Salisha Thomas

But while I was playing Diana Ross in Trevor in Chicago, I get a text from my agent saying, the role that you did on tour has opened up on Broadway. Do you want it?

But while I was playing Diana Ross in Trevor in Chicago, I get a text from my agent saying, the role that you did on tour has opened up on Broadway. Do you want it?

Thank you for having me.

Thank you for having me.

So sometimes a swing can cover three roles or four roles. And a lot of times it's people in the ensemble. They had me covering 12 roles, pretty much the entire ensemble and six of the leads.

So sometimes a swing can cover three roles or four roles. And a lot of times it's people in the ensemble. They had me covering 12 roles, pretty much the entire ensemble and six of the leads.

That's not normal.

That's not normal.

There was a lot of that.

There was a lot of that.

And I ended up going on before I was expected to go on. So almost every new role that I went on for, I had not been rehearsed for. That is crazy. It's Broadway. You got me on stage, feeling my way around.

And I ended up going on before I was expected to go on. So almost every new role that I went on for, I had not been rehearsed for. That is crazy. It's Broadway. You got me on stage, feeling my way around.

Everyone's hoping that I say the right line at the right place and that I sing my heart. Come on y'all, that's a little crazy.

Everyone's hoping that I say the right line at the right place and that I sing my heart. Come on y'all, that's a little crazy.

I went on for, they swung me on for a lot. So it was a short run. We were only open for three months. We had 123 performances. I was on for 68 of them. Again, not normal. I went on for one of the lead roles over 25 times. But the actual lead, it was basically Disney meets Britney Spears, all these Disney princesses with Britney Spears music.

I went on for, they swung me on for a lot. So it was a short run. We were only open for three months. We had 123 performances. I was on for 68 of them. Again, not normal. I went on for one of the lead roles over 25 times. But the actual lead, it was basically Disney meets Britney Spears, all these Disney princesses with Britney Spears music.

Right on. I love the Bay Area. It's so beautiful. It's a different vibe. I lived in Southern California for a little while, and that was nice. But I like the Bay Area.

Right on. I love the Bay Area. It's so beautiful. It's a different vibe. I lived in Southern California for a little while, and that was nice. But I like the Bay Area.

I'm like, are you kidding me? I've been waiting for this moment my whole life. What?

I'm like, are you kidding me? I've been waiting for this moment my whole life. What?

And they're finding their feminists, they realize they don't have to do the same stories that have been written for them.

And they're finding their feminists, they realize they don't have to do the same stories that have been written for them.

And so Snow White and Cinderella are the two lead leads. Cinderella's on stage the entire time. And I was not the first cover for it. I was the second cover for it, so I was super duper not rehearsed. And that one, going on for that one without any rehearsal, at the last moment. It was very crazy. I get hot thinking about it, man. It was a crazy day.

And so Snow White and Cinderella are the two lead leads. Cinderella's on stage the entire time. And I was not the first cover for it. I was the second cover for it, so I was super duper not rehearsed. And that one, going on for that one without any rehearsal, at the last moment. It was very crazy. I get hot thinking about it, man. It was a crazy day.

My first, Lee, Snow White.

My first, Lee, Snow White.

Playing Snow White in Once Upon a One More Time. That's the, oh wait, no, I went on first, one of the stepsisters in Once Upon a One More Time. That was my first principal debut, I would say. Okay.

Playing Snow White in Once Upon a One More Time. That's the, oh wait, no, I went on first, one of the stepsisters in Once Upon a One More Time. That was my first principal debut, I would say. Okay.

Full house.

Full house.

Extended applause everywhere. Not just for me, for the show. It was such an electric night. I think it was like industry night. So our peers were in the audience and they were wild. They were wild. And I just remember feeling like, I've always wanted to feel this or feel or see what it was like. And this feels great. A lot of times when I'm in the spotlight, I get nervous.

Extended applause everywhere. Not just for me, for the show. It was such an electric night. I think it was like industry night. So our peers were in the audience and they were wild. They were wild. And I just remember feeling like, I've always wanted to feel this or feel or see what it was like. And this feels great. A lot of times when I'm in the spotlight, I get nervous.

I get stage fright and I'm stressed out. And so I'm not always able to enjoy the pressure until the very end. And I'm learning. how to enjoy something that I've wanted for so long that has so high stakes when it begins, not just right towards the end when I'm like, I think I made it. And the life that I'm building for myself, there seem to be more and more high pressure situations.

I get stage fright and I'm stressed out. And so I'm not always able to enjoy the pressure until the very end. And I'm learning. how to enjoy something that I've wanted for so long that has so high stakes when it begins, not just right towards the end when I'm like, I think I made it. And the life that I'm building for myself, there seem to be more and more high pressure situations.

When it comes to California. New York is really... New York is it.

When it comes to California. New York is really... New York is it.

And I just realized, like, life is too short to not have fun. Like, what's the point of manifesting all this stuff or praying for it if when it comes, I'm stressed out? I don't want to be stressed out. At the end of this year, I'm supposed to be the soloist at Radio City Music Hall. Let's go. Thank you. Let's go. I'm currently singing backup for Hugh Jackman in his residency there.

And I just realized, like, life is too short to not have fun. Like, what's the point of manifesting all this stuff or praying for it if when it comes, I'm stressed out? I don't want to be stressed out. At the end of this year, I'm supposed to be the soloist at Radio City Music Hall. Let's go. Thank you. Let's go. I'm currently singing backup for Hugh Jackman in his residency there.

It's one weekend a month. It's like, oh, this is such a great gig. He's such a great guy, too. And if my date to sing at Radio City is just this one moment in time, and it's a hard song, Never Enough from The Greatest Showman.

It's one weekend a month. It's like, oh, this is such a great gig. He's such a great guy, too. And if my date to sing at Radio City is just this one moment in time, and it's a hard song, Never Enough from The Greatest Showman.

