YY interview with Leslie Odom Jr. & Nicoletta Robinson
December 30, 2012
The Story of Brilliant Mr. & Mrs. Odom Jr. : Leslie Odom, Jr. and Nicolette Robinson
“The future you see is the future you get.” – Robert G Allen
YY: We learned that you both are talented singer, dancer of course actor/actress.
Please tell us about how you started your career as an actor/actress?
Also, what is the best part of having a partner in same field?
Leslie Odom Jr.: I’ve been doing this since I was a kid.
I feel like I was doing it even before I knew what to call it. Came naturally to me.
After college (Carnegie Mellon University for Theater) I moved to LA and met my wife in
a live show out there. It’s so great sharing my life with someone who understands
my “first love” of the craft and is willing to share me. And share it with me.
I do the same for her. It’s just nice being with someone who gets it and supports me.
It’s a tough business.
Nicolette Robinson: I also had the arts around me since I was a kid. My parents were both in the industry and passed their love of it on to me… although my mom would’ve preferred me to become a brain surgeon. I studied theater in college at UCLA and I’ve been working in theater and television ever since. And like Les said, it’s a tricky business and it can be all-consuming at times… So it’s invaluable to have a partner who understands the nature of the “beast,” and supports you through the good and bad. It’s also pretty awesome when we get to work together.
YY: Do you feel differently when you play in the theatre and TV set?
If so, could you give us an example?
Leslie: Slightly different, yes. You act for who’s in front of you. In a theater there are many many more people in front of you. They have to hear, see, and (hopefully) feel everything you’re doing so…the “size” of your performance increases.
Nicolette: Right. Performing in front of an audience definitely gets the adrenaline pumping like no other. And in theatre you can hear the response of the audience through their applause or laughter, etc…
YY: Which character would be your dream ‘personage’ to play? Could you tell us 1 or 2?
Nicolette: Hmmm. I’ve always wanted to do an historical piece portraying someone during the civil rights movement. Like the first African American students to be integrated into the school system in Little Rock. I guess I have to hurry up with that one before I get too old! Haha. I’d also love to play Lena Horne or Dorothy Dandridge some day.
Leslie: So so many…Donny Hathaway has been a big influence and had a pretty fascinating life. Marin Luther King, Jr. though it would scare the crap out of me. Maybe Marvin Gaye or Sam Cooke.
YY: We’d also like to ask few personal questions. You’re a talented and happy young actor/actress couple. How did you meet each other?
Nicolette: We met about 4 & 1/2 years ago doing a show together. We had a bit of a “show-mance” and we’ve been together ever since.
Leslie: Nicolette was the kindest, gentlest, most beautiful person I’d ever had the pleasure of sharing space with. Couldn’t let that go.
Nicolette: Aww. Thanks, babe… Love this man.
YY: You moved from L.A. and you’ve been living in New York about a Year. Could you tell us your 3 favorite spots in New York and Why?
Leslie: Our apartment building. We live in a brand new state of the art building in Hell’s Kitchen. Has everything we need to make sure that going out is NOT at all mandatory. The theater district: So much inspiration. Greenpoint/Williamsburg: no place you’d rather be on a lazy Saturday or Sunday morning.
Nicolette: Yes, I agree. I’d probably say our apartment– it’s cozy and it’s our little hideaway. A night at the theater is always fun and inspiring. And my third would be Central Park. So peaceful and beautiful. We like to take walks through the park together. Sounds a little corny, but it’s true!
YY: You supports YUNA YANG Collection, because?
Leslie: Yuna’s designs are classy, creative, sexy, and original. I love the way my wife looks in Yuna Yang.
Nicolette: Agreed! Yuna Yang collection never ceases to impress. I always get compliments on my outfit when I wear YUNA YANG. Plus we love Yuna!
“The future you see is the future you get.” – Robert G Allen
YY: We learned that you both are talented singer, dancer of course actor/actress.
Please tell us about how you started your career as an actor/actress?
Also, what is the best part of having a partner in same field?
Leslie Odom Jr.: I’ve been doing this since I was a kid.
I feel like I was doing it even before I knew what to call it. Came naturally to me.
After college (Carnegie Mellon University for Theater) I moved to LA and met my wife in
a live show out there. It’s so great sharing my life with someone who understands
my “first love” of the craft and is willing to share me. And share it with me.
I do the same for her. It’s just nice being with someone who gets it and supports me.
It’s a tough business.
Nicolette Robinson: I also had the arts around me since I was a kid. My parents were both in the industry and passed their love of it on to me… although my mom would’ve preferred me to become a brain surgeon. I studied theater in college at UCLA and I’ve been working in theater and television ever since. And like Les said, it’s a tricky business and it can be all-consuming at times… So it’s invaluable to have a partner who understands the nature of the “beast,” and supports you through the good and bad. It’s also pretty awesome when we get to work together.
YY: Do you feel differently when you play in the theatre and TV set?
If so, could you give us an example?
Leslie: Slightly different, yes. You act for who’s in front of you. In a theater there are many many more people in front of you. They have to hear, see, and (hopefully) feel everything you’re doing so…the “size” of your performance increases.
Nicolette: Right. Performing in front of an audience definitely gets the adrenaline pumping like no other. And in theatre you can hear the response of the audience through their applause or laughter, etc…
YY: Which character would be your dream ‘personage’ to play? Could you tell us 1 or 2?
Nicolette: Hmmm. I’ve always wanted to do an historical piece portraying someone during the civil rights movement. Like the first African American students to be integrated into the school system in Little Rock. I guess I have to hurry up with that one before I get too old! Haha. I’d also love to play Lena Horne or Dorothy Dandridge some day.
Leslie: So so many…Donny Hathaway has been a big influence and had a pretty fascinating life. Marin Luther King, Jr. though it would scare the crap out of me. Maybe Marvin Gaye or Sam Cooke.
YY: We’d also like to ask few personal questions. You’re a talented and happy young actor/actress couple. How did you meet each other?
Nicolette: We met about 4 & 1/2 years ago doing a show together. We had a bit of a “show-mance” and we’ve been together ever since.
Leslie: Nicolette was the kindest, gentlest, most beautiful person I’d ever had the pleasure of sharing space with. Couldn’t let that go.
Nicolette: Aww. Thanks, babe… Love this man.
YY: You moved from L.A. and you’ve been living in New York about a Year. Could you tell us your 3 favorite spots in New York and Why?
Leslie: Our apartment building. We live in a brand new state of the art building in Hell’s Kitchen. Has everything we need to make sure that going out is NOT at all mandatory. The theater district: So much inspiration. Greenpoint/Williamsburg: no place you’d rather be on a lazy Saturday or Sunday morning.
Nicolette: Yes, I agree. I’d probably say our apartment– it’s cozy and it’s our little hideaway. A night at the theater is always fun and inspiring. And my third would be Central Park. So peaceful and beautiful. We like to take walks through the park together. Sounds a little corny, but it’s true!
YY: You supports YUNA YANG Collection, because?
Leslie: Yuna’s designs are classy, creative, sexy, and original. I love the way my wife looks in Yuna Yang.
Nicolette: Agreed! Yuna Yang collection never ceases to impress. I always get compliments on my outfit when I wear YUNA YANG. Plus we love Yuna!