Idina Menzel Opens Up in Revealing New Interview

In a vulnerable new interview with The Telegraph, Broadway Idina Menzel opens up about everything from Brexit, to the pressures of being considered a role model, and how she balances her career with motherhood.

While many have expressed the wish to see Menzel on the big screen in the upcoming film version of the Broadway smash-hit Wicked, when discussing the topic of ageism in Hollywood, Menzel said, "I have a hard time with ageing on certain days, but it's more a sadness that I would love to play the role that I originated. Elphaba's my girl," in reference to the rumor that she won't be reprising her most iconic role-prior to Frozen-in the long-awaited film.

In addition to admitting that she feels bad for the parents who have had to listen to "Let It Go" on repeat since its release, while speaking about the pressures of being considered a role model, Menzel commented, ""I'm a little uncomfortable carrying that banner. I'm not always 'Oh, I feel so great about myself today. I'm a powerful, confident woman, and I'm not going to care what anyone else thinks of me!' I mean it's all bullshit really. I can be a mess...The older I get, I get wiser about some things, and yet I get more fragile and vulnerable about others."

Menzel also revealed that she's often put too much of her self-worth into her voice and the expectations people have: "I think my voice means too much to me, or has meant too much to me in the past...So much so that when I screwed up or missed a note, everything about me would crumble. I felt I wasn't going to be appreciated or liked."

For the full interview, including Menzel's thoughts on her upcoming album, the remake of Beaches, and what it was like to perform at the Democratic National Convention with other Broadway stars, click here.

Tony Award-winning icon Idina Menzel has a diverse career that traverses stage, film, television and music. Menzel's voice can be heard as Elsa in Disney's global box office smash "Frozen," in which she sings the film's Oscar-winning song "Let It Go," and in the follow-up short, "Frozen Fever." After Menzel's performance of the multi-platinum song at the 86th AnnualAcademyAwards, she made history as the first person with both a Billboard Top 10 hit and a Tony Award for acting.

Menzel earned her first Tony nomination as Maureen in the Pulitzer Prize winner "Rent," and won the award for her performance as Elphaba in "Wicked." Other notable projects include "Glee" and Disney's "Enchanted." She embarked on a worldwide tour in 2015 that included Asia, UK and North America. In addition to cast albums, Menzel's prolific recording career includes the solo albums "I Stand," "Here" and "Still I Can't Be Still."

Her first-ever Christmas album "Holiday Wishes," released October 2014 on Warner Bros. Records, debuted at #1 on Billboard's Holiday Albums chart, broke into the top 10 on Billboard Top 200 Album Chart and received rave reviews. Menzel was most recently seen on Broadway as Elizabeth in the original production "If/Then," for which she earned her third Tony nomination. Menzel also sang the National Anthem at SUPER BOWL XLIX, which set the record for the most-watched show in U.S. history.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride