Sam Reid Explains His Decision to Perform Live Vocals in ‘The Vampire Lestat’
Sam Reid has shared insights into his choice to perform live vocals while filming The Vampire Lestat, as reported by Entertainment Weekly. The actor, portraying Lestat de Lioncourt, emphasized his desire for a more raw and authentic sound during the musical scenes in the upcoming season.
This new season follows Lestat as he embarks on a rock star journey in 2025, intertwining performance, storytelling, and personal introspection. Although the music was pre-recorded for production, Reid insisted on singing live during filming to ensure that the emotional moments resonated more genuinely on screen.
He expressed that he wanted to avoid an overly polished or artificial feel in the performances. Reid stated, “I don’t want it all to be perfect.” His aim was to steer clear of a conventional musical or music video aesthetic, instead opting for something more grounded and relatable.
Reid further elaborated, “I want to see some f—-ups. I want to see the veins when I’m singing. I don’t want it all to be perfect. I want it to feel like it’s an organic happening.”
According to the actor, while the production team utilized the pre-recorded tracks for the final soundtrack, they blended them with his live vocals in select scenes. This combination was designed to capture the energy of a live performance while preserving the structure of the recorded music.
He also noted that singing live allowed him to concentrate more on acting in the moment rather than lip-syncing. This approach helped him maintain a connection to the emotional depth of Lestat, who often channels trauma, anger, and revenge through music. Reid mentioned that it facilitated a more natural performance without disrupting his focus.
Reid adopted a similar philosophy with the instruments featured in the series. Although he admitted he cannot fully play all the instruments shown on screen, he collaborated closely with the production team to learn specific parts for filming. He ensured that his performance aligned precisely with the recorded music to enhance the believability of the scenes.
He explained, “I’m very specific that we work out when you’re going to see me play the instrument, and then I’ll learn that part exactly.”
The series continues the narrative from Interview With the Vampire, now centering on Lestat’s life as a public performer and the ensuing chaos of his fame. Music plays a pivotal role in the storytelling, shaping both the character’s identity and the emotional tone of the show.
The Vampire Lestat is scheduled to premiere on June 7 on AMC and AMC+, as per AMC’s official release information.
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