It is, I gotta show up with my whole body for that song. And then also I have to relax, because I can't sing it stressed out. It's such a hard song, I have to be relaxed. How, the thing that I've been working on, and with my husband too, is how can I perform at the highest level? How can I, if I have to wait for a very long time

It is, I gotta show up with my whole body for that song. And then also I have to relax, because I can't sing it stressed out. It's such a hard song, I have to be relaxed. How, the thing that I've been working on, and with my husband too, is how can I perform at the highest level? How can I, if I have to wait for a very long time

for one moment in time, how can I perform at the highest level after waiting for so long? And to stay relaxed when those few minutes come. And I'm going to tell you something that a lot of people don't know, and it's okay, you can air this whenever you want. I am pregnant.

for one moment in time, how can I perform at the highest level after waiting for so long? And to stay relaxed when those few minutes come. And I'm going to tell you something that a lot of people don't know, and it's okay, you can air this whenever you want. I am pregnant.

Thank you. Thank you. I feel crazy. It's okay. I feel... I'm like, I can see myself in the monitor. I'm like... Stop.

Thank you. Thank you. I feel crazy. It's okay. I feel... I'm like, I can see myself in the monitor. I'm like... Stop.

Literally, that's what I was looking at. Stop. I was like, oh, those pants barely fit. Stop it.

Literally, that's what I was looking at. Stop. I was like, oh, those pants barely fit. Stop it.

I did. I was in college at Cal State Fullerton, barely graduated, but I did it. Okay. And I did it early. Okay. I was working as a vocalist and a princess at Disneyland.

I did. I was in college at Cal State Fullerton, barely graduated, but I did it. Okay. And I did it early. Okay. I was working as a vocalist and a princess at Disneyland.

That's so funny. But I brought it up because I'm supposed to be due. On October 8th, I'm singing the solo, October 3rd.

That's so funny. But I brought it up because I'm supposed to be due. On October 8th, I'm singing the solo, October 3rd.

That's close, right?

That's close, right?

In my last checkup, it said October 6th. I said, hey, what's that? She said, oh, don't look at that date. I was like, it's there on the screen. Every date kind of matters in that week.

In my last checkup, it said October 6th. I said, hey, what's that? She said, oh, don't look at that date. I was like, it's there on the screen. Every date kind of matters in that week.

Anyway, so again, the high pressure situations, but trying to stay relaxed. And in that case, keeping a whole baby inside. You're going to do great.

Anyway, so again, the high pressure situations, but trying to stay relaxed. And in that case, keeping a whole baby inside. You're going to do great.

Do you think I can keep it inside?

Do you think I can keep it inside?

Do you think I can keep my mouth shut if I'm in labor and not tell anybody?

Do you think I can keep my mouth shut if I'm in labor and not tell anybody?

You think so?

You think so?

You hear that?

You hear that?

Why do I believe you right now?

Why do I believe you right now?

And I loved it. I got dropped down to one day a week. Okay. And I'm like, how are you supposed to live on one day a week, y'all?

And I loved it. I got dropped down to one day a week. Okay. And I'm like, how are you supposed to live on one day a week, y'all?

I think it's a boy. Okay.

I think it's a boy. Okay.

Can we stay connected?

Can we stay connected?

Because I want to give you updates.

Because I want to give you updates.

Yeah. OK.

Yeah. OK.

I'm like, you travel a lot. You all over.

I'm like, you travel a lot. You all over.

How many years for you?

How many years for you?

Oh, my God. Yeah. You're a newlywed.

Oh, my God. Yeah. You're a newlywed.

How is it going?

How is it going?

Congratulations.

Congratulations.

Big, big congratulations.

Big, big congratulations.

Did you do a big wedding or small?

Did you do a big wedding or small?

Yeah. That's the best.

Yeah. That's the best.

That sounds incredible.

That sounds incredible.

That's the vibe right there.

That's the vibe right there.

That's the vibe. That's the vibe.

That's the vibe. That's the vibe.

And there were some other things going on. I got out of a bad relationship and... I came out to New York City to just visit for just 30 days. I didn't tell anybody except my one friend who lives here now. I gave all my shifts to her. And it was a secret. But when I got here, Mick, I just fell in love. I fell in love with it. I'm like, this doesn't make sense. I can't just like upend my life.

And there were some other things going on. I got out of a bad relationship and... I came out to New York City to just visit for just 30 days. I didn't tell anybody except my one friend who lives here now. I gave all my shifts to her. And it was a secret. But when I got here, Mick, I just fell in love. I fell in love with it. I'm like, this doesn't make sense. I can't just like upend my life.

I talk about it in my book a lot. It's called Why Be a Nine When You Can Be a Ten. And it's a fun book. It doesn't take itself too seriously. And on the outside, it could feel like, oh, reach for perfection. But that's not what it's about. It's about embracing all of your flaws.

I talk about it in my book a lot. It's called Why Be a Nine When You Can Be a Ten. And it's a fun book. It doesn't take itself too seriously. And on the outside, it could feel like, oh, reach for perfection. But that's not what it's about. It's about embracing all of your flaws.

And showing up in this world exactly as you are, because there is nothing better than somebody who is okay with exactly who they are. That puts everybody at ease.

And showing up in this world exactly as you are, because there is nothing better than somebody who is okay with exactly who they are. That puts everybody at ease.

Even if you're just a mess. If you own your mess. Yep. Like, it just... It just, there's something magical about those unicorns who just are self-actualized and show up unapologetically themselves. And I think part of that is embracing the parts of you that might not be pretty. The parts of you that might not be polished or completely put together. You know, sometimes I'm pretty awkward.

Even if you're just a mess. If you own your mess. Yep. Like, it just... It just, there's something magical about those unicorns who just are self-actualized and show up unapologetically themselves. And I think part of that is embracing the parts of you that might not be pretty. The parts of you that might not be polished or completely put together. You know, sometimes I'm pretty awkward.

And I used to really be embarrassed about that. And now... You just kind of embrace it. And I don't care. Right. That's just who I am. And when it comes to how that translates in my career, I put myself out there a lot, a lot. And sometimes I even will save the rejections that I get. Because I'm like, I can't believe.

And I used to really be embarrassed about that. And now... You just kind of embrace it. And I don't care. Right. That's just who I am. And when it comes to how that translates in my career, I put myself out there a lot, a lot. And sometimes I even will save the rejections that I get. Because I'm like, I can't believe.

I can't believe I...

