Lillee Jean On How We Can Increase Women’s Engagement in Leadership and Management
An Interview With Vanessa Ogle
Equal opportunity must be present for women in leadership.
Despite strides towards equality, women remain underrepresented in leadership and management roles across various sectors. In this series, we would like to discuss the barriers to female advancement in these areas and explore actionable strategies for change. We are talking with accomplished women leaders, executives, and pioneers who have navigated these challenges successfully, to hear their experiences, tactics, and advice to inspire and guide the next generation of women toward achieving their full potential in leadership and management roles. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Lillee Jean.
Lillee Jean is a multi-award-winning American actress and filmmaker. She is best known for her award-winning celebrity talk show ‘Lillee Jean TALKS! Live’, featuring beloved Hollywood stars such as Don Most, and her breakout role as Roxie Capri in the Best Women’s award-winning film short ‘Miss Roxie’. Her latest sci-fi comedy film, ‘The Trapper Trap — Part 1’, written by herself, and featuring the Puerto Rican star Edgardo Rubio, marks her noteworthy debut in the film industry, wearing the hats of filmmaker, writer, and lead star. She has won 10 awards for the film so far, and, screened in Paris! Jean has trained at the renowned New York City T. Schreiber Studio studying the Meisner Technique with Nicolas Landry, various British dialects from Page Clements, and under Hollywood actors Michel Corbiere and Edgardo Rubio.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your “backstory”? What led you to this particular career path?
My backstory started in the arts & entertainment field at a young age! I developed an interest in the performing arts during my childhood and participated in several theatrical shows such as The Nutcracker and The Wizard of Oz. One of my early forays into entertainment was when I used to film stop-motion videos of my American Girl Dolls. I played numerous roles in them, including as a filmmaker, actress, writer, and director, all while keeping my blog new and unique. I would like to add, that my most favorite stop-motion short film, was an ice skating competition that I organized for my historical dolls, as the lead stars. I also was the voice-over portion, which gave me, as I realize now, such a wonderful understanding of things like cadence in voice, tone, and depth. As I trained with Michel Corbiere for voice-over work in particular, he made me realize my “origins” all tie in, and all along I’ve been in some way honing my craft. My current acting coach Edgardo Rubio, has also made note to me that my previous experiences enhance me as an actress today! I act from the heart, and do what I love.
As a child I grew up in a digital age, Gen Z, and learned from others in movies that I loved, to understand how the process worked. Be it voice-over, stop motion, you name it! Throughout my school years, I shared my work with friends developing a following of people eager to see what I would create the next time. As a result, I was able to expand my blog, which I turned into an Instagram account at 15 years old, making it more prominent online. Now today, flash to 23 years old, as a professional actress, I have grown to love dance, art, cinema, and storytelling even more strongly, which has led me to where I am today.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
I think that there are so many interesting things that have occurred in my career thus far, that have definitely encouraged amazing doors and opportunities to open. For example, my current acting coach, Edgardo Rubio, who is like family to me, worked with me on such a hysterical comedy film called ‘The Trapper Trap: The Rise of Princess Glamourite’. It’s in post-production now almost ready for festivals in the feature comedy category (we won on best trailer, best poster, and best costume design so far). I’m so proud of the production, and it has encouraged awesome new opportunities to occur! I mean come on I wrote a sci-fi, space comedy with the lead character being a princess — it was pretty fun. I even wrote Glamoue, for Ed which turned out amazing! He brought Glamoue to life!
Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that significantly influenced your path to leadership?
