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SHERYL LEE RALPH
Her Special Image

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DAVID HALPERN
Sheryl Lee's dress by Bieff and Herrera is a gold column with hand-sewn bias bands of square and round sequins framed by bugle beading. Special order from Saks Fifth Ave.

The stunning Sheryl Lee Ralph, who has been nominated for a Tony as best actress for her performance as Deena Jones in the hit musical, Dreamgirls, has been with the show since its workshop inception three years ago. "To be in a show that's nominated for a Tony," she says, "is exciting—but to be nominated yourself for your performance in it is a dream come true. The real dream is working with people like Michael Bennett, Tom Eyen, Henry Krieger and the cast who are like brothers and sisters to me. We are a true family with an enormous amount of love and emotional support for each other."
The actress made her stage debut at age six and her Broadway debut in the musical Reggae, in which she took over the lead with only five days notice. Her leading man was Obba Babatunde and they have been together ever since, on and offstage. (Mr. Babatunde stars as C.C. White in Dreamgirls.)
The versatile Ms. Ralph, who was a pre-med student at Rutgers University, has done both films and television. She had the lead in Sidney Poitier's movie, A Piece of the Action, has guest starred on top TV series and starred in her own pilot series, "Lookin' Good."
The fashion conscious actress loves her Dreamgirls' role. "I have 18 costume changes, wigs, jewels and get to look gorgeous all the time. I've almost forgotten what I look like! I do have my nightclub stint coming up where I can be me. It's going to be at Les Mouches—after the show."
Ms. Ralph loves the razzle-dazzle, high gloss clothes of designers Neil Bieff and Arturo Herrera. "They suggested I wear something gold for the opening night party and now gold has become my little insignia."
by Barbara Gerard

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Look into the Christian Dior eyewear collection.
Exotic is Your Dior.