“Orange Is The New Black” is one of the hottest shows on folks’ radar these days. Viewers love to watch the inmate-characters like Janae Watson, played by actress Vicky Jeudy. The Queens native and Bachelor of Arts in Theater recipient feels right at home with the rest of the stellar cast as they play one-time straitlaced girls who went wrong.

Jeudy previously had roles on the TV series “Law and Order”, and has completed filming of Romeo and Juliet in Harlem, a retelling of William Shakespeare’s celebrated play, directed by Alette Chapelle.

K. St. Fort: Is acting pretty much your first love, or did you start off loving another profession?
Vicky Jeudy: Acting is and always was, my first love. I knew I wanted to pursue it when I was in my early teens. However, as I grow older I am realizing that there are other interests that I love too—like fitness, holistic health, building the confidence in teen girls and much more. I have one life on planet Earth so why not do it all?

K. St. Fort: Good point…How did you get the part in “Orange in the New Black”?
Vicky Jeudy: I went to the audition and booked the part. It’s a lot of work studying a character your tasked to embody. I left Vicky at the door and was really able to climb into character, and truly dig deep inside Janae’s core.

K. St. Fort: Does it take you a long time to get into character?
Vicky Jeudy: Not really. I have a great acting teacher by the name of Anthony Abeson who teaches his students to “think thoughts of the character.” It gets me away from myself and focused on what is happening in the scene.

K. St. Fort: Did you get your parents’ blessing from the get-go about your career choice, or was that something that came with time?
Vicky Jeudy: It’s something my dad is learning to accept. He is very excited and one of my biggest fans. Both my parents are Caribbean—from the country of Haiti. They wanted me to become a lawyer or doctor, receive great benefits and buy a house. Most Caribbean parents think this way. Parents should be a guidance but leave their children to make their own decisions. I’m glad I made the decision to pursue entertainment. I never want to look back on life and say, “I wish I did this or that”.

K. St. Fort: What’s the most inspirational book you’ve read ever, not only in terms of how it’s helped you in terms of personal development, and career direction?
Vicky Jeudy: I have a few. Three to be exact. One, The Measure of a Man by Sidney Poitier. Two, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. Three, Produced by Faith by Devon Franklin. I’m reading Produced by Faith now! If you are pursuing a career in entertainment or any other career please pick this book up. The foundation of his book is God, faith, integrity and character building while working in your career. I am not interested in only becoming a great working actress, but a human being who walks with integrity, and who fulfills all the duties God has ordained for my life. I’m not perfect and I do make mistakes. However, I am always looking to improve and learn from past situations.

K. St. Fort: I think we all like to use our little imaginations when it comes to picturing Tinseltown. What is life really, really like in Hollywood and in the entertainment industry?
Vicky Jeudy: I am still getting acclimated to the business! Trust me, I haven’t arrived yet but I’m learning about the nature of the business and continuing to learn my craft. I ask people I admire for advice. I don’t live in Hollywood or Los Angeles. As a New York actor, the entertainment industry is hard work like any other profession. The red carpet, parties and handling the media is a small fraction of a long math formula. The entertainment industry to me is about discipline, patience, being a good team player, accepting rejecting and embracing trust and faith. Believe me, if you need development in any of those areas, the entertainment industry is a great training ground.

K. St. Fort: As a young actress in Hollywood, bombarded with all sorts of pressures….how do you keep out of harmful temptations’ way?
Vicky Jeudy: I answer to a higher power at the end of the day. I have a heightened reality regarding death. I’m not a pessimistic. Someone very close to me was involved in a fatal accident and was taken away from me in an instant. I miss that person daily but know they are in heaven with Jesus. That person lived their life for God because at the end we all will die. It doesn’t matter if I’m the most famous person, a politician, an athlete, we all have to answer to God at the end of this life. Whether you believe in him or not. This to me is the greatest reality check and keeps me grounded.

Having people who really care for me in my life is really important. People who are not afraid to tell me the truth. That’s what my family is for. They are constantly checking me in a positive way.

K. St. Fort: Do you visit Haiti often?
Vicky Jeudy: No. I would love to visit more often. The last time I was there was in August 2010. I hope to visit soon. I love Haiti.

