Leslie Odom, Jr. Interview on DCMetroTheaterArts

[hockeynut2]

Posted: 10/18/16 at 1:38pm

Here is Nicole Hertvik's interview with Tony Award winner Leslie Odom, Jr. on DCMetroTheaterArts.

http://dcmetrotheaterarts.com/2016/10/17/interview-leslie-odom-jr-evening-unexpected-delights-fundraiser-baltimore-lyric-opera-10229/

[Dave13]

Posted: 10/18/16 at 2:00pm

I still find it odd that Leslie left Hamilton so soon. The way he left and so soon after winning the Tony, I can't help think he didn't leave on his own terms. Maybe I am reading too much into it, but this quote sort of confirms my suspicions. 

 

"I have a Christmas album coming out on November 11th. I’m also in talks to shoot a film soon. Basically, I’m just looking to grow. I’m walking towards things that are challenging. It doesn’t mean my next project is going to be as successful as Hamilton or as popular. It’s not about that but it has to be a place where somebody wants me to continue where I left off. I don’t want to go backwards, that’s all."

 

Why leave so soon?

Updated On: 10/18/16 at 02:00 PM

[MinnieFay]

Posted: 10/18/16 at 2:10pm

There's a reason why he is known within the industry as Leslie Odious Jr.  He has burned a LOT of bridges!!

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 10/18/16 at 2:16pm

Dave13 said: "I still find it odd that Leslie left Hamilton so soon. The way he left and so soon after winning the Tony, I can't help think he didn't leave on his own terms. Maybe I am reading too much into it, but this quote sort of confirms my suspicions. 

 

"I have a Christmas album coming out on November 11th. I’m also in talks to shoot a film soon. Basically, I’m just looking to grow. I’m walking towards things that are challenging. It doesn’t mean my next project is going to be as successful as Hamilton or as popular. It’s not about that but it has to be a place where somebody wants me to continue where I left off. I don’t want to go backwards, that’s all."

 

Why leave so soon?

 

Dave19, you are reading way too much into his departure. He obviously had a year contract and he honored it. He was not obligated to stay longer than that. 

He wants to move on to other things, he's a performer.

He was in Hamilton for a long time - - - we're talking workshops, then the Off-Broadway run which extended multiple times and then the Broadway. That's a good chunk of someone's life right there. 

After awhile it can get pretty exhausting for a performer doing the same show night after night...when they have exhausted every possibility of what they can do with their role a performer ca begin to feel stuck and that can be the worst position for a performer to be in because then they are not giving their best up on that stage. They begin to "go through the motions."

Whatever his reasons were, it was time to go...and he did.

You didn't really expect him to stay in it forever, did you?

 

P.S. Minnie Fay, you are beyond ridiculous and obnoxious with that trash talk.

 

Updated On: 10/18/16 at 02:16 PM

[LaneBryant]

Posted: 10/18/16 at 2:33pm

People don't realize that actors aren't robots whose lives revolve around one show. Actors crave the moments in their careers when the have enough money and success to afford to do what they want to do, and not what they have to do. Because of Hamilton's success, Leslie can move on, travel the world promoting HIS music, have a baby, film a movie - he can live his life on his own terms. He left so soon? Daveed, Renee, Philipa and everybody else left 10 minutes later! Once Tony season is over, it's time to make MOVES! Leslie got all he could get from "Hamilton" - he's a smart man! Daveed is on "Blackish" and has his OWN sitcom in the works - a smart man! Philipa moved to Amelie, Renee is doing tv - these people have been working on Hamilton for Yeeeeears and have had to turn down countless other projects. It was time to move on! 

 

[sorano916]

Posted: 10/18/16 at 2:40pm

Plus, Leslie and Nicolette just announced they're expecting. Sometimes you want to take a step back from a crazy work life to focus on family life with a slower-paced work life. He has his music as well as Murder On the Orient Express. 

[Fosse76]

Posted: 10/18/16 at 3:53pm

He comes across as very arrogant and pretentious in his interviews. And I'm leaning towards the idea his contract wasn't renewed. In a NY Times interview in May, he said he does not know whether he will stay with the show: Since his contract expired in July, I can't imagine they wouldn't be in negotiations. In other interviews I've read, he really thought highly of himself and his importance to the show.

[MinnieFay]

Posted: 10/18/16 at 4:13pm

CarlosAlberto said: "Dave13 said: "I still find it odd that Leslie left Hamilton so soon. The way he left and so soon after winning the Tony, I can't help think he didn't leave on his own terms. Maybe I am reading too much into it, but this quote sort of confirms my suspicions. 

 

"I have a Christmas album coming out on November 11th. I’m also in talks to shoot a film soon. Basically, I’m just looking to grow. I’m walking towards things that are challenging. It doesn’t mean my next project is going to be as successful as Hamilton or as popular. It’s not about that but it has to be a place where somebody wants me to continue where I left off. I don’t want to go backwards, that’s all."

Why leave so soon?

Dave19, you are reading way too much into his departure. He obviously had a year contract and he honored it. He was not obligated to stay longer than that. 

He wants to move on to other things, he's a performer.

He was in Hamilton for a long time - - - we're talking workshops, then the Off-Broadway run which extended multiple times and then the Broadway. That's a good chunk of someone's life right there. 

After awhile it can get pretty exhausting for a performer doing the same show night after night...when they have exhausted every possibility of what they can do with their role a performer ca begin to feel stuck and that can be the worst position for a performer to be in because then they are not giving their best up on that stage. They begin to "go through the motions."

Whatever his reasons were, it was time to go...and he did.

