Idina Menzel facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Idina Menzel
Menzel performing at Capital Pride in 2023
Born	Idina Kim Mentzel (1971-05-30) May 30, 1971 (age 54) New York City, U.S.
Education	New York University (BFA)
Occupation	Actress singer
Years active	1996–present
Works	Performances discography
Spouse(s)	Taye Diggs ​ ​ (m. 2003; div. 2014)​ Aaron Lohr ​ (m. 2017)​
Children	1
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Genres	Broadway pop vocal rock
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	Hollywood Warner Verve Schoolboy Walkman Records

Idina Menzel (born May 30, 1971) is an American actress and singer. She is very famous for her work in musicals on Broadway. People sometimes call her the "Queen of Broadway" because of her strong stage presence and powerful singing voice. She is known as one of the most important stage actors of her time. Idina has won many awards, including a Tony Award and a Daytime Emmy Award. She has found success on stage, in movies, and with her music.

Menzel became well-known in 1996 when she made her Broadway debut. She played Maureen Johnson in the musical Rent. This role earned her a Tony Award nomination. In 2003, she created the role of Elphaba in the musical Wicked on Broadway. For this, she won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. After leaving Wicked in 2005, she played Elphaba again in London in 2006. She became the highest-paid actress in West End history. In 2014, Menzel returned to Broadway in the musical If/Then. She received another Tony Award nomination for this show.

Menzel started acting in films and on television in the early 2000s. She played her Rent role again in the 2005 film version. She also had a supporting role in Disney's musical film Enchanted (2007). From 2010 to 2013, she played Shelby Corcoran on the TV series Glee. Since 2013, Menzel has been the voice of Elsa in Disney's Frozen movies. The song "Let It Go", which she sang for the first movie, became a huge hit. It reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Menzel has also appeared in films like Uncut Gems (2019), Cinderella (2021), and You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah (2023).

As a singer and songwriter, Menzel has released seven studio albums. These include I Stand (2008) and Holiday Wishes (2014). Holiday Wishes reached number six on the Billboard 200 chart. This made it her highest-charting album so far.

Early Life and School

Idina Kim Mentzel was born on May 30, 1971, in Manhattan. She lived in New Jersey until she was about three years old. Then, her family moved to Syosset, New York on Long Island. Her dad, Stuart Mentzel, sold pajamas, and her mom, Helene Goldberg, was a therapist. Idina has a younger sister named Cara. Her family is Jewish, and her grandparents came from Russia. Idina went to J. Irving Baylis Elementary School and H. B. Thompson Middle School in Syosset. She also went to Syosset High School.

When Idina was 15, her parents got divorced. She started working as a singer for weddings and bar/bat mitzvahs. She continued this job while studying at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. She earned a degree in drama there in 1992. Idina changed the spelling of her last name to "Menzel." This was to make it sound more like how her family said it in the United States. She was friends with actor Adam Pascal before they worked together in Rent.

In 2017, a songwriter named Jimmy Walsh said that in 1992, Menzel recorded a song for him. The song was "In Your Eyes." It later won the Eurovision Song Contest 1993 for Irish singer Niamh Kavanagh. Menzel was paid $75 for recording it.

Career Highlights

Theater Performances

From Rent to The Wild Party (1996–2000)

In 1995, Menzel tried out for Rent. This became her first professional theater job and her debut on Broadway. Rent first opened Off-Broadway in January 1996. It then moved to Broadway because it was so popular. For her role as Maureen Johnson, Menzel was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. Her last show in Rent was on July 1, 1997.

After Rent, Menzel released her first solo album, Still I Can't Be Still. She also played Dorothy in Summer of '42 and Sheila in Hair. She appeared on Broadway as Amneris in Aida. Menzel was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for her role as Kate in The Wild Party in 2000.

Wicked, If/Then, and More (2003–2021)

In 2003, Menzel starred with Kristin Chenoweth in Wicked on Broadway. This musical is based on a book about the Wicked Witch of the West. Menzel's performance as Elphaba received great reviews. She won the 2004 Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for this role. Her character also gained her many fans, especially young girls. She can be heard on the show's original cast recording. During her second-to-last show in January 2005, she fell through a trap door and hurt her rib. This meant she could not perform in her final show. However, she made a special appearance at that show and sang her last song. She received a five-minute standing ovation.