K. St. Fort: Okay, a young actress fresh off acting school has her bags packed and is ready to move to L.A. What advice would you offer her in terms of the road ahead?
Vicky Jeudy: I would say learn everything you can about this industry. This is called show business. Do internships with casting offices, talent agents and managers while in school. Build your resume with theatre and film credits. Learn how to manage your money. Have a life outside of this business, which will only add to your life experience. Be persistence, keep the faith, and never stop learning.

K. St. Fort: Regarding the second season of the show…Do you feel a whole lot comfortable in your role?
Vicky Jeudy: I feel very comfortable because I’m surrounded with an amazing cast and crew.

[ Photographer Credits: Justin Ifill Forbes and Matt Conrads]

Vicky Jeudy is on Twitter. CLICK HERE to check out actress Vicky Jeudy on Twitter |

With her skills as an actress, dancer, singer, Jenny Laroche has all the tools to be a huge star in Hollywood. Born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Jenny studied dance at the University of Buffalo.

She was on NBC’s popular musical drama Smash. Currently, she is performing in the musical Fly. Once that wraps up, she will be shooting the movie Broadway 4D.

You’ve been dancing since you were three years old. Did you take the initiative and ask your parents for dance lessons, or is that something they put you up to?
My mom used to dance, so I think my parents knew they wanted to put me in lessons early. They enriched my life with culture and music by putting me in piano and gymnastics lessons at a young age.

When did you first realize that you were talented?
When I started going to a competitive dance studio. The kids were so passionate about the art and I learned so many different styles that inspired me and I couldn’t wait to become as talented as what I saw! I won a first place prize for my solo and I thought, wow, maybe I already am talented!

What’s your favorite musical?
My favorite musical growing up was always Chicago, I think because it was the first musical I could see myself doing. I love Bob Fosse choreography, there is so much power in his simplicity, his casts are colorful and vibrant, and his movement tells a story like nothing you’ve ever seen.

How do you manage not to overexert yourself? After all, you’ve been in situations where you had to sing, dance and act for a role.
I pace myself for sure. As a performer you learn that telling a story through movement is similar to speaking a story. Not all words are shouted or over enthused, but are genuine and have a natural progression. You have to have somewhere to go, which is what I apply to my performance quality.

What was it like growing up Haitian?
Growing up Haitian gave me such a proud foundation. I come from a huge family, so I grew up with twenty other Haitian cousins who I could relate to, and our parents would take us to church together, do family dinners, you name it. If it weren’t for my family I think it would have been harder for me to understand why I felt and looked so different from the people I went to school with.

You were born in Fort Lauderdale. How did you get the courage to leave the comfort of your parents’ home and pursue your dreams?
I had the choice of going to University of Central Florida, closer to home and with all of my friends, or the University of Buffalo, which was on the other side of the country. To me, it was the decision between pursuing the career I wanted for myself or not. You’re never stuck where you start out, so I knew if I got home sick I could always transfer out, but I would have regretted it if I didn’t at least try. It all worked out because I loved the new environment I was in and I made leaps in bonds as an artist and expanded my creativity.

Any tips on how others can do the same?
My advice: Always think about what you would regret more, you won’t lie to yourself and you will answer whatever tough decision you are having by asking yourself this.

Sue was the name of the character you played on the NBC musical drama Smash. How did you get the role?
I auditioned for a dance scene and to my surprise they asked me to come in a read lines. I thought they had fully cast for the show, but then the offered me the role of Sue. So not only did I book the dance scene I auditioned for I debuted as a reoccurring role. It was thrilling and perfect!

Is it difficult learning new choreography?
I’m a fast learner when it comes to movement, but I will say it is always a process adjusting to different choreographic styles. Your choices and approach have to be of what the choreographer demonstrates.

Were your parents okay with your majoring in dance in college?
They were phenomenal! They had their concerns I’m sure, but they were really great at letting me experience my own journey in my own way. I’ve always been really independent so I think my parents knew either way I was going to take care of myself and do what’s best for me. I truly would not have been as successful as I am today without their endless love and support.

When was the last time you went to Haiti?
Last time I was in Haiti was eight years ago, before the earthquake. The next time I go, I hope to put in motion the non-profit performing arts enrichment program for kids that I have been creating. This has been a passion project of mine for years and I hope to open it as soon as I can, so keep an eye out!

