakening and Les Mis30:48 Broadway Crush Memories31:30 Broadway Boyfriends Bond32:14 Streisand Effect Origins37:05 Meeting Barbra Briefly39:40 Daughter of Fire Song42:26 Style That Feels Fire48:21 Wardrobe Tips After 4053:37 New Album Dreaming56:32 Beautiful Because Music58:35 Blue Love Farewell

    53 min
  3. Michael Urie

    FEB 17

    Michael Urie

    LZ interviews actor Michael Urie on the podcast “You Are Beautiful,” beginning with playful banter and a lip-sync to “Don’t Cry Out Loud,” which prompts Lawrence to share a personal memory of hearing the song as a closeted teen and how it shaped his connection to Michael’s fearless public identity.  Michael answers Lawrence’s mirror question while doing press from The Daily Show green room, noting Shrinking has been renewed and joking about fixing a broken hot-water handle in his Upper West Side apartment. They discuss Michael’s Texas roots in Plano, his early love of movies and storytelling inspired by Tim Burton, and how shyness led him to play alone with toys while inventing stories. Michael describes a key high-school turning point when a substitute and his teacher moved him into an advanced theater class, being pushed into Fiddler on the Roof due to a lack of boys, and realizing performance was for him after getting a big, repeatable laugh; he also competed in speech tournaments.  Michael talks about coming out with support from his older queer sister, having dated girls in high school, and feeling that people in New York and at Juilliard made “intelligent assumptions” as he grew into himself.  Lawrence shares his own later-in-life public coming-out and sobriety, and a Harrison Ford anecdote from Live with Regis and Kelly; Michael reflects on long careers, working with Harrison Ford on Shrinking (including the character’s Parkinson’s storyline), and how acting can evolve into old age, mentioning June Squibb. In rapid-fire topics, Michael discusses Ugly Betty: multiple auditions, Mark St.  James originally intended only for the pilot, Vanessa Williams’s generosity, and their on-set comedic collaboration; he highlights his proudest element—the bond between Mark and Justin Suarez and the storyline confronting Mark’s mother. Asked for advice to queer youth in a difficult climate, Michael emphasizes “find the helpers,” chosen family, and that it’s not worth expending energy trying to change people—find your tribe.  He also reflects on stage work including Buyer & Cellar (hundreds of performances and famous attendees, though Barbra Streisand never came), Torch Song with Mercedes Ruehl, Once Upon a Mattress as an unexpected dream role, and the shocks and performances in Oh, Mary! with Jinkx Monsoon.  The episode ends with Michael sharing that his relationship works because he and his partner listen to each other, and he completes Lawrence’s closing prompt: he is beautiful because of the reflection of life he receives back—joy, humanity, and connection. Menu:  00:00 Pajamas, Popcorn & Finally Meeting Michael Urie01:04 Breaking the Ice: A Surprise Lip-Sync Challenge02:14 “Don’t Cry Out Loud” Deep Dive: Music, Memories & Meaning04:06 Why This Podcast Exists: Beauty, COVID Reset & Fearless Living05:54 A Camp Crush & Learning to Hide Feelings07:19 Mirror Question: Pride, Sobriety & Where You Are Today07:53 Press Day Wins & Upper West Side Life (and No Hot Water)10:51 Texas Roots: Plano, Two-Stepping & Oil Can Harry’s12:46 The Spark to Perform: Movies, Toys, Theater Class & Getting the Laugh18:52 Coming Out Journeys: Family Support, Julliard & Finding Your Person25:05 Was I Born for This? Finding the Path to Acting25:38 Support Systems & ‘It Was Meant to Be’27:34 Working Forever: June Squibb, Harrison Ford & Aging in the Craft30:17 Harrison Ford’s Humble Movie-Star Moment (Hair & Makeup Story)31:28 Rapid Fire Begins: Landing Ugly Betty’s Mark St. James34:06 Why Mark/Justin Mattered: Representation, Heart & Comedy38:29 Advice for Queer Kids Today: Find the Helpers, Find Your Tribe42:12 Stage Lessons: Buyer & Cellar and the Barbra

    46 min
  4. Susan Lucci

    JAN 28

    Susan Lucci

    In this episode of 'You Are Beautiful with Lauren Zian,' LZ engages in a heartfelt and revealing conversation with legendary actress Susan Lucci.  The dialogue kicks off with a nostalgic recount of their initial meeting through mutual connections like Regis Philbin and their shared experiences on television. Susan Lucci opens up about her career, her transformative role as Erica Kane on 'All My Children,' and her impactful storytelling, particularly highlighting the poignant storylines that tackled real-life issues such as her character's daughter coming out. Susan delves into her personal experiences of grief following the loss of her husband, finding strength and restoration in unexpected places, and embracing new beginnings.  Together, they discuss the importance of connecting through shared stories, the enduring impact of significant life events, and finding signs of loved ones in everyday moments. It's a deep, touching, and authentic exploration of life, loss, love, and the timeless beauty of human connections. Timetamp Menu:  00:54 Special Guest: Susan Lucci01:39 Memorable First Meeting02:32 Navigating the Entertainment Industry05:32 Pandemic Reflections and Personal Growth12:11 Early Inspirations and Career Beginnings17:28 Iconic Soap Opera Moments22:15 Impactful Storylines and Representation27:38 The Power of Storytelling28:11 Coping with Loss and Grief29:25 Rediscovering Passion and Purpose32:26 Writing Through Grief38:12 Memories and Treasures43:38 Signs from Loved Ones50:46 The Journey of Sobriety55:05 Reflections and Gratitude

    58 min
4.9
out of 5
76 Ratings

About

What makes you FEEL beautiful? This is the pivotal question stylist, author, designer and host Lawrence Zarian has asked the thousands of women and men who have come to him for his advice and guidance over his 25+ year career. As LZ says, "It’s not what you wear, it’s how you feel. And it’s not how you look, it’s how you LIVE."In his new podcast, “You Are Beautiful with Lawrence Zarian”, LZ celebrates his guests from all walks of life exploring what makes them tick; in the past two years we’ve all had to pivot our lives in some capacity and there’s been this glorious time to regroup, refresh, reset, restart, and renew. What is beautiful? This podcast digs in deep to each guest’s interpretation of the word to find out what used to be, versus what is now, what they have learned over the years in time of success, in time of struggle, EVERTHING in between, and of course what makes them FEEL…truly beautiful inside and out.

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