Here’s the quirky part: Leslie almost didn’t come to London. He had other plans. He was working on his solo career, releasing jazzy albums. Then the call came. The West End wanted him.
Think about the pressure. You’ve already won the Tony. You’ve already filmed the pro-shot. Why risk it? Because Leslie Odom Jr. is a madman in the best way. He loves a challenge.
He didn’t just copy his Broadway performance. He evolved it. He burrowed deeper into Burr’s paranoia. He made the silence before “Wait For It” so heavy you could feel it in your ribs.
Funny Fact: The Hat Story
Every actor has a lucky charm. Leslie’s? A specific, battered felt hat. He wore it during rehearsals. He wore it backstage. He even wore it to a pub near the Victoria Palace Theatre.
A fan once spotted him in that hat, eating fish and chips. The fan froze. Leslie just winked and said, “Hamilton doesn’t eat cod.” It’s a ridiculous, perfect anecdote. It’s pure Leslie.
