Lindsey Morgan Sipos says being back in Austin (since late 2020) is a full-circle moment. Lindsey went to University of Texas in Austin and was an extra on “Friday Night Lights.” Following graduation she went to Los Angeles to pursue acting, but after stints on “General Hospital,” several seasons on sci-fi drama “The 100” and more (including meeting her now husband Shaun Sipos!), she returned to Austin when she was cast in “Walker.”
Shaun Sipos, originally from Canada, you’ve seen on TV since 2001 – in the “Melrose Place” reboot, “Vampire Diaries” and “Krypton” or more recently on “Outer Range” and “Reacher.” He didn’t hesitate moving to Austin, telling Austin Lifestyle, “I wasn’t going to let this one get away.”
Indeed he didn’t. Lindsey and Shaun got married at Camp Lucy in Texas Hill Country one year ago this month. We had a chat about marriage, style and more. Of Shaun’s style Lindsey says, “Shaun has gone full cowboy. I think one of the first things he did when we moved here was source authentic boots.”
What’s been the greatest part about your first year of marriage?
L: Two weeks after we got married we had a family emergency and one of the scariest moments of my life. Having Shaun there for me in a way that I’ve never had anyone support and love me has shown me the testament and sanctity of marriage. He’s with me through it all.
S: I take comfort in knowing we’re committed. I know Lindsey is someone who’s not going to jump ship just because the water gets rough. She has character and integrity that’s evident to everyone who knows her. I look forward to writing a lifelong story together that’s beyond words.
Did you notice anything change from being engaged to being married?
L: Shaun stepped it up to a new level, I didn’t know that kind of love was possible.
He is such an incredible leader in our family and partner by my side.
S: I noticed a shift in myself, I think it was our connection being solidified. I’m a Christian, so it’s my belief that when we’re married, we’re joined and made one, so any sort of selfishness on my part would be akin to say, working out only one side of the body and not the other. It just wouldn’t make sense, so every day I aim to lift her up and nourish her.
What do you like best about life in Austin?
L: Since I left Texas to pursue acting I’ve been a gypsy just following the work. It’s been such a blessing to be able to live here again in such a great city and finally be close to my family.
S: I love it here and there’s a lot that I like— mainly just how kind people are, they’ll wave when driving by, ask how you’re doing in the grocery store, that makes a difference. In a lot of cities you can be surrounded by people and still feel alone, but that’s not the case here.
Do you think Austin is where you want to settle down?
L: Yes. I needed to lay down some roots after 12 years of gypsy circus life in the industry and Austin is such a great place for raising kids. My dream is to have our home base here and have a little getaway on the west coast during the summer months.
This is the Style Issue…How would you describe your personal style?
L: My style tends to be “situational time capsule.” I’m not sure if it’s by accident or because I am actor, but I tend to dress for my environment, whether that’s a date night flirty number or a functional athleisure workout look…I once didn’t buy any clothes for a year and it really helped me build my capsule wardrobe. I invest in more staple items, but I’m also beginning to source more individual, unique vintage pieces to mix and match.
S: I was an all-black for the most part kind of guy. Lindsey’s changed my wardrobe for the better.
Do you have any ‘favorite pieces’ in your wardrobe?
L; My cross-body sage Bottega bag that has become my spring, summer, fall and even winter everyday purse. It’s a staple with a unique pop of color. And a reversible camel alpaca fur suede bomber jacket made in the 1970s I scored in a NY vintage store for $100 bucks. I don’t get to wear it as much in Austin, but it’s a prize possession.
S: Probably my cowboy boots and a good pair of jeans. I like when it gets a little chilly and I can layer.
Whose style do you admire?
L: Rhianna. Hands down. If I could, I would dress like her, but I don’t think I could.
S: Probably David Gandy, or old-school Paul Newman. .
What show have you had the most fun on?
L: That is such a tough one, “Walker” was honestly one of the best casts and crew around, everyone had such a sense of humor and fantastic energy.
S: I’ve been so blessed with the past three shows I’ve been on, they all fostered such creative freedom. It started with “Krypton.” It blows my mind that we had that cast for that show. I’d work with them any day of the week. Then “Outer Range”, again, Amazing cast and everyone involved is incredible, absolute pros. And then “Reacher,” some of the best in the business. I’ve made incredible and hopefully lifelong friends on these projects and I look forward to working with them over and over again.
Lindsey, you left “Walker” season 2 to focus on your mental health. Are you ready to get back to acting?
L: I feel finally ready and excited to embrace acting and directing again, so I am excited to see what this next chapter holds.
What are some things you do for your mental health?
L: I’m huge on mental health and all modalities of healing. For me, it’s a blend of meditation, journaling, prayer, moving my body, be it strength training or lower intensity workouts, cold plunging, SLEEPING, talk and somatic therapy and overall, just following my joy…what makes ME happy and peaceful.
What do you have coming up you’re excited about?
L: A dream of mine was to create an actor’s repertoire here in Austin, a place for all the actors in town to workshop their work as a creative collective and hopefully put up a play ourselves. We are officially starting it in September and potentially calling it Playhouse Tex!
S: I just did a spot on a new Kurt Sutter show called “The Abandons” with Lena Headey that I’m looking forward to seeing. I’m not sure the debut date, but it will be on Netflix.
If you could be on any show, which would it be?
L: I think I would have loved to be on a show like “Sex and the City” or “Insecure,” the women on there were so iconic and it seemed like such a great time. The adventure side of me always loved “Altered Carbon,” a mix of sci-fi and action and great stunts.
S: For comedies, “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” or “Arrested Development” would be my coin toss. For drama: “Peaky Blinders” all the way.
Anything else you want to promote?
L: I have a fun role in an upcoming film my good friend and fellow Austinite Alexandra Chando directed starring Phoebe Tonkin and Darren Mann, called “And On The 8th Day” that’ll be debuting soon, so be on the lookout for that.
S: Let’s promote the very difficult task of showing love/kindness to others who disagree with you. Instead of vitriol, talk with kindness and patience. We’ve really lost that lately and it’s a vital part of what’s made this country such a beacon of freedom, hope and prosperity.
QUICK FIRE
Favorite restaurant in Austin:
L: Any of the Uchi’s or Suerte
S: YAMAS. Best Greek I’ve had outside of Greece.
If you could have a meal with anyone:
L: Robin Williams
S: Jesus Christ. Whether or not you believe, name someone who’s had a larger impact on the world than him.
If you could have one superpower:
L: Teleportation
S: Flight, like Superman.
Favorite place to shop online:
L: FWRD
S: eBay , you can literally find anything you need/want on there.
Favorite store in Austin:
L: Valentine’s
S: Buck Mason
Favorite book:
L: The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
S: The Odyssey by Homer
Favorite workout:
L: Sandy Brockman’s at The Kollective
S: Boxing and Muay Thai