I can't believe I...

tried that like who has the audacity to do like I will even shock myself because I realize all it takes is one yes all it takes is one major opportunity to come your way and it's like bam everything's different just like I dated a bajillion people on the road I had a boyfriend in every major city in America okay none of them were the ones how many were homeless though is that a trend

tried that like who has the audacity to do like I will even shock myself because I realize all it takes is one yes all it takes is one major opportunity to come your way and it's like bam everything's different just like I dated a bajillion people on the road I had a boyfriend in every major city in America okay none of them were the ones how many were homeless though is that a trend

If anybody, I was the homeless one because I was living out of suitcases. But all it takes is to find that one person who is like, oh, you're weird. I'm weird too. Let's do this together forever. You just gotta get it right once. But you have to be okay with hearing the no, seeing the no, getting the no's. And when the stakes are high, those no's hurt extra.

If anybody, I was the homeless one because I was living out of suitcases. But all it takes is to find that one person who is like, oh, you're weird. I'm weird too. Let's do this together forever. You just gotta get it right once. But you have to be okay with hearing the no, seeing the no, getting the no's. And when the stakes are high, those no's hurt extra.

When you're like, that one would've changed my life. But when you keep putting yourself in those positions, You're in the arena. You're in the arena of greatness. You're in the neighborhood. Getting big nose, it hurts. But you're in the right neighborhood. And it's just a matter of time. Keep showing up.

When you're like, that one would've changed my life. But when you keep putting yourself in those positions, You're in the arena. You're in the arena of greatness. You're in the neighborhood. Getting big nose, it hurts. But you're in the right neighborhood. And it's just a matter of time. Keep showing up.

And I met this. This is going to sound so crazy. I met this homeless man while I was here in New York two weeks in and he sat down next to me waiting for the A train and he said, I don't know who you are, but you need to move here and you need to do it now. And I had goosebumps all over my body. His eyes were twinkling, like I'm not making this up.

And I met this. This is going to sound so crazy. I met this homeless man while I was here in New York two weeks in and he sat down next to me waiting for the A train and he said, I don't know who you are, but you need to move here and you need to do it now. And I had goosebumps all over my body. His eyes were twinkling, like I'm not making this up.

Because if it's your side hustle and it brings you joy, there's a reason why that passion is in you.

Because if it's your side hustle and it brings you joy, there's a reason why that passion is in you.

What is your favorite thing that you love?

What is your favorite thing that you love?

Wow. Are you asking me for real?

Wow. Are you asking me for real?

You know, my priorities have changed quite a bit. And I recently went to a Tony Robbins conference and it was wild.

You know, my priorities have changed quite a bit. And I recently went to a Tony Robbins conference and it was wild.

Am I in a cult? Maybe.

Am I in a cult? Maybe.

Did it change my life? Yes. And one of the exercises that we did in the arena, there was thousands of us. He turned off the lights, the kids had to leave. Yeah.

Did it change my life? Yes. And one of the exercises that we did in the arena, there was thousands of us. He turned off the lights, the kids had to leave. Yeah.

Right. Okay. And there was an exercise of basically seeing your life as it would be if you let all your disempowering beliefs take the front seat, continue to take the front seat. And we went deeper and deeper down that road. And seeing what that could look like was very painful.

Right. Okay. And there was an exercise of basically seeing your life as it would be if you let all your disempowering beliefs take the front seat, continue to take the front seat. And we went deeper and deeper down that road. And seeing what that could look like was very painful.

Letting your doubts, letting my doubts, and the most disempowering things I could think that I realized weren't even true. What does your life look like if that is in the driver's seat? And so with my new priorities now being my family, it's always been career. Career, career, career. Let's climb this ladder. And I think I will always be a career girl. But now I'm married and I love my husband.

Letting your doubts, letting my doubts, and the most disempowering things I could think that I realized weren't even true. What does your life look like if that is in the driver's seat? And so with my new priorities now being my family, it's always been career. Career, career, career. Let's climb this ladder. And I think I will always be a career girl. But now I'm married and I love my husband.

I love him. I love him. I didn't think I could love a person like I love my husband, Andrew.

I love him. I love him. I didn't think I could love a person like I love my husband, Andrew.

He's so special in so many different ways. And I've started to maneuver differently. And now we're going to have a baby?

He's so special in so many different ways. And I've started to maneuver differently. And now we're going to have a baby?

Everything just feels different. And I... There is a life that I've always wanted to live. And I've gotten to live it up to an extent in my own life. But thinking about having my child grow up with that just being baseline, it's kind of freaking cool. Can I do that?

Everything just feels different. And I... There is a life that I've always wanted to live. And I've gotten to live it up to an extent in my own life. But thinking about having my child grow up with that just being baseline, it's kind of freaking cool. Can I do that?

Can I create a life that I've always wanted and it's just like... normal to like, that would be my dream. And a challenge for me, like, can, can I do that?

Can I create a life that I've always wanted and it's just like... normal to like, that would be my dream. And a challenge for me, like, can, can I do that?

I'm not sure if that answers the because it does.

I'm not sure if that answers the because it does.

And I get on the train, he didn't, the door shut and he mouths the words, good luck. Okay. I put my notice in that day to Disney. Within two weeks, I had gotten rid of everything in California and finished my last days at Disneyland and was back in New York. And the week I got here, I landed the first national tour of Beautiful, the Carole King musical.

And I get on the train, he didn't, the door shut and he mouths the words, good luck. Okay. I put my notice in that day to Disney. Within two weeks, I had gotten rid of everything in California and finished my last days at Disneyland and was back in New York. And the week I got here, I landed the first national tour of Beautiful, the Carole King musical.

Yeah.

Yeah.

And for me, it's very important that I don't raise assholes. I want them to be kind. What? I know. I feel like there's a stereotype. If you grow up with something, you're going to be like this. I don't know what my kids will grow up as. I'm not rolling in the dough. But one day I want to be. And when that happens, I want my kids to be humble and kind and generous.

And for me, it's very important that I don't raise assholes. I want them to be kind. What? I know. I feel like there's a stereotype. If you grow up with something, you're going to be like this. I don't know what my kids will grow up as. I'm not rolling in the dough. But one day I want to be. And when that happens, I want my kids to be humble and kind and generous.

I've never done it before.

I've never done it before.

Oh my gosh, I'm gonna throw up.

Oh my gosh, I'm gonna throw up.

Oh my gosh.

Oh my gosh.

Why be a nine when you can be a 10? You know, I've always written. I have journals and journals and journals of writing. And I wrote a book in the pandemic that will never see the light of day. It's completely, completely inappropriate. And I couldn't use it. I couldn't use it for public use. But I wanted to write something that I could use.

