Leslie Odom Jr.

Leslie Odom Jr. made his Broadway debut at the age of 17 playing Paul in RENT. He was offered a role in the original cast of AIDA but chose to finish his studies and graduated with honors at Carnegie Melon University. He was awarded the 2012 Astaire Award for Outstanding Male Dancer on Broadway and a Drama Desk Award nomination for his work in the Alan Menken musical, Leap of Faith. Leslie starred on NBC’s SMASH as Sam Strickland, Ivy’s “bff,” and has had other major recurring roles on television.