What’s the world of show business really like?
I’ve seen so much in this industry, good and bad. It’s very exciting and beautiful turning space into art. And yet, I’ve been in casting situations where it’s 80% about appearance, and 20% skill, as the “all-American” cast has to be achieved. When you are told you don’t fit this look and therefore aren’t hired to do the job you are capable of doing, it can feel very demeaning and belittling. This process is always icky, but in this society you have to endure it to build the career you want. You take the good with the bad in this devastatingly, magnificent industry.

On TV, you come across as being so confident. You have so much poise. Were you always so confident?
I definitely was not! I always loved to dance but growing up I was very shy in the dance studio. I wanted to stay in the back line and thought everyone else had something more to offer than I did. It took Pam Bolling, a dance professional, to open my eyes and be proud of whom I was and stop worrying about what others might have thought I was. This shift in thought changed everything. I stopped comparing myself to an idea of what I thought was perfection and just enjoyed the uniqueness of what only I had to offer.

What would you say is your greatest source of happiness?
So many things make me happy. Right now, I am the happiest I’ve ever been. I teach students in my spare time and watch them grow and learn from my mistakes and I continue to evolve as an artist and a performer. I have a wonderful and supportive boyfriend and my family continues to expand and contribute great things in the community. I need balance to keep me happy. Right now, my life is my greatest source of intriguing happiness!

Without a doubt, you’re quite an accomplished thespian. Anything you’d like to pass on to others who aspire to get into acting?
Getting into this industry, you will constantly be asked to step outside of your comfort zone. So from the start know your limits, but also acquire as many skill sets as possible so that you are comfortable with different styles and forms of art.

You train other dancers. What does it take to be a dancer?
It takes passion to be a great performer and it takes determination to succeed in the industry. One of my favorite quotes I like to say is, “Dancing is to reach for a word that doesn’t exist.” If a dancer masters this, they’ve mastered the craft.

What dreams do you hope to achieve over the next few years?
Aside from performing on Broadway, my biggest goal has always been to play a leading lady on the big screen. I want to do more film work and expose my skill set so that young, Haitian-American, brown-skinned girls, everywhere have someone, who looks like them, to look up to and inspire them to believe that no dream is ever to big to aim for!

If actress Sharon Pierre-Louis is a dream chaser, it’s a trait passed on from her parents. They—starting with her father—arrived to Miami from Haiti during one of the influx of Haitian immigrants in the 1980s. From them, she learned the value of putting in hard work towards achieving short-term and long-term goals. To Sharon, this meant attending a performing arts school with a rigid curriculum and moving to Los Angeles from her birth city West Palm Beach, following college graduation.

Moving out of her comfort zone paid off. Sharon Pierre-Louis has since had roles on the remake of the 1980s dance musical Fame, the ground-breaking teen series “Lincoln Heights”, and in film director Quentin Tarantino’s film Django Unchained—not to mention “CSI Miami” and on the TV series “Suburgatory”. If you are a fan of ABC Family’s “The Lying Game”, you should know that’s her playing Nisha Randall.

Seems like it was only yesterday that little Sharon was playing the role of Tiger Lily in her school’s production of “Peter Pan”. Now she’s got bigger snappers and salmons to grill. In the meantime, Kreyolicious.com got the scoop on her journey and life in Hollywood.

As a little girl, did you dream about having a career in the film industry?

As a little girl, I used to say that I wanted to be a teacher or a lawyer. However, being a middle child, I found myself having to play alone a lot and it was through that in which I was able to dive into a world of imagination. I used to pretend to be many different characters in the kitchen in front of the mirror for hours and my big sister would walk by and say, “You’re crazy!” But I just didn’t care, because it was fun for me and all I could think was, “She’s missing out!” Well, a few years later when I was around ten or eleven years old in the sixth grade, I got involved with my middle school’s drama club because I had a crush on this boy who my friend told me was in it. Needless to say, I never ended up talking to him, but it was our individual onstage performance of poems for Black History Month where I got bit by the acting bug. It was my first time on stage in front of my peers and not only did I have a fun time, I got a great response from many of the students. That year, I decided to audition for the Alexander W. Dreyfoos Jr. School of the Arts and got accepted. From seventh to twelfth grade, I was involved in theater and musical theater both in education and at church. I thought I’d go to New York and be on Broadway. It wasn’t until after a couple years of doing student films in college that I decided on Los Angeles. So as a little girl, I just loved people, and acting was a game I played for fun before I even knew it was called “acting.” It’s funny now to think that I’ve gotten paid to do what was a personal game for me as a child. My family laughs about that now because it’s like I knew subconsciously what I was meant to be—even then—and didn’t let the fact that my big sister thinking I was weird—stop me.

