Take Two translates the day’s headlines for Southern California, making sense of the news and cultural events that affect our lives. Produced by Southern California Public Radio and broadcast from October 2012 – June 2021. Hosted by A Martinez.
Once upon a time there was a young man, a writer, named JT Leroy ... the JT was short for Jeremiah Terminator.
LeRoy's backstory was turbulent and dark. Many believed that's what made this young man such a good writer. His book, Sarah, about a prostitute who works the truck stops in West Virginia - earned LeRoy fans across the world.
He hung out regularly with famous musicians and actors. He was a celebrity. But then came the discovery that JT LeRoy wasn't a real person - he was the creation of the woman who actually wrote those books.
LeRoy was of many personalities and identities she adopted over the years. Her real name is Laura Albert and she has her OWN dark past - she spent much of her teen years institutionalized and in a group home. She was a victim of physical and sexual abuse who struggled with addictions.
Laura Albert opens up about her life and her literary deceptions in the new documentary "Author: the JT LeRoy story".
Take Two's Alex Cohen recently spoke with Albert and the film's director Jeff Feuerzeig.
To hear the full interview, click the blue play button above.