Q & A with Sharon Leal

Born in Tucson, Arizona and raised in Fresno, California, Sharon Leal began performing at an early age, singing, and later acting while attending Roosevelt High School for the Performing Arts.

Leal’s professional career began in regional theatre with productions Ain’t Misbehavin’, Into the Woods, and Little Shop of Horrors among many others.  Soon after, she moved to New York and landed major roles in the Broadway hits, Miss Saigon and Rent. She also work shopped an original production at The Manhattan Theater Club titled, Stormy Weather, in which she starred as the legendary Lena Horne.

Sharon Leal at New York premiere-->
of “Why Did I Get Married Too”-->

She returns in the Tyler Perry sequel “Why Did I Get Married Too,” as Dianne, successful attorney, married to Terry, an attentive husband whom she has neglected.

Leal’s next film is “Little Murder” set in post-Katrina New Orleans.  I caught up with the talented singer/actress following a press conference in Nassau, Bahamas, there for the premiere of “Why Did I Get Married Too.”

We spoke following a press conference in The Bahamas to promote “Why Did I Get Married Too.”

Sandra Varner: I know this may sound a little bit hokey, but would you comment on your role as the onscreen wife of Tyler Perry?

Sharon Leal: Well, I was telling someone the other day that I don’t know if people want to hug me or hit me because “Terry” is kind of the quintessential husband, he’s perfect.  The way he’s written in both of these movies as that dream husband married to Dianne who in the first movie s a little self occupied and a little selfish.  She has to awaken to the possibility of losing this wonderful thing that she has in her life.  She wakes up and realizes nothing is as important as having her wonderful beautiful family. But he (Tyler Perry) is fantastic and it really is an honor to play opposite him.  He wears so many hats and he’s an incredible natural actor.  He is also a wonderful director and a lovely human being.  So I’ve had just the time of my life, just being in his company.

Leal and Perry in beach scene on Eleuthera Island, Bahamas

Talk2SV:  We (viewing audiences) have had the opportunity to see you develop a portfolio as an ensemble or character actor.  What is your signature in terms of what you bring to this industry?

Leal: Well, I don’t know.  I think we’re always trying to grow and evolve and we want to have the same kind of opportunities that white actors have; you want to feel that you can play a diverse number of characters; you want to have that flexibility, that chameleon-like capability.  I’m not sure I just sort of wet my feet and I’m really anxious to see what else is out there.  I think all of us (actors) just want to continue to grow and we don’t want to play the same character (s) in every project.

Janet Jackson, Leal and Jill Scoot in Eleuthera Island beach scene 

Talk2SV: So when you were a child growing up what were your hopes and aspirations and how many of them are fulfilled?

Leal: When I was a kid all I wanted to do was get to Broadway; I was a big theater geek.  I did a lot of community theatre, a lot of regional theatre, my big dream was to be on Broadway.  I was able to accomplish that at 19, I moved to New York with a job, I went to an open call in San Francisco and did that and then a couple agents approached me and said, ‘what about acting?’ I said, ‘I don’t know how to act, I don’t know if I can do that,’ and then it just kind of kept going.  So I’ve been really blessed to be able to expand upon my initial dream which was to sing and dance and work in New York.  I’m just grateful for every opportunity and I hope to continue to go on.

Talk2SV: I can’t help but notice that you have flawless skin; what is your regime?

Leal: I want to say it’s The Bahamas, it’s just wonderful, it’s this weather.  All of a sudden it’s like my hair curls up just right; it’s not frizzin’ and it’s the environment I think, it helps.

Leal at The Bahamas premiere of
“Why Did I Get Married Too” 
photo credit: Richard Rae