Loretta Devine: A Journey of Grace and Greatness | Legacy Talk with Lena Waithe

Loretta Devine’s voice and performances are nothing short of iconic. From being one of the original Dreamgirls on Broadway to Waiting to Exhale, The Preacher’s Wife, Grey’s Anatomy, and The Carmichael Show, Loretta’s career has spanned stage, film, and television with a rare mix of power, humor, and grace. In this conversation, Lena shines a light on Loretta’s triumphs and heartbreaks – from the grueling years of Broadway that prepared her for Hollywood, to the sting of being overlooked, to the joy of working hard and getting it right. Loretta also reflects on what it means to be a great actress and how to keep evolving in an industry that often tells women they’re done.

About Legacy Talk
Legacy Talk with Lena Waithe is a love letter to Black storytellers in entertainment. Emmy Award-winning writer, actor, and producer Lena Waithe sits down with trailblazers like Phylicia Rashad, Loretta Devine, Ava DuVernay and more to discuss their creative process, their journey, and how they became the incredible people they are today. Legacy Talk is more than just a series of interviews; it’s a documentation of the stories and experiences of artists who shifted narratives, broken barriers, and inspired a generation.

Produced by Hillman Grad, distributed by Lemonada Media.

Credits
Director: Levi Maestro
Director of Photography: Kyle Camerer
Executive Producers: Justin Riley and Rishi Rajani
Producer: Anderlyn Smith
Social: Marquis Phifer
Set Photographer: Shannon Brown
Production Design: Lauren Carothers, Kimberly V. Gedeon, and Jade Whipkey
Skin: Brandi J. Andrews
Hair: Hunny Bee
Location: The Walk Good Yard

Images Courtesy of:
Alamy
Everett Collection

TIMESTAMPS / CHAPTERS
00:00 - Introduction
01:31 - Dreamgirls
13:42 - A Different World
19:04 - Class Act
24:50 - Roc
29:54 - Waiting to Exhale
41:52 - The Preacher's Wife
47:52 - Hoodlum
51:33 - Jackie's Back
53:47 - Introducing Dorothy Dandridge
57:27 - The PJs
01:03:48 - Dreamgirls (film)
01:08:36 - Grey's Anatomy
01:17:08 - The Carmichael Show
01:25:40 - Definition of a Great Actress

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