Why be a nine when you can be a 10? You know, I've always written. I have journals and journals and journals of writing. And I wrote a book in the pandemic that will never see the light of day. It's completely, completely inappropriate. And I couldn't use it. I couldn't use it for public use. But I wanted to write something that I could use.

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Oh, my gosh. Can you imagine if I marry the homeless man?

Oh, my gosh. Can you imagine if I marry the homeless man?

No, I never saw him again. Nope, I never saw him again. I got here and I, I mean, there was a little bit of time before we started rehearsals, but I toured for two years. While I was on tour, I took a week off, ran for a pageant, became Miss California, kept touring. And, you know, that was really, that's when I got to visit Greenville. I got to visit, like, the country, got to see.

No, I never saw him again. Nope, I never saw him again. I got here and I, I mean, there was a little bit of time before we started rehearsals, but I toured for two years. While I was on tour, I took a week off, ran for a pageant, became Miss California, kept touring. And, you know, that was really, that's when I got to visit Greenville. I got to visit, like, the country, got to see.

I was in my early 20s and just very, like, what's the word, like I didn't own any furniture, I got rid of everything. I just was living in my suitcases and kind of flying by the seat of my pants and prepared to fail. Okay if I failed, but giving myself the opportunity to fly just in case if it did want to work out. I never wanted to think, what if? Like, what if I listened to my heart?

I was in my early 20s and just very, like, what's the word, like I didn't own any furniture, I got rid of everything. I just was living in my suitcases and kind of flying by the seat of my pants and prepared to fail. Okay if I failed, but giving myself the opportunity to fly just in case if it did want to work out. I never wanted to think, what if? Like, what if I listened to my heart?

What if I took the chance? I just, it's okay if you fail, just try.

What if I took the chance? I just, it's okay if you fail, just try.

It was the Miss World Organization, which in America, it's not that, well, at the time, it wasn't that big of a deal. It was new to us. In the world, it's recognized, but in the country, usually our country just sends a model. And that was one of the first two years that they held a pageant here in the States. And so the way they kind of did it was different than the systems usually run.

It was the Miss World Organization, which in America, it's not that, well, at the time, it wasn't that big of a deal. It was new to us. In the world, it's recognized, but in the country, usually our country just sends a model. And that was one of the first two years that they held a pageant here in the States. And so the way they kind of did it was different than the systems usually run.

And I just went as a delegate, a national delegate. And out of all the girls there, I had the highest score overall. for the West Coast, for California. So I ended up with the title of Miss California. And they were okay with me being on tour. And each state that I went to, I was able to volunteer and wear my crown and meet with my sister crown title holders. And it was really fun.

And I just went as a delegate, a national delegate. And out of all the girls there, I had the highest score overall. for the West Coast, for California. So I ended up with the title of Miss California. And they were okay with me being on tour. And each state that I went to, I was able to volunteer and wear my crown and meet with my sister crown title holders. And it was really fun.

I've run in a lot of pageants and I've lost a lot of pageants. I've been Miss Continuality seven, eight times.

I've run in a lot of pageants and I've lost a lot of pageants. I've been Miss Continuality seven, eight times.

And they're fun for me. I haven't done it in a very long time, but I made so many friends. I got scholarship money. When I was backstage, there was a lot of, your earring's broke? Take mine. There was a lot of that. Also, pageants, I know they get so much flack, but I didn't even know I could sing before I did my first pageant. I needed a talent.

And they're fun for me. I haven't done it in a very long time, but I made so many friends. I got scholarship money. When I was backstage, there was a lot of, your earring's broke? Take mine. There was a lot of that. Also, pageants, I know they get so much flack, but I didn't even know I could sing before I did my first pageant. I needed a talent.

And one of the directors for the first pageants that I ever ran for Miss Fresno, she became my mentor and now she's my best friend. But at the time, she was like, what's your talent? And I was like, I was just going to memorize a monologue. She goes, in pageant world, that's code for you don't have a talent. I'm like, she's like, can you sing? I'm like, I do at church.

And one of the directors for the first pageants that I ever ran for Miss Fresno, she became my mentor and now she's my best friend. But at the time, she was like, what's your talent? And I was like, I was just going to memorize a monologue. She goes, in pageant world, that's code for you don't have a talent. I'm like, she's like, can you sing? I'm like, I do at church.

And so I took voice lessons for the first time.

And so I took voice lessons for the first time.

And I mean, literally now I'm on Broadway. So I'm so grateful for that opportunity.

And I mean, literally now I'm on Broadway. So I'm so grateful for that opportunity.

Kind of like that realization that I didn't even know that was there.

Kind of like that realization that I didn't even know that was there.

Yeah, sure. I love to sing jazz. I love a good show tune as well. And I've recently discovered that I like rock. That's a very new thing. Okay.

Yeah, sure. I love to sing jazz. I love a good show tune as well. And I've recently discovered that I like rock. That's a very new thing. Okay.

What's Tina's song? When I was a little girl, I had a rag doll. What's that song called? Like when she goes up higher. I wouldn't yell it into the mic right here, but it just hits in this place where I'm like, it feels good and it's not something I can do when I'm casually watching. Like I have to use my whole body to sing it.

What's Tina's song? When I was a little girl, I had a rag doll. What's that song called? Like when she goes up higher. I wouldn't yell it into the mic right here, but it just hits in this place where I'm like, it feels good and it's not something I can do when I'm casually watching. Like I have to use my whole body to sing it.

Oh, well... It was a dream of mine since I was little. But it was one of those, like, what are the chances?

Oh, well... It was a dream of mine since I was little. But it was one of those, like, what are the chances?

Like, what are the chances? But there was my hometown hero, Audra McDonald. She's got the... the record for six Tonys. And she's from Fresno, California.

Like, what are the chances? But there was my hometown hero, Audra McDonald. She's got the... the record for six Tonys. And she's from Fresno, California.

Yes, I'm like, well, it exists. Somebody from my hometown is doing the thing. She's currently in Gypsy on Broadway, killing it. And watching her, I'm like, it's possible.

Yes, I'm like, well, it exists. Somebody from my hometown is doing the thing. She's currently in Gypsy on Broadway, killing it. And watching her, I'm like, it's possible.

