Reppin 5.1: Karen Olivo

Karen Olivo

I sign off every episode of Reppin with “Stand Up and Represent.” My next guest truly LIVES this mantra.

Karen Olivo is a powerhouse talent. They’re an American stage and television actor, theater educator, and singer.

In 2008 Karen originated the role of Vanessa in In The Heights on Broadway. The following year, they won the 2009 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress In A Musical for their performance as Anita in a revival of West Side Story. They are the first and only actor to win a Tony award for a performance in West Side Story. From 2016 to 2017, Olivo portrayed the role of Angelica Schuler  in the Chicago production of Hamilton 2019, Olivo originated the lead role of Satine in the stage adaptation of Moulin Rouge on Broadway and was nominated for the 2020 Tony Award For Best Actress in a Musical.

With this incredible, illustrious career, Karen risked it ALL when they publicly spoke out against a very powerful and influential producer. We’ve all encountered bullies and difficult bosses-but would YOU have the courage, truth —and readiness to do what Karen did? Learn more about this talented, remarkable person and where they draw their strength from. Find out how they’re fighting to ensure civility, kindness and community is present today and for those who follow.

Karen’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/karenolivo

Karen’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenolivo76/?hl=en

Reppin 3.2: Keala Settle

Keala Settle

From stage to screen, Keala Settle is a powerhouse talent. She made her Broadway debut in 2011 Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, then originated the role of Norma Valverde in Hands On A Hardbody on Broadway in 2013 and was nominated for the Outer Critics Circle Award, Drama Desk Award and Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. Her other credits include Hairspray, Les Miserables and Waitress. In 2017, she portrayed Lettie Lutz in the film The Greatest Showman with Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron and Zendaya and sang the song “This Is Me. ” The song won the 2018 Golden Globe award for best original song and nominated for an Academy Award for the same category. In this very candid conversation, she shares why this award winning song made her feel so incredibly vulnerable and where she finds her strength and sense of belonging now.

Keala’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/kealasettle

Reppin 2.7: Sierra Boggess

Sierra Boggess

Sierra’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/sierraboggess

Sierra’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsierraboggess/

Sierra’s Website: https://sierraboggess.com/

Sierra Bogess is best known world-wide for the iconic role of ‘Christine Daae’ in Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera, but the creator and composer, Lord Webber has said “she’s the best, the best Christine certainly.”

Sierra made her Broadway debut as Ariel in Disney’s The Little Mermaid, where she received the Drama Desk and Drama League Nominations, as well as the Broadway.com Audience Award for Favorite Female Breakthrough Performance. Her additional Broadway credits include Master Class, It Shoulda Been You, The Phantom of The Opera (Broadway, London’s West End and the televised 25th Anniversary production of Phantom), and School of Rock. In the West End, she has appeared as Fantine in Les Miserables and originated the role of Christine Daae in Love Never Dies, the sequel to The Phantom of the Opera, receiving an Olivier Award Nomination for her performance.

Sierra has also toured all over the world with her concert show. Listen in on our conversation, she shares the lessons she’s learned, how she’s using her platform to make positive contributions and what she practices everyday. She is a beloved leading lady—meet the woman behind this incredible talent.