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Tuesday, February 21, 2023
From 'Abbott Elementary' to the Super Bowl, Sheryl Lee Ralph owns the spotlight
NPR: She was the first to play the role of Deena Jones in the original production of Dreamgirls on Broadway; the second Black woman to win an Emmy for supporting actress in a comedy; and most recently, the third to perform "Lift Every Voice And Sing" at the Super Bowl.
2 comments:
Carly Tamborello
said...
I find Sheryl Lee Ralph to be incredibly well-spoken and inspiring in this interview. I read this because I recognized her from Abbott Elementary, which I now know is actually on the tail end of her long and impressive career. The struggle she describes about “when to settle” is a big deal for artists, I think. For a lawyer or someone else with a steady 9-5 job, the issue of retirement is simple: one day you’ll tell your boss that you don’t want to work there anymore. For an artist who is working a variety of different gigs, there’s a bigger shift: stopping marketing yourself, stopping going on auditions or interviews or what have you. And that transition could happen at the age of 30, or 60, or 90, or whenever you want, and that’s a hard line to walk. I’m glad that Sheryl Lee Ralph decided to keep going, and became aware of how much she has to offer and how much love she could continue to infuse into her craft, both for herself and to inspire young artists.
Sheryl Lee Ralph's performance of the national anthem during the Super Bowl halftime show was a standout moment in a night filled with high-energy entertainment. As an accomplished singer, actress, and advocate, Ralph's performance was a testament to her talent, hard work, and dedication to social justice.
Beyond her musical abilities, Ralph's presence on stage represented an important moment of representation and diversity in the entertainment industry. As a Black woman, her visibility on such a high-profile stage sends a powerful message about the importance of representation in our society. Her performance was a reminder that representation matters and that the entertainment industry needs to continue to push for more diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Sheryl Lee Ralph's performance during the Super Bowl halftime show was a memorable and moving moment that showcased her talent, resilience, and commitment to social justice. It serves as a reminder of the power of music to unite us and of the importance of representation and advocacy in the entertainment industry. Her presence on stage was a powerful symbol of progress, and we must continue to push for greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our society.
2 comments:
I find Sheryl Lee Ralph to be incredibly well-spoken and inspiring in this interview. I read this because I recognized her from Abbott Elementary, which I now know is actually on the tail end of her long and impressive career. The struggle she describes about “when to settle” is a big deal for artists, I think. For a lawyer or someone else with a steady 9-5 job, the issue of retirement is simple: one day you’ll tell your boss that you don’t want to work there anymore. For an artist who is working a variety of different gigs, there’s a bigger shift: stopping marketing yourself, stopping going on auditions or interviews or what have you. And that transition could happen at the age of 30, or 60, or 90, or whenever you want, and that’s a hard line to walk. I’m glad that Sheryl Lee Ralph decided to keep going, and became aware of how much she has to offer and how much love she could continue to infuse into her craft, both for herself and to inspire young artists.
Sheryl Lee Ralph's performance of the national anthem during the Super Bowl halftime show was a standout moment in a night filled with high-energy entertainment. As an accomplished singer, actress, and advocate, Ralph's performance was a testament to her talent, hard work, and dedication to social justice.
Beyond her musical abilities, Ralph's presence on stage represented an important moment of representation and diversity in the entertainment industry. As a Black woman, her visibility on such a high-profile stage sends a powerful message about the importance of representation in our society. Her performance was a reminder that representation matters and that the entertainment industry needs to continue to push for more diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Sheryl Lee Ralph's performance during the Super Bowl halftime show was a memorable and moving moment that showcased her talent, resilience, and commitment to social justice. It serves as a reminder of the power of music to unite us and of the importance of representation and advocacy in the entertainment industry. Her presence on stage was a powerful symbol of progress, and we must continue to push for greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our society.
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