LeeAnne Locken

{{Short description|American television personality}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}} {{Infobox pageant titleholder | name = LeeAnne Locken | image = LeeAnneLocken2011.jpg | caption = Locken in 2011 | birth_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1967|6|7}} | birth_place = Pasadena, Texas, U.S. | height = | years_active = 1986–present | education = The University of Houston | occupation = {{hlist|Actress|philanthropist|television personality|model|author}} | spouse = {{marriage|Rich Emberlin|2019}} | title = {{ubl|Miss Arizona USA 1989}} | competitions = {{ubl|Miss Texas USA 1988 (2nd runner-up)||Miss Arizona USA 1989 (winner)|Miss USA 1989 (top 10)}} | website = {{URL|leeannelocken.com}} }}

'''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''.<ref name="Miss Congeniality">{{cite web|url=https://2paragraphs.com/2016/04/real-housewives-of-dallas-leeanne-locken-was-in-miss-congeniality/|title=Real Housewives of Dallas: LeeAnne Locken Was In 'Miss Congeniality'|website=2paragraphs|date=April 11, 2016 |access-date=2022-12-05|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Big Rich Texas">{{cite web|url=https://www.romper.com/p/what-else-has-leeanne-locken-been-in-you-might-remember-the-real-housewives-star-8465|title=What Else Has LeeAnne Locken Been In? You Might Remember The 'Real Housewives' Star|website=Romper|first=Megan|last=Walsh|date=April 11, 2016 |access-date=2022-12-05|language=en}}</ref><ref name="The Real Housewives of Dallas">{{cite web|url=https://www.bravotv.com/people/leeanne-locken|title=LeeAnne Locken|website=Bravo|date=February 11, 2016 |access-date=2022-12-05|language=en}}</ref>

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.<ref name="Born and raised">{{cite web|url=https://www.slice.ca/leeanne-lockens-checkered-past/|title=LeeAnne Locken's Checkered Past|website=Slice|first=Russ|last=Martin|date=September 13, 2020|access-date=2022-12-05|language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Education">{{cite web|url=https://www.thethings.com/how-leeanne-locken-accumulated-her-estimated-net-worth-of-25-million/|title=How LeeAnne Locken Accumulated Her Estimated Net Worth Of $2.5 Million|website=TheThings|first=Clarissa|last=Leigh|date=November 24, 2022|access-date=2022-12-05|language=en}}</ref>

== 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''.<ref name="LeeAnne Locken IMDb">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0516814/|title=LeeAnne Locken|website=IMDb|access-date=2022-12-05|language=en}}</ref> She has also appeared on the covers of ''Gladys'', ''People'', ''Restyled'' and ''OTS Magazine''.<ref name="Gladys">{{cite web|url=https://www.gladysmagazine.com/index.php/en/homepage/about-us/itemlist/tag/LeeAnne%20Locken|title=LeeAnne Locken|website=Gladys|access-date=2022-12-05|language=en}}</ref><ref name="People">{{cite web|url=https://people.com/tv/leeanne-locken-rich-emberlin-married/|title=LeeAnne Locken Is Married! 'Real Housewives of Dallas' Star Weds Longtime Love Rich Emberlin|website=People|first=Dave|last=Quinn|date=April 27, 2019 |access-date=2022-12-05|language=en}}</ref><ref name="OTSM">{{cite web|url=https://www.otsmagazine.com/2022/10/LeeAnneLocken.html|title=Exclusive: Actress And TV Personality LeeAnne Locken On The Importance Of Feeling Empowered.|website=OTS Magazine|date=October 6, 2022 |access-date=2022-12-05|language=en}}</ref> 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).<ref name="LeeAnne Locken IMDb" />

==== Reality television ==== In 2009, Locken joined the season two cast of TV Land's ''She's Got the Look''.<ref name="Big Rich Texas" /> She made a guest appearance in ''Most Eligible Dallas'' for its first season in 2011.<ref name="Education" /><ref name="LeeAnne Locken IMDb" /> In 2012, Locken was added to the cast of ''Big Rich Texas'' for its second season in a recurring capacity as a representative for the charity ''The Fashionistas'', along with the charity's founder, Heidi Dillon. Both left after the show's third season in 2013.<ref name="Big Rich Texas" />

