IN CONVERSATION WITH LESLIE ODOM JR.
interview by JANA LETONJA
Leslie Odom, Jr. continues to redefine what it means to be a modern performer, effortlessly bridging the worlds of music, theatre, film, and literature with depth and grace. The Tony and Grammy Award-winning, three-time Emmy and two-time Academy Award-nominated artist just released ‘An Offering: Live at Speakeasy Studios’, his sixth full-length and first-ever live album. The project arrives amid a remarkable season for Leslie, who recently returned to Broadway to reprise his Tony-winning role as Aaron Burr in ‘Hamilton’ and will soon embark on ‘The Christmas Tour 2025’, bringing his signature warmth and soulful voice to audiences across the US.
suit, shirt, and shoes DOLCE & GABBANA
shawl AKNVAS
hat SARAH SOKOL
‘An Offering: Live at Speakeasy Studios’ captures a live-in-the-room energy that’s rare in modern recordings. What inspired you to take such an organic, one-take approach?
Speakeasy is, most likely, closing its doors at the end of this year. It has been a creative home to us for years. I think ‘An Offering’ is the fourth full length project we recorded there. ‘Mr’, ‘When a Crooner Dies’, and ‘The Christmas Album’ all came first. ‘An Offering’ was kind of like "Well, before we move, let's throw one last party first." We invited a bunch of our friends over and tried our best to say thank you to that place.
This is your first-ever live album. How did performing in front of an intimate audience of friends and fans shape the final sound and spirit of the record?
The spirits of everyone in that room are woven into the sound of this record, for all time. Every hoot, every holler, the little things they said between the songs or between measures of music, anytime they clapped, .it's all there forever. I thought a lot about my favorite live albums. If you become a fan of the project, you become a fan of all those additions too. The album would sound weird without them.
shirt DAWID TOMASZEWSKI
ring and brooch LILLIAN SHALOM
You recorded the full set three times across two days. How did each performance evolve from the last?
If you give me three shows or three hundred, I always have the same goal really. Be surer, riskier, and more honest than the last time.
The album blends standards, covers, and your signature soulful style. How did you choose which songs would become part of ‘An Offering’?
We were going for dinner party vibes. If we started playing a song and it brought out the urge to push next, we cut that song from the set. If it felt good, we hung around in it for a while.
full look SAINT LAURENT
watch AUDEMARS PIGUET
You’ve said this project reflects gratitude and connection. What does it mean to you personally at this stage in your career?
I think ‘An Offering’ is the sixth full length album we've released. The very first project was crowd-funded. We've come so far, our audiences have grown steadily from year to year. I am so filled with gratitude and connection, and that is the reason I first put my feet to the path so many years ago. It's a joyful era. I feel like celebrating.
How has your relationship with music evolved from your debut album to now?
I can feel the evolution in the process even more than I can hear it in the sound. First album, there were songs where we did hundreds of takes. Hundreds. That's what it took, at that time, for me to be good enough for myself. I step in a booth or onto a stage or into a studio knowing that I am good enough now. That is the biggest difference.
shirt MIKIO SAKABE
trousers DSQUARED2
shoes CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN
You’ve often moved between genres with ease—jazz, Broadway, R&B, pop. What keeps you inspired to explore new sounds?
Life, love, my kids. I want to climb higher, reach farther so that I can see it's possible first. Then, I hope I can show someone else the way.
You also recently returned to ‘Hamilton’ after nearly a decade. What was it like stepping back into Aaron Burr’s shoes with fresh eyes?
It has been the most wonderful. There were depths and heights I suspected were there ten years ago, but I didn't know the way. I've lived a lot of life in the decade away. I bring all those years into the building with me. The performance is more human because I am more human.
suit and sunglasses AMIRI
shoes CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN
Now, you’re gearing up for ‘The Christmas Tour 2025’. What makes performing holiday music special for you and your fans?
Audiences have developed a special relationship with the Christmas tunes. They put these albums on with their families every year while they decorating for the holidays, in cars on road trips, while they open presents on Christman morning. That means the world to me. People have made this music a part of their lives and their lifelong memories. I'll never get over it. The live shows just give us a chance to build on that.
With such a wide-ranging career—actor, singer, writer, producer—how do you decide where to focus your creative energy next?
Inspiration is divine. It is my practice to pay close attention and follow the Divine.
left:
coat, jacket, and trousers KILLIAN KERNER
shoes CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN
right:
suit, shirt, and tie ANTONIO MARRAS
coat AKNVAS
full look LOUIS VUITTON
full look EMPORIO ARMANI
TEAM CREDITS:
talent LESLIE ODOM JR.
photography TYLER PATRICK KENNY
styling AVO YERMAGYAN at Forward Artists
makeup CHI CHI SAITO at Art Department Agency
hair VERNON SCOTT at Art Department Agency
location GO STUDIOS PENTHOUSE + ROOFTOP
editor TIMOTEJ LETONJA
editorial director and interview JANA LETONJA
cover design ARTHUR ROELOFFZEN
