Yahoo News Neighbours star Lilly Van Der Meer reveals future plans
Following on from her Neighbours' exit, actress Lilly Van Der Meer has opened up about her future plans and ambitions to break Hollywood.
The actress left her role as Xanthe Canning this month and it looks like she aims to follow in the tracks of former Neighbours stars such as Margot Robbie and Russell Crowe by heading to the US.
However, Lilly admitted in a new interview that she doesn't view the Aussie soap as a stepping stone, telling TV Week: "People say, 'Oh, Neighbours, it's a great starting ground before going off to do other things'. But I think it's a place you could stay for a very long time."
She added: "I kind of had my pivotal growth years on the show. The Neighbours cast and crew have basically been my on-set parents for the past three years."
Lilly also credits Neighbours for the lessons it taught her, continuing: "There was so much I learnt on set and so much more I could have learnt. I've taken away all these skills and knowledge from the show and now I'm free to venture out on my own."
She's now moving on to Los Angeles, explaining: "It made me realise that's the kind of place I wanted to be. There's so much competition, so much happening, so much in the works and so much art being made there and I want to be a part of that."
The actress plans to move to LA "permanently" for pilot season, a big part of the industry in which ambitious actors hope to land a role in a potentially successful show.
"I'm so excited," she said. "I love intensity and I think pilot season is perfect for me. With Neighbours, you can sometimes work up to 12 or 13 hours a day. It's a quick turnaround and I'm used to being on my feet."
Lilly also hopes to explore more intense role, musing: "You never know what those kind of characters are going to do next. Are they the enemy? Are they really a friend? Are they psychotic?
"I have an amazing team I work with. We're all very passionate about my future and the kind of projects we're focusing on. I'm just ready and excited!"
Best of luck to her!
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