After Wicked, Menzel appeared in See What I Wanna See Off-Broadway. She played Elphaba again in the West End production of Wicked in London in 2006. She was the highest-paid female performer in the West End at that time. Menzel finished her London run in December 2006.

In 2008, Menzel played Florence in a concert version of the musical Chess in London. She also performed in a reading of the musical Nero.

In 2013, Menzel was chosen to star as Elizabeth in the new Broadway musical If/Then. The show opened on Broadway in March 2014. For her performance, Menzel received her second Tony Award nomination for Best Leading Actress in a Musical. If/Then closed on Broadway in March 2015. Menzel then played Elizabeth again for the first part of the show's national tour from October 2015 to January 2016.

In 2018, Menzel played Jodi in the play Skintight. This was her first major non-musical role in New York theater. She received excellent reviews for it. A year later, she performed in Skintight in Los Angeles. In 2021, Menzel starred as Bea in Wild: A Musical Becoming.

Music Career

Menzel found it hard to start a solo music career outside of musicals at first. She performed at the Lilith Fair concert festival in 1998. She also writes and performs her own music. She released her first album, Still I Can't Be Still, in 1998. One song from the album, "Minuet," reached number 48 on a pop chart. However, the album did not sell many copies, and her record label dropped her. The album was re-released after she became more famous with Wicked.

Her second album, Here, was released in 2004. Menzel also sang on the soundtrack of Desperate Housewives in 2005. She appeared on Ray Charles's album Genius and Friends and the Beowulf soundtrack. In 2007, she sang with Rhydian Roberts on his album.

Menzel after appearing on The Today Show in 2008

Her third solo album, I Stand, came out in January 2008. It included new songs like "Brave" and "I Stand." The album reached number 58 on the Billboard 200 chart. This was her first solo album to make the charts. Menzel wrote 9 of the 10 songs on this album.

In April 2008, Menzel started her I Stand tour. The concert at Lincoln Center in New York City was filmed for the PBS show Soundstage. She was joined by Josh Groban. In November 2008, she released "Hope" to help Stand Up to Cancer. She performed "I Stand" in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

In July 2010, Menzel sang "Defying Gravity" and "What I Did For Love" for President Barack Obama at the White House. This concert aired on PBS.

In April 2010, Menzel started her "Barefoot at the Symphony Tour." She performed with major orchestras like the New York Philharmonic. In October 2011, Menzel performed in London with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Her concert in Toronto was filmed for her second PBS special. It was released as a live CD and DVD in March 2012.

Menzel performing in Washington, D.C., in 2008

Menzel toured Australia in June 2013. She performed in cities like Melbourne and Sydney.

In June 2014, Menzel announced she was working on a Christmas album. The album, Holiday Wishes, was released in October 2014. It reached number 10 on the Billboard 200. This made it her highest-charting album as a solo artist. In November 2014, Menzel announced her first global tour for summer 2015.

Menzel received the Breakthrough Artist award at the 2014 Billboard Women in Music awards.

She sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Super Bowl XLIX in February 2015. Her performance received mixed reviews.

On August 5, 2016, Menzel announced her self-titled fifth album, Idina, would be released in September. She said it was a very personal album. It reached number 29 on the US Billboard 200. Menzel went on a World Tour in 2017 to promote this album. Her concert in Las Vegas was recorded for her second live album, idina Live, released in October 2018.

In March 2018, Menzel joined Josh Groban for his Bridges Tour. She was his opening act and sang two duets with him.

In May 2019, she signed with Scooter Braun for music management. She later left his management in January 2023.

In October 2019, Menzel released her second holiday album, Christmas: A Season of Love. It reached number 2 on Billboard's US Top Holiday Albums. She went on a short concert tour to support it.

In October 2022, Menzel announced a concert special on Disney+ called Idina Menzel: Which Way to the Stage?. It features concert footage from Madison Square Garden.

Film and Television

Early Screen Roles (2001–2010)

Menzel's first film was the romantic comedy Kissing Jessica Stein (2001). She had a small role as a bridesmaid. She also appeared in Just a Kiss (2002). While starring in Wicked, she appeared in The Tollbooth (2004).

