Actress, Author & Animal Activist
LEESA ROWLAND
Living A Life With Style & Grace
By Patricia Canole | Photography by Neil Tandy
Hair and makeup by John Henry Edington for Angelo David Salon / T3 Mirco | Location: Russian Samovar
For Leesa Rowland living with style and grace rings true. From acting, and authoring a bestseller to animal activism, Leesa brings a certain passion to every aspect of her life. And while her roots are planted in Texas, Leesa now lives an extraordinary life and calls New York City her home.
STARTING OUT
While in Texas, Leesa studied journalism, and later become a trained actress. It wasn’t too long before she was cast in several cult movie classics including Travis Campbell’s Slaughter Daughter where she played an eccentric mother who drives her daughter to insanity. Soon after, Leesa was co-starring in the critically acclaimed web series Two City Girls, as well as appearances on the Oxygen series Jersey Couture.
MOTIVATING OTHERS
The actress expanded her creative talents to also include writing the bestselling self-help/motivational book Discovering the It Factor within You: Developing Your Charismatic Personality. Leesa explained, “The book unveils everything from spirituality and religion to auras and mantras and more in helping each reader build their charismatic personality and excel in life.”
RAISING AWARENESS
Of course, Leesa is probably best known for her work as a philanthropist and animal rights activist. She has been active with the national non-profit organization Last Chance for Animals and is the founder of the New York non-profit group Animal Ashram. As a dedicated vegan Leesa says, “Life is full of choices and living a cruelty-free life is the best choice I have ever made. There is plenty to eat without eating animals. My choice is compassion. It is always in fashion.”
New York Lifestyles wanted to learn more about this fascinating woman. And, like us, you’ll soon agree that Leesa Rowland possesses lots of style and grace.
Tell our readers more about your growing up in Texas.
I grew up in a waterfront home in Rockport, Texas on the Gulf Coast until the ninth grade when we moved to Austin, which was my mother’s favorite city. I enjoyed water skiing on Lake Travis, listening to live bands on the weekends with my friends and country western dancing.
I was in the drama club and loved performing in our school plays and ultimately won awards for acting when we competed regionally with other schools. This gave me the confidence to pursue acting as a career after college at Texas Tech where I studied journalism.
How did your experiences as a girl make you the woman you are today?
I am still living out the goals and dreams I formed when I was a young girl. I remember when I was young and on our family ranch, I bonded with cows only to find out that they were later sent to slaughter. Cows were like dogs to me and all have unique personalities. This was very tough on me. I have been a vegan my entire life; it led me to be the animal activist that I am now.
Actress, author, animal activist. How do you do it all, Leesa, and still maintain a balance in your life?
I am very selective with the projects and campaigns I choose to work on. I like to focus intently on only one project in hand. By focusing only on one project at a time I give my whole heart and soul to the project and do my very best job.
As an actress, do you have any new projects in the works?
I have read two film scripts that were sent to me recently and am in discussions on both. They will be filmed in Los Angeles.
I am also currently taking improv classes at the Upright Citizens Brigade.
Now to your book. What inspired you to write Discovering the IT Factor Within You?
I wrote Discovering the It Factor within You because of my personal pain, emotional triumphs, and the experiences of my life’s journey.
I want to ignite and nurture the special spark of charisma within others who are embarking on their journeys and encourage them to be the best they can possibly be.
Were there any challenges in writing the book?
I enjoy the whole process of writing and really enjoy connecting with my readers. Thankfully, I didn’t really experience any substantial challenges writing the book. Everything fortunately flowed very nicely.
The premise of your book is Charisma which presents itself when you seek your talents and passions in life. What is intriguing is that you bond Charisma with Karma. Explain this concept?
I believe good Karma raises our vibration. Raising your vibration strengthens your aura, which in turn intensifies your magnetism.
I am also writing another book for release in 2021 through Hatherleigh Press and Random House.
What is something people might not know about you?
I am a secret gym rat and work out regularly at Equinox.
Describe your personal style?
I have a very classical and tailored sense of style but with a whimsical flare. I love to throw in statement pieces to add in a little glamour.
If you had to create a slogan for your life, what would it be?
You create your own opportunities.
What are your three favorite locations in the city?
