|
Big Lez - Allied with Patience
Interview By: Lee Tillman
 Dancer, Choreographer, VJ, DJ, television journalist, fitness specialist, actress, icon, legend. Not too many people can truthfully add all those accolades to their resume but then again not many people can claim to be who Leslie "Big Lez" Segar has been for so many years.
Who can forget her in her LL cool J’s “Around the Way Girl” video or in the opening credits of Queen Latifah’s sitcom “Living Single?” Matter of fact, how many dancers can you name at all? We all remember her for the seven years she spent as the host of Rap City. When she left she stepped out of the spotlight but not completely. I recently had an in-depth discussion with her about her past, the present state of music videos and her bright, bright future.
 Big Lez : Thanks for taking the time and interest to interview me, I truly appreciate it.
Nobodysmiling.com : Thank You! The pleasure is all mine. Now, I’m sure when you started in the entertainment biz you had some expectations for what it would be like. Now after being in the game for a while how would you say those expectations measure up to the reality of it all?
Big Lez : When you dream of being a dancer or actor you are focused only on the work & the opportunity. That’s how it was. Having been a competitive gymnast for many years, I was used to being a performer in the limelight of a different arena. What I didn’t expect was the insecurity level of so many talented people. The fear that someone is going to take something from you in this business is what shocked me the most. Rather that go back to the drawing board and come back with a more difficult dance move, or a hotter song etc. people tried to stop your growth in order to move theirs ahead. Also the reality of physical vs. skill was a shock to me. There were times this business made me realize how “full figured” I was even though I look like the average woman athlete, or how nappy my hair was or how my skin is on the darker side of the paper side, etc. Talent seems to be secondary in this business which upsets me and many others who spend hours trying to perfect their craft.
Nobodysmiling.com : I understand. Although you are a beautiful woman your physique isn't generally what we see on TV.
Big Lez : With my size & height & muscularity, I had to make sure I came in to the door with extra skills to validate me being at a dance audition. Because I don’t look a certain way, I had to make sure my knowledge of music and personality was at ten and be more alive on camera than my counterparts. I have missed out on gigs because of my size and because my skin wasn’t light enough, sadly, most of my discrimination has come from a Black on Black racist circumstances. But at the end of the day, God has ordained what is rightfully mine and my life so far from career to family has been blessed. All I can do is not forsake what he has given me by not making the best of it I can.
Nobodysmiling.com : Do you think we’ll see you in front of the camera any time soon?
Big Lez : Of course, I have been offered quite a few gigs in front of the camera again, but at this point in my career I don’t want to be a guinea pig just holding a mic. At BET after seven years I was able to produce my shows. I want a deal like Ryan Seacrest or Carson Daly where I own, produce, create and host shows that hit the air. So patience has become my virtue. That combined with focus will get me there. You are only as good as you negotiate so my next contract will be quite beneficial to me and my future.
Nobodysmiling.com : What would you say is the biggest change in radio and TV in the past ten years as you see it. Would you say the change are more positive of negative?
 Big Lez : From an inside view, radio has become so much more political, it’s not about the artist, it’s about the labels, the sponsors, the deals and guarantees that can be made from promises of artist performances or artist appearances & support. Having worked in both commercial and satellite radio, there was a time we thought no one would pay for TV, then here comes cable, well no commercials in amazing. In TV, the budgets are smaller, the creativity has gone away and we see carbon copies of everything. Video concepts that are recycled by directors, TV shows that are duplicated and given a different name make the air, the same Black actors and actresses with one new person emerging every two years vs. a new cast of unknowns, like on the O. C. become stars. I would like to see more creative TV, I miss watching music videos and now my only choices are reality TV shows. Everything is 360 so eventually it will get back on track.
Nobodysmiling.com : It seems no one can leave BET amicably. Did you see any of the shady business that BET is notorious for?
Big Lez : Of course, but like I said, you’re only as good as you negotiate. Nothing is forever and change is inevitable. That’s why having knowledge, a good lawyer and being smart is your responsibility as an entertainer. Always expect the worst, This way you can’t say you weren’t prepared or didn’t see it coming. There is no allegiance in this world of entertainment. Once you know that, you will last a long time. “Paying it forward” however or lending a hand to another, will only bless your career journey if it is done with true good intention.
Nobodysmiling.com : What are some of the pitfalls that you’ve seen people fall into that caused then to not have the longevity that you’ve experienced?
Big Lez : People get complacent. They figure once they had one platinum album or been on a TV show for more than a year, that it will never end or they will never get fired. You can do your best but just like the NBA you can get traded. You will get a check from your contract and be sent on your way but no one wants to sit on the bench even though you are getting paid. Everyone wants to be in the game, so while you are in one gig, you have to plan on branching out into ten other things. You are only as hot as your last gig and that is the truth. Qualified or not, people in this business only react to you when there is something you can offer them.
Nobodysmiling.com : We all know you started in dance, what made you want to branch out into other things?
Big Lez : When I see women like my mother, Debbie Allen, Oprah, etc. who wear ten hats. I knew once I got into this business I wanted to be a “Jane of All Trades.” master of all. My nature is restless anyway which is why I dance, choreography, do radio, involved in fitness, working on producing, progressing in acting, etc. The journey of my life is to do it all! The things that make me happy and strive to be successful at it all.
Nobodysmiling.com : In the videos you’ve appeared in you’re dancing never came across as dirty or raunchy, How do you feel about how the dancers are portrayed in video’s today?
Big Lez : Most of the videos today don’t use dancers, they use models who can move well or girls with big asses willing to be butt naked who don’t look any different than the girls you see at the club. Without being arrogant, there has not been an era of dancers male or female to have the impact on the culture since myself, Fatima, Josie Harris, Tish, Straight Ahead (BBD’s dancers) Scoop & Scrap (Big Daddy Kane) etc. Women have to make a conscious choice about how they want themselves to be portrayed on film. Once you tape, there is no turning back, it is out there forever. Directors, artist and labels need to step up their creativity and make videos more “next level” & mind blowing.
Nobodysmiling.com : What is in the future for you?
Big Lez : The future for me is motherhood, travel, live life, stay healthy, female super hero action star, TV producer, radio guru and journalist with the respect of Oprah and Barbara Walters. Fitness specialist with a huge impact on the Urban community.
Nobodysmiling.com : Speaking of that are you still involved with the Urban Beauty Collective?
Big Lez : Yes, we are working on combining UBC with my fitness program and launch a campaign at the Essence Music Festival in hopes of touring to the cities where UBC has salon affiliates and making our presence known in health, fitness &
entertainment.
 (7) Comments | Post a comment »
|
|