I see it and she's black like me. And so I felt like, okay, well, again, I always like to give myself permission to fall flat on my face. Because if you don't give yourself permission, what you gonna do if you just are afraid live life of regrets, right? If you don't put yourself out there. My life is full of so many failures, but when I get a yes, and when I get a win, it's good.

I see it and she's black like me. And so I felt like, okay, well, again, I always like to give myself permission to fall flat on my face. Because if you don't give yourself permission, what you gonna do if you just are afraid live life of regrets, right? If you don't put yourself out there. My life is full of so many failures, but when I get a yes, and when I get a win, it's good.

But no one, people don't see all the no's that I get. But when it came to Broadway, I toured for what? A year and nine months. And I loved it. I loved touring with the Carole King musical. And I put my notice in, not because I didn't like it anymore, but I've always just wanted to live in New York. I came to New York and I got a show on the road. And I wanted to give it a chance.

But no one, people don't see all the no's that I get. But when it came to Broadway, I toured for what? A year and nine months. And I loved it. I loved touring with the Carole King musical. And I put my notice in, not because I didn't like it anymore, but I've always just wanted to live in New York. I came to New York and I got a show on the road. And I wanted to give it a chance.

So I put my notice in not having anything lined up. Once again. And right after, I ended up getting a show called Trevor with the director who directed Beautiful. And while I was doing, I was playing Diana Ross. And, oh gosh, there's a great story there.

So I put my notice in not having anything lined up. Once again. And right after, I ended up getting a show called Trevor with the director who directed Beautiful. And while I was doing, I was playing Diana Ross. And, oh gosh, there's a great story there.

But while I was playing Diana Ross in Trevor in Chicago, I get a text from my agent saying, the role that you did on tour has opened up on Broadway. Do you want it? Hmm.

But while I was playing Diana Ross in Trevor in Chicago, I get a text from my agent saying, the role that you did on tour has opened up on Broadway. Do you want it? Hmm.

Are you kidding me? I've been waiting for this moment my whole life. I don't even have to audition for it.

Are you kidding me? I've been waiting for this moment my whole life. I don't even have to audition for it.

I just have to say yes. And I said yes. And after I finished that run, they gave me two days. I moved to the city on a Monday. I rehearsed Tuesday, Wednesday, and I made my Broadway debut on a Thursday.

I just have to say yes. And I said yes. And after I finished that run, they gave me two days. I moved to the city on a Monday. I rehearsed Tuesday, Wednesday, and I made my Broadway debut on a Thursday.

I met the lead while we were doing the show. Like I see her on all these billboards and trash cans all over Times Square. And in the first scene that I was in, she came up because in rehearsal, she wasn't there. It was her standing.

I met the lead while we were doing the show. Like I see her on all these billboards and trash cans all over Times Square. And in the first scene that I was in, she came up because in rehearsal, she wasn't there. It was her standing.

And so on stage, she comes up to me and I'm like, it's the girl from the billboards.

And so on stage, she comes up to me and I'm like, it's the girl from the billboards.

Salisha, you have to say your line.

Salisha, you have to say your line.

to meet her before. It was so cool to me. Yeah, it was completely surreal. But to be fair, it was the same show as on the road, but a completely different cast, a very different set. I thought our set on tour was incredible by Derek McClain, who's done so many things on Broadway and Academy Awards and Golden Globes. He's done so many things. It was a great set on the road.

to meet her before. It was so cool to me. Yeah, it was completely surreal. But to be fair, it was the same show as on the road, but a completely different cast, a very different set. I thought our set on tour was incredible by Derek McClain, who's done so many things on Broadway and Academy Awards and Golden Globes. He's done so many things. It was a great set on the road.

I'm so happy to be here. Thank you so much for having me. I am happy, too.

I'm so happy to be here. Thank you so much for having me. I am happy, too.

But the Broadway version, it was bigger, higher, more things moved. It was an operation.

But the Broadway version, it was bigger, higher, more things moved. It was an operation.

Yeah. And so there were definitely a little bit of some learning curves. For the first national tour, I set that show. So I knew where I liked to stand and when I liked to stand. Broadway had been open for four years at that point. They had their own thing. choreography backstage. And so even though I'm used to being in the wings on this scene, they're like, no, no, no.

Yeah. And so there were definitely a little bit of some learning curves. For the first national tour, I set that show. So I knew where I liked to stand and when I liked to stand. Broadway had been open for four years at that point. They had their own thing. choreography backstage. And so even though I'm used to being in the wings on this scene, they're like, no, no, no.

What's so funny?

What's so funny?

You need to go change downstairs at this time. So that was different. But it was all fine and good once I...

You need to go change downstairs at this time. So that was different. But it was all fine and good once I...

Found that rhythm. Wow.

Found that rhythm. Wow.

Because I don't ever hear anybody hype me up like that. That's my favorite thing to do about...

Because I don't ever hear anybody hype me up like that. That's my favorite thing to do about...

Yeah.

Yeah.

Wow.

Wow.

There are so many different ways to approach the Broadway world. I have friends who have been in Lion King for over a decade. They call that a government job. Okay. Okay. Where you get to go to work and you have a good feeling it's going to be there tomorrow.

There are so many different ways to approach the Broadway world. I have friends who have been in Lion King for over a decade. They call that a government job. Okay. Okay. Where you get to go to work and you have a good feeling it's going to be there tomorrow.

You're going to get that check. You know exactly what to do. You can make your grocery list while you're at work. It's like you don't learn anything new. No, you just go to work. You do your thing and then you go home. If you've been in a show that long, you go home to your apartment and your family.

You're going to get that check. You know exactly what to do. You can make your grocery list while you're at work. It's like you don't learn anything new. No, you just go to work. You do your thing and then you go home. If you've been in a show that long, you go home to your apartment and your family.

That's one way of looking at it. Then I have friends who jump from show to show to show. Some of them are broke, but they've got credits and a reputation. And they're shooting for that Tony. They wanna get the role of a lifetime. They wanna build that list of leading roles. But because they're jumping from show to show, sometimes there's gaps in between the shows.

That's one way of looking at it. Then I have friends who jump from show to show to show. Some of them are broke, but they've got credits and a reputation. And they're shooting for that Tony. They wanna get the role of a lifetime. They wanna build that list of leading roles. But because they're jumping from show to show, sometimes there's gaps in between the shows.

