NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Nightly News Films: Sheryl Lee Ralph interview

Episode Date: February 24, 2023

NBC News’ Dana Griffin sits down with superstar Sheryl Lee Ralph to discuss her incredible Broadway, TV and film career as she inspires a new generation of fans with her role on “Abbott Elementary.”

Hi, I'm Dana Griffin, an NBC News correspondent. We recently sat down with Cheryl Lee Ralph to talk about her life and career. Here's part of our conversation. This is Cheryl Lee Ralph. Welcome to Hollywood. I mean, it's like, let me reintroduce myself. I am Cheryl Lee Ralph. Oh my gosh.

It is so nice to just sit across from you. Thank you. This is a moment, and I'm just trying to take it all in. Thank you. Thank you very much. You're just such across from you. Thank you. This is a moment and I'm just trying to take it all in. Thank you. Thank you very much. You're such an empowering woman. And just to kind of start with that, you know, your Critics' Choice Award speech, so empowering. What made you want to remind people to feel confident and to know that you're lovable? Because these are some very trying times that we are going through. Things are very difficult right now.

People are unsure in themselves. They're unsure in the world. They're unsure. And I wanted people to realize that at this time, in order for us as people, because believe it or not, each one means something to the other. Even if you don't know that person, believe it or not, there's somebody that you make a difference to that you might not even know they exist. But how do we all come together in a place that is solid, that is stable, that is confident enough to move through difficult times like the ones that we are in. And I wanted everybody to know it doesn't start anywhere else than with self, than within you.

Take care of you first, then go out there and help somebody else. What do they say on the plane all the time? Put your own mask on first before you try to help anybody else. Yeah do they say on the plane all the time? Put your own mask on first before you try to help anybody else. Yeah. That part. I love that. So simple, it's complicated, you know. Yeah. The fact that people could really say, let me get myself together. Let me work on me. Let me make sure that I am the best me that I can possibly be before I go out into the world. That is hard for people. They don't know how to balance that in their head.

Because I think too many of us have been taught that if you think about yourself, then you're selfish. But self-love is coming back. Thank you. And you hear it all the time, like all the motivational speeches and quotes. And you're coming into that rotation and you're always becoming into, you're coming into that rotation and you're always seeing something that you're putting out there that's so motivational. Because people need motivation. They need to know there's nothing wrong with getting up, getting out there and living your life. Live your life like you really matter. Live your life like

life matters. Live your life like you're happy to be alive because there is an alternative. So when you think about black actors and actresses, they obviously had to pave their way. Do you credit any of them for your success or is there anyone you really look up to? Oh my God, there are so many people who came before me that did something so special and wonderful to me and for me. They believed in me. They encouraged me. They guided me. I could tell you, Virginia Capers, I won Glamour Magazine's Top 10 College Women in America, and they gave you the gift of meeting a woman who was thriving in the career that you wanted to pursue. And she had just won the Tony

for a musical called Raisin. And I wanted to meet her. And I went backstage to meet her. And it was just kismet. It was just love right away. It was like finding a real work mommy who was all for you. And she stayed with me until her life ended, encouraging me, guiding me. Rosalind Cash, when I was a teenager and came to Hollywood making my first movie, she gave me a place to stay. I mean, in her home, in her home. When I was at Rutgers, she would come and visit me on campus because she lived in Jersey and she would come and visit me, pull up in her green Mercedes Benz. Oh my God, I felt so special.

Judy Pace, beautiful chocolate beauty. Judy Pace, she was in Peyton Place. She was in a series called Room 222. It was about teachers in a public school. Go figure, right? And to this day, I can talk to Judy Pace. Beverly Todd. Oh my God. I remember when I met Beverly Todd, I was about 17 and Beverly, I walked up, I was a student at the Negro Ensemble Company and I walked up to the entrance one day and she said, who's this little black child looking like me? I was like, oh my God. And she was such a beauty, you know, and it was just, oh God, such a good feeling. Even Donna Summer in her way, you know, so many, I mean, people always talk about women don't support each other. I can tell you that in my lifetime, a whole lot of women have supported me. Susan Taylor, Essence Magazine, Marcia, the first editor of Essence Magazine.

