Q: Does Kristin Chenoweth get to sing in Rio 2? —Sasha B., Liberty, N.Y.
A: She sure does. In a sequel to the 2011 animated hit (opening April 11), the perky actress, 45—who won acclaim as the first Glinda in Broadway’s Wicked—belts an operatic tune of passion as Gabi, a poisonous frog who can’t be touched—and, it seems, can’t touch any other being without triggering lethal consequences. She thus can only yearn to caress her crush, a villainous bird named Nigel. Says Chenoweth, “A lot of people can relate to being in love with someone they can’t have.”
Online Extras: More With Kristin
You have such a distinctive voice—both singing and speaking.
Some people would say, Are you related to Betty Boop? Are you sucking helium? I have a sort of nineteen-thirties cartoon voice that’s well-suited for animation. It makes me feel like I was born a little bit in the wrong time.
Kids seem to instinctively relate to high-pitched voices. Do they do that with you?
I think they think I’m one of them!
What roles do people tend to recognize you for the most—from TV, movies or Broadway?
When I speak, that’s how a lot of people recognize me, to be honest. I was going to be an opera singer, and that was my training. But that’s not how a lot of people know me. It’s so funny to me when people say, “Oh, my God, I saw you in Pushing Daisies or West Wing or a movie, and I didn’t know you were a singer.” That always takes me aback because, obviously, I started on Broadway.
You of course costarred with Adele Dazeem—er, Idina Menzel in Wicked. And yes, we’re referencing John Travolta mis-stating Idina’s name at the Oscars, where she sang “Let It Go” from Best Animated Feature Frozen.
You know, I was in the audience because my boyfriend [producer Dana Brunetti] was nominated [for Captain Phillips]. And I was so taken aback in that moment, as she was. I wanted that moment for her. But it’s turned into an even bigger moment now. And Idina knocked it out of the park. I think it’s a very happy accident. I loved Travolta’s response later, saying that he was sure Idina would just say, “Let it go.” I saw some things online where people were upset with him and I thought, Let’s everybody just take a breath. No one died.
You do a lot of concert shows, including one coming up at Carnegie Hall, May 3. What’s a set list like for you, typically?
All different kinds of music. I do country music, operatic music, and obviously Broadway. And even ’70s disco in my touring show.
What singers are you most inspired by?
Again, born in the wrong time. Certainly Judy Garland has a big place in my life. Dolly Parton, Madeline Kahn, Bernadette Peters. Those are the main ones for me.
You got hurt pretty badly and had to be hospitalized when a piece of lighting equipment fell on you during the shoot for an episode of The Good Wife, back in 2012. Have you recovered fully?
It was a real game-changer for me. It’s made me take a look at things and just go, What do you want in this life? I still have trouble with my neck. A lot of those little muscles we all need to sing were torn, and that’s been a struggle for me, to build those back up. I had a little bit of memory loss, but that’s definitely coming back. I also cracked my nose in two places. When I wear glasses, it still swells up and bruises. So yeah, there have been lingering issues with that accident, and it’s a bummer. But I’m still here. And I’m really thankful for that.