But you might know their name and their face. So that's a different approach. And then... There's the chorus where you can jump from chorus to chorus and always be in a show and stack up your credits. But you might not be famous, but you're always working or you're always swinging. There's just different ways to approach it. And my feelings change all the time about it.

But you might know their name and their face. So that's a different approach. And then... There's the chorus where you can jump from chorus to chorus and always be in a show and stack up your credits. But you might not be famous, but you're always working or you're always swinging. There's just different ways to approach it. And my feelings change all the time about it.

At first, I just wanted to be on Broadway. And that first show that I got, Mick, it was a dream come true.

At first, I just wanted to be on Broadway. And that first show that I got, Mick, it was a dream come true.

It was better than I ever thought it could be. I was so happy. My cast was so welcoming and fun and loving. like people who I'd listened to on the CD for so long, I'm standing next to them on stage. And just in awe of them. I never, ever, ever took that for granted. And the show that I did after that, boy, oh boy, was it a very different experience. I got my butt kicked. I got my butt kicked.

It was better than I ever thought it could be. I was so happy. My cast was so welcoming and fun and loving. like people who I'd listened to on the CD for so long, I'm standing next to them on stage. And just in awe of them. I never, ever, ever took that for granted. And the show that I did after that, boy, oh boy, was it a very different experience. I got my butt kicked. I got my butt kicked.

I did.

I did.

Okay. All right. You know what? Thank you.

Okay. All right. You know what? Thank you.

The Britney Spears musical.

The Britney Spears musical.

There was a lot happening.

There was a lot happening.

There was a lot happening on all angles in that show. Ultimately, I am so grateful for that show. I'd never taken a swinging position before, like an understudy.

There was a lot happening on all angles in that show. Ultimately, I am so grateful for that show. I'd never taken a swinging position before, like an understudy.

Why are you swinging?

Why are you swinging?

A swing is like a super understudy where you're covering almost everybody. Well, in my case, almost everybody in the company.

A swing is like a super understudy where you're covering almost everybody. Well, in my case, almost everybody in the company.

But while I was playing Diana Ross in Trevor in Chicago, I get a text from my agent saying, the role that you did on tour has opened up on Broadway. Do you want it?

Thank you for having me.

So sometimes a swing can cover three roles or four roles. And a lot of times it's people in the ensemble. They had me covering 12 roles, pretty much the entire ensemble and six of the leads.

That's not normal.

There was a lot of that.

And I ended up going on before I was expected to go on. So almost every new role that I went on for, I had not been rehearsed for. That is crazy. It's Broadway. You got me on stage, feeling my way around.

Everyone's hoping that I say the right line at the right place and that I sing my heart. Come on y'all, that's a little crazy.

I went on for, they swung me on for a lot. So it was a short run. We were only open for three months. We had 123 performances. I was on for 68 of them. Again, not normal. I went on for one of the lead roles over 25 times. But the actual lead, it was basically Disney meets Britney Spears, all these Disney princesses with Britney Spears music.

Right on. I love the Bay Area. It's so beautiful. It's a different vibe. I lived in Southern California for a little while, and that was nice. But I like the Bay Area.

I'm like, are you kidding me? I've been waiting for this moment my whole life. What?

And they're finding their feminists, they realize they don't have to do the same stories that have been written for them.

And so Snow White and Cinderella are the two lead leads. Cinderella's on stage the entire time. And I was not the first cover for it. I was the second cover for it, so I was super duper not rehearsed. And that one, going on for that one without any rehearsal, at the last moment. It was very crazy. I get hot thinking about it, man. It was a crazy day.

My first, Lee, Snow White.

Playing Snow White in Once Upon a One More Time. That's the, oh wait, no, I went on first, one of the stepsisters in Once Upon a One More Time. That was my first principal debut, I would say. Okay.

Full house.

Extended applause everywhere. Not just for me, for the show. It was such an electric night. I think it was like industry night. So our peers were in the audience and they were wild. They were wild. And I just remember feeling like, I've always wanted to feel this or feel or see what it was like. And this feels great. A lot of times when I'm in the spotlight, I get nervous.

I get stage fright and I'm stressed out. And so I'm not always able to enjoy the pressure until the very end. And I'm learning. how to enjoy something that I've wanted for so long that has so high stakes when it begins, not just right towards the end when I'm like, I think I made it. And the life that I'm building for myself, there seem to be more and more high pressure situations.

When it comes to California. New York is really... New York is it.

And I just realized, like, life is too short to not have fun. Like, what's the point of manifesting all this stuff or praying for it if when it comes, I'm stressed out? I don't want to be stressed out. At the end of this year, I'm supposed to be the soloist at Radio City Music Hall. Let's go. Thank you. Let's go. I'm currently singing backup for Hugh Jackman in his residency there.

It's one weekend a month. It's like, oh, this is such a great gig. He's such a great guy, too. And if my date to sing at Radio City is just this one moment in time, and it's a hard song, Never Enough from The Greatest Showman.

It is, I gotta show up with my whole body for that song. And then also I have to relax, because I can't sing it stressed out. It's such a hard song, I have to be relaxed. How, the thing that I've been working on, and with my husband too, is how can I perform at the highest level? How can I, if I have to wait for a very long time

for one moment in time, how can I perform at the highest level after waiting for so long? And to stay relaxed when those few minutes come. And I'm going to tell you something that a lot of people don't know, and it's okay, you can air this whenever you want. I am pregnant.

Thank you. Thank you. I feel crazy. It's okay. I feel... I'm like, I can see myself in the monitor. I'm like... Stop.

Literally, that's what I was looking at. Stop. I was like, oh, those pants barely fit. Stop it.

I did. I was in college at Cal State Fullerton, barely graduated, but I did it. Okay. And I did it early. Okay. I was working as a vocalist and a princess at Disneyland.

That's so funny. But I brought it up because I'm supposed to be due. On October 8th, I'm singing the solo, October 3rd.

That's close, right?

In my last checkup, it said October 6th. I said, hey, what's that? She said, oh, don't look at that date. I was like, it's there on the screen. Every date kind of matters in that week.

Anyway, so again, the high pressure situations, but trying to stay relaxed. And in that case, keeping a whole baby inside. You're going to do great.