Menzel starred in her first big film in 2005. She played Maureen Johnson again in the film version of Rent. Menzel was one of six original Broadway cast members in the film. Critics liked Menzel's performance. Entertainment Weekly called her duet with Tracie Thoms a highlight. IGN described Menzel as "incredibly charismatic and fun." Menzel and her castmates were nominated for Best Acting Ensemble in 2006.

In 2006, she played Vera Rivkin in Ask the Dust. This was a romantic drama. Menzel's character had feelings for the main character. She considers Vera one of her favorite film roles.

In 2007, Menzel appeared in the musical fantasy film Enchanted. She played Nancy Tremaine, the fiancée of Patrick Dempsey's character. Even though it was a musical, Menzel famously does not sing in the film. She was offered the role without an audition. Enchanted was a big success.

From 2010 to 2013, Menzel had a role on the TV series Glee. She played Shelby Corcoran, the coach of a rival glee club. She was also the biological mother of Rachel Berry (Lea Michele). Fans had noticed that Menzel and Michele looked alike. Menzel appeared in 12 episodes and sang songs like "I Dreamed a Dream" and "Poker Face".

Frozen and Global Fame (2013–2016)

In 2013, Menzel voiced Elsa in Disney's animated film Frozen. Elsa is a queen who can control ice and snow. Menzel had tried out for another Disney film, Tangled, but didn't get the part. The creators of Frozen found her audition tape and cast her. Elsa's character was changed to be a misunderstood hero. This was inspired by the song "Let It Go", which was written for Menzel's powerful voice. Frozen became the highest-grossing animated film at the time. It earned over $1.2 billion worldwide. "Let It Go" became a global hit. It reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100. Menzel became the first Tony Award-winning actor to have a song in the top 10. The song sold over 10.9 million copies. Menzel has continued to voice Elsa in other Frozen projects. These include video games, short films like Frozen Fever (2015), and the sequel Frozen II (2019).

Menzel sang "Let it Go" at the 86th Academy Awards in March 2014. The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. When introducing her, actor John Travolta mispronounced her name as "Adele Dazeem". This mistake became a viral Internet meme. Menzel was not upset and felt it helped introduce her to more people. At the 87th Academy Awards the next year, Menzel joked about it with Travolta.

Before Frozen, Menzel was well-known in the Broadway world. But she was not as recognized outside of it. The success of Frozen and "Let it Go" made Menzel an international star. She believes Travolta's mistake was "one of the best things that happened for my career."

In 2015, Menzel was set to star in a sitcom called Happy Time. However, the show was never made.

Film Actress (2017–Present)

After Frozen, Menzel took on more film and TV roles. She starred as CC Bloom in Lifetime's 2017 remake of the film Beaches. This movie is about a long friendship between a singer and a lawyer. Menzel was hesitant to join at first, but saw it as a chance to share a classic story with a younger audience. She sang songs from the original film for the soundtrack. Critics had mixed reviews for the remake, but praised Menzel's singing.

In 2019, she starred with Adam Sandler in the thriller Uncut Gems. She played his character's wife, Dinah Ratner. This role was different for Menzel, who wanted to do projects outside of family-friendly movies. The film and Menzel's performance received good reviews.

In 2021, Menzel co-starred in Kay Cannon's musical Cinderella. She played Cinderella's unkind stepmother, Vivian. Menzel wanted to show the reasons behind her character's cruel nature. She sang several songs for the film and wrote an original song called "Dream Girl". Cinderella received mixed reviews, but Menzel's performance was praised.

In 2022, Menzel played Nancy again in the Enchanted sequel Disenchanted. Her character, now the Queen of Andalasia, sings for the first time. A pop version of her song, "Love Power", was released. Disenchanted received mixed reviews. Menzel also appeared on the HGTV show Celebrity I.O.U. with the Property Brothers. She helped them renovate a garage for a friend.

In 2023, Menzel played Bree Friedman in the comedy You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah. She reunited with Adam Sandler in this film. They play Jewish parents preparing for their daughter's bat mitzvah. Critics said Menzel fit in well with Sandler's family and was very authentic.

She also starred in American Murderer. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Menzel created a YouTube series for children called Idina's Treehouse. It features songs, stories, and appearances from her family and friends. In 2024, Menzel made a small appearance in the Wicked film adaptation.

