Valisia LeKae facts for kids

Valisia LeKae, born on September 25, 1979, is a talented American actress and singer. She is well-known for her amazing performance as Diana Ross in the Broadway musical Motown: The Musical. For this role, she was nominated for a Tony Award in 2013 and a Grammy Award in 2014.

About Valisia LeKae

Valisia grew up in Memphis, Tennessee. As a child, she loved listening to Motown music at her grandfather's barbershop. She started singing in church when she was only six years old. Later, she even worked at the Dollywood theme park. Valisia went to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she earned a degree in Psychology. She also studied Child and Family topics.

In December 2013, Valisia took a break from Motown: The Musical. She needed time to focus on her health. In February 2014, she became a spokesperson for The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. This organization helps people who are dealing with ovarian cancer.

Her Acting Career

Valisia LeKae played the famous singer Diana Ross in Motown: The Musical on Broadway. The show first opened in April 2013. Critics praised her performance.

Playing Diana Ross

Reviewers were very impressed with Valisia's portrayal of Diana Ross. One reviewer from TheaterMania said she truly shined. They noted her voice and calm manner were very much like Diana Ross. The reviewer also mentioned her "genuine star power" during the song 'Reach Out and Touch'. Another reviewer from TalkinBroadway said Valisia did a "killer impersonation" of Ross. They also said she perfectly captured Ross's "smoky innocence."

Awards and Nominations

For her role as Diana Ross, Valisia was nominated for several important awards. She was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. She also received nominations for a Drama League Award and an Outer Critics Circle Award. Valisia won the Theatre World Award for her outstanding debut performance on Broadway.

Other Broadway Shows

Before Motown: The Musical, Valisia worked on other Broadway productions. She was a swing and understudy in The Book of Mormon in 2011. She also performed in Ragtime in 2009, where she won a Joseph Jefferson Award. Her other shows include The Threepenny Opera in 2006 and 110 in the Shade in 2007.