News | Entertainment
26 Apr 2025 10:16
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Idina Menzel would "drive illegally" to get to gigs early on in her career

    The 53-year-old actress found success when she originated the leading role of Elphaba in the hit Broadway musical 'Wicked' but years earlier had started out as a wedding singer in her late teens and had to break the law to get herself to as many ceremonies as possible


    Speaking on 'The Kelly Clarkson Show', she told stand-in host Andy Cohen: "I was about 17 years old. So I was just at a junior licence, which meant you couldn't drive at night, but I'd drive illegally to every temple, every temple all over the tri-state area.

    The 'Enchanted' star - who found further fame when she voiced the role of Elsa in Disney's 'Frozen' franchise - added that she just "couldn't believe" that she was earning a living at that time as singer.

    She said: "Honestly, back then, when I was 17, I couldn't believe I was making money as a professional singer."

    Idina was then reunited with a couple from the studio audience whom she had performed for at their wedding more than 30 years ago, and they brought a photo of her for proof.

    She said: "I'm in the back! And I look a little miserable. Not because of your wedding, but some old person probably told me I was way too loud or something like that.

    She added: "At that point, I was a little older, and I was probably hoping for my big break to happen. I'd sang enough Whitney Houston and Madonna! Two years later, I got 'Rent', that was my frist professional show."

    The couple then thanked Idina for "starting off their marriage on the right note" and, when asked if she would perform at their 50th anniversary celebrations, she replied: "I'll do it!"

    However, not all of Idina's early performances went to plan, and she previously recalled that her manager forced her to continue singing even though a wedding guest was having a heart attack.

    Speaking on UK TV show 'This Morning', she said: "I was singing 'I Just Called To Say I Love You', a Stevie Wonder song, during a daytime wedding and this old man had a heart attack on the dancefloor while I was singing.

    "I stopped and my boss looked at me and was like 'Don't stop, the band always keeps playing. You never stop!' So I kept singing and then the bride came running up and screamed at me that I was the most insensitive person. Her uncle was having a heart attack, and she said I'd better stop immediately.

    "So I just ran over the dessert buffet and started stuffing my face with chocolate eclairs. I didn't know what to do with myself!"

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     26 Apr: Camille Razat has "made the decision to step away" from 'Emily in Paris'
     26 Apr: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex is "the happiest [she's] ever been"
     26 Apr: Martha Stewart thinks Glen Powell is "very handsome"
     26 Apr: Katie Maloney thinks the 'Vanderpump Rules' reboot "feels cheap"
     26 Apr: Emma Chamberlain had a "very complicated relationship with YouTube for a long time"
     25 Apr: Addison Rae's TikTok success has given her the opportunity to "explore [her] deep desires"
     25 Apr: Robert Irwin is "over the moon" that his "dream" of being on 'Dancing with the Stars' has become a "reality"
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Blues coach Vern Cotter's pulling no punches as their Super Rugby Pacific season continues to splutter More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Monash IVF responds to ASX after baby bungle share price drop More...



     Today's News

    International:
    Nepal introduces new safety rules for Mt Everest, but guides question their effectiveness 10:07

    Tennis:
    A second round defeat for tennis player Lulu Sun at the Madrid Open 10:06

    Politics:
    An increasing workload for teachers is being blamed for strained connections with students 9:26

    Golf:
    A nervous wait for Lydia Ko to see if she's made the cut at the first women's major of the year - the Chevron Championship in Texas 9:06

    Entertainment:
    Camille Razat has "made the decision to step away" from 'Emily in Paris' 8:18

    Rugby:
    Blues coach Vern Cotter's pulling no punches as their Super Rugby Pacific season continues to splutter 8:16

    Rugby League:
    The Storm have rebounded in league's NRL - powering away after a halftime deadlock for a 26-16 Anzac Day win over the Rabbitohs 8:06

    International:
    What happens if the Trump administration defies the Supreme Court? 7:56

    Rugby League:
    Bragging rights for Jackson Ford's after scoring two tries off the bench in the Warriors' 26-12 NRL victory over the Knights in Christchurch 7:56

    Entertainment:
    Meghan, Duchess of Sussex is "the happiest [she's] ever been" 7:48


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd