Kristin Chenoweth has spoken out to clarify the swirling rumors about her relationship with Idina Menzel, her co-star in the hit musical Wicked. The discussion came amid ongoing Idina Menzel Wicked rumors that suggested tension between the two actresses during their time working together on Broadway in the early 2000s.
In an interview published on November 3 by The Hollywood Reporter, Chenoweth, 57, explained that the differences in their creative approaches likely fueled the speculation.
“We are so different in the way we do our process that of course rumors are going to fly, right?”
she said, rejecting the notion of ill will between them during the production.
Clarifying the Nature of Their Bond Behind the Scenes
Chenoweth emphasized the deep connection they share despite public misconceptions.
“She and I, only we know what we went through to get to where we were,”
she stated, adding,
“We would die for each other. So it’s like sisters. Are sisters always perfect? So it’s family. That’s the best way I can describe it.”
These statements came as a response to rumors that resurfaced after both women were nominated for the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in 2004, which Menzel ultimately won. The speculation hinted at rivalry but did not reflect the actual relationship between the two.
Reflections on the Emotional Challenges During Wicked’s Rise
Both actresses have since opened up about the time surrounding Wicked’s Broadway debut. Chenoweth spoke candidly in an October 2023 Vulture interview, revealing personal struggles influencing her mindset during Wicked’s run.
“I’d like to speak on this,”
she began, addressing the feud rumors directly. She explained that during the early days after opening, her mother was battling cancer, which left her emotionally fragile and distracted.
“To me, there was no way that I would win a Tony. Yes, it’s the two girls as leads. But it’s Elphaba’s story. I needed to deal with that part of me.”
She went on,
“I was very emotional. I tried to push it out, I mean, if only people knew.”
Idina Menzel also commented on the matter, challenging the gendered narratives often imposed on female performers.
“Unfortunately, people like to do that to women. They can’t be supportive of one another. You have to put all this conflict in there. We were tired and extremely supportive of one another,”
Menzel remarked, emphasizing their solidarity rather than rivalry.
Overcoming Harsh Critical Reception at Wicked’s Launch
The initial Broadway opening of Wicked in 2003 was met with disappointing reviews, a reality that was difficult for both actresses to accept. Chenoweth recalled a conversation with Menzel after the New York opening night, expressing their shared disappointment.
“I knew it when we opened in San Francisco,”
Chenoweth said.
“I remember talking to Idina after opening night in New York. It was a sad day. She goes, ‘We should have gotten good reviews.’ I go, ‘No. It doesn’t matter. You are the green girl who flies at the end of Act 1. I come down in a bubble. We sing ‘For Good.’ And the people have spoken.’”
Despite critical disapproval, Chenoweth believed that the audience’s response was the true measure of success.
“I wanted the good reviews for our show but I knew it wasn’t going to matter because I heard the audience,”
she said, highlighting the importance of the viewers’ connection to the performance over critical opinion.
Journey Beyond Broadway: Film Cameos and Future Projects
Though Chenoweth left Wicked in April 2004 and Menzel in January 2005, both returned for brief cameos in the 2024 film adaptation, which stars Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Eviro as Elphaba. However, neither will be participating in the upcoming sequel, Wicked: For Good, due in 2025.
When asked about her involvement, Chenoweth hinted at having stepped back from the role.
“I don’t know if I’m allowed to talk about that,”
she said.
“I don’t think it hurts to say no, I’m not. I think we kind of did our thing and passed the broom and wand, so to speak. But I can’t wait to see it. I kind of know a lot about it from my girl [Grande], so I just can’t wait.”
Wicked’s Enduring Legacy on Broadway and Beyond
Since its original debut in 2003, Wicked has grown into one of the most enduring and beloved musicals in theatrical history. In April 2023, the show reached its milestone as the fourth-longest running musical on Broadway, with its 7,486th performance at the Gershwin Theatre. By 2025, Wicked will have amassed 8,522 shows, trailing only behind The Lion King, Chicago, and The Phantom of the Opera in total runs.
The musical’s lasting popularity illustrates the enormous impact it has had on Broadway and its audience worldwide, solidifying the legacies of both Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel as iconic figures in musical theatre history.