Do you think I can keep it inside?

Do you think I can keep my mouth shut if I'm in labor and not tell anybody?

You think so?

You hear that?

Why do I believe you right now?

And I loved it. I got dropped down to one day a week. Okay. And I'm like, how are you supposed to live on one day a week, y'all?

I think it's a boy. Okay.

Can we stay connected?

Because I want to give you updates.

Yeah. OK.

I'm like, you travel a lot. You all over.

How many years for you?

Oh, my God. Yeah. You're a newlywed.

How is it going?

Congratulations.

Big, big congratulations.

Did you do a big wedding or small?

Yeah. That's the best.

That sounds incredible.

That's the vibe right there.

That's the vibe. That's the vibe.

And there were some other things going on. I got out of a bad relationship and... I came out to New York City to just visit for just 30 days. I didn't tell anybody except my one friend who lives here now. I gave all my shifts to her. And it was a secret. But when I got here, Mick, I just fell in love. I fell in love with it. I'm like, this doesn't make sense. I can't just like upend my life.

I talk about it in my book a lot. It's called Why Be a Nine When You Can Be a Ten. And it's a fun book. It doesn't take itself too seriously. And on the outside, it could feel like, oh, reach for perfection. But that's not what it's about. It's about embracing all of your flaws.

And showing up in this world exactly as you are, because there is nothing better than somebody who is okay with exactly who they are. That puts everybody at ease.

Even if you're just a mess. If you own your mess. Yep. Like, it just... It just, there's something magical about those unicorns who just are self-actualized and show up unapologetically themselves. And I think part of that is embracing the parts of you that might not be pretty. The parts of you that might not be polished or completely put together. You know, sometimes I'm pretty awkward.

And I used to really be embarrassed about that. And now... You just kind of embrace it. And I don't care. Right. That's just who I am. And when it comes to how that translates in my career, I put myself out there a lot, a lot. And sometimes I even will save the rejections that I get. Because I'm like, I can't believe.

I can't believe I...

tried that like who has the audacity to do like I will even shock myself because I realize all it takes is one yes all it takes is one major opportunity to come your way and it's like bam everything's different just like I dated a bajillion people on the road I had a boyfriend in every major city in America okay none of them were the ones how many were homeless though is that a trend

If anybody, I was the homeless one because I was living out of suitcases. But all it takes is to find that one person who is like, oh, you're weird. I'm weird too. Let's do this together forever. You just gotta get it right once. But you have to be okay with hearing the no, seeing the no, getting the no's. And when the stakes are high, those no's hurt extra.

When you're like, that one would've changed my life. But when you keep putting yourself in those positions, You're in the arena. You're in the arena of greatness. You're in the neighborhood. Getting big nose, it hurts. But you're in the right neighborhood. And it's just a matter of time. Keep showing up.

And I met this. This is going to sound so crazy. I met this homeless man while I was here in New York two weeks in and he sat down next to me waiting for the A train and he said, I don't know who you are, but you need to move here and you need to do it now. And I had goosebumps all over my body. His eyes were twinkling, like I'm not making this up.

Because if it's your side hustle and it brings you joy, there's a reason why that passion is in you.

What is your favorite thing that you love?

Wow. Are you asking me for real?

You know, my priorities have changed quite a bit. And I recently went to a Tony Robbins conference and it was wild.

Am I in a cult? Maybe.

Did it change my life? Yes. And one of the exercises that we did in the arena, there was thousands of us. He turned off the lights, the kids had to leave. Yeah.

Right. Okay. And there was an exercise of basically seeing your life as it would be if you let all your disempowering beliefs take the front seat, continue to take the front seat. And we went deeper and deeper down that road. And seeing what that could look like was very painful.

Letting your doubts, letting my doubts, and the most disempowering things I could think that I realized weren't even true. What does your life look like if that is in the driver's seat? And so with my new priorities now being my family, it's always been career. Career, career, career. Let's climb this ladder. And I think I will always be a career girl. But now I'm married and I love my husband.

I love him. I love him. I didn't think I could love a person like I love my husband, Andrew.

He's so special in so many different ways. And I've started to maneuver differently. And now we're going to have a baby?

Everything just feels different. And I... There is a life that I've always wanted to live. And I've gotten to live it up to an extent in my own life. But thinking about having my child grow up with that just being baseline, it's kind of freaking cool. Can I do that?

Can I create a life that I've always wanted and it's just like... normal to like, that would be my dream. And a challenge for me, like, can, can I do that?

I'm not sure if that answers the because it does.

And I get on the train, he didn't, the door shut and he mouths the words, good luck. Okay. I put my notice in that day to Disney. Within two weeks, I had gotten rid of everything in California and finished my last days at Disneyland and was back in New York. And the week I got here, I landed the first national tour of Beautiful, the Carole King musical.

Yeah.

And for me, it's very important that I don't raise assholes. I want them to be kind. What? I know. I feel like there's a stereotype. If you grow up with something, you're going to be like this. I don't know what my kids will grow up as. I'm not rolling in the dough. But one day I want to be. And when that happens, I want my kids to be humble and kind and generous.

I've never done it before.

Oh my gosh, I'm gonna throw up.

Oh my gosh.

Why be a nine when you can be a 10? You know, I've always written. I have journals and journals and journals of writing. And I wrote a book in the pandemic that will never see the light of day. It's completely, completely inappropriate. And I couldn't use it. I couldn't use it for public use. But I wanted to write something that I could use.

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Oh, my gosh. Can you imagine if I marry the homeless man?

No, I never saw him again. Nope, I never saw him again. I got here and I, I mean, there was a little bit of time before we started rehearsals, but I toured for two years. While I was on tour, I took a week off, ran for a pageant, became Miss California, kept touring. And, you know, that was really, that's when I got to visit Greenville. I got to visit, like, the country, got to see.

I was in my early 20s and just very, like, what's the word, like I didn't own any furniture, I got rid of everything. I just was living in my suitcases and kind of flying by the seat of my pants and prepared to fail. Okay if I failed, but giving myself the opportunity to fly just in case if it did want to work out. I never wanted to think, what if? Like, what if I listened to my heart?

What if I took the chance? I just, it's okay if you fail, just try.

