The winner of NBC’s Grease: You’re The One That I Want back in 2007, actress Laura Osnes has defied the odds of most reality stars who end up falling off the map after their time in the limelight.
Instead the twenty-four year old Osnes, who recently spoke with Deseret News, has pursued her love, following her heart, and now stars in the Broadway production of Bonnie & Clyde. “I just have learned in this business that you really have to follow your heart. That’s what I did. My heart was attached already to the people and the project.” Adding, “I think if I had written it out myself, I wouldn’t have planned it as good as this. In my wildest dreams, I never would have imagined all had.”
Not that it has been easy shaking off the preconceived notions that have followed the actress, who previously went from performing Grease dinner theaters in Minneapolis to the Broadway production. “There was a stigma. I’m still very thankful that I did the reality show because it put me on the map and it opened a lot of doors for me.”
Now performing in Bonnie & Clyde, in the lead role, Osnes shared her excitement about working on the Frank Wildhorn production. “This is my first originating role so it’s just been so exciting to be part of this process pretty much from the ground up. It was kind of magical how the whole thing happened.” Prior to landing the lead, Laura auditioned for the musical Wonderland. Unfortunately she lost out to actress Janet Dacal for the role of Alice in the Alice in Wonderland inspired production. Ultimately losing the role was a blessing in disguise for Osnes. Not only did Wonderland receive less than stellar reviews, new doors opened for the star after Frank Wildhorn had decided he had a more suiting role for her in mind.
Recalling her conversation with Wildhorn, Osnes explained his plans for her. “I think you’re too young for Alice, but I’m working on this other musical that I think you might actually be really great for. It’s a new musical about Bonnie & Clyde.'”
