Today we’d like to introduce you to Salisha Thomas Weiss.

Hi Salisha, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m a California girl. I graduated from California State University, Fullerton by the skin of my teeth and started working as a vocalist for Disney. After a year and a half, I packed my bags and booked a one way ticket to New York City. Within 10 days and by the grace of God, I booked the 1st National Tour of “Beautiful the Carole King Musical.” I toured all of North America before making my Broadway debut in Beautiful in New York City. My second show was the Britney Spears Musical titled “Once Upon a One More Time.” The COVID 19 Pandemic began 11 days after our first rehearsal. During the time we were away, I launched a new career, and now the sky truly feels limitless.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Although I’m proud of my “highlight reel,” my life is a series of failures. I get knocked down more times than I’d ever dare to count. But I have found that many times, the failures lead me exactly to where I’m supposed to be. For example, I used to get cast in a lot of theater out in California. Then one day, I got passed over A LOT in a short amount of time. So I took it as a sign to move to New York. I experienced success in theater in New York almost immediately. Now ten years later, it’s beginning to slow down. I’ve taken that as a sign to maneuver once again. Now I’m a full time voiceover and commercial artist. I can always go back to theater. I can always go back to California. But for now, I’m really loving this new uncharted territory.

When there’s something I really want, I keep working hard and grinding toward my goal and hope that it works out for me, no matter how many times I hear no (or nothing at all). But the priority for me is to keep following what brings me joy. If the joy is fading, it’s time to pivot.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
In the building where I live, I’ve been called “the Broadway Actress” quite a bit. It was music to my ears. Until Broadway went away during the pandemic and I was suddenly unemployed with ZERO prospects. I asked myself: Who am I when my identity isn’t tied to BROADWAY? And what else do I like to do? What else CAN I do? Then I found podcasting. Or maybe it found me. I love it. I LOVE talking to people and making people feel safe enough to open up so we can have a real conversation. I LOVE IT. Since the pandemic, I’ve interviewed 198 people, got my show on The Broadway Podcast Network, and have begun hosting on Red Carpets. I have WAY more fun interviewing my peers on the red carpet than when I am personally WALKING the carpet. It’s like: when I’m an actor, I’m doing my best to fit inside a box, especially if I’m the Replacement. When I’m hosting my own show: Black Hair in the Big Leagues and/or The Salisha Show, my only job is to be myself.
Unapologetically myself.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
I will always look up to Audra McDonald. She and I are both from Fresno, California. She has the record for the most Tony Awards. She came out to New York City and really made a name for herself. We’ve never “hung out” but I look up to her. I feel like, if she came from the same small town as me and is doing big things, maybe that means I can do big things too.

My mentor and now close friend, Chantea McIntyre. She’s got a decade of experience on me and is always many steps ahead. Always showing me the way and what’s to come. She makes having a big family look glamorous. Actually, she makes everything look glamorous.

My husband, Andrew Weiss. Anytime New York kicks me in the face and I want to run away, he won’t let me leave the City until he knows I’m truly satiated and my dreams have been realized. He is truly my biggest cheerleader and supporter. And shout out to him staying up late running lines with me all night, hours before getting thrown on for the lead role unexpectedly, a role I had never been rehearsed for, in my last Broadway show.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.salishathomas.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesalishashow/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salishat/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salisha-thomas-weiss
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3auCiuntmOo

Image Credits
Ryan Hunt Photography (Art work by Kim Johnson) Chia Messina Christopher Meissner Ryan Hunt