Sharon Pierre-Louis (left) with two castmates from the TV show “Suburgatory”.

So you’re also a trained opera singer?

I did musical theater in middle and high school as well as took voice lessons in college at FSU—Florida State University. I just got back into singing again after having been focusing on my acting career and have taken lessons here in LA. I’ve been offered some opportunities to share my voice at charity events mostly to empower youth as well as some onstage performances. Opera singing is another passion of mine. I feel like it’s my soul purely expressing itself. Although I have a slight build, my voice is big which feels more like the true me.

How was it working as part of the cast of the film Django Unchained?

It was incredible! I had the best time on set. We shot my part on a real historical plantation in Louisiana. Although the film was pretty intense, the energy in the air between takes was joyful. I felt like I was that little girl again diving into a world of imagination, but this time with a whole bunch of other people who were in the game with me. I also didn’t experience any egos, we were all in it together. Working with Quentin Tarantino was a dream come true, of course. I remember being on the edge of my seat watching his films when I was younger and thinking, “God, I’d love to work with him one day and be in his films!” It was surreal when that day finally came and I wasn’t disappointed at all because he truly is a genius, an actor’s director—and his passion is contagious.

You were born in a family of eight, with some of your siblings born in Haiti, and others born in the USA. What was it like growing up with some of you having had that experience of living in Haiti and then assimilating in the USA, and with you and your younger siblings having a whole different experience?

It all feels normal to me. We had a number of guests in our home whose first stop after getting off the plane was our house where they stayed before moving onto making their own life for themselves. I actually remember—when I was around two or three—my parents telling me that I had a big sister and that she was coming “tomorrow.” [Laughs] I remember meeting her when she was about seveen and all of a sudden the dynamics of our family changed. I went from being the only child to a little sister who wanted to be cool like my big sis. I remember I used to stand there staring at her while grinding my teeth hard when she commanded, “Sere dan’w!” [Grit your teeth] Only to find out years later from my mother that she was in fact speaking English, not Kreyol, and exclaiming through her thick accent that I “sit down!” I remember being so confused because the angrier she got, the more I’d clench my teeth. No wonder why she thought I was weird! [Laughs]

A few years after my sister came to the United States, I was informed by my parents that I had two brothers, one of them being deaf, who were coming within the week to live with us. I remember being excited about all of a sudden having big brothers. That was the beginning of what I feel was one of my greatest gifts. I would run around the house asking my brother how to sign things and as the years went by, went with him to many Deaf events. Another world opened up for me and, to this day, I am still involved within the Deaf community mainly as a sign language interpreter. With my older siblings all coming from Haiti, they had to adjust to the culture and the most important was learning the English language along with making friends. They assimilated pretty quickly because there’s a large community of Haitians in South Florida—where I’m from. As for my little sisters and I who were all born in the US, we’re all at least bilingual because Kreyol had to be spoken in the home. We did have an advantage of doing better in school with honors because we started with the English language earlier…Although English was my second language, because we only spoke Kreyol in the home and by the time my little sisters were born, they had older siblings—who all spoke English to each other. Although my older siblings had to go through more in order to obtain their citizenship, they had each other and were close in age so there was support there. There was some of the standard sibling rivalry, but we’re all so different that we kept busy in our own ways.

Do you remember the first time you went to Haiti?

Yes, very little. I was about five or so…I remember the exciting plane ride where I got to sit by the window, running in the fields of Haiti with my cousins and even being on a rooftop of a house enjoying the night air. I remember eating a lot of fruit loops there, too, which my parents brought because they knew how much I loved cereal. The only scary part for me were the outhouses. I remember being terrified going alone to the bathroom and needing someone to accompany me because I felt like I could just fall into the scary hole with large roaches running around. [Laughs]

When was the last time you visited?

Sadly, that was the last time I visited. I definitely plan on changing that sooner than later. I yearn to go back and look forward to the day.

You’re actually fluent in American Sign Language. Any tips on how to learn that language?

