Sheryl Lee Ralph shares Robert De Niro revelation in Oprah interview: Exclusive clip

Sheryl Lee Ralph is opening up about her challenges as a Black actress in Hollywood with Oprah Winfrey.

In an exclusive clip from "'The Life You Want' Class: A Conversation with Sheryl Lee Ralph," which airs in full Wednesday on Oprah Daily, the "Abbott Elementary" star spoke out about advice she received from her former co-star Robert De Niro.

Ralph said she and De Niro were sitting in a car during a short production break during their 1992 film "Mistress" when the Hollywood legend leant some counsel.

"You're a damn good actress, but you need to climb that mountain and let them know that you are here, because Hollywood is not looking for the Black girl, and you need to be seen," Ralph recalled De Niro saying.

More:As she embraces height of her career, Sheryl Lee Ralph named a Women of the Year honoree

Ralph continued by saying that she "had the ability, but I was in an industry at a time when their lens wasn't necessarily focused."

In her early career, Ralph starred as Deena Jones in the Broadway favorite "Dreamgirls" before roles on "The Distinguished Gentleman, "Sister Act 2" and TV sitcoms "It's a Living" and "New Attitude."

"They see you as a prostitute. They see you as the mistress. They see you as the housekeeper. They see you as not the leading lady, so that's why it feels so good to not only be a leading lady, but to have Quinta," Winfrey said, in reference to "Abbott Elementary" creator and Ralph's co-star Quinta Brunson. "What does that feel like for you sitting in that seat? Being able to have that young woman … orchestrate all of this?"

"It says that every boulder that had to be moved, every hurdle that had to be jumped over, every time I had to use my voice to speak out for more for women in general, but especially for Black women who were being shut out just because of the color of their skin," Ralph said in the exclusive clip shared with USA TODAY. "When I look at Quinta, who are looking at her and I said, 'That's my child right there.' And I see my child coming up over the mountain. And I'm like, 'Yes, here we are.'"

Ralph's career has gotten a second wind since she began starring as the tough-as-nails kindergarten teacher Barbara Howard on "Abbott" in 2021. The series, which became a ratings hit for ABC, will return with its third season on Feb. 7. Last year, she won outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series for her performance in "Abbott Elementary" at the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards, the first Black woman to win the category in 35 years.

Ralph also shared an interesting royal connection during her interview with Winfrey involving her aunt, Carolyn, who was a teacher at Bunker Hill Elementary School in Washington, D.C.

"She had the audacity to believe that her students could have more, that they shouldn't be judged by their zip code, so she invited the queen of England to come to her school and the queen came twice, so that's my Barbara Howard spirit," Ralph said in front of a New York City audience.

"The person that is so committed to her job to her students that she will not give up, just because others might have, because of where they live and where they come from so thank you," Ralph continued.

While the actress stays busy booking roles in Hollywood, she stays bonded to her family. The actress and activist, who is married to Pennsylvania state legislator Vincent Hughes, is a mom of two adult children. Her son, Etienne Maurice is a filmmaker, actor and activist while her daughter, Ivy, serves as Ralph's personal stylist.