I absolutely love Central Park. It is such a beautiful and vast location that just a walk through the park immediately lifts my spirits…I have always enjoyed going downtown to the South Street Seaport. I feel like I’ve been transported out of the city and being by the water is thoroughly rejuvenating. We are beyond fortunate to have so many distinctive and unique locations available to us…St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the most gorgeous house of worship in our beloved New York City. There is no spiritual experience like attending mass in this legendary and magnificent Cathedral with all its history and majesty. I receive Holy Spirit chills every time I pray there. I love that place.
Name your three favorite restaurants in NYC?
Franchia is a South Korean teahouse and vegan restaurant located on Park Avenue. It is my favorite go-to restaurant. The location, food and employees are all amazing and consistent. My non-vegan friends can’t believe they are eating vegan sushi; crab cakes and other mock meats because everything tastes so scrumptious…I’m really enjoying the new Upper East Side Italian restaurant Piccola Cucina on 60th St. The owner and chef Philip Guardione hails from Sicily and can he ever cook! He’s very creative and talented…Le Bilboquet is a very special French restaurant where I’m a regular. I love the lentil salad, soups and espresso as well as the open, festive ambiance and excellent service.
Tell us if you could pack your bags and fly off to some exotic location, where would it be?
I have always wanted to travel to Norway to see the Northern Lights. What an amazing experience it will be to see the Aurora Borealis dance across the sky! I’ve seen pictures but I will be so excited to see the phenomenon in person.
What are three items you couldn’t live without?
I couldn’t live without my iPhone, lip balm, and designer sneakers.
If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be?
I am in awe of the Kennedy family and find them fascinating. I wish more of their family were still here, but it would be wonderful to have dinner and conversation with Caroline Kennedy.
What three words describe you best?
Enthusiastic, passionate, compassionate.
What always makes you laugh?
My cat Cupid continually comes up with new antics to entertain me.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Be careful of relying on anybody but yourself. Even your shadow leaves you when you are in darkness.
What’s the best gift you’ve ever given to someone?
I gave a friend, who was struggling to find work, a whole makeover once. I took her shopping, styled her from head to toe. She loved it and soon found a great new job, too.
What is your favorite cuisine?
I like all types of vegan cuisine and Indian food.
What’s your favorite comfort food?
Spicy vegetarian curry.
Any good advice to women who are looking to start their own business?
I would advise any woman looking to start a business to make an honest assessment of herself. Jot down your strengths and weaknesses. Know what you are good at and make a crystal-clear game plan of what it is you want to achieve. Write down your goals for one year, three years and five years. Stay focused and always follow through.
We know that one of your great loves, of course, is Animal Ashram. Tell our readers more about the foundation.
We rescue dogs and cats off the kill list from New York City Animal Care and Control. Sadly, they euthanize pets because shelters are so overcrowded. Our mission is to place those animals with fosters or adopters.
Our vegan outreach program and support of cruelty-free fashion and products is very popular. We also award grants and funding to other worthy animal welfare and rescue groups. We are anti-vivisection and are against factory farming.
Speaking of Animal Ashram, what do you want to accomplish this year?
Animal Ashram is looking forward to doing a vegan pop-up with cruelty-free and sustainable fashion, yoga and pet adoptions this summer.
As a leader, what do you think is the biggest issue for women today?
I am happy with what women have achieved in the workforce during the last few years. We have come such a long way and accomplished a great deal. We still need to make more strides to put an end to violence toward women.
Are there any female leaders whom you admire?
I am very impressed with New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik and all that she has achieved in a relatively short time. She is the youngest Republican ever elected to Congress and has been very vocal about her belief that Congress needs more women.
What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?
I would tell my younger self to be more patient and to be gentler on myself.
How do you define success and happiness?
For me, success and happiness means being content with what you’re doing and where you are in life. Being content brings us peace of mind.
What would you be doing if you weren’t an actress/author/animal activist?
I would travel more if I didn’t have so many responsibilities. There are so many places such as India, the Pyramids, or on an African Safari.
How do you stay so fit and beautiful?
I work very hard at staying fit. I go to the gym three times a week and enjoy Pilates, yoga, and the elliptical machine. I maintain a diligent beauty regimen including morning and evening serums and monthly facials.