It was announced on November 15, 2015, that Bravo was expanding ''The Real Housewives'' franchise to Dallas, Texas; with Locken joining the cast of ''The Real Housewives of Dallas'', alongside Cary Deuber, Tiffany Hendra, Stephanie Hollman and Brandi Redmond.<ref name="E! RHOD Cast">{{cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/738873/forget-the-big-hair-it-s-big-drama-when-the-real-housewives-of-dallas-premieres-on-bravo-meet-the-cast|title=Forget the Big Hair, It's Big Drama When The Real Housewives of Dallas Premieres on Bravo—Meet the Cast|website=E!|first=Chris|last=Harnick|date=February 12, 2016|access-date=2022-12-05|language=en}}</ref> The first season premiered on April 11, 2016.<ref name="Vulture RHOD Premiere">{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2016/04/real-housewives-of-dallas-recap-season-1-episode-1.html|title=The Real Housewives of Dallas Series Premiere Recap: First Impressions|website=Vulture|first=Phoebe|last=Robinson|date=April 12, 2016 |access-date=2022-12-05|language=en}}</ref> 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 .<ref name="LeeAnne exits RHOD">{{cite web|url=https://people.com/tv/leeanne-locken-is-leaving-real-housewives-of-dallas-after-4-seasons/|title=LeeAnne Locken Is Leaving 'Real Housewives of Dallas' After 4 Seasons: 'It's Been an Amazing Journey'|website=People|first=Dave|last=Quinn|date=February 25, 2020|access-date=2022-12-05|language=en}}</ref> The show was later put on an indefinite hiatus after five seasons.<ref name="RHOD hiatus">{{cite web|url=https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/real-housewives-of-dallas-not-returning-amid-cancellation-rumors/|title='Real Housewives of Dallas' Will Not Return for Season 6 Amid Indefinite Hiatus|website=Us Weekly|first=Yana|last=Grebenyuk|date=August 17, 2021|access-date=2022-12-05|language=en}}</ref> She has also made numerous appearances on ''Watch What Happens Live! with Andy Cohen'' throughout her time as a housewife.<ref name="WWHL">{{cite web|url=https://www.bravotv.com/watch-what-happens-live-with-andy-cohen/season-16/leeanne-locken-candiace-dillard|title=LeeAnne Locken & Candiace Dillard|website=Bravo|date=September 16, 2019|access-date=2022-12-05|language=en}}</ref>

=== Modeling and pageants === Locken began modeling at the age of 19 and subsequently entered the Miss Texas USA beauty pageant in 1988, placing third.<ref>{{cite news|title=Metroplex beauty wins Miss Texas |publisher=Houston Chronicle|date=1987-08-04|page=10|last=Associated Press}}</ref> 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.<ref name="LeeAnne competes in Miss USA">{{cite web|url=https://champagneandshade.com/2018/09/07/leeanne-locken-miss-usa-1989/|title=LeeAnne Locken at Miss USA 1989: She made history for Arizona?|website=FanSided|first=Mary|last=Jane|date=September 7, 2018 |access-date=2022-12-05|language=en}}</ref> Locken continued her modeling career into the 1990s and early 2000s, and shot campaigns alongside fellow model Hendra.<ref name="LeeAnne Tiffany modeling">{{cite web|url=https://www.bravotv.com/the-real-housewives-of-dallas/photos/leeanne-locken-tiffany-hendra-model-pics#10841541|title=See LeeAnne Locken and Tiffany Hendra's Modeling Photos|website=Bravo|date=June 9, 2016 |access-date=2022-12-05|language=en}}</ref>

