Leslie Uggams on controversy about her being on Sing Along with Mitch

Performer Leslie Uggams describes how Mitch Miller, creator and host of Sing Along with Mitch defended her when the network took issue with Uggams appearing with white performers. She also shares what her regular appearances on the show meant to the African American community:

”It was the first time nationally that you would see an African American woman on every week in a singing situation. … In the black community, whenever one of us is on, you know, ‘Oh my God, quick turn on the television!’ and so with me being on ‘Mitch’ every day, it gave my people a chance to see somebody that looked like them. Because back then there wasn’t even commercials that you could see us in.”

Watch Leslie Uggams’ full interview, which spans her career from performing at the Apollo Theater when she was nine to her role in the movie “Deadpool.”

TelevisionAcademy.com/Interviews