The best way is to take a class because the pictures in the books are not 3-D and it’s best to see the correct positioning of the hands in person. Also, grammatically, ASL is different from English. In a class, it’s more effective to learn the correct usage of a sign. Some words in English have the same spelling and sound but different meanings like “running from a dog,” “running for presidency,” or “running out of time.” “Running” would be signed differently in each context. Last, but not least, go out and mingle with Deaf people! Finding out where Deaf events are in your area, is a great way to start in meeting other people who sign. It forces you to use your hands to communicate which helps to accelerate the learning process. I actually got a degree in interpreting after moving out to Los Angeles, and used to go to Starbucks along with other students to meet Deaf people and sign.

Are your parents proud that their “pitit fi” is in Hollywood?

My parents would definitely be more comfortable if I was in Florida living closer to them [Laughs.] My mother has expressed to me that it is hard for her knowing I’m out in LA on my own “nan peyi lwen sa,” [in no man’s land], but in the end, they know how driven I am and that I’m happy. I have an amazing network of friends out here who are like family and I am where there’s opportunity. Plus, it also brings them joy to at least see me on their TV screen when I’m so far away.

You’ve had lots of mean girl roles. Were you ever a mean girl?

In high school, I made sure to separate myself from other mean girls because it broke my heart to see anyone getting bullied, especially when it was isolating one person from a group. I even told one of the girls who led the pack that I found her making fun of others to be mean-spirited and that I wanted no part. That was the last time we spoke to each other until years later. I remember in 7th grade one time getting into a short spat with another girl who many people made fun of and afterwards feeling awful because I felt I only added more negativity towards someone who already had enough of that. I’m more of a peacemaker than anything else, I was usually the one in the middle trying to make peace between people who had a falling out. I kept the drama for the stage. Although I’m not into “zin” [vicious gossip], I love roles where I don’t play nice because it’s just so much fun and I always learn from it in a way that helps me to become even more empowered in my life without having to step on people.

How do you usually prepare for your roles?

I usually sit with it in silence and go into my imagination using the text as a map. I also leave judgments and comparisons to my life out of it. I come in as a blank slate and allow the story to be my teacher. I step into the shoes of the role and see how it fits. Where I feel discomfort is the place I know to begin my empathy work because I know that’s where I’ll learn the most. If I’m given a script, I like to read it several times and not always in order after the first read. My process has evolved since I first started acting, especially in the last year, and I’m sure that it will continue to grow. I still take classes, because it’s like going to the gym and one of my favorite things to do is improv—which is like my playground.

Your first screen appearance was in a project called Little Miss CEO.

It was actually a pilot that was then pitched to networks, but with no pick up. I went in for the role and just had a good time with it. After I was cast, I was a little nervous because this was one of the first acting gigs I booked in LA, but it wasn’t too scary because I had already started shooting a recurring role right around that time on another network.

What’s it like living in Los Angeles?

Amazing and tough. I love the weather, mountains, beaches, and the opportunity to do what I love. LA has a lot to offer, and there are many interesting people from different walks of life who are artists. It’s also tough because it’s hard work pursuing my dream. It takes patience, having a vision, good work ethic, and perseverance. Nothing is guaranteed. But that’s life. I’ve been able to grow tremendously out here spiritually, emotionally, mentally…Many people come out here and get so discouraged or even lost. It’s important to have a strong sense of self and purpose.

What advice do you have for those who are hoping to make it in Hollywood?

It’s about the work, not about you. Do not take rejection personally because many factors go into casting that usually are beyond your control. The only thing that can be controlled is the quality of your work and showing up with confidence because you’re prepared. The most important skill is to be able to rejuvenate oneself, being able to pick yourself up every time and coming back stronger than the last while continuing to learn. Also gratitude. Everyday nurturing your creativity, doing something towards your career, and balancing it all out with acknowledging the ways in which you’re grateful.

What plans do you have for your career?

My vision is to continue work in film, TV and even on stage. I’d love to play an opera singer on screen—and/or do an opera on stage. I’d also love to be able to get involved with a film or TV project where I work & sign with other Deaf actors. I definitely want to do a movie that is focused on our Haitian people & our unique experiences. Any role that elevates humanity or shows what is possible through our spirit and determination excites me. I’d also love to work with Quentin Tarantino again and Tim Burton is another director who’s work draws me. People and the choices they make fascinate me. I love learning and having heart to heart connection with others. I hope to have a long line of opportunities where I am able to express many different facets of a human being artfully on stage & on screen. I look forward to the day when I am able to play a grandmother—that’ll be the day!

Check out Sharon Pierre-Louis on Facebook.