Laura Bryna: Trying To Be Me

One of Nashville’s newest country music sensations shares her inspirations, her beauty must-haves, and her own little secret.

Interview by Amanda E.H. Pritchard

SOUTHERN BEAUTY: Country music is such an important genre. The stories country music tells are true testaments. What does it mean to you to be a part of it?
LAURA BRYNA: I feel honored. I love that country is about real life experiences, full of hope, pain, love. And I get choked up talking about my fans. Their constant support makes this the most amazing experience. It’s all about getting to know the fans. It’s that connection that’s made when you’ve moved someone to want to laugh or cry.

SB: What inspires you?
LB: I feel so blessed to be doing what I do because it allows me to give back—especially to the kids I meet through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. They inspire me! I feel like these kids are mine. They’re my little rays of sunshine. My fans also provide a lot of inspiration. They allow me to achieve my goal of living the dream.

SB: At events like the CMA’s, do you get starstruck?
LB: I wouldn’t call it starstruck. It’s more like I wander around in amazement. It’s an incredible feeling to be in the same company as the people I’ve looked up to for so long. But they are such down-to-earth people. Underneath it all, we’re all just trying to be ourselves. Being yourself is what it’s all about.

SB: We’ve read you love your hairspray and eye glitter. For a gal on the go, what is your #1 beauty must-have?
LB: It is absolutely my hairspray. I even take it on stage with me! I do not leave home without my Joico Joifix Firm. If you don’t want your hair to move, this is what you need.

SB: Tell us a little secret about Laura Bryna.
LB: My little secret is that I have a size 4½ foot, so once I find a shoe I like that is actually my size, I buy it in every color. And because I am vertically challenged, a lot of my purchases are high-heeled boots. I love them!

SB: What are some of your favorite beauty products?
LB: I am a huge girlie girl! I love my makeup. On the road, I take this metal, titanium tackle box on rollers with me. It has different layers filled with eye glitter, eye shadow, lip gloss, and blush. I really love M.A.C. cosmetics. And I love that their Viva Glam campaign donates proceeds to HIV and Aids research.

SB: What products can you not be without when you are on tour?
LB: A really great face cream. I like La Mer. And of course, I have to have my eye glitter.

SB: How long does your beauty regime take before a show?
LB: It takes three or four hours. I don’t like to rush. I’ll do my vocal exercises first, then my hair, then my makeup. It’s more of an event.

SB: In your opinion, what qualities define a true “Southern Beauty?”
LB: True “Southern Beauty” is a way of life. It’s realizing that what’s inside your heart is what matters.

SB: What can fans look forward to on your upcoming tour?
LB: We’ve recently added a song to the tour called 640 Battlefield Drive. It tells the story of how mothers feel when their children go off to war. This is to thank the troops for letting us live the dream and fighting for our freedom.