--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My Aunt Eloise Uggams was my first…" description: "\"My Aunt Eloise Uggams was my first inspiration. She performed on Broadway, and when I was 10 years old, I saw her in 'Porgy and Bess,' the first Broadw..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f4/leslie-uggams-6290_actor_my-aunt-eloise-uggams-was-my-first-inspi_402243.jpg" --- # My Aunt Eloise Uggams was my first inspiration. She… ![“My Aunt Eloise Uggams was my first inspiration. She performed on Broadway, and when I was 10 years old, I saw her in 'Porgy and Bess,' the first Broadway show I ever attended.” quote by Leslie Uggams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f4/leslie-uggams-6290_actor_my-aunt-eloise-uggams-was-my-first-inspi_402243.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f4/leslie-uggams-6290_actor_my-aunt-eloise-uggams-was-my-first-inspi_402243.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f4/leslie-uggams-6290_actor_my-aunt-eloise-uggams-was-my-first-inspi_402243.jpg) > “My Aunt Eloise Uggams was my first inspiration. She performed on Broadway, and when I was 10 years old, I saw her in 'Porgy and Bess,' the first Broadway show I ever attended.” [Leslie Uggams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-uggams/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Early exposure to performance can spark lifelong passion and confidence in the arts. **In simple terms:** Seeing a relative on stage inspires artistic dreams. Key Takeaway Seek role models early in creative fields. Themes family influence artistic inspiration role models Mood inspirational nostalgic Type interview personal narrative When to use this quote - childhood theater experiences - career mentorship - family artistic traditions - encouraging youth in arts Key Concepts Psychology of motivation performing arts heritage Questions to Reflect On - Who inspired your creative path? - How can you become a role model for others? A Different Perspective Family inspiration may not be accessible to all. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Broadway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/broadway/) [Broadway Attended](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/broadway-attended-3604032/) [Broadway show](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/broadway-show/) [Inspiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiration/) [Inspiration Performed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiration-performed-3604034/) [Old](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old/) [Performed Broadway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performed-broadway-2595359/) [She](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/she/) [Show](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/show/) [Uggams Inspiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uggams-inspiration-3604033/) ## Related quotes > [I went to Boston University and got my BFA, and performed Off Broadway.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenn-proske/i-went-to-boston-university-and-got-my-bfa-and-performed-off-broadway/) [Jenn Proske](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenn-proske/) > [“Inspiration can't be performed. It's an audience response to authenticity, courage, selfless work, and genuine wisdom.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-anderson/inspiration-can-t-be-performed-it-s-an-audience-response-to/) [CHRIS ANDERSON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-anderson/) > [When I was on Broadway, my most recent Broadway show was 'Spring Awakening,' and every night I did a topless scene.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lea-michele/when-i-was-on-broadway-my-most-recent-broadway-show-was-spring/) [Lea Michele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lea-michele/) > [Ive been to London twice. I saw the Broadway show Billy Elliot there - phenomenal. 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Allee Willis and Brenda Russell wrote The Color Purple which has been recently revived on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-koz/some-of-my-best-friends-have-written-broadway-shows-allee-willis-and/) [Dave Koz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-koz/) > [I am always in much better shape when I am doing a Broadway show because you have the eight shows a week to kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-krakowski/i-am-always-in-much-better-shape-when-i-am-doing-a-broadway-show/) [Jane Krakowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-krakowski/) > [I've grown up watching and admiring Norm. Sherie actually starred in the first off-Broadway show I ever saw in New York, which was The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tituss-burgess/i-ve-grown-up-watching-and-admiring-norm-sherie-actually-starred-in/) [Tituss Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tituss-burgess/) > [All of a sudden, I was a young kid in my early 20s, and I had a couple of Broadway shows to my credit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-tenney/all-of-a-sudden-i-was-a-young-kid-in-my-early-20s-and-i-had-a-couple/) [Jon Tenney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-tenney/) ## More by Leslie Uggams > [I'm all over YouTube.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-uggams/i-m-all-over-youtube/) [Leslie Uggams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-uggams/) > [My career has been a series of breaking through barriers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-uggams/my-career-has-been-a-series-of-breaking-through-barriers/) [Leslie Uggams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-uggams/) > [I was supposedly named after the Bette Davis character in 'The Letter' by my sister.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-uggams/i-was-supposedly-named-after-the-bette-davis-character-in-the-letter/) [Leslie Uggams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-uggams/) > [Anything can happen in theater.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-uggams/anything-can-happen-in-theater/) [Leslie Uggams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-uggams/) > [I just love 'Happy.' I have a little grand baby who loves that song. We'll play it and dance around. Pharrell's conveyed a feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-uggams/i-just-love-happy-i-have-a-little-grand-baby-who-loves-that-song-we/) [Leslie Uggams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-uggams/) > [Oh, I love Lady Gaga - I think she's so fascinating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-uggams/oh-i-love-lady-gaga-i-think-she-s-so-fascinating/) [Leslie Uggams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-uggams/) > [Blues and jazz is our American music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-uggams/blues-and-jazz-is-our-american-music/) [Leslie Uggams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-uggams/) > [It's kind of nice to be acknowledged, and that people think enough of you that they want to give you something. So I appreciate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-uggams/it-s-kind-of-nice-to-be-acknowledged-and-that-people-think-enough-of/) [Leslie Uggams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-uggams/) > [I do so many things it has a tendency to confuse people. They didn't know where to put me. So they put me nowhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-uggams/i-do-so-many-things-it-has-a-tendency-to-confuse-people-they-didn-t/) [Leslie Uggams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-uggams/) > [Black theaters are not given nearly enough attention. We need these theaters to be aware of each other, to help each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-uggams/black-theaters-are-not-given-nearly-enough-attention-we-need-these/) [Leslie Uggams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-uggams/) > [Fresh air, sunshine, exercise, and a change of scenery can be very refreshing and just the lift you need.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-uggams/fresh-air-sunshine-exercise-and-a-change-of-scenery-can-be-very/) [Leslie Uggams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-uggams/) > [I respect the gift I was given so I take care of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-uggams/i-respect-the-gift-i-was-given-so-i-take-care-of-it/) [Leslie Uggams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-uggams/) > [Since I turned 18, I have never missed a vote for president. If you don't vote, you don't get the right to complain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-uggams/since-i-turned-18-i-have-never-missed-a-vote-for-president-if-you-don/) [Leslie Uggams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-uggams/) > [We need more Black artists writing, performing, directing, and producing Black stories on the main stage - and not just in February!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-uggams/we-need-more-black-artists-writing-performing-directing-and-producing/) [Leslie Uggams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-uggams/) > [I was responsible for having a clean image. I wanted people to have respect for black people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-uggams/i-was-responsible-for-having-a-clean-image-i-wanted-people-to-have/) [Leslie Uggams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-uggams/) [Explore all 99 Leslie Uggams quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-uggams/) ## More Actor quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I once told someone I could act. 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