Artistry

Voice and Influences

Idina Menzel has a mezzo-soprano singing voice. This means her voice can go from low to very high. Critics say she uses her voice like an actress, which helps her connect with songs and fans. Her voice can sound sweet and girlish, but also strong and powerful. Frozen songwriter Kristen Anderson-Lopez described Menzel's voice as "a warm hug."

Menzel is known for her high belting style. This is a powerful way of singing high notes. The Kennedy Center calls her a great example of a "Broadway Belter." Theater critic Charles Isherwood said her voice is "totally distinctive." Menzel says she takes small breaths for long notes. She also warms up her voice often. Some critics have said her belting can sound "screechy." Menzel has said she wants to sing loud and from the heart, like her idols. She finds some of her famous songs, like those from Frozen, challenging.

Menzel's voice is often compared to Barbra Streisand. Menzel often sings Streisand's song "Don't Rain on My Parade". Menzel has always wanted a career as successful as Streisand's. She also looks up to singers like Aretha Franklin, Billie Holiday, and Chaka Khan.

Musical Style

Menzel trained as a classical singer from age eight. But in high school, she started exploring other music styles like R&B and jazz. As a wedding singer, she learned many different types of music. She often improvises new ways to sing songs. This helps her when her voice is tired. Her concerts include her own songs and covers of pop, rock, and musical theater songs. She chooses songs that tell stories about her life. Menzel often performs barefoot, which is her trademark. She also likes to talk with the audience during her shows.

Menzel is known for songs about self-empowerment, like "Defying Gravity" and "Let it Go." She admits that these themes sometimes make her feel fake. So, she started including more emotional songs, like Radiohead's "Creep". Menzel co-writes most of her own music. She prefers to work with other songwriters and producers. She gets ideas from her diary and a tape recorder. She has never written a song entirely by herself. She finds it too stressful. She admires Joni Mitchell and Annie Lennox for their songwriting. AllMusic describes her albums as a mix of adult alternative, vocal, and pop music. Her fifth album, Idina, is her most personal. It explores themes of home, loss, and new beginnings.

Menzel says performing her own songs is "scarier" than singing covers. This is because she is more open and not hiding behind a character. But it is also more rewarding.

Personal Life

Menzel married Taye Diggs on January 11, 2003. They met in 1995 while working on the musical Rent. They appeared in several films together. On September 2, 2009, she gave birth to their son. In late 2013, Menzel and Diggs separated after 10 years of marriage. Menzel said there were "complicated reasons" for their divorce. They continue to raise their son together.

Menzel started dating actor Aaron Lohr. In August 2015, they bought a home together. On September 23, 2016, Menzel announced they were engaged. They got married on September 22, 2017, at their home.

Menzel believes in feminism. She says she loves playing strong women who also show their feelings.

Charity Work and Other Projects

Menzel has supported many charities. She was an honorary chair for the Imperial Court of New York's Annual Charity Coronation Ball in 2009.

In May 2009, Menzel performed at a concert in Atlanta, Georgia. This concert raised money for the Pace Academy Diversity Program. It helped fund scholarships for students.

In 2010, Menzel started the A BroaderWay Foundation with her then-husband Taye Diggs. This foundation helps young people in the arts. A BroaderWay offers camp programs, theater workshops, and scholarships. In Summer 2011, Camp BroaderWay hosted girls from New York. The girls worked with Broadway artists to write an original musical.

Menzel has also supported LGBT rights. She has worked with organizations like The Trevor Project and the NOH8 Campaign.

In April 2014, Menzel helped raise money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

In 2022, Menzel co-wrote a children's book with her sister, Cara Mentzel. The book is called Loud Mouse. It is about a mouse named Dee who loves to sing loudly. The book was published in September 2022. Menzel also released "The Loud Mouse Song" to promote the book.

Filmography

Discography

• Still I Can't Be Still (1998)
• Here (2004)
• I Stand (2008)
• Holiday Wishes (2014)
• Idina (2016)
• Christmas: A Season of Love (2019)
• Drama Queen (2023)

Concerts

Other Performances

Awards and Nominations

Theater Awards

Film Awards

Television Awards

Images for kids

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  Menzel performing at Capital Pride in 2023

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  Menzel after appearing on The Today Show in 2008

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  Menzel performing in Washington, D.C., in 2008

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  Menzel identifies singer Barbra Streisand (pictured) as one of her main musical influences, to whom she has often been compared vocally.

See also

In Spanish: Idina Menzel para niños