BeforeLeslie Gracewas cast inLin-Manuel Miranda’sIn the Heights, she was creatively exhausted.
But the pressure of staying at the top became a hindrance to her creativity as an artist.
But everything shifted when she landed the role of Nina Rosario, her feature film acting debut.
Leslie Grace.John Parra/Getty Images
“Especially when you have a family, like me and Nina.
You’re trying to pave a new path for yourself and for everybody else while fighting for your dreams.
It felt like, ‘Okay, I got this now, what’s next?’
Melissa Barrera, Stephanie Beatriz, Leslie Grace, Daphne Rubin-Vega, and Dascha Polanco in ‘In the Heights.'.Macall Polay/Warner Bros.
And it’s not out of selfish ambition.
That’s what I saw my mom, my dad, and my grandma do.”
She adds, “It got to the point that I wasn’t having fun making music anymore.
Corey Hawkins and Leslie Grace as Benny and Nina in ‘In the Heights.'.Macall Polay/Warner Bros.
This movie saved my creativity.
“Every experience that I’ve had informed everything that Nina is,” she says while becoming emotional.
“It’s so strange because you’d think as an artist that you’ve felt seen before.
I write songs about my experience all the time.
But this was the most autobiographical experience of my life.
That speaks to the brilliance of Lin and Quiara’s beautiful writing.
This musical is so beloved because of how it makes you feel.
You either know these people or you are these people.
That’s magic.”
And while the temperature rises outside, she also reconnects with her beau Benny (Corey Hawkins).
“I didn’t know prior to their arrival that we would be rehearsing that particular scene.
I remember taking my mom inside and realizing it’s her story we were telling.
Her reaction was priceless.
I couldn’t have planned this serendipitous moment if I tried.
This was a moment of fulfillment for me, where I felt I could finally give them something back.
We’re the fruits of the seed of struggle, sacrifice, and the hard work of our ancestors.
That’s very powerful.”
She giggles at the prospect she and Hawkins could maybe sing a duet in the future.
Working with this cast has been one of the joys of my life.
I really wish we could continue this story with them together forever.”
She adds, “But since we have to move on, I am planning my next move.
I have new music coming out soon and I’m reading scripts to further my acting career.
I plan to do it all!”
