Lauren Gottlieb recalls battling depression, taking break at peak of her career: 'Felt disconnected...'
Lauren Gottlieb recalls battling depression, taking break at peak of her career: 'Felt disconnected...'
Lauren Gottlieb is a globally recognized dancer, choreographer, and actress who seamlessly bridged the worlds of Hollywood and Bollywood. She first rose to fame as a finalist on So You Think You Can Dance in the U.S. and later made a strong impact in India through her performances in ABCD: Any Body Can Dance and Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, where her incredible chemistry with choreographer Puneet Pathak made her a household name. Apart from reality shows and films, Lauren has worked with global stars like Tom Cruise and Indian legends like Prabhudeva and Allu Arjun, building a career that spans countries and cultures. On Taking a Break at the Peak of Her Career
Despite her soaring popularity, Lauren made the bold decision to step away from the limelight. She admitted to feeling emotionally disconnected during what others saw as the height of her career. 'I felt disconnected,' she said. 'My nephews were growing up and I didn't know them. My parents were getting older, and I barely recognized them in photos. I was missing moments that truly mattered.'
This emotional realization led her to pause and reflect on her inner well-being. She moved to New York to study acting — not just as a skill, but as a path to healing. Battling Depression and Finding Inner Joy
Lauren didn't just take a break — she went inward.'I had to unwire and rewire my brain,' she shared. During the pandemic in LA, she allowed herself to step away from performance pressures and truly understand what happiness meant.
'I always thought success, accolades, and constant work would make me happy. But I realized happiness comes from within — not from the spotlight.' She also mentioned that during this period, she didn't fear being forgotten.'I knew when I came back, it would be a new, evolved version of me.' Her Return to India and Reconnecting with Fans
Returning to India for her dance tour was an emotional experience. Lauren taught workshops on her ABCD songs and was overwhelmed by the love she received.'People lined up to tell me how I inspired them to start dancing. I realized — people just want to be seen and heard. It was so beautiful.' She described how those connections gave her new energy and reminded her of the deep bond she shares with her Indian audience.
'India feels like home. My whole 20s were here. My phonebook is full of Indian names.' Creating 'Who Rules the World
Lauren recently released a female-forward anthem titled 'Who Rules the World', launched on World Dance Day.'It's like the Beyoncé anthem for the East,' she laughed. Despite limited time and resources, she pulled the project together in under two weeks.'Everyone worked on no sleep, just driven by love for the art. It was beautiful to see that kind of passion come alive again.' Working with Global Icons
Lauren also recalled working with Tom Cruise early in her career.'I was just 20 or 21, and I was supposed to train him — I thought it would be one-on-one, but the whole production was there!'In a surreal moment, she ended up pitching a creative direction in front of the team. 'Tom looked at me and said, 'Get on it.' He really trusted me — and I was sweating bullets!'She added that celebrities are often very different in person. 'You see them on screen, but in real life, it's a whole other character.' Future Plans
Lauren is currently focused on music and dance content.'I'm looking for the right songs — something that even kids can enjoy and dance to.'
She's also exploring classical, feminine dance styles that connect with a more emotional, graceful expression.
As for acting, she says, 'I haven't said yes to anything yet. Acting takes a lot of time, and I'd have to slow down my current lifestyle. But if the right project comes, I'll consider it.' Conclusion
Lauren Gottlieb's story is not just one of fame or talent — it's one of self-awareness, courage, and personal transformation. From being on every TV screen to disappearing for self-healing, and now re-emerging with renewed clarity — Lauren's journey is proof that sometimes, the bravest thing a performer can do is pause, breathe, and come back stronger.
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