When we talk about women in film and entertainment, it’s never an easy thing. However, I will say that my acting coach significantly influenced my path in guiding and advising me on how to properly position myself, and be awesomely seen with my original projects. He shows that the sky is the limit! Another pivotal moment in my career was taking the Meisner Technique with Nick Landry. I think it truly shaped me as an actress today! It reminded me to not hold back, let loose, and surrender to a scene. That advice and the weeks of training, I can see in my work have improved all my skills greatly! I still sharpen up those skills every few months with classes, as well, when I’m not working on a new film.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
That is such a true statement that everybody needs someone in some way for emotional support, and, in a literal sense guidance. I am grateful to my mom for her deep intuitions, and, the support she has yielded to me for choosing the arts as a profession. I recognize that being an actress, filmmaker, writer, and director it is not always a path people’s parents let them get into. She has supported me every step of the way, and even when it gets hard, lets me know she’ll be there for my next steps. Giving me that space to think, to live, and breathe, I love her so dearly for that. I feel it has allowed me as a writer to write with a clear mind, as an actress to feel emotivly, and as a filmmaker, to understand we all have choices in life — what you put down, is your choice. That final project is all you! You should be proud. These positive feelings and outlooks on life she has instilled in me I cherish!
Is there a particular book that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?
I always reference back to a classical piece, Sun Tzu’s The Art of War book. It’s a reality and thus I find it even more intriguing. The line that stays with me most is “One mark of a great soldier is that he fights on his own terms or fights not at all.” This is so true in many applications of life. As an Aries especially, we’re headstrong! In the male-dominated film industry, it’s important to pick and choose your battles — not everything has to be a war. I have learned this time and time again, and found great success in patiently observing.
Do you have a favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Do you have a story about how that was relevant in your life or your work?
It isn’t directly a life lesson quote, but it’s from my idol. Queen Elizabeth II was in my opinion one of the finest women history has seen. When she said “Why are women expected to beam all the time? It’s unfair. If a man looks solemn, it’s automatically assumed he’s a serious person, not a miserable one,” it makes you realize — live for yourself. Don’t live for someone else! Don’t force an emotion amongst yourself — live how you feel. I love that independence.
How have you used your success to make the world a better place?
I bring to people laughter, joy, madness, and happiness — all of these emotions flourish in my projects! I have hit on serious topics such as cyberstalking with my Project: Bullyish film (HUMRO Film Fest Finalist), and leadership with women, in my segment on Voyager with Inspiring Girls. Without emotion, who are we? I always go back to this. I think the work of an actress is so vital, to be honest. In reference to making the world a better place through my successes, I have used this status for good causes such as Inspiring Girls, CHOOOSE Today, and campaigns against plastic straws through film.
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. According to this report, only about 31.7% of top executive positions across industries are held by women. This reflects great historical progress, but it also shows that more work still has to be done to empower women. In your opinion and experience what is currently holding back women from leadership and management?
This question hits so hard, because in the film industry, though there have been women such as Marilyn Monroe, Lucy Ball, Mary Pickford, Margot Robbie, and more, with serious career strides with production companies, the fact is, that women still have a formidable hardship. We’re seriously underrepresented in senior leadership roles. I feel there are many ways to look at this starting with not receiving the support needed, and perhaps the bias that women are being discriminated against that a “pretty woman” can’t possibly be intelligible. Now, I am speaking facetiously before, and I think any woman can do a man’s job in film, for example. However, that bias, plus, unless you’re vouched for, will exist because we’re talking millions of dollars, and despite the “tried and true” not making bank at the box office, people are still afraid to touch the untapped talent, which might happen just be a female! Put females in big positions! Greta Gerwig, Sofia Coppola, and Olivia Wilde, for example, all prove women can be in high leadership and be successful.
This might be intuitive to you but I think it will be helpful to spell this out. Can you share a few reasons why more women should become leaders and managers?
Okay, women rule. We have deep understandings of things, we’re patient, we organize well, and overall like any other human begin deserve equal opportunity, rights, and possibilities. Not everything has to be nude, bloody, horror, or some boring picture we’ve seen 8,000 times. There are places for these projects, like anything of course, but we need fresh ideas, and fresh people to spearhead those thoughts.
Can you please share “5 Things We Need To Increase Women’s Engagement in Leadership and Management?”
1 . We need to prioritize supporting other women in their accomplishments and achievements. If we don’t, that “vouching” support will weaken the movement.
2 . Equal opportunity must be present for women in leadership.
