Allow Letoya Luckett to re-introduce herself. Armed with a lucrative solo career and budding acting resume, this burgeoning starlet is proof that with age comes wisdom and her time is now. As Felicia on Single Ladies, her fictional counterpart also compliments her renewed boss status and personal success: “I could go on for days on how she’s inspired me.” While some women are settling down and starting families, this independent woman is redefining what it is to be patient and wait Until Then.
Chatting with the very grounded and beautiful LeToya was a pleasure. She shared deets on her Single Ladies role and its perception to TV audiences. “Once you overlook her little cold side, I think you will see her as just an awesome established woman,” she revealed to us about loving her stern alter ego. She also spoke on her album and hair color, something we are definitely fans of (“It has definitely boosted my confidence”).
Flip the page to learn more about Ms. Luckett.
Photo Courtesy of Artist
VIBE Vixen: How did getting your role come about?
Letoya Luckett: I went in originally to audition for one of the other roles and ended up leaving with this role. I guess this one was just meant to be and I thought it was going to be a little harder because I felt the way it was written, I would have to play an older role but I was just like “you know what, I’m going to make this my own thing.”
I didn’t want to play Felicia so hard and cold that people wouldn’t like her or hate her because she was angry all of the time. I wanted to add just a little bit of comedy and you know the fashion. I wanted to make sure all of that made sense, so I hope you guys see her like that instead of being like “oh my gosh she is evil.”
What do you love the most about Felicia?
I always say this: it’s her confidence. I think a lot of the time confident women are misunderstood. We are made to feel in this society that women shouldn’t walk around with our heads up or have an opinion and Felicia is like “Forget that, I am who I am and you are going to love me regardless; matter of a fact, you might want to be me a little bit.” And from that, I feel that all women should be confident and just be proud of who they are and who God made them to be. Once you overlook her little cold side, I think that you will see her as just an established, accomplished and awesome woman who’s worked hard to get to where she is today.
How similar and different are you from her?
I’m confident like her. My approach would be different than her’s…like in the way she talks to her employees. I love her sense of fashion; it’s so simple and chic. You’ll notice she’s always in black and black’s my favorite color. She might spruce it up with a hint of white every once in a while; she might even give you red, but that’s it. So, I think as far as the whole fashion sense, we’re both very similar and we’ve both worked hard to get to where we are. I just might have a little bit of a softer approach. I think you’d rather work for me than for Felicia.
Photo Credit: VH1 Press
What impact would you like your role to have on women?
I think women are wonderful at juggling so many different things, but at the same time God doesn’t give you anything you can’t handle. I think at times we allow the other stuff to get in the way and we have to understand that if we are not healthy, we can’t be great for something else. We have to fulfill, uplift and love ourselves. Go start that business. Felicia has her own company. She has all these different employees and is able to manage all these different artists. Nothing’s stopping her and I feel like we all should have that. She’s inspired me by just playing her. When I get my lines and I’m like “she’s said that,” you have to have a certain type of umph to let that come out your mouth. We tend to care and be people pleasers and she’s not a people pleaser type of person and I found myself doing that for several years of my life. I can go on for days on how she’s inspired me.
Who’s the most fun to work with on the cast?
Everybody is so different and everybody brings something awesome to that set. I don’t have a favorite so to speak. Lesley-Ann Brandt who plays Naomi [Cox] is awesome . She’s also a new cast member that plays a mean girl, but she is the sweetest person you’ll ever meet. Me and her are like the best of friends now. I am blessed to not only be apart of this cast, but to have been able to bring a great friend home. Damien [Wayans] is hilarious, you already know. Charity [Shea] is just silly, cool and laid back. I enjoy working with everybody, Honey—I’m just happy to be there.
Will you be doing more acting in the future?
Absolutely! I love it. I am very passionate about it just as I am with my music. I hope there are more projects I can do in the future. I’m definitely studying the craft and it’s something that I want to do long term. You learn something everyday through each experience and process.
Photo Credit: Instgram
Let’s talk about your music. We can’t wait until your next album, Until Then… How did you come up with that title for your album?
[Laughs] In life, you’re in different places. You go through different situations and you grow in different areas of your life. As far as love [and romance], I am very happy. People ask me all the time because I am single, “don’t you miss being in a relationship?” and I rather patiently wait for the one that is right for me instead of being with someone just to be with somebody. So I’m like until then; until I meet that person, I’m just going to be happy. There are things that I want out of this career because I have goals that I want to reach but until then, until I get to that place, I’m just happy and I am enjoying the ride. So that’s what it’s really about; no matter where you are in life, enjoy where you are and enjoy the process.
What is the direction of your album?
It has a moody, groovy type of feel to it. I’m still in the process of making it, so I’m still picking my songs and figuring that out. But you will know soon. As a matter of fact, I did a song with Single Ladies in mind called “Don’t Make me Wait” and on the February 10th [episode], you’ll hear snippet of the song. It’ll be available for download off of iTunes.
Will there be any features on the album?
Yes, there will be some features. But that’s one of the last things I do, so once I figure out what songs I’m going to keep I say “this person will sound great and this person will feel good on the record” and that’s how I go about picking the person I want.
How many songs do you record before you decide?
It’s over 30 and that’s just when I was filming Single Ladies. But I’ve been in and out the studio for the last 4 years, so you don’t even want to know how many songs I’ve recorded over the past four years.
How do you balance it all?
I have absolutely no idea! I was literally coming home from set at sometimes 1 in the morning and then I’d go in the studio until 4am and then have a 9am wake up call.
How would you describe your album in 3 words?
That’s a great question! “Where I am.” It is just where I am in life right now.
Photo Credit: Instagram
I love your new haircut and color; it’s very bold. What made you change your hair?
I’m going to be honest. I’ve been comfortable with my [hair] forever and my team was like, “listen, you’re going to have to do something different and here’s what you’re going to do.” At first, I was like “I’m not ready, I don’t know,” but once we started the process and I looked in the mirror I was like, “I can do this” and I love how I feel with this color and cut. It was a chance that I took and that was the beauty of it.
How has it changed you?
At first with the shorter cut, I couldn’t put it in ponytails. As far as my chill time, I was trying to figure it out. Now I’ve adjusted to it and it’s who I am and I love it! It has definitely boosted my confidence and spiced things up.
As a superstar, what’s the most important value to hold onto?
Stay true to yourself. Don’t do anything that you don’t feel peace in your heart about. It’s a difference between feeling peace and fear. Humble yourself before God and stay prayed up because it can get crazy out here. I choose to keep my faith in God and get my strength from him; meditate, get that peace and stay true to Toya. Stay humble because you never know what hands you have to shake coming up and what hands you have to shake coming down. Carry yourself with light, carry yourself with love and value everyone. Don’t just use somebody to get to where you’re trying to go or treat somebody like crap who ends up being that executive to get you to the next level. So be careful on how you treat others.
Photo Credit: Instagram