Behind Closed Doors with Leslie Susana Campbell

Movie Marker Magazine went behind closed doors with Bahamian-Cuban actress Leslie Susana Campbell to chat about her transformation for her starring role in the movie ‘It’s Just Hair’, life before living in Los Angeles, and navigating leading lady roles in Tinsel Town in the new year. 

Welcome to Movie Marker Leslie! Tell us a little about yourself.

Thank you! I am Leslie Susana Campbell, an actress based in Los Angeles. After leaving The Bahamas, I attended Arizona State University where I double majored in Theatre, and Global Health. I had the unique experience of working with directors Kristen Hunt, Eliza Gonzales, and Michael Rohd. The rest, as they say, is history!

What are some of your early acting experiences?

The first ever early acting experience I have is actually playing one of the Three Wise Men in Primary School. It’s funny how as children we do things, and only as adults do we realize the seeds we were planting for ourselves. I only remembered this memory fairly recently. If you had asked me before, I would have had a completely different answer. I do remember fondly that I was so upset I had to play one of the men, I wanted to be Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Congratulations on your role in the movie, “It’s Just Hair.” What is the movie about?

The movie is about two young women, Tara and Vega, at different stages, who are both experiencing terminal illnesses. The two women meet in the bathroom of a hospital. Vega is facing the tough challenge of accepting her condition. She is in the bathroom getting ready to shave her head. Tara walks in and is immediately intrigued with Vega. The two strike up a very common, awkward, stranger-to-stranger, conversation with each other. Here, the beauty of the story unfolds. In this conversation, truths and realities are revealed that show both Tara and Vega they’re not so different after all.

I play the lead role of Tara.

You completely transformed for the role. Are you anything like your character?

Yes I did! I definitely have Tara’ s silent, resilient, fighting spirit. I am definitely a renegade in the sense that I will go out on my terms. Tara understands the significance of being who you choose to be despite your circumstances. I align with the same philosophy. I also resonate with Tara’s desire for connection, but her inability to fully engage with the closeness she so desires. As strong as Tara is, she is also, innately, incredibly sensitive.

How can we see “It’s Just Hair”?

We are still in post-production, but the plan is to hit the film festival circuit, win a lot of awards, and go from there!

Can you tell us 3 fun facts about you?

Ok! My favorite director is French film director Céline Sciamma. Another fun fact is my grandmother’s neighbor growing up in Km Cerro, Havana, Cuba was Edilio Hernández, the greatest opera singer in modern Cuban history; and my favorite cheat meal right now is the Cacio E Pepe Pizza, and the Torta Al Cioccolato from Pizanna… yum!

Thank you, Leslie! How can people keep up with you online?

It’s best to check out my IMDb and my Instagram