Who is Leslie Odom Jr's wife Nicolette Robinson? How a kiss turned into 'first date' and sparked love story
Power couple Nicolette Robinson and Leslie Odom Jr. have known each other for more than 12 years and their love story is nothing short of dreamy. This is a story of a couple who hit it off from the word go after meeting in 2008 and every interaction brought them closer than they were the last time they spent time together. Robinson and Odom met while working on a musical 'Once on this Island' and got close very quickly, what they had can be called a showmance but the one that didn't end when the curtains dropped.
From taking naps on the equity cot together to meeting at the same spot backstage to do a little dance which they refer to as their "mating dance" every time "Waiting for Life" by Hailey Kilgore played, the couple formed their own little routine which helped cement their bond. Here's more about the woman who has Odom Jr. hooked and a look at the beautiful moments from the couple's love story over the years.
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Who is Nicolette Robinson?
Nicolette Robinson is an actor and producer with a melodious singing voice, the Hanukkah tune 'Ma'oz Tzur' from 'Rock of Ages' is one of her best songs. She graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 2010, according to her IMDb profile. The Black Jewish actress has always credited her parents for the empowered woman she is today. “My parents were always great at empowering me to be proud of who I am. We celebrated Christian and Jewish holidays, and I got an understanding of both sides of my background. I feel really grateful for that," she said.
Born to director and choreographer parents, Robinson was always fascinated with being a performer, "I grew up leaning against the mirrors in rehearsal rooms watching my mom work," she said. "It was around me all the time and performing just was something I’ve loved so much from an early age,” Robinson explained.
After graduating she made her way to Broadway and debuted with a lead role in Sara Bareilles musical 'Waitress'. She took on the role of a pie baker named Jenna in the musical that debuted on September 4, 2018, at the Brooks Atkinson Theater. Robinson was elated to become the first woman of color to be cast in the lead role on Broadway and was elated about the opportunity to tell the story.
“This decision that the creative team made, to open the role of Jenna up for me to be able to play it just opens a window for so many people," she said. "I think the role of Jenna, this story is so universal and so many people relate to it in so many different ways, it’s such a meaningful story so when it’s told through my eyes I bring a different experience to it than what other women have would bring to it,” Robinson explained after being cast.
Billy Porter was the reason Nicolette Robinson and Leslie Odom Jr. met each other
Odom was living in Los Angeles assisting 'Pose' actor Billy Porter direct the musical and Robinson was in college at UCLA. "I was his assistant director, so I got to sit in on the auditions, and this very lovely young girl came in to audition — this UCLA student — who I would have cast," Odom said recalling the very first time he set eyes on Robinson and was instantly drawn towards her.
Robinson didn't end up getting the spot initially but during rehearsals, one of their cast members' husband passed away leading to her exit. Porter had to juggle the cast at the time and move roles around and Robinson was back on set stepping in to play Andrea Deveraux. As Porter's assistant, it was Odom's job to bring her up to speed and make sure she was comfortable on set. "We got very close very quickly, but normally those kinds of things — you call them showmances — end when the show ends, but ours never ended. We just had so much fun together," he said.
Nicolette Robinson and Leslie Odom Jr's first 'real kiss'
Apart from the napping together and doing the mating dance, there was another ritual the couple followed. "I played Andrea, so my solo moment was later in the show, and whenever I would exit into the wings after my part, he would be waiting there for me and would give me a peck on the lips as I left the stage," Robinson revealed.
They eventually decided to hang out with each other outside the theater not knowing if it was a date to not. Odom was a commitment-phobe at the time, making things official was going to make him nervous at the time but he absolutely wanted to hang out as friends and see how things worked out with them. "In case we had a terrible time, we could have just said, “Oh, that wasn’t a date,” but it was very clear that it was more than friendship. So at the end of the first date I gave Nicolette a kiss, a real kiss, not a peck like in the show," he said.
Nicolette Robinson and Leslie Odom Jr. welcomed their second child in March 2021
Odom announced they were pregnant with a baby boy in November 2020 sharing a photo of a very pregnant Robinson and their 3-year-old daughter Lucille. Their son Able Phineas was born on March 25, 2021 and the Tony award winner once again took to his Instagram to share the happy news, this time sharing a photo of his children.
"More life! One whole week with our Abe. Watching Nicolette give birth to these kids...? Simply, the bravest acts I’ve ever witnessed from a foot away. I love you, sweetheart and I am in awe. Our little family bursts at the seams with joy! And gratitude. Able Phineas 3/25/21 ♥️ More life," he wrote.
Just like his babies, Robinson is a huge presence on Odom's Instagram page. Last week, he wrote a short but loving tribute to his wife of almost nine years as she celebrated her birthday. Odom shared a couple of photos of them as a couple and as parents to two precious children with the caption, "HBD to a legend! What a gift you are, radiant baby.
"May the coming year add the sweetest chapter yet to the story of you. You are so deserving," he wrote. To see more of the couple, you can head to his Instagram, the handle is @leslieodomjr. Similarly, Robinson's page also host a number of unseen photos of the stunning couple and their children, head to her handle @nicolettekleo for more pictures.