It was the Miss World Organization, which in America, it's not that, well, at the time, it wasn't that big of a deal. It was new to us. In the world, it's recognized, but in the country, usually our country just sends a model. And that was one of the first two years that they held a pageant here in the States. And so the way they kind of did it was different than the systems usually run.

And I just went as a delegate, a national delegate. And out of all the girls there, I had the highest score overall. for the West Coast, for California. So I ended up with the title of Miss California. And they were okay with me being on tour. And each state that I went to, I was able to volunteer and wear my crown and meet with my sister crown title holders. And it was really fun.

I've run in a lot of pageants and I've lost a lot of pageants. I've been Miss Continuality seven, eight times.

And they're fun for me. I haven't done it in a very long time, but I made so many friends. I got scholarship money. When I was backstage, there was a lot of, your earring's broke? Take mine. There was a lot of that. Also, pageants, I know they get so much flack, but I didn't even know I could sing before I did my first pageant. I needed a talent.

And one of the directors for the first pageants that I ever ran for Miss Fresno, she became my mentor and now she's my best friend. But at the time, she was like, what's your talent? And I was like, I was just going to memorize a monologue. She goes, in pageant world, that's code for you don't have a talent. I'm like, she's like, can you sing? I'm like, I do at church.

And so I took voice lessons for the first time.

And I mean, literally now I'm on Broadway. So I'm so grateful for that opportunity.

Kind of like that realization that I didn't even know that was there.

Yeah, sure. I love to sing jazz. I love a good show tune as well. And I've recently discovered that I like rock. That's a very new thing. Okay.

What's Tina's song? When I was a little girl, I had a rag doll. What's that song called? Like when she goes up higher. I wouldn't yell it into the mic right here, but it just hits in this place where I'm like, it feels good and it's not something I can do when I'm casually watching. Like I have to use my whole body to sing it.

Oh, well... It was a dream of mine since I was little. But it was one of those, like, what are the chances?

Like, what are the chances? But there was my hometown hero, Audra McDonald. She's got the... the record for six Tonys. And she's from Fresno, California.

Yes, I'm like, well, it exists. Somebody from my hometown is doing the thing. She's currently in Gypsy on Broadway, killing it. And watching her, I'm like, it's possible.

I see it and she's black like me. And so I felt like, okay, well, again, I always like to give myself permission to fall flat on my face. Because if you don't give yourself permission, what you gonna do if you just are afraid live life of regrets, right? If you don't put yourself out there. My life is full of so many failures, but when I get a yes, and when I get a win, it's good.

But no one, people don't see all the no's that I get. But when it came to Broadway, I toured for what? A year and nine months. And I loved it. I loved touring with the Carole King musical. And I put my notice in, not because I didn't like it anymore, but I've always just wanted to live in New York. I came to New York and I got a show on the road. And I wanted to give it a chance.

So I put my notice in not having anything lined up. Once again. And right after, I ended up getting a show called Trevor with the director who directed Beautiful. And while I was doing, I was playing Diana Ross. And, oh gosh, there's a great story there.

But while I was playing Diana Ross in Trevor in Chicago, I get a text from my agent saying, the role that you did on tour has opened up on Broadway. Do you want it? Hmm.

Are you kidding me? I've been waiting for this moment my whole life. I don't even have to audition for it.

I just have to say yes. And I said yes. And after I finished that run, they gave me two days. I moved to the city on a Monday. I rehearsed Tuesday, Wednesday, and I made my Broadway debut on a Thursday.

I met the lead while we were doing the show. Like I see her on all these billboards and trash cans all over Times Square. And in the first scene that I was in, she came up because in rehearsal, she wasn't there. It was her standing.

And so on stage, she comes up to me and I'm like, it's the girl from the billboards.

Salisha, you have to say your line.

to meet her before. It was so cool to me. Yeah, it was completely surreal. But to be fair, it was the same show as on the road, but a completely different cast, a very different set. I thought our set on tour was incredible by Derek McClain, who's done so many things on Broadway and Academy Awards and Golden Globes. He's done so many things. It was a great set on the road.

I'm so happy to be here. Thank you so much for having me. I am happy, too.

But the Broadway version, it was bigger, higher, more things moved. It was an operation.

Yeah. And so there were definitely a little bit of some learning curves. For the first national tour, I set that show. So I knew where I liked to stand and when I liked to stand. Broadway had been open for four years at that point. They had their own thing. choreography backstage. And so even though I'm used to being in the wings on this scene, they're like, no, no, no.

What's so funny?

You need to go change downstairs at this time. So that was different. But it was all fine and good once I...

Found that rhythm. Wow.

Because I don't ever hear anybody hype me up like that. That's my favorite thing to do about...

Yeah.

Wow.

There are so many different ways to approach the Broadway world. I have friends who have been in Lion King for over a decade. They call that a government job. Okay. Okay. Where you get to go to work and you have a good feeling it's going to be there tomorrow.

You're going to get that check. You know exactly what to do. You can make your grocery list while you're at work. It's like you don't learn anything new. No, you just go to work. You do your thing and then you go home. If you've been in a show that long, you go home to your apartment and your family.

That's one way of looking at it. Then I have friends who jump from show to show to show. Some of them are broke, but they've got credits and a reputation. And they're shooting for that Tony. They wanna get the role of a lifetime. They wanna build that list of leading roles. But because they're jumping from show to show, sometimes there's gaps in between the shows.

But you might know their name and their face. So that's a different approach. And then... There's the chorus where you can jump from chorus to chorus and always be in a show and stack up your credits. But you might not be famous, but you're always working or you're always swinging. There's just different ways to approach it. And my feelings change all the time about it.

At first, I just wanted to be on Broadway. And that first show that I got, Mick, it was a dream come true.

It was better than I ever thought it could be. I was so happy. My cast was so welcoming and fun and loving. like people who I'd listened to on the CD for so long, I'm standing next to them on stage. And just in awe of them. I never, ever, ever took that for granted. And the show that I did after that, boy, oh boy, was it a very different experience. I got my butt kicked. I got my butt kicked.

I did.

Okay. All right. You know what? Thank you.

The Britney Spears musical.

There was a lot happening.

There was a lot happening on all angles in that show. Ultimately, I am so grateful for that show. I'd never taken a swinging position before, like an understudy.

Why are you swinging?

A swing is like a super understudy where you're covering almost everybody. Well, in my case, almost everybody in the company.