Whitney Leavitt on Leaving SLOMW, Her Own Reality Show & Returning to Broadway! | Just Trish Ep. 288
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Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Whitney Leavitt transitioned from a stay-at-home mom to a social media personality, then to reality TV, and ultimately to Broadway.
- ❖Her appearance on 'Dancing with the Stars' was a pivotal moment, giving her the 'delusion' and platform to pursue her long-held Broadway acting dreams.
- ❖Leavitt broke box office records during her 12-week run as Roxy Hart in 'Chicago' on Broadway, performing 94 shows.
- ❖She has launched a production company with her husband, Connor, to create her own projects and gain creative control in the entertainment industry.
- ❖Leavitt is stepping away from 'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' but remains open to other unscripted projects like 'The Traitors' or 'Dancing with the Stars'.
- ❖She addresses mom guilt by focusing on her children's happiness and the support of her husband, emphasizing that dads are also part of the parenting picture.
- ❖Leavitt and her husband renewed their vows in Vegas with an Elvis impersonator for their 10-year anniversary, reflecting their personal connection to the city.
Insights
1From Social Media to Broadway: An Unconventional Path
Whitney Leavitt's career trajectory was not a linear path to scripted television, as she initially envisioned. After becoming a stay-at-home mom and feeling unfulfilled, she found social media, which led to 'Mom Talk' TikToks, then a reality show ('Secret Lives of Mormon Wives'), and eventually 'Dancing with the Stars.' This platform provided the visibility and confidence to audition for Broadway, leading to her role in 'Chicago.'
Leavitt states, 'This was never in the works at all. Like never in my plan and never how this like path has like panned out to where I am today was like never how I envisioned it in my mind. Like that reality even came into my life cuz I always thought it would just be straight to scripted television.' She credits 'Dancing with the Stars' for giving her the 'delusion' to pursue Broadway. She also mentions auditioning for Chicago while doing DWTS.
2Breaking Records on Broadway with 'Chicago'
Whitney Leavitt's run as Roxy Hart in 'Chicago' was exceptionally successful, breaking box office records for the longest-running American musical. Her celebrity status, cultivated through social media and reality TV, drew new audiences to the long-standing show, demonstrating the power of influencer casting in revitalizing traditional entertainment.
Leavitt confirms, 'I broke the record and then Mark came in and then we broke it again. And then I pretty sure our last week we broke it again.' She also notes that 'Chicago' is the longest-running Broadway show, surpassing 'Cats' and 'Phantom.'
3The Strategic Shift to Production for Creative Control
Frustrated by constant rejections in acting, Leavitt co-founded a production company. This move allows her to proactively create projects, such as a Christmas movie that was sold to a network, giving her more agency and control over her career narrative and opportunities.
Leavitt explains, 'I also wanted to start a production company because it felt like I could have a little bit more of a creative control in believing in myself where I'm like, 'Okay, well then let me make my own movie and I'll show you how well it does.'' She mentions her Christmas movie coming out in November, produced in partnership.
4Navigating Public Perception and Reality TV Drama
Leavitt experienced a significant shift in public perception, moving from being perceived as a 'villain' on 'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' to being widely supported after her 'Dancing with the Stars' appearance. She and her husband, Connor, learned to detach from external criticism, focusing on their own truth and mutual support, especially during periods of intense reality TV drama.
Leavitt states, 'It was very validating. I feel like seeing me in a different light like really helped that like with being on Dancing with the Stars like that's performing in that way like that changed my life.' Connor adds, 'We knew what we were working on and we just kind of focused on what mattered.'
Bottom Line
The 'Dancing with the Stars' to 'Chicago' pipeline is a recognized path for celebrities, leveraging their dance training and audience appeal to fill Broadway seats. Several former DWTS contestants have taken on roles in Chicago.
This pipeline demonstrates a strategic synergy between reality dance competitions and Broadway, offering a proven model for celebrities to transition into stage acting and for productions to attract new audiences.
Producers of long-running Broadway shows could actively scout popular reality TV dancers or influencers with performance backgrounds to maintain audience engagement and introduce fresh talent, potentially creating similar pipelines for other musicals.
Whitney Leavitt's husband, Connor, actively manages her career, acting as her 'hubbager' (husband + manager) and providing strategic advice, including media training learned from 'Dancing with the Stars' press lines.
This spousal partnership highlights an effective, integrated approach to managing a public figure's career, where personal and professional support are intertwined, allowing for rapid adaptation and growth in a demanding industry.
Other public figures or aspiring entrepreneurs could consider formalizing a 'hubbager' or 'wifeger' role, leveraging a trusted partner's skills and dedication to navigate complex career demands, especially in nascent stages of a business or public career.
Opportunities
A Celebrity-Driven Broadway Revival/New Show
Create a Broadway show, either a revival or an original production, specifically designed to feature two prominent female celebrities in lead roles. The concept would be built around their combined star power and unique talents (e.g., singing, dancing, acting) to maximize audience draw and media attention, potentially aiming for Tony recognition.
Magic Variety Show in Vegas
Develop a Vegas residency show that combines magic with other entertainment elements like dancing and singing. The show would focus on comedy magic, integrating variety acts to offer a more dynamic and engaging experience than traditional magic shows, appealing to a broader audience.
Specialized Hair Extension Line with 'Tacky Side' Clips
Invest in or launch a hair extension brand that features clip-in extensions with a 'tacky side' to prevent slipping, eliminating the need for excessive hair wrapping. This product would cater to individuals seeking secure, healthy, and easy-to-use extensions, particularly those with delicate hair or active lifestyles.
Key Concepts
The Delusion of Possibility
Whitney describes 'Dancing with the Stars' as giving her the 'delusion' that her long-held dream of being on Broadway was actually achievable. This highlights how a significant, high-profile opportunity can shift one's self-perception and open mental pathways to pursue even bigger aspirations previously deemed impossible.
Creative Control as a Rejection Buffer
Facing constant rejections in acting auditions, Whitney co-founded a production company. This strategy allows her to create her own opportunities and projects, providing a direct path to bring her visions to life rather than solely relying on external validation or casting decisions.
Lessons
- Prioritize passion projects: Pursue opportunities that genuinely excite you, even if the financial incentive isn't immediately obvious, as excitement fuels sustained effort.
- Leverage existing platforms for new ventures: Use success in one area (e.g., social media, reality TV) as a springboard to gain visibility and credibility for long-term career goals (e.g., Broadway, production).
- Cultivate a strong support system: Rely on family and trusted partners to navigate career demands, especially when balancing professional ambitions with personal responsibilities like parenthood.
Notable Moments
Whitney Leavitt's impromptu media training during 'Dancing with the Stars' press lines.
This highlights an unconventional but effective method of gaining media savviness, demonstrating how consistent exposure and practice in high-pressure situations can lead to professional development without formal training.
Connor's decision to prioritize Whitney's 'Dancing with the Stars' debut over attending the 'Mom Talk' villa event.
This illustrates the strength of their partnership and mutual support, showcasing how strategic personal sacrifices can be made to prioritize a partner's significant career milestone and provide essential family support.
Quotes
"If you're not excited about it, why would you do it? Well, unless the money is really good."
"I don't know if I'm like I'll give them a pitch and I'm like I don't know if that's I googled it and I hope that I hope this is right."
"Once you know how a trick is done, it becomes way less fun."
Q&A
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