ASM: After college, you decided to move to New York to pursue a career on stage. How difficult was it for you at the very beginning just starting out?
Sloan: The decision to move to New York was actually pretty easy. It just seemed like the next step. NU took ten senior theatre students to perform in a showcase in NYC at the end of the year and if I didn't already love New York, I certainly fell in love with it that week, meeting with agents and going on auditions. It was there that I met the agent I would sign with once I moved. Starting out in New York was of course difficult. I lived in a closet of a room in Brooklyn with two other NU grads and the occasional rodent and cockroach for $500 a month. I temped downtown at Prudential in the HR Benefits department, where they would let me take my lunches to go to auditions. I'll never be able to thank them enough for helping me to realize my dreams! As "hard" a life as that whole hustle was, I really didn't feel it at the time. It was exciting and freeing to be so independent and to have to make my own way. I wouldn't trade that year for anything in the world. It was a huge part of shaping who I am today.
ASM: You moved to New York a week after 9/11 happened. How close were you to changing your mind about the move?
Sloan: I was set to leave on the 12th, and of course after the tragedy, my family and friends encouraged me not to go. I was devastated by what happened, but it never crossed my mind to change my gameplan and stay in California or Chicago. I knew it was my destiny to go to New York and I thought I really wanted to be there to support the city — I wanted to be a NYorker! Once I got there, I immediately visited the scene and I was in awe of how everyone was back at work doing their job, and though they were in pain, they did not let the terrorist attack thwart them from continuing their daily routines. That inspired me and I got to pounding the pavement!
ASM: After being cast in several regional productions, you landed a role in the original Broadway cast of the Tony award-winning musical "Hairspray." That must have been an exciting moment for you?
Sloan: Thrilling. I remember receiving the call from my agent at Prudential while I was temping. I had been through an all-day audition and he called that night when almost everyone was out of the office and said, 'Are you ready to make your Broadway debut?!' I wanted to scream and ran and told the two people left in the office and they were thrilled. Even more thrilling, and a little scary was that I would start rehearsing Tuesday and be in the show Friday night! When I stepped on that stage it was the greatest feeling in the world. I'll be honest, with the little rehearsal I had, I surprised myself with my performance! I knew then more than ever that this is where I belonged — it felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
ASM: You later joined the touring production of "Hairspray" and performed in cities all over the country. What was that experience like and how challenging was all the travel?
Sloan: Being on the road was great because I had an opportunity to see cities I hadn't been to. Living out of your suitcase can be rough, but again, I remember only feeling so lucky and blessed to be making a living doing what I loved and being able to visit places all over the country. It got difficult in terms of my relationship with my then boyfriend/fiancée, now husband, because we were eventually trying to plan a wedding over the phone and the separation was difficult. But it made us appreciate even more actually living together in the same place once we were married!
ASM: You later moved back to Southern California and eventually decided to pursue a music career. What led you down the path of music again?
Sloan: Music was always my first love. I love singing in any capacity, and though acting and the stage are also my passion, it was always a dream of mine to be a recording artist — to sing at a sold-out concert and hear myself on the radio. Moving back to L.A. was an opportunity to focus on that.
ASM: You and that college sweetheart of yours got married shortly after the move back. How difficult has it been being a wife and pursuing your hopes and dreams at the same time?
Sloan: My husband is my greatest champion and supporter. I honestly can't imagine having gone on "American Idol" without him. He has always said that his biggest attraction to me was my commitment to pursuing my dreams and taking risks to do so no matter what odds were against me. For me, marriage was a part of my dreams, and marrying my best friend gave me a built-in support system for the ups and downs of my career.
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