You didn't really expect him to stay in it forever, did you?

P.S. Minnie Fay, you are beyond ridiculous and obnoxious with that trash talk."

Thanks, Leslie!

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 10/18/16 at 7:11pm

I was quickly shot down in another thread when I noted his arrogance.  If you don't think Hamilton (and anyone involved) are the second coming you're wrong, I guess 

[bear88]

Posted: 10/19/16 at 4:07am

For all I know, Leslie Odom Jr. is insufferably arrogant and people in the industry all know it.

But as an outsider, the only impression I have is that Odom is a polite but proud man who was more upfront about his role in the negotiations for more money with the Hamilton producers, and hinted that he might not be in the filmed performances before something was worked out. That suggests there were some tensions, although the impression I get is that it didn't just involve him (see the Bloomberg story). Maybe the producers didn't want him to continue beyond his year, but he also had other plans. And as noted, Daveed Diggs left a few days after Odom Jr., Miranda, and Soo. Goldsberry is gone. Christopher Jackson is leaving. Every Tony-nominated performer is now gone or going, taking advantage of opportunities. 

Odom Jr. said the grind of the role - and it seems like a grueling part - wore him down. So now he has a fan base, he's touring the country on an album tour, he just got a film role, a baby on the way. And oh yeah, he got a Tony and Grammy for being the lead actor in the hottest Broadway musical in decades. Things don't seem so awful.

Moreover, he has repeatedly expressed gratitude for getting the part, and praised Miranda for the complexity of the role, especially as a person of color.  

And just as an aside, his performance at the end of "The Room Where it Happens" in the show I attended was my favorite moment of any musical I have ever seen. Months later, I still get chills thinking about it.

So if he's arrogant, he has the talent to back it up.

[uncageg]

Posted: 12/8/17 at 2:09pm

On Tavis Smiley last night, 12/07, he expounded a bit.

Tavis asked him about his return to the theatre. His comment on the 5 roles in the entire musical cannon is what struck me. His response was...

Theatre is a sacrifice. You are chained to that theater. Movies and albums are an intense 2 months and then you are free. Doing the show every night was the beauty of it but it is taxing. So it has to be worth it. You'd be hard pressed for fans of the genre, for fans of the theatre, especially musical theatre... straight plays is a little different. You've got more roles. There's more opportunities...But you would be hard pressed to think of five roles that have existed in the ENTIRE musical theatre cannon that are as rich and ask as much of a performer as Aaron Burr did. So I can't go backwards. So I would love to do more musical theatre but it has to be something that's gonna challenge me. It has to be something that's worth it or I'll go make my music.

A few performances crossed my mind after those comments. Your thoughts.....

Updated On: 7/24/20 at 02:09 PM

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 12/8/17 at 2:14pm

Pretty disheartening to hear him talk about performance in terms of being "chained" down and then "free." Like... really?

Also, I've felt for a long time like he left Hamilton feeling supremely holier-than-thou, and that statement really proves it. 

[uncageg]

Posted: 12/8/17 at 2:20pm

Yes, the "chained" comment struck me also. As of it was almost a burden.

Je kimd of came off this way for most of the imterview. Never failing to mention sold out crowds at his concerts.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/8/17 at 3:20pm

I get what he meant.  Live theater is a huge undertaking and if he's going to do it again, it's going to be for only a part that challenges him and makes that commitment worth it, worth the rest of his life, family, his own music-- not "just" to be on Broadway again.

 

I don't think it sounds holier than thou at all -- life is about choices.

[uncageg]

Posted: 12/8/17 at 3:34pm

I get that part but coupled with his comments about the partnof Burr being the most challenging role in the entire musical cannon made him come off as if he has topped every performance before him. I suspect, for example, Mandy and Patti were a littled taxed after EVITA. For !e, he just kimd of put down every great performer and performance in the past. He makes Hamilton sound like the be all and end all. Yes, his performance was good, as were his castmates, but not the best in the world, in my opinion.

[mariel9]

Posted: 12/8/17 at 6:31pm

But as an outsider, the only impression I have is that Odom is a polite but proud man who was more upfront about his role in the negotiations for more money with the Hamilton producers

I saw him at a small Q&A at Drama League and this is exactly the impression I got. He was very thoughtful, and quietly proud of his abilities and accomplishments (and of Hamilton). He didn't come across as arrogant at all. I don't think there's anything wrong with a talented person knowing he's talented. I was also impressed that he acknowledged the conflict and negotiations for more money. Nothing wrong with demanding what you're worth, and I admire anyone willing to take a leadership role in something that difficult.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 12/8/17 at 6:41pm

mariel9 said: "I don't think there's anything wrong with a talented person knowing he's talented. I was also impressed that he acknowledged the conflict and negotiations for more money. Nothing wrong with demanding what you're worth, and I admire anyone willing to take a leadership role in something that difficult."

That is what arrogance is. And he exudes it in practically every interview. And for what it's worth, he gave a pretty weak performance in Murder on the Orient Express.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 12/8/17 at 11:21pm

I think he's a great singer, but a terrible actor, and those things often get confused - Jennifer Hudson in Dreamgirls. 

 

[uncageg]

Posted: 12/9/17 at 12:26am

Here is the entire interview. Janet and Brandy may not like the comment he made about them. A lot of this interview is good but just a few things kinda rubbed me the wrong way...

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/tavissmiley/interviews/singer-actor-leslie-odom-jr/

[RockyRoad]

Posted: 12/9/17 at 1:46am

And his last album was such a huge smash success.

LOL