Idina Menzel Reflects on the 'Conflict' Inside Her in Parade's Intimate and Exclusive Cover Story
Menzel returns to the theater where she made her Broadway debut nearly 30 years ago, confronting her thoughts on being a role model, the scrutiny she's faced, leaving the business and the inner challenges she's overcome.
Parade, the premium legacy entertainment and lifestyle brand, released its latest cover story, featuring an intimate, exclusive interview with Idina Menzel, 53, as she prepares to open the new Broadway musical Redwood in the same theater where she made her Broadway debut in Rent nearly 30 years ago.
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Idina Menzel graces the cover of Parade in an exclusive and intimate interview. (Photo: Business Wire)
The Tony Award-winning Menzel opens up in the interview – which took place in her dressing room at the Nederlander Theatre in New York – about struggling to regain the freedom and confidence she had starting out as an unknown singer, her thoughts on leaving the business and ‘just going off the grid' and the strength and courage she has found along the way.
Read the full interview here. Video link here. Notable quotes are below.
On considering retirement: "What I do think about sometimes is leaving the business and just sort of going off the grid—realizing how superficial it all is, and what if I could just take that part that so desires to be loved and liked and not care about it anymore? That [stems from] rejection in this business or criticism, the stress and anxiety I feel all the time about my voice and staying healthy. That kind of stress is sometimes when I think about, ‘What if I just leave it all and get a little farm and take care of old horses?'"
On the challenges of being a role model: "It's embarrassing because these characters I'm most known for—Elphaba, Elsa—they're all about embracing who you are and not compromising yourself for anyone. And I don't know if I'm very successful in doing that. I'm like a role model for empowerment, and I still have to get up every day, [and] remind myself that I'm meaningful and relevant. I'm being honest about that. Honestly, the opportunity I get to be on tour when I go in concert and sing these iconic songs, that's when I am reminded of how lucky I am and how important it is to sort of embrace every moment and find and to celebrate those things in me that are unique and that are… unique—period."
On scrutiny she's faced: "I do feel like mistakes are a gateway for an audience to really see you authentically. And the more we as artists can make ourselves vulnerable, the more we are able to really give an audience a real profound experience. It's when we are afraid to do that, that I think people aren't as moved by a performance. It's a double-edged sword because it's so scary and terrifying to allow yourself to be stripped down and vulnerable in front of thousands of people. But it's also what I truly know is the way that I feel I can make a connection."
On being vulnerable onstage: "I've learned that my voice isn't my entire identity and my big notes and my acrobatics are not my entire identity. Those days where I have been sick and I've gotten on stage, and I haven't had a range and I've had to navigate the melody and make other choices, I've had some of the best performances I've ever had. Even though I was scared and worried that I was going to let people down, I actually felt like I was more in touch with myself and was able to reach people in a deeper way. So, I've found that's been a gift for me because I really did feel my whole life: All that makes me special is my singing voice. Now I understand that it's more than just singing. It's storytelling, and it's the way that I do that."
On her early days as a wedding singer: "When I was younger, I had a stronger sense and belief in [myself]. When I was standing up there at a bar mitzvah singing a Whitney Houston song, there was something in me that knew I was destined to do this for a living and that there was more to it than just singing at Temple Beth Shalom. I remember just standing there and saying, ‘Just give it time. Your time will come.' And I think that the more successful you become, the more the fear of falling and crashing becomes, and the imposter syndrome creeps in. I miss that freedom that I had—and that confidence."
On whether her 15-year-old son, Walker, thinks she's a ‘cool mom': "I think inside he does, and he's super proud of me. But on a daily basis, he finds my vocalizing extremely annoying and irritating, and he could care less about the fame and all of that. It's sort of both sides of the coin with my son because he's still just a teenager, just doing his own thing. But recently I was given this national honor for the arts at the White House, and I brought him and my husband. Walking from the East Wing to the West Wing, and this whole orchestra was playing ‘Let It Go,' he was holding my hand. I could feel this intense pride that he had, and that was very emotional for me."
On husband Aaron Lohr: "He's just so soulful. He was soulful as an actor, and he's soulful as a therapist and a lifesaver. He really listens to whoever's sitting in front of him. He listens to me. He's patient with me. He's an incredible stepdad to my son. He's nonjudgmental, so I don't know how to describe it. I just know that I'm very happy."
To read this story, or any of previous Parade cover stories, click here.
About Parade
Parade, the premium legacy entertainment and lifestyle brand, has been enlightening, delighting and inspiring audiences for more than 80 years. Parade is owned and operated by The Arena Group (NYSE:AREN), an innovative technology platform and media company with a proven cutting-edge playbook that transforms media brands. Arena's unified technology platform empowers creators and publishers with tools to publish and monetize their content, while also leveraging quality journalism of anchor brands like TheStreet, Parade, Men's Journal and Athlon Sports to build their businesses. The company aggregates content across a diverse portfolio of brands, reaching over 100 million users monthly. Visit us at thearenagroup.net and discover how we are revolutionizing the world of digital media.
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Steve Janisse
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