3 . It must be normalized for a woman working in a leadership role, rather sensationalized.
4 . Women have to continue to harness their own worth, and skills by being their own advocates. People can only help 30% of the way — the rest is all you.
5 . If you view yourself differently than a man, they will see you that way too! You’re a human being! Be proud of your skills, and push the barriers down through sheer will, and finesse.
In your opinion, what systemic changes are needed to facilitate more equitable access for women to leadership roles?
I think that women need to be aware of their own power, their own skills, and their own worth. If you view yourself differently then let’s say, a man, well, they see you that way too! You’re a human being! You need to be proud of your skills and push barriers down through finesse and willpower. Nobody will do all that work for you, you have to go for it! Second, I think women should be aware of gender bias for pay, and ensure they’re educated on regulations, rules, and requirements. Third, I feel women feel unsafe in workplaces, and their power should be returned in being able to tackle these situations head-on, so they never occur again.
What strategies have you found most effective in mentoring and supporting other women to pursue leadership positions?
Making sure other women don’t give up on their dreams, and push things to the limit. Be daring, be observant, and be the person you want to be!
How would you advise a woman leader about how to navigate the challenges of being a woman in a leadership role within a male-dominated industry?
The fact is that male-dominated industries exist. You cannot deny this fact. Another fact is, however, your personal mindset cages you. In a less literal sense, walk the walk, and talk the talk. Stop putting yourself in a box with a reminder of “male-dominated industries.” To break those barriers you might need more education, more time put in, and more blood, sweat, and tears, but in the end, the path paved will be significant, and your payoff will be sweet. Nothing is easy in life, but if you can at the end of the day say you gave it 1,000%, then that is what matters. To sit and complain, rather than have physical action seems to squander time. It’s the action of women rebelling against the norms that will cause the change!
How do you balance the demand for authoritative leadership with the stereotypical expectations of female behavior in professional settings?
I think people end up pressuring women into doing things they never intended. That then arises the terrible stereotypes. I think that women need to continue being clear in their intentions, and assertive in their thoughts. You don’t need to overpower someone to get your point across — you need to show it through your work. There is a sense of having to work harder to prove your point compared to a man, but at this time, 2024, that is simply the way it is to work your way to the top. Don’t complain, push through, and reach your goals through persistence and a strong resolve! It also helps to have a strong support system. Seek out friends who match your vibe, and can be there when you need it most.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good for the greatest number of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
A kindness movement would be the most effective way to benefit a great deal of people and do the most good to them.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
WEBSITES:
Social Media:
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10479689/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilleejean
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/REALlilleejean/
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/lilleejean
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/LilleeJean/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillee-jean-b97621215
YT: https://www.youtube.com/c/LilleeJean
FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/LilleeJean_
LINKTREE: https://linktr.ee/lilleejean
Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialLilleeJ
Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this.
About The Interviewer: Vanessa Ogle is a mom, entrepreneur, inventor, writer, and singer/songwriter. Vanessa’s talent in building world-class leadership teams focused on diversity, a culture of service, and innovation through inclusion allowed her to be one of the most acclaimed Latina CEO’s in the last 30 years. She collaborated with the world’s leading technology and content companies such as Netflix, Amazon, HBO, and Broadcom to bring innovative solutions to travelers and hotels around the world. Vanessa is the lead inventor on 120+ U.S. Patents. Accolades include: FAST 100, Entrepreneur 360 Best Companies, Inc. 500 and then another six times on the Inc. 5000. Vanessa was personally honored with Inc. 100 Female Founder’s Award, Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and Enterprising Women of the Year among others. Vanessa now spends her time sharing stories to inspire and give hope through articles, speaking engagements and music. In her spare time she writes and plays music in the Amazon best selling new band HigherHill, teaches surfing clinics, trains dogs, and cheers on her children.
Please connect with Vanessa here on linkedin and subscribe to her newsletter Unplugged as well as follow her on Substack, Instagram, Facebook, and X and of course on her website VanessaOgle.