=== 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.<ref name="Education" /> As of current, she serves as the vice president of ''The Fashionistas'' and is a board member of ''Housing Crisis Center''. She has previously been the honorary chair for ''AIDS Services of Dallas' "No Tie Dinner"'' gala and co-chair of ''Dallas Challenge's "Art From the Heart"'' event. She has also made numerous speeches at women's empowerment exhibitions, sharing her own experiences of domestic violence.<ref name="LeeAnne Locken past">{{cite web|url=https://blog.siriusxm.com/real-housewives-of-dallas-star-leeanne-locken-opens-up-about-surviving-abuse/|title=Real Housewives of Dallas star LeeAnne Locken opens up about surviving abuse|website=SiriusXM|date=May 2, 2016|access-date=2022-12-08|language=en}}</ref>

=== 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".<ref name="What's Your Status?">{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Whats-Your-Status-LeeAnne-Locken-ebook/dp/B00A2HKUR4/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1670245350&refinements=p_27%3ALeeAnne+Locken&s=books&sr=1-1|title=What's Your Status?|website=Amazon|date=November 5, 2012|access-date=2022-12-05|language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Color Me Crazy">{{cite book|title=Color Me Crazy: Adult Coloring Book|date=August 1, 2018|isbn=978-1718016286 |language=en|last1=Locken |first1=Leeanne }}</ref><ref name="Hotdog costumes">{{cite web|url=https://www.bravotv.com/the-real-housewives-of-dallas/season-2/episode-2/videos/dont-mess-with-leeanne-locken|title=Don't Mess with LeeAnne Locken|website=Bravo|date=August 25, 2017 |access-date=2022-12-05|language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Born and raised" /> She has been very vocal regarding her struggle with mental health problems including depression and low self-esteem. She has also discussed her suicidal past, revealing she now advocates for people who have dealt with similar situations as herself.<ref name="Born and raised" />

In April 2019, Locken married law enforcement veteran Rich Emberlin, which was featured on ''The Real Housewives of Dallas'' for its fourth season.<ref name="LeeAnne and Rich wedding">{{cite web|url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2019/09/241804/leeanne-locken-wedding-real-housewives-of-dallas-season-4|title=LeeAnne Locken Of Real Housewives Of Dallas Finally Got Married & Of Course It'll Be On TV|website=Refinery29|first=Courtney|last=Smith|date=September 4, 2019|access-date=2022-12-08|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Rich Emberlin job">{{cite web|url=https://www.police1.com/columnists/rich-emberlin/|title=Rich Emberlin|website=Police1|access-date=2022-12-08|language=en}}</ref>

== Filmography == {{BLP unreferenced section|date=February 2023}}

=== Film === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="margin-right: 0;" |- ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | 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 |- |rowspan=2 | 2006 | ''Rain'' | Megan Randolph | |- | ''Catching In'' | Woman in Cemetery | Video |- | 2012 | ''Watershed'' | Jenny | Short |- |rowspan=3 | 2013 | ''Chariot'' | News Anchor | |- | ''Pros and Cons: A Fantasy Football Movie'' | Studio Reporter | |- | ''Lucky Red'' | Jogger | Short |- |rowspan=2 | 2015 | ''Beyond the Farthest Star'' | Candace Cutter | |- | ''Carter High'' | Reporter No. 3 | |}

=== Television === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="margin-right: 0;" |- ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | 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" |- |rowspan=3 | 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 |- |rowspan=4 | 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" |- |rowspan=2 | 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 |- |rowspan=2 | 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" |- |rowspan=4 | 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" |}

== See also == * ''The Real Housewives'' * ''The Real Housewives of Dallas''

== References == {{reflist}}

==External links== *{{IMDb name|id=0516814|name=LeeAnne Locken}} *{{official website|http://www.leeannelocken.com/}}

{{Arizona Pageant Winners}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Locken, LeeAnne}} Category:1967 births Category:Living people Category:Mass media people from Dallas Category:20th-century American people Category:Actresses from Dallas Category:Actresses from Houston Category:American film actresses Category:American television actresses Category:American television personalities Category:American women writers Category:Female models from Texas Category:American philanthropists Category:Participants in American reality television series Category:The Real Housewives of Dallas