We recently connected with Valerie LeBlanc and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Valerie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

For as long as I can remember, being a creative has been in my blood. It’s who I am at my core. From the time I was a little girl, I told my mom I wanted to be an actor…and an artist…and a writer…and a rockstar. Needless to say, I’ve always dreamt big. Whether I was rewatching my favorite movies and reciting every line, filling my journals with my every thought and wish, or daydreaming of rocking out onstage to thousands of fans, I had more creativity than I knew what to do with. It was just a matter of harnessing the right path.

I found out from a young age that I was a gifted writer, scoring top marks on writing assignments and winning storytelling contests. In high school, a profile on a fellow student with a pilot license earned me a seat on the newspaper staff, where I went on to win state-level awards for journalism. It wasn’t until college, pursuing a journalism degree, where I decided, despite my skillset, it wasn’t for me. My creativity was stifled sitting behind a desk.

I pursued modeling for a few short years before I decided once again I wanted more. Sure I can strike a pose, but I can speak too! I took a risk and joined an acting class on a whim to finally see what I could do with this craft I’d loved since childhood. Acting came so naturally to me. I don’t know how, but it was something that’s always clicked. Maybe it came from years of watching and rewinding films; studying characters and scenes, analyzing intention and the art of storytelling…in the craft of acting I truly felt at home.

However, at 26 in a new city with no connections in the industry, I was starting from the ground up. I trained weekly and excelled in class, moving from Beginners Acting to Advanced in a few short years. I loved improv and developing characters; discovering new ways to live authentically in whatever imaginary circumstances were pitched my way. With stars in my eyes, I knew this is what I wanted to do with my life. I had truly found my calling, and it was there all along.

Valerie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Valerie LeBlanc, and I’m an actor. I’m represented by Atlanta Models & Talent. I’ve studied acting here in Atlanta for three years before I was offered a job teaching at the studio where I trained. I coached child and teen actors, teaching them everything I knew about the craft as well as guiding their self-discovery as artists. A twist on Glengarry Glen Ross’ “Always Be Closing”, I’d encourage my students to Always Be Creating. This is something that I’d live by as I was building my own acting career simultaneously. I began my journey in commercials and hand modeling, and gradually moved up to television, with one of my favorite roles as Danielle in season 3 of Creepshow on AMC’s Shudder. The role I’m most proud of thus far is that of a snarky pharmaceutical rep named Laurene in Pain Hustlers on Netflix. With each role I play, I’m becoming freer in myself, my craft, and more comfortable exploring new challenges. That’s something I believe sets me apart from the pack. To be an actor is to be an empath; to understand the human condition in storytelling and use what you’ve experienced to bring life to characters. I’ve acquired a level of self-awareness that allows me the freedom to be adaptable. I enter sets with the mindset of “whatever gets the shot” and dive in uninhibited to discover along the way. Basically I’m not afraid to look vulnerable or silly. It’s taken me a long time to find that on my journey, but since I have, I’m all the more faceted as an artist.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

In 2019, I experienced a great tragedy. Both of my parents died within 13 days of each other. It shook me to my core and left me with a mountain of heartache I wasn’t ready to sit with. I knew that if I stopped acting to focus on my grief, it would consume me. So I decided to truly throw myself into my work, so to speak. I continued to teach acting classes three days a week, continued pursuing my acting career, and most of all, continued raising my family.

I took a leap of faith and tried something I had never done before: stage acting. I auditioned for Pinch & Ouch Theatre’s “Girls Life” with little to no experience (unless you count a cafeteria production of Pecos Bill in fifth grade). It was a new challenge, one that honestly scared me, which was all the more reason to do it. And I killed it! Every night I went onstage as the unraveling and humorous Janie, bearing my soul in front of a crowd in my underwear, figuratively and literally. Acting became cathartic in ways I never expected. This craft I’ve always loved and respected was helping me heal through the lowest time of my life.

My performance in Girls Life opened the door to another fate-like opportunity and challenge. I was cast in my first lead role in an indie feature film. Bridge To The Other Side is the story of Max, a grieving young widow as she finds the strength to persevere in a new meaningful career path. The parallels felt almost kismet. Once again, acting was therapeutic in allowing me a space to work through difficult new emotions, giving Max authenticity. Through pain I persevered, using my experiences as new colors in my palette, bringing my characters life. I’m no Picasso, but this was definitely my Blue Period and a staple in my resilience as an artist and woman.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is leaving a part of yourself with each project you create. It’s pouring your all onto your canvas, stepping back and looking at your work. It’s the satisfying sigh when you say to yourself, “I did that.”

Throughout my acting career, every project’s challenge was bigger than the one before it. I’ve conquered every one. There is something new to learn in everything you do. To create art is an act of rebellion in itself. I take a risk expressing myself and in turn discover more of who I am as an artist. If that connects with even just one person, that’s all the reward I need.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://IMDb.me/valerieleblanc

Image Credits

Netflix; Wingspan Productions; Michael Justice; Steve Deangelo; Grant McGowan