Meet Leslie Sheri | Actress, Director, Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Leslie Sheri and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Leslie, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I would say risk taking plays a major role in my acting career because it’s the reason I’m even here in Atl. I put my 2 weeks notice in at a corporate job i was working in DC and moved my entire life to ATL two weeks later without much of a plan. Just on a dream that i would somehow become an actress in a place I didn’t really know anyone with NO prior experience, training, nor schooling.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am an actress, director, and all around visionary. I tend to see the beauty of art in almost any and everything and want to constantly try to create and bring those worlds together. Coming from being a computer science major with a minor in criminology, I quickly realized that, THAT wasn’t the route my life wanted to take. So I went to a Beyonce concert 4 years ago, and she said something that clicked for me and made me realize that taking the safe route in life wasn’t going to bring me the happiness that I was looking for. So I put my 2 weeks notice into my corporate job, packed up my car, then moved 2 weeks later to Atlanta where I knew almost no one. As soon as I moved to Atlanta, it took some getting used to a new city. But after a few months, I got involved in every networking event I could find. I slowly enrolled in back to back acting classes like Intro to Acting, Behind the Camera Technique, In the Moment, and Dialect classes (to help mask my Philly accent a little) because I really didn’t have much acting experience prior to being a featured extra in “SouthPaw”. I also did many, many, many, FREE short films, web series, or anything acting related that could possibly help me get in front of a camera and help me build my reel up for talent agents to see and want to sign me. I write poetry from time to time, so I did a few open mics which really helped with my stage freight for when I was presented the opportunity to get in front of the camera in front of strangers. I didn’t stop there, I also added modeling to my resume. Only when I went to 2 prominent model agencies down here, I was turned down from both because my 5’5″ self didn’t meet the height requirement (so that’s still on a lost of things to conquer). Doing all of this wasn’t easy because it was a drastic change from what I was used to, considering my previous stability that I had prior to moving here. Since I chose to put my acting first, most of my normal jobs became more of “side hustles” like bartending, brand ambassador, temp jobs, doing hair, even starting my own entrepreneurial ventures and businesses. So with that being said, paycheck to paycheck became a “thing” after my savings ran out. But that kept my hunger going in making sure I stayed the course for why I moved to Atlanta in the first place. To become a working actor/model. Something else that was hard to get past was that some people around me didn’t believe acting was a “realistic” career choice. I’m glad I didn’t let the naysayers intimidate me and kept doing everything that I was doing because after a year of networking events, workshops, classes, free work, and even creating my own stories and skits, I landed my agent with East Coast Talent Agency (Thanks to my referral Angie Castillo). Things were a little slow at first because I was getting great auditions, but not booking anything. Then I had to remember, slow and steady wins the race. Since then, I have starred on TV One’s “For My Man”, Tv One’s “ATL Homicide”, FOX’s “The Resident”, MTV’s “Revenge Prank” and now a recurring supporting role on Tyler Perry’s newly produced TV series due to air this summer, (not yet released). I have also been in a play, a few indie films, web series, and grew a love for also being behind the camera bringing an artist’s vision to life. Because I grew to love this craft so much, I started finding a new calling in directing and I appreciate all of the experience and opportunities that I have been given in doing so as of late. So all in all, I want the world to know that great achievements are never made over night. It takes plenty of sacrifices, setbacks, and even sleepless nights to really have the breakthrough and gratification we’re all looking for! I’m a firm believer in the art of manifesting the things you want in life. So as long as you believe in yourself, and actually put forth the hard work and dedication that comes with building your dream, then it will happen in some way, shape, or form.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend were visiting Atlanta, we would for sure eat at a hidden gem called “Eclipse De Luna,” They have two locations but definitely an “in the cut” type of restaurant. Their menu is tapas style so small, tasty, savory, well seasoned plates with great prices to match. They also have really good Sangrias! (and that’s saying a lot coming from a bartender). But during a late night if we’re hungry, we would definitely have to stop at Fellini’s for a slice or two of pizza because Pizza is everyone’s best friend. If we were going for drinks and to sight see, we would stop by a place called “SkyLounge Atlanta”. It’s a rooftop bar connected to The Glenn Hotel downtown, but the views are impeccable and drinks are super classy and potent. Gives boss vibes being up there for sure. Great aesthetic for pictures especially at night when the skyline is lit up. Somewhere to hang out would be Piedmont Park or The Beltline. You see so many interesting and different types of people. Also we would have to hit up bowling. Either keeping it simple at Midtown bowl, or going to the Painted Pin where they have fun drinks, fun life size games, and bowling. Let’s not forget that every woman should know how to handle a firearm, so hitting up a gun range (pref on ladies night when women shoot for free) would def be in the playbook.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate this shoutout to all of the people who chose to “JUMP” and believe in theirselves and make their dreams turn to reality even if the odds were and/or are still against them.

Website: https://linktr.ee/LeslieSheri_

Instagram: @LeslieSheri_

Facebook: Leslie Sheri

Image Credits
Jonathan Armour Slingshot Photography