Ali Larter Explains Why She and Her Husband Ditched Hollywood for Idaho: 'There’s a Real Sense of Community Here'
Ali Larter left Hollywood and isn't looking back.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, the Legally Blonde actress, 48, and her husband, Hayes MacArthur, packed up their two kids and ditched Los Angeles, Calif., for the little town of Sun Valley, Idaho.
"We fell in love with the beauty of the mountains and their quiet grandness," Larter explained during a recent interview. "Neither of us had ever lived in a small town before. People look out for each other. There’s a real sense of community here and we’re so happy to be a part of it."
The blonde beauty's big career in Tinseltown made her want to pump the breaks and slow down. "Most of the time in my life, I feel like I’m going 1,000 miles an hour and these giant rocks chill me out," she admitted.
“The mountains have a way of grounding you and slowing you down — especially when you’re stuck in traffic because there’s a herd of elk blocking the road," Larter noted of the welcome change.
The couple built their 4,400-square-foot dream home that would "fit into the natural geography of Sun Valley but didn’t have that traditional 'cabiny' feel" of the rest of the properties in the area. "We wanted walls of glass that showcase and invite the gorgeous scenery into the home," Larter explained.
The Varsity Blues alum's biggest goal with the massive life change has been spending more quality time with her spouse and kids. "We believe in the importance of family dinner and it’s great when the kitchen is flooded with light. It becomes the most beautiful part of the home," she added.
Larter has showed off her happy rural existence to her followers on Instagram. "Jersey cowgirl, back on the saddle! What can I say? If anyone told me three years ago that I would be living in the mountains, raising myself and my family, rediscovering my marriage, and that would lead to this new life I would never have believed it," she penned in an Instagram post last year alongside a photo of herself riding a horse.
"But trusting my gut, hiking these blessed mountains until tears burst through, laughing with new friends, always savoring great wine, occasionally pulling the covers over my eyes because the fears of the unknown were paralyzing, fighting for work and then landing the role of my dreams… it was always about having faith in the journey of life. The peaks and valleys. I hope everyone who reads this believes that everything they need is truly within reach if they dare to dream," she wrote about the experience.
Rue Magazine conducted the interview with Larter.