Katie Leclerc Speaks

Posted by Mike Parker on Jun 24, 2011 in TV

As a father of five, I have a very real understanding of the innate fear new parents experience following the birth of a child. What if something goes wrong? What if the baby is not healthy? What if I don’t feel instant love for the little tyke? What if I’m a rotten parent? What if someone kidnaps my baby? What if somehow my baby gets switched with another baby, and I don’t find out about it for years? They are all legitimate fears, although some are more far-fetched than others. Rising star Katie Leclerc puts flesh on the fears of having a child switched at birth in her role as Daphne Vasquez, the hard-of-hearing ingénue in  ABC Family’s new hit series Switched At Birth.

Mike Parker – A lot of times when people see a new face on television they just assume the actor is an overnight success, but you’ve paid your dues along the way. Tell me about your journey as an actress.

Katie Leclerc – I started doing plays at a young age. When we moved from Colorado to San Diego I told my mom I wanted to be an actor, but she said ‘No.’ She was all about the whole ‘starving artist’ thing. But she eventually came on board and was amazingly supportive. She took me to all the auditions and calls in LA. I acted for about 10 years in a variety of commercials and tv shows before I got this job.

Parker – Switched at Birth opened to record-breaking numbers for ABC Family. That’s got to make you excited, but are you maybe also feeling to pressure to maintain the momentum?

Katie – Right now, while the pressure is not lost on me, I think there is more pressure on the producers. They have to figure out how to maintain the momentum. My job is just to do the best job with the script I’m given. Honestly, I’m just excited and happy to be here. I mean, it is crazy to wake up every morning and just get to do what I love for a living. It really is a dream come true for me.

Parker – I’m sure, just because of the nature of the show, that you get asked all the time about your hearing condition. I don’t want to beat a dead horse, but…can you talk about your experience with Meniere’s Disease?

Katie – There are four symptoms to the disease. There is ringing in the ears, pressure in the ears, intermittent hearing loss and vertigo. Sometimes I hear fine and sometimes sound drops out and I don’t hear at all. It can be an interesting experience. Vertigo is the most challenging of the symptoms, because I can still sign when my hearing drops out, but it’s hard to work when you can’t tell which way is up. Fortunately I work on a set that is very aware of my symptoms and is willing to work with me.

Parker – I hear you are a pretty good cook. What’s your specialty?

Katie – I like everything! I make a pretty mean taco. My parents had restaurants while I was growing up; all kinds of restaurants. I like trying new things; new recipes. I recently went to a jazz festival where you could bring in your own food, so I brought in jambalaya and corn bread. It was pretty awesome.

Parker – You’ve had the opportunity to act on stage, in films and for television. Do you have a preference?

Katie – Theatre acting is more difficult than television. With film you get additional takes, but you have to operate three times as fast, so there is a trade off. I prefer film and television, but I have a total appreciation of theatre.

Parker – Last words?

Katie – I hope people who watch the show catch the underlying message that there are more similarities than there are differences between people. It’s all about family.

The Seven Questions

1. What’s your favorite sound?
Katie – Laughter. Preferably kids laughing.

2. What makes you happy?
Katie – Food! My family. My Mom.

3. What makes you angry?
Katie – Mean people. People who… you know what I really hate? The sound of car horns. There is enough room on the road for all of us. You don’t have to honk your horn.

4. What is the secret of success?
Katie – Patience. If you want something bad enough it will be there. You just have to wait for it.

5. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, living or dead, who would it be?
Katie – Michael Jordan. I’m not sure why. I don’t know much about him, but I’d like to know where he gets his strength from.

6. What is the epitaph that is written on your tombstone?
Katie – “May all your weeds be wildflowers.” I think it is a more elegant way of saying, ‘Bloom where you are planted.’

7. When you get to heaven, what is the first thing you want to hear God say to you?
Katie – “Here’s your grandpa and your aunts.” My grandfather died when I was around a year old and my aunts died when I was ten or eleven. I know my grandpa was an amazing man and I’m really looking forward to meeting him.