Oh, my gosh. The list for me goes on and on. I was empowered. I was empowered. I was encouraged. I was mentored. I was in their way loved. I love that they gave you so much validation earlier on. That is so important.

Any career that you're in. That's right. Being validated does something to your confidence. Oh, absolutely. They made me know that I made the right choice and that I could do it. And when things got rough, they were right there to tell me, well, you think you're the first person it's been difficult for? Right. You either want this or you don't want this.

I remember once Rosalind said something to me, fame is not for everybody. Fame is not for everybody. And she actually knew that because she was blackballed by the industry for daring to wear locks. She locked her hair and they didn't want to hire her because of her unnatural hairstyle. Yeah. Isn't that crazy? Isn't that crazy? It's the thing.

The crown act. Right. My hair, the way it grows out of my head, the way I choose to wear it. Do not judge me because you don't happen to like my hair. It's my hair. Oh Oh my gosh. I mean, that's incredible. I love you sharing that. So many mentors, so many people who validated you. Oh yes. Okay. So I want to ask you this because I hear, actually let me pause. I hear you have a party trick where you can guess someone's age based upon the film or TV show that introduces

someone to you. Isn't that crazy? So can we put you to the test? Come on. Okay. So for me, Sister Act 2. Okay. Sister Act 2, you are over 35 for sure.

You're definitely not 40, but you're over 35. I'm 35. Come on. Give me some. I'm telling you. You're good. I know. I know. Oh my goodness. I'm blown away. Because everyone thinks I'm a lot. You're good. I know. I know.

Oh, my goodness. I'm like, she's going to, because everyone thinks I'm a lot younger than I look. So I'm like, she's going to say I'm like 28, 30. You're good. I know by what it is people like. I know if it's dream girls, they're at least in their 50s. They're approaching their 50s. You know, I know that if they are loving, you know, Moesha, I used to be right on until I was on the set of Abbott Elementary. And one of the kids came up to me and they said, Miss Ralph, I love you on Moesha.

And I was like, what do you know about that? That was back in the 90s. They're watching it on Netflix now. It's had a rebirth. So it's like, I love the fact that through decades, through generations, there has been something in my career that has kept me current. Yeah. And that's an amazing gift because it doesn't happen a lot. I've been doing this since I was 19 years old. I have been a SAG member

since I was 19. So that's my whole life in this industry. My whole life in show business. I love that. And you're now a Hollywood it girl. I mean, it's crazy. That's crazy. But you deserve it. How did that happen? I'm like...

Do you have like... Do you still have like pinch me moments, especially now when you see we're sitting in the middle of Hollywood? We're literally in the middle of Hollywood. Yes. I have real pinch me moments in life because, you know, I've lived most of my life as a very regular, normal human being. You know, I have no shame in my game. I will go to the ninety nine cent store, the Dollar Tree or whatever. I will do that. And now when I go, I'm like, what in the world are they staring at? Then I'm like, oh, my God, it's me staring at me. I things like, what are you doing here? And I'm like, I'm shopping.

What are you doing here? It's very funny. That is so cool. Like, I would have never pictured you in the dollar store, but actually I can because you're so real. So it makes sense you're still going to the dollar store. Save money, right? Believe it or not, if you go to the dollar store, they have the best greeting cards. If you'd like to send greeting cards, they're a dollar.

So you buy great cards and you send the cards. And if you're lucky, sometimes like the mahogany line, you can get two for a dollar. They still have those there? Yes. Wow. Okay. You put me on. I'm telling you. I love that.

