Name Ezina LeBlanc | Role Musical Artist | |
Education University of Michigan, Ross School of Business, Juilliard School | ||
Ezina LeBlanc (aka Leslie Waddell, born c. 1970) is an artist and writer, and former Miss Black USA currently writing music for an animated children’s TV series for Fox. Her career includes work as a singer, songwriter, composer, musician, inventor/designer of Victress Guitars, poet and author, radio host, producer, screenwriter, film and TV actor, magazine publisher and media personality.
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Background
LeBlanc attended University of Michigan Business School in Ann Arbor, Michigan to study various crafts in the entertainment industry. When her business studies were finished, she attended the Juilliard School for Performing Arts in New York City.
Career
LeBlanc is a voting member of The Recording Academy and is an active member of AFM, ASCAP, AFTRA, SAG, AEA, WGA, Women in Film, Women in Music, NARAS, Beverly Hills Bar Association and the Women's Step Up Network. LeBlanc has also established herself in Europe and the U.S. for her work in the metaphysical and spiritual fields as a psychic, clairvoyant channel, alchemist, Kabbalist and Reiki master.
Author
LeBlanc started her writing career at an early age and, after years of writing poetry and prose, she published “A Homegirl Returns to the Ghetto” and followed it up with “Greens and Grits” – based on her Grandmother’s recipes and wisdom.
LeBlanc also wrote and published the “Indie Artist Bootcamp” series of books: “How To Make Money Selling Music On The Internet” – How To Make A Living As A Full-time Artist” – “How To Start And Manage A Band” – “Book Your Own Tour” – “Grow Your Star PR For Artists” – How To Start Your Own Record Label.”
“New Blood from the Soul” was her second poetry book. She was also inspired to write “The Hotgirl Diet” book to help women get off the yo-yo dieting syndrome.
Radio
As a radio producer, LeBlanc co-hosts (with Caitlin Moreland) “Sisters of Song,” the world syndicated hit talk-music hybrid. She also produced and anchored “Powerful Women Worldwide.”
Music
LeBlanc served as front-woman for many bands before starting her solo career.
After years of playing guitars that were unwieldy to maneuver on stage, she created Victress Guitars. In 2007, Victress Records was created to focus solely on signing female artists and female fronted bands. LeBlanc's holiday album, SNOWFIRE, will be their first label release.
LeBlanc produces the Hotgirl Music tour which made its 3rd globe-trotting trek this year featuring girl-fronted bands and showcasing music by female singers and songwriters.
Albums
Her three released albums include Tempted, Power of a Woman, and Surrender.
Television & film
LeBlanc appeared in various roles on TV and in film, which led her to pursue producing, publishing and screenwriting. In 2009, Victress Cinema Films was founded to produce inspirational movies and TV shows that feature women of all ages.
Publisher
In 2009, GUITAR GODDESS magazine premiered—that celebrates femme guitarists worldwide and features reviews of guitars and electronic gear, with performance charts and highlights.
Activist
As an activist, LeBlanc’s Opus Wings Music Foundation provides scholarships each year to young women entering college who major in the music arena, film production and entertainment marketing or licensing. She was also involved with VH-1’s “Save The Music” campaign.
Recognition
In 1990, as Leslie Waddell, LeBlanc was crowned Miss Black USA. As Miss Black USA, she traveled around the U.S. speaking to school children about the importance of education, saying “NO to drugs” and encouraging them to live their dreams.