Valisia LeKae
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Valisia LeKae | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 25, 1979 Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, singer |
| Years active | 2002–present |
Valisia LeKae (born September 25, 1979)[1] is an American actress and singer. She was nominated for a 2014 Grammy Award and in 2013 she was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Lead Actress in a Musical both for her performance as Diana Ross in the Broadway musical Motown: The Musical.
LeKae was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee,[2] and listened to Motown records in her grandfather's barbershop as a youngster. She started to sing in church at age six[2] and then worked at the Dollywood theme park.[3] LeKae graduated from college with a degree in Psychology and minor in Child and Family Studies from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.[4]
LeKae left Motown: The Musical in December 2013 to be treated after a diagnosis of ovarian cancer.[5]
In February 2014, LeKae was named spokesperson for The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition.[citation needed]