LeeAnne Locken

LeeAnne Locken (born June 7, 1967) is an American actress, philanthropist, TV host, model, author and beauty pageant titleholder. She first rose to prominence after winning the Miss Arizona USA 1989 pageant, and regularly appeared in the reality television series Big Rich Texas and The Real Housewives of Dallas.

Locken began her career as an actress, appearing in films such as Vasectomy: A Delicate Matter (1986) and My Best Friend Is a Vampire (1987). She subsequently competed in the Miss Texas USA 1988 pageant, coming second; and went on to win the Miss Arizona USA contest the following year, placing in the top ten at the Miss USA 1989 pageant. She continued to work as an actor, appearing in films and television shows including Sons of Thunder (1999), Miss Congeniality (2000), Walker, Texas Ranger (2001) and Beyond the Farthest Star (2015).

In 2009, Locken made her reality television debut, starring in She's Got the Look, in which she came third in the show's second season. She was introduced as a board member and representative for the charity The Fashionistas, in Esquire Network's series Big Rich Texas in 2012. She left the show after two seasons in 2013. From 2016 until 2020, she was a main cast member in Bravo's The Real Housewives of Dallas since the series premiere, leaving the show after its fourth season. Locken has published two books and shown her continuous involvement in her philanthropic activities for several charities.

Early life and education Locken was raised by her grandparents from the age of three years old. She was introduced to the carnival world at a young age and began her first job as a carnival worker when she was just a child. She graduated from J. Frank Dobie High School in 1985 and attended The University of Houston.

Career

Film and television

Acting Locken has had roles in television programs including: Sons of Thunder, Walker, Texas Ranger, Inspector Mom, Chase, GCB and Ex-Housewife. She has also appeared on the covers of Gladys, People, Restyled and OTS Magazine. Additionally, Locken has appeared in several films: Vasectomy: A Delicate Matter (1986), My Best Friend Is a Vampire (1987), The Only Thrill (1997), Broken Vessels (1999), Miss Congeniality (2000), Rain (2006), Chariot (2013), Pros and Cons: A Fantasy Football Movie (2013), Beyond the Farthest Star (2015) and Carter High (2015). The first season premiered on April 11, 2016. After four years on the show, Locken was fired from the series on February 25, 2020, ahead of the show's fifth season after making racist comments about Kary Brittingham . The show was later put on an indefinite hiatus after five seasons. She has also made numerous appearances on Watch What Happens Live! with Andy Cohen throughout her time as a housewife.

Modeling and pageants Locken began modeling at the age of 19 and subsequently entered the Miss Texas USA beauty pageant in 1988, placing third. At age 22, Locken won Miss Arizona USA 1989 and went on to compete in the Miss USA 1989 pageant, placing in the top 10. Locken continued her modeling career into the 1990s and early 2000s, and shot campaigns alongside fellow model Hendra.

Philanthropy Locken has been a pivotal part of The Fashionistas, DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS, Fashion Group International, AIDS Services of Dallas, Dallas Challenge and Housing Crisis Center charities; hosting galas, raising money and increasing awareness for each of the charity's causes.

Authoring On November 5, 2012, Locken published a book titled What's Your Status?: Finding Your Way to a More Positive Life One Day at a Time!, which is described as "a collection of daily posts designed to motivate, inspire and encourage others to be their best and live a more positive life one post at a time". On August 1, 2018, Locken released Color Me Crazy: Adult Coloring Book, with the front cover resembling her confessional interview moment from the second season of The Real Housewives of Dallas where she and her dog wore matching hotdog costumes. The book was featured on the show's third season.

Personal life Locken began working in the carnival scene at three years old and left once she was able to buy rides at the carnival at the age of sixteen. As a self-described "carny kid", she was exposed to environments involving domestic abuse and drugs at a young age.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 1986 Vasectomy: A Delicate Matter Beauty Pageant Contestant 1987 My Best Friend Is a Vampire Candy Andrews 1997 The Only Thrill Girl by the Pool 1999 Broken Vessels Grandmother 2000 Miss Congeniality Miss Nebraska 2003 12 Hot Women Agent December Short 2006 Rain Megan Randolph Catching In Woman in Cemetery Video 2012 Watershed Jenny Short 2013 Chariot News Anchor Pros and Cons: A Fantasy Football Movie Studio Reporter Lucky Red Jogger Short 2015 Beyond the Farthest Star Candace Cutter Carter High Reporter No. 3

Television Year Title Role Notes 1989 Miss USA 1989 Herself Beauty Pageant Competition 1999 Sons of Thunder Young Woman Episode: "Moment of Truth" 2001 Walker, Texas Ranger Caprice Episode: "Desperate Measures" 2006 Inspector Mom Vanessa Episode: "The Corpse's Costume" Firehouse Cooks Herself/host TV series Plano Wired Herself/Anchor TV series 2007–10 The Plano Experience Herself/host TV series 2009 She's Got the Look Herself Contestant: season 2 2011 Chase Abby Episode: "Father Figure" Most Eligible Dallas Herself Episode: "When Pigs Fly" Eye on Plano Herself/Anchor TV series It's Three O'clock Somewhere Herself/host Episode: "Episode #1.1" 2012 GCB Jobeth Marie Episode: "Pilot" Luxury Dallas Herself/host Host: Seasons 1–2 2012–13 Big Rich Texas Herself Recurring cast: Seasons 2–3 2013 Beautiful You HDTV Herself/host Episode: "Episode #1.1" & "Episode #1.2" 2014 The Starck Club Herself TV series 2016 Entertainment Tonight Herself Episode: "Episode #35.148" The Domenick Nati Show Herself Episode: "LeeAnne Locken" 2016–19 Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen Herself Guest: Seasons 13–16 2016–20 The Real Housewives of Dallas Herself Main cast: Seasons 1–4 2018 Glitterbomb Herself Episode: "Camila Banus/LeeAnne Locken/Patricia DeLeon" 2019 Ex-Housewife Herself Episode: "Episode #1.1" Don't Be Tardy Herself Episode: "Performance Anxiety" Celebrity Page Herself Episode: "Episode #5.38" The Real Housewives of Atlanta Herself Episode: "The Float Goes On" & "Love, Marriage, and Sour Peaches" 2020 Popternative Herself Episode: "LeeAnne Locken"