Cause I was going to ask what you like pick up at the dollar store. Cause for some certain people, it's like, oh, I get all my glasses. Cause they're only a dollar versus paying, you know paying so much money at a fancy shop. Yeah. Because all your glasses are going to get chipped. They're all going to get chipped. I just chipped one the other day and I was like, oh, but that's all right. Yeah, it's all right. But it doesn't sting as much when it comes to the dollar store. That's true. That's true. I love that. Okay. So I want to go back to Emmy night. Yes. What a great night. September 12th, 2022. My life just flipped right over. I was in shock. So Amy Poehler calls your name.

Yes. What was that moment like for you? First of all, I was, I was listening to the whole thing and I was like getting ready to be happy for somebody. I had no idea the person I was about to be really happy for was myself because I honestly thought it was going to go to somebody else. And you sat there for a moment. Was that disbelief? I couldn't. You know, you ever have those moments when you have to say, wait, is this happening? Am I dreaming? Am I in the dentist's chair? Did I get too much gas? What's going on? And I realized, no, this is very real.

She just called my name. I just won an Emmy. And being a person who likes to keep facts and things going through my head, I'm like, this has not happened in 35 years. The last person to get this award, black female, was Jackie Harry. And we were both very young at that time. Yeah. And I just could not move. What made me move was Quinta said, get up. It's you. And I was like, okay, okay, there we go. All right. I do not remember touching the steps. I do remember Tyler holding on to me. I remember that. But it's all it's all a blur blur. And when I stood center stage because that's my home center stage is my home. And I said, this is it. This is that moment. This is that moment that every human being should have a moment like that. When you walk out into the light and you know, that's right.

This is where I belong. This is me. This is my time. Gosh. Taking it all in. I'm sure you were taking like that snapshot, that memory that you always have. And the thing about it is, is years ago, Tom Ion, who was the creator of Dreamgirls, such a, he was another person that really, really loved me

and encouraged me. And he wasn't always happy with the way things came out, you know, around Dreamgirls. And he gave me a song. The song was not put into the show. And he said, there are not a lot of things I can give you, but I can give you this song. And the song is called It's Gonna Be My Time. And the lyrics are, it's Gonna Be My Time. And the lyrics are, It's gonna be my time. You know I've waited so long.

Yes, it's gonna be my time. I'm going to blow. Yes, it's gonna be my time. And no one can take that from me. No, it's my time. And this time you're gonna see that you love me. You're gonna see. And I was just like, my God, he knew exactly the gift he was giving me. Yeah. Oh, that was beautiful. Hey, and it is your time. Hey, yes, it is. I had to wait, what, 40 some odd years, but it's all right. It's okay. Oh, I love that. Oh, wow. Gosh. So speaking of that, you're obviously a very inspiring woman. What do you tell other women to help build their confidence? Oh, first of all, it's the same

exercise. It's the exercise I use every morning. Look in the mirror and love what you see. How do you do that? What if you don't love what you see? See what I'm saying? See what I'm saying? So many people answer me and ask the same thing. What if you don't love what you see? Therein lies the rub. You must love what you see. You must encourage what you see. You must inspire what you see. You must respect what you see. If you can't do those things for yourself, how in the world do you think anybody else is going to be able to do it for you? You've got to see it before anyone else does. Absolutely. In fact, isn't that what the great drag queen says? If you don't love yourself,

how in the world is anybody else going to? How? How they because they can see it coming it's like dogs you know dogs know who to bite yeah they can see the fear they can sense it so is it almost like a because there is genuinely people out there who are still you know dealing with some stuff is it kind of like a fake it till you make it and then it it's almost like a manifestation right oh my god you know it's so weird you said fake it till you make it. So that's another song that's actually in Dreamgirls. And he says, I'm faking my way to the top round and around. I am going to keep being what it is I believe I can be until all of that. You have to believe. You have to believe. You have to know that it is possible for you. If you know it's not possible, trust me, it is not.

