SHEENA: You are from Canada, correct? Tell me why you came to America.
TL: I grew up in Canada, a place called Nova Scotia. My parents live there now and both of my sisters live in Calgary. Calgary as in you know the cowboys – that. When I move to Los Angeles and became an immigrant in 2001 after 9/11. I was lucky that I moved before. Because my music attorney there suggested me to move to America for more opportunities with my music career.
SHEENA: How did you become a singer?
TL: Well, growing up I listened to music and enjoyed as well. My father everyday put on loud music. Plus, many years of experience with dancing, performing in plays more so musical plays, and went to acting school. The music teacher heard me singing to myself. The teacher approached me, “You can sing!” Yes, I guess was what I said. He encouraged me and took me out of class to privately train me once a week. So, he taught me and I developed there. Then, I sang in a church choir. It was developed from there.
SHEENA: Do you feel the journey you have been on, the Deaf community has accepted you more and more?
TL: Hmm…that is a trick question. Hmmm, it really depends on the day! Generally, people have accepted me as TL no matter what the labels or boxes I am in. They know me, trust me, and like me. That is fine. I think the movie with this journey has helped me to accept more of myself regardless of the labels. I think that was the spirit of the journey with the movie.
SHEENA: With See What I’m Saying film right?
TL: See What I’m Saying, yea.
SHEENA: With a CD coming out and See What I’m Saying film, what is next?
TL: Well, I just finished my CD, The Kriya Project, that I created a year ago. Now, i am still developing new music with a producer. We’ll see how that goes. I’m excited about that. But also, I am developing a one-woman show my experiences of how I started out with the movie in terms of my identity, acceptance, and diversity inside the community.
Out of all the Pearls, twenty of them, who do you admire the most?
TL: Who? There are many women I do look up, but secretly, I like Ashley. I wanna be like her – riding away! Cool.
SHEENA: If there is a second affair for The Pearls, which Deaf woman would you nominate?
TL: If another year, another group of The Pearls…I would like to see my favorite girl who’s Deaf that I admire. Deanne. Deanne Bray. Why do I like Deanne? Many different reasons. I feel like she is a real person. You know? I respect her, her talent, acting skills, and the person she is. Plus, she’s a good mother. Just a long list of reasons why I like Deanne.
SHEENA: What does the word Pearl mean to you?
TL: Bright, gleaming. It is someone who is unique, someone who is not afraid of being themselves, do not not hide away but open up, honest, shiny, Shows the world their beauty.