Behind the Glamour, Sara Stamford Explores the Loneliness and Reinvention of Hollywood in The Lost Souls
International model and author Sara Stamford draws inspiration from her experiences in fashion, entertainment, and life between Los Angeles and Paris. Following the debut of her first novel, The Honeycomb Diamond, she returns with The Lost Souls, a story about friendship, identity, and the struggles people face behind the scenes. Ahead of the novel’s October 8 release, Sara spoke with us about the real-life experiences that inspired the story, her journey in the fashion world, and the personal experiences she brings to her writing.
You have experience as an international model. Did your background in fashion, glamour, and the entertainment industry influence or help shape any aspects of The Lost Souls?
Definitely. I’ve seen the glamorous side of fashion and entertainment, but also the pressure surrounding beauty, image, and how people perceive you. Social media has added another layer, with everyone constantly comparing themselves to others and trying to present a perfect life. I wanted to show that contrast in The Lost Souls. LA is a perfect example because people come there with huge dreams. But behind the excitement and the happy pictures and videos people post, they can also feel incredibly lonely, insecure, and completely lost.
Elizabeth enters a completely new world when she moves to Los Angeles. Having experienced significant career transitions yourself, how did your own experiences with change and starting a new chapter shape the way you approached the themes of identity and belonging in the novel?
Yes, of course. Sometimes you feel like you’re reinventing yourself while trying to hold on to who you were before and the moments you don’t want to let go of. I wanted Elizabeth to experience the excitement of starting a new life while also feeling a little lost and questioning her choices. I think that’s something a lot of people can relate to, especially when starting over somewhere new.
What inspired you to write The Lost Souls, and what was your creative vision for the story when you first began writing it?
Parts of The Lost Souls are based on real experiences. When I moved to LA, I witnessed a lot of pain and struggle and met people from completely different backgrounds, each with their own stories and perspectives. There’s so much going on behind the perfect smiles and friendly greetings you see in LA. I wanted readers to understand what can happen when people get caught up in partying and fall in with the wrong crowd. People get hurt, become vulnerable, and sometimes completely lose themselves along the way.
Elizabeth enters the glamorous and hectic world of Hollywood through her friendship with Anna, who is secreting her own emotional struggles. What interested you about showing the difference between how these women appear on the outside and what they are really going through?
I think that contrast really interested me because it’s something we see all the time, especially in Hollywood. Anna appears to have this amazing, glamorous life, but underneath it all, she’s dealing with a lot of emotional struggles. I wanted to show that you never really know what someone is going through.
Friendship is a focal point of this story. What do you think makes a friendship meaningful and lasting, especially during difficult times in life?
I think a meaningful friendship is built on trust, honesty, and being there for each other, but sometimes we make choices that aren’t right for us. As much as we may want to help someone, you can’t always save someone who refuses to help themselves. Sometimes, they may even try to pull you down with them. You have to protect yourself, know when to walk away, and make the decision that’s right for you, even when it’s difficult.
You have a love for discovering emerging designers from different countries. What draws you to an emerging designer, and what elements of a collection specifically grab your attention?
I love discovering emerging designers because they often bring something fresh and different. I’m drawn to pieces with personality, interesting details, and a strong sense of style. I love when a collection feels original and reflects the designer’s personality.
Los Angeles is a city built around reinvention. What do you think makes the city such an interesting place for someone looking to create a new version of themselves?
You can come to LA, start over, and create a completely new life. There are so many possibilities and opportunities across all kinds of professions and businesses, from creative startups to entertainment, music, and everything in between. You meet people from all over the world with different backgrounds and cultures. It’s so much fun.
Drawing on your years as an international model based in Paris, what did the fashion industry teach you about resilience and discipline, and what advice would you give to someone beginning their own career in the industry?
The fashion industry can be a beautiful but also challenging world. My biggest advice is to stay true to yourself and not let the industry change who you are. Be professional, work hard, and always be on time.
You’ve been open about your experiences with ADHD and dyslexia and how they have shaped your voice as a writer. Why is normalizing conversations around invisible struggles important to you, and how do you bring those experiences into your writing to give them a voice?
I think it’s important to talk openly about invisible struggles because you never really know what someone is going through. Balancing both can make writing a book much more difficult, but I embrace the challenge. I believe that creating something great requires challenges and, of course, discipline.
Your female characters are often complicated, ambitious, and resilient. How does your belief that empowerment means defining success on your own terms influence the women you create?
I think empowerment is about knowing who you are and not letting others define what success should look like for you. I like creating female characters who are complex and ambitious, but also flawed and vulnerable. They don’t always make the right choices, but they learn from them and find their own way. To me, that’s real empowerment: having the confidence to make your own decisions and live life on your own terms.
After making your fiction debut with The Honeycomb Diamond, what did that first experience teach you about writing and publishing that you brought with you into The Lost Souls?
I really loved the freedom of being my own boss. I got to decide when to release both books, design the covers, and be involved in every detail. With my first book, I learned that not everyone is going to love your story, and that’s totally okay. I write because I genuinely love it, not because I’m trying to please everyone.
You divide your time between Los Angeles and Paris, two cities with very different cultures and creative identities. What do you love most about each city, and how do they each inspire you creatively?
One of the things I love about Paris is how much of life happens on foot. You’re constantly walking somewhere, stopping for a coffee, meeting a friend, or discovering new places along the way. In LA, everything is more spread out, so you usually get in your car and drive from one destination to another. At the same time, I definitely miss certain things about LA when I’m in Paris, especially the sunshine, palm trees, and being so close to the ocean. There’s something pretty amazing about having both the ocean and mountains around you.
You’re very proactive in philanthropic efforts centered on mental health and women’s empowerment. How has your work with these causes shaped the way you think about women’s experiences and empowerment in your writing?
I’m involved in various charitable causes. I sponsor scholarships for women who come from difficult circumstances and want to continue their education and build a better future. I also participate in speaking panels and mentor young women whenever I can. My characters are strong, but they’re not perfect. They face serious challenges and find ways to overcome them. That’s the lesson and message I want to share: always try to stay positive and look for the bright side, even when things get difficult. It’s easy to become discouraged or want to give up, but we shouldn’t let obstacles hold us back. We have to keep going, overcome whatever stands in our way, and always have faith.
With The Lost Souls preparing for its October 8 release, what does this milestone mean to you personally?
I put a lot of time, emotion, personal observations, and experiences into this story, so seeing it finally come to life and knowing readers will soon have it in their hands feels really special. I’m looking forward to it. I’ve already started scheduling book club readings and Q&As because I’m sure there will be lots of questions, and I’m excited to talk about the story and its characters.
What are you most looking forward to as readers finally get the chance to experience The Lost Souls?
I’m most excited to see how readers connect with the story and its characters. I’m also curious to hear what they take away from the book and whether certain parts make them reflect on their own friendships, relationships, or similar experiences.
Interview by Ali Rosoff, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
*Images Courtsey of Sara Stamford
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