Laurel James; The Events That Shaped Her and Where She Wants To Go From Here
By: Alice Young

Normally, I'm not the one who asks for interviews; I let them come to me when I'm ready. Laurel James - from the moment she stepped into the spotlight - was different; I needed this interview and I didn't think she'd ever think of it on her own. So when she agreed on the spot, I was shocked. And then she invited me into the kitchen so she could cook while making the lunches for the cast to eat while at their panel. Her dog was sleeping in the corner and she seemed to be completely at home already. I sat down on the counter where she wasn't going to be working and the interview began.

Alice Young: You grew up in Texas with your parents and one sister, correct?

Laurel James: Yes, that is correct. We also had a slew of maids and butlers and chefs, along with pets. But none really stayed very long or made a lasting impression on me.

AY: You were raised in a rich family?

LJ: My father was an oil business man. Of course we had money. Way too much of it, in my opinion. And they always thought they were entitled to everything. I personally hated it.

AY: What do you mean by "entitled to everything"?

LJ: Well, my father thought that he was entitled to my respect when I was little. As I grew up, I learned that I didn't have to respect him or the things that he put me through. He wasn't a good father to me, but he was to Kendall because I made him be.

AY: What kinds of things did he put you through?

LJ: That's a part of my past that I don't want aired out, so I'm going to go with no comment.

AY: Okay, moving on. You had a sister?

LJ: Yeah, her name is Kendall and she's four years younger than me. But she, uh, passed away about three years ago. Almost four now, actually.

AY: Are you okay with talking about what happened?

LJ: Yes, actually. It's pretty public knowledge that we were in a car accident. It was almost four years ago and she had convinced me to go with her to a football game. On the way home, she fell asleep. I stopped on the side of the road to help someone out. While I was out of the car, a drunk driver hit our car with such strength that the car flipped twice and Kendall was pronounced dead on arrival.

AY: How did that accident affect your life?

LJ: I lost my sister. That was the biggest thing, until I was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. That's when I started doing research and then got Toaster, my PTSD dog. She goes with me everywhere. Then, I bought Kendall's horse from my mom and got my own ranch. Cooking was something I enjoyed before the accident, but my love for it increased. I really threw myself into it.

AY: And cooking is how you met Jensen, which lead to getting your current job and meeting your now boyfriend Jared Padalecki, correct?

LJ: Yes. Jensen attended an event I was catering. We got to talking and sort of bonded, so we exchanged numbers. Within a month, I had a job offer from CW to come cook for the main cast of Supernatural. I met Misha Collins pretty early on, but not Jared until the beginning of filming this season.

AY: Why did it take so long to meet Jared?

LJ: We had both gone through something tough four years ago; my sister's death and his divorce. I closed myself off from everyone but Jensen and Misha while he hid himself away to deal with his grief. Fate brought us together when it knew we were both ready to be in each other's lives.

AY: Was it love at first sight for you?

LJ: No. [she laughs] The first time we officially met was in Jensen's trailer. I had gone over to show Jensen some dumb video while I was half asleep, but he was in the shower so I had to wait. Jared was sitting on the couch and scared the- scared the heebiejeebies out of me. That night, we went out for guys night without Misha and slowly he became one of my favorite people, then I realized I really liked him. As for him, he told me that he fell for me the first time he saw me punch a guy. So that first night, actually.

AY: The first time?

LJ: More like the only time. I don't know why I worded it like that, honestly.

AY: While on hiatus in Texas, you met Genevieve and their sons, correct?

LJ: Indeedio. Wow, that sounded dumb. Anyways, yes, I met Gen, Tom, and Shep.

AY: And how'd that go?

LJ: Both Gen and the boys are amazing. I honestly adore all three of them. And I know that she doesn't really need to approve of me; they're divorced and they're both going to move on. But it's nice to know that she is comfortable with me being around her kids. She does approve, not that she even has to in the main scheme of things. And the boys adore me. Shep likes to help me in the kitchen and Thomas loves to spend time with Toaster. My horses love them and they love the horses a lot.

AY: Why do you say Gen doesn't really need to approve?

LJ: If you look at the big picture, they're divorced. Sure, they have their agreements and they're still close friends, but they're divorced. Not every divorce is as nice and civil as theirs is. I may not know that from my own experience, but I've sure witnessed it. Having Gen approve of me isn't something I was entitled to and her approval wouldn't have broken the relationship Jared and I had already formed. But it is a nice privilege to know that she does approve of me as the next woman in both her sons' lives and Jared's life.

AY: Where do you see this relationship heading?

LJ: [blushes a little] I'm in it for life. I don't think I could find anything better than the life I've now built with Jared and the boys and my numerous pets.

AY: Speaking of pets, how many do you have?

LJ: Five. Three horses; Minnie - who is mine, Daisy - who was Kendall's, and Janie - who Jared and I bought together. Then Perry, Kendall's cat. And finally Toaster, my Golden Retriever.

AY: That's quite the full house. Have you and Jared thought about moving in together?

LJ: Actually yes, we do have plans. We will all live on the ranch. But if we decide to - in the future - get married and have our own kids together, we will be buying a bigger ranch for all of us. My horses won't be going anywhere and he's definitely okay with that.

AY: So, Supernatural isn't going to last forever. What do you plan on doing after it ends?

LJ: I already have offers from different shows to come cook for their main cast members, but I think I'm going to take a break for a couple of years, if I decide to go back to doing that. In that time, I'll go back to catering events like the one Jensen met me at and entering different contests. But I still have some time left before I have to think about the future.

AY: And how do you handle the hate that gets commented on your instagram posts and even the hateful articles written about your relationship?

LJ: I have to remind myself sometimes that it just comes with the territory. Sure, it hurts sometimes, but it's not going to stop. I'm dating Jared Padalecki and his fans or the media might not always approve. But that's okay, because at the end of the day, he's coming home to me and his kids - when we have them. And yeah, sometimes I get tired of the hate and so something like disable comments on my posts, but that's when I really don't feel like getting hate for numerous reasons.

AY: Have you found happiness?

LJ: [chuckles] Funnily enough, I have. I have a great boyfriend and his two kids. I have an amazing group of best friends who love and support me all the time. And finally, after almost four years, I've found it in myself to start forgiving myself for what happened to Kendall. If I hadn't stopped, the drunk driver would have killed himself or possibly the old man I stopped to help, and no death is okay. Her life isn't worth more than a strangers in the grand scheme. So yes, I am happy now. So, so very happy.

With that, we ended the interview. It was almost time for her to take the food out for the guys and deliver it to them and I had enough material for my article. She invited me to stay and help wrap up the dishes, telling me she would teach me a few things while she could. Easy conversation flowed an she made a few jokes that made me laugh quite a bit, then we departed with kinds words and a hug. This interview with Laurel, while not a traditional one, has shaped up to be one of my ultimate favorites. | AY

•••

ha holy shit. i just have to finish chapter 60.

one chapter left.

[ 12.22.16 ]