But if you believe it is possible, trust me, it can be, if only because you believe. And sorry to interrupt you, but I have to tell you, the number of times I see people walking around and they're wonderful and they're fabulous and they've got it going on. But guess what? They don't know it. I've had to say to some people, I am so sorry that you can't see it. You can't see your own light. You cannot be guided by your own light. There you are shining all over the plates and you just won't let your light shine. Yeah. I don't know what that is. Like, I think sometimes we let things get in our head or we let society tell us things about ourselves. Right. And then we start to doubt and start to think, well, I must not be, you know, all this. If I listen to

everything people told me about me, they used to say, you're too dark. Your body just goes in and out. Your lips are too big. Your hair is too nappy. Suppose I listen to them. Guess what? My natural hair is my thing, however I want to wear it. My lips are wonderful and people pay good money for that. And now my body with its ins and outs are everything that everybody else wants and will pay for. You're beautiful. Thank you. Acknowledge it. You're beautiful. You are wonderful just the way you are.

Wonderfully made. There's a beautiful model who suffers from a disease where you lose your color. Right? And what is her? Bit of ligo. Harlow. Yes. Not, right? And what is her name? Harlow. Yes, not Poppy Harlow. What is her name? Winnie Harlow.

Beautiful model, Winnie Harlow, has the disease. She's losing her color. Suppose Winnie Harlow locked herself in a closet because she could not stand what she sees, missing different colors of her face we would never experience the beauty that is winnie harlow you're right and so many other people are now inspired because they're like i have the same thing oh okay yeah the inspiring question you're on, the added question about Barbara.

Okay, got it. We're good to go. Just bouncing off these poles. Okay, we'll give it a moment. What's going on? Okay, you go. Okay. Okay.

Okay. Okay, I'll move on to the next question. I know they want to get us out. Okay. Okay, so you play Mrs I'll move on to the next question. I know they want us to get us out. Okay. Okay. So you play Mrs. Barbara Howard. Yes, I do. Did you have a Barbara Howard growing up as a student? I had so many Barbara Howards in my life and Ben Howards too. You know, those teachers that just loved what they do, love what they do as educators. And they wanted you to be successful. They wanted you to carry on. They wanted knowledge and education to be important to you. You know, I come from a time where educator education was considered the best, the greatest equalizer, not money, but education. Being able to hold your own in a room, in conversation, in thought with other people, no matter where you were, that that meant everything.

Not not fake education, but real knowledge and real education. My Auntie Carolyn, incredible teacher turned principal. My dad, a lifelong learner and educator his whole life, from teacher to college professor. I mean, so many of them. My niece right now getting her master's in education at NYU, carrying on the tradition. I come from a family of educators. My brother, special ed teacher up in Albany. My sister-in-law, a retired principal, surrounded by educators, all of them. What does it mean when you hear from other educators who say, thank you for finally putting us in the spotlight in a positive way? It is one of the greatest gifts ever. You know, my husband, Senator Vincent Hughes, has been fighting for the rights of students, children, to be able to get a great education,

no matter what their zip code is. And to have a show and teachers love Abbott Elementary the way they are and using their voices now to speak up for themselves as educators, it's making a difference. People are getting money. They're getting money in their states. There's money now in Pennsylvania for education that hasn't been used before. There's money in cities and states because of this show and educators using their voice. It's, you know, people talk about, you know, show business. It can be just for fun.

No, show business can change a life. And Abbott Elementary is changing many students, many educators lives because we cannot be the great United States in America and not choose to educate all of our children very well. I'm so thankful for Quinta Brunson and Abbott Elementary. I don't know what to do. Yes, I do. I just carry on and sing our praises. Keep going. That's it. One last question. What else do you want to accomplish? More. I want to accomplish more. I want to be a part of a legacy that others can look back on and say, Cheryl Lee Ralph, thank you. Yes, I want to do. I want to tell stories that deserve to be told. Characters whose voices were dimmed or dulled or muted just because they were black. Now's the time to tell those stories.

It is. And I look forward to seeing that. Thank you. Thank you so much for your time. Thank you. This was fun. This really was. I just want to ask Jason if there was anything else you want us to ask.

No, I think you hit it all. That was incredible. Thank you. This was fun. I think if we have time, we could do like a quick minute, just walk. Okay.