Interview: Leela Ladnier

Hapa Mag - April 5, 2020

By Alex Chester

 

Disney Junior has a brand-new animated TV show set in the magical Indian-inspired land of Jalpur— Mira, Royal Detective. This show follows Mira, a regular girl appointed by the queen to be the royal detective. Not only is Mira a smart and brave young girl, she’s voiced by a young woman who is just as smart and lovely as the character she plays. Have I mentioned she is also of mixed-South Asian descent? Leela Ladnier is the coolest 16-year-old I’ve ever met, and she’s making history as part of this all South Asian show.

Interview

A mixed Asian woman smiles for the camera. She is wearing a red snakeskin blazer with a black shirt and jeans. She stands in front of a poster for the show "Mira Royal Detective." Her hair is slicked back in a bun

What is your mix? Do you identify with the word Hapa? If not, is there another word that best describes you and your heritage?

I am half-white and half-south Indian. I don’t really identify with that word. You know, it’s funny because I’ve only been to India twice, so this show is really helping me identify with my South Asian side, but I’m an American girl. I’m exposed to American culture more than South Asian culture. I would just identify as mixed. 

Do you think there is pressure, specifically of a generational nature, being a young woman of mixed-Asian heritage?

I feel pressure to portray our South Asian culture in an authentic, fun, inspiring way. But I’m more so grateful and honored to be able to do that and have the opportunity to.

What is it like being part of such a unique and diverse show? Do you think this is the next Dora the Explorer

Umm, I don’t. I don’t think it’s the next Dora the Explorer. I think this show is about normal kids that just happen to be South Asian, but you know older generations have been waiting for this show. Younger generations are going to grow up seeing our culture normalized— not as embracing diversity but as just, you know, a normal show.

What was the audition process like?

My mom’s voiceover agent actually reached out to her and asked if she knew any girls 13 to 18 that could sing. She’s like, “My daughter can!” So I went in for the audition not really knowing much about the show, just thinking it was a fun opportunity to be in the room. But after I got a call-back, I started to really consider the show a little bit more, and I realized, “Wait, this is something that’s never been done before. This would be amazing to be a part of. I would love to be Mira.” It took a couple of months to hear if I got the role, but it’s just been such a surreal, incredible experience.

What’s your favorite thing about being mixed?

Hmm. I’ve always liked the idea of having something that makes me a little bit different. I live in a pretty diverse area. I mean there’s a lot of one race where I am— white kids— but just the fact that I have a little bit of “tanner” skin just makes me feel like, more individual. Even when it gets hard to sometimes feel like I’m the only person of my kind where I am, I have to remind myself that it’s something that makes me beautiful, not different in a bad way.

End of Interview

*TRANSCRIBED BY SEBASTIEN TOBLER

 
A mixed Asian woman poses for the camera with her hands on her hips. She is wearing all white and has purple mid-length hair. She stands in front of a white background

Alex Chester is the creator and producer of the theatre company WeSoHapa — a theatre based on diversity and inclusion. She is a New York City based columnist for On Stage Blog and contributing writer for ManhattanDigest.com and HuffPo. She also hosts a podcast with fellow writer Melissa Slaughter, We're Not All Ninjas. Follow her on Twitter/Instagram @AlexFChester if you like food and cats.