Idina Menzel

**Idina Kim Menzel** (born **Idina Kim Mentzel**; May 30, 1971) is American actress, Broadway performer and singer-songwriter. She is known for originating the role of Elphaba in the hit Broadway musical, *Wicked*, for her role as Maureen in *Rent* (musical and movie), the voice of main character Elsa in *Frozen* and for her recurring role as Shelby Corcoran on *Glee* since 2010.

## Personal life

Menzel was born in Queens, New York (and raised in Syosset, New York) to Helene and Stuart Mentzel (they would divorce when Menzel was 15). She has a younger sister, Cara. Her family is Jewish. Menzel attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, during that time she worked as a wedding and bar mitzvah singer, and earned a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in Drama at New York University prior to being cast in Jonathan Larson's rock musical *Rent*.

Her surname, Mentzel, was changed to Menzel to better reflect how they pronounced the name upon their arrival to America.

Menzel was married to Taye Diggs for ten years before the couple decided to separate in 2013; their divorce was finalized in December 2014. Their son, Walker, was born in September 2009.

## Career

She originated the role of Elphaba in the hit Broadway musical Wicked (for which she won a Tony Award) along with fellow Glee guest star Kristin Chenoweth as the original Glinda (also known as Galinda). Idina also played the role of Maureen in both the 1996 original Broadway production and 2005 movie musical *Rent*. Additional theatre credits include the role of Amneris in Elton John's *Aida* and Kate in the 2000 Off-Broadway production of Lippa's *The Wild Party*.

Menzel returned to Broadway in Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt's production of *If/Then* in March 2014. She was announced, in April 2014, to be nominated for a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical for her *If/Then* performance.

Menzel was announced, by The Broadway League, that she will serve as the 2014 Kids' Night on Broadway National Ambassador. The 18th Kids' Night on Broadway took place between February 24 and March 2, 2014.

Menzel voiced a role in the 2013 Disney animated feature *Frozen* and sang the universally acclaimed "Let It Go". Former *Glee* co-star Jonathan Groff also voiced a role in the film. On March 2, 2014 she sang "Let It Go" at the Oscars, where the song later won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and *Frozen* won the Award for Best Animated Feature.

Menzel announced, in April 2014, to have a one night only concert at Radio City Music Hall in New York in June.

She released her holiday album, *Holiday Wishes*, on October 14, 2014.

She will release her new album, "idina.", on Setember 23, 2016.

## Trivia

* She is a mezzo-soprano and a belter.
* All of her parts in her covered songs are sung by Lea Michele who plays her character's biological daughter.
* Her idol is Barbra Streisand.
* She's the original Elphaba (*Wicked*) and Maureen (*RENT*).
* She is widely known for her wide vocal range and belting techniques.
* Before she was on Broadway, she was a wedding and bar mitzvah singer.
* She's Jewish.
* She's the original singer of *For Good* (along with Kristin Chenoweth) and *Take Me or Leave Me*.
* She has a Yorkshire Terrier and 2 "Jazz" Cats.
* She has a son named Walker Taye Diggs.
* Prior to winning the Tony for her performance as Elphaba in *Wicked*, she had already been nominated for her performance as Maureen in *RENT*.
* Her vocal range is E3-C6. She can also reach partially into the Soprano Range.
* She is left handed (as seen in Asian F).
* She describes her time in *RENT* "the best time of her life."
* She is particularly close to fellow Film/Original Broadway Cast Member, Adam Pascal. They both grew up together in New York.
* *If/Then* is her second time working with Michael Greif; the two previously worked together in *RENT*.
	+ *If/Then* is also the second time she works with Anthony Rapp, where the two also worked in *RENT* previously.
* She was featured in Disney's *Enchanted* as Nancy.
* She appeared in the Disney animated movie *Frozen* with co-star Jonathan Groff . She voiced the character Elsa the Snow Queen, who will be the 13th Disney Princess. Two versions of her song, *Let it Go*, appeared in the movie: one sung by her character and another covered by Demi Lovato who was also on *Glee*.
	+ Lea Michele also covered *Let It Go* on *Glee* as Rachel.
* Her name was flubbed at the Oscars by John Travolta as "Adele Dazeem".