Leslie Campbell
Actor
"Where you begin, will not overshadow where you choose to take yourself"
Interview
When did it all start?
My commitment to seriously pursuing acting must be credited to my first ever acting teacher at ASU. Without their belief in what I have to offer as a performer, I never would have had the courage to agree with their belief in me, nor would I be where I am today.
I took my first ever acting class at 19. I strutted in with no experience, but a reverence that I still carry with me today.
I took my first ever acting class at 19. I strutted in with no experience, but a reverence that I still carry with me today.
If you were an advertisement, what would your slogan be?
Where you begin, will not overshadow where you choose to take yourself
What does your career mean to you?
My career is what drives me. I’m driven to be a better person, a more vulnerable person, more detail oriented. I am now obsessed with specificity, and this has greatly improved how I communicate and navigate the world. I want my career to pay tribute to people like me. My career is also a tribute to my growth. To have such a career, one that fuels my ‘why’, is a blessing.
What is your main motivation?
My main motivation is my family. I am determined to make them proud and live up to the hope we have collectively as a unit. After that, I would say the truth also motivates me. It is essential to my craft.
What is the part you enjoy the most? And the worst?
I love everything about it. The worst part for me is not being on set, not being on stage, or not having any inspiration to write, play and create.
Who are your idols?
I have so many, and for many different reasons. I have a huge admiration for Angela Davis, Cate Blanchett, Zoe Saldana and so many more. My idols are anyone and anything that stirs my desire to create and perform.
In case you need a break in your career, what else would you like to do?
I would love to pursue writing more projects, then music, and equestrian. I would honestly focus on collecting more skills to add to my resume. I don’t think I’m capable of accepting a break.
Do you consider that nowadays there are more or less opportunities for new artists? Why?
I honestly think the question is not just about opportunities. Before something can be handed to you, there needs to be trust. I think there isn’t enough trust in new artists. Why? For many reasons. Though most importantly, I think this is the case because we’ve lost courage, we rarely dare to push past comfort nowadays it feels. To put something in someone’s hands requires trust, but to put something in a new person’s hands requires courage and trust. The next question you might ask is, how do you do that? Well then that, in my opinion, is the artist’s job—to inspire trust and courage.
What would your idyllic life be like?
I am already living the life I dreamed of. My idyllic life, now, would include having my family with me.
What are your next projects?
I am currently attached to a project and not at liberty to say more about it. Aside from that project, the teaser for ‘Guns and Gold’, a western short I wrapped a bit ago is set to release soon and I’m very excited for that! I am also in the process of finalizing shooting schedules for two shorts I’ve written myself, and look forward to those coming to fruition!
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