Kristin Chenoweth is a busy woman! He just released a new album, For Girlsannounced he would be returning to Broadway to promote his album, and was scheduled to appear in two Christmas films, one with Emma Roberts.
In the interview below with Kristin, she shares what it was like working with Dolly Parton and Ariana Grande for the album, if we can expect either of them to appear on Broadway with her, and debut on the Hallmark Channel.
Congratulations on your album, For Girls. You collaborated with some big names including Dolly Parton. What was it like working with Dolly?
KC: All my life I wanted to be him, essentially. I have been compared to him several times. When I first met her maybe 30 years ago, we were singing at the Capitol and that I told the producers, “All I want to do is meet Dolly Parton. – other people, I do not want to meet; I just wanted to meet him.” And he said, “I’ll be sure you meet him.” He introduced me and he said, “You are like me. I’m like you.” And that is what he said. And I just stuck to it for years. I never thought that we would in fact have the ability to sing together. I never thought he would say yes. She’s a really busy woman and she’s still at the peak of her career and she is who she is. But he said yes and that I burst into tears and he gave me the chance to sing with him on his biggest hit, “I Will Always Love You.” You know, if it all ends tomorrow, I’m fine now.
You’ve also collaborated with Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson, and Reba McEntire. Does anything surprise you about working with them?
KC: No, because I know them. I’ve known Ariana since she was 10 years old, so we’re just friends. I love her. He’s like one of my little babies. Reba is someone I respect and admire. I’ve watched him do his career and how he handles himself and is all the time nice to everybody, not to mention his pipes. He’s a tremendous singer. And then J-Hud sings his face too. All of these women have gone through quite a lot of hardships, become their own bosses, and made bets on themselves. I wanted that to be the theme of the record, through all the music, and I’m glad all of them said yes.
This album is for women made by girls. Why is it so important to you to have a woman-inspired album?
KC: I did not mean to try this; I do not know what I want to do next. After the last record, I wrote all the songs I all the time wanted to sing. As I turned it down, I kept seeing these very unique voices – You know Leslie Gore when you hear it, you know Linda Ronstadt when you hear it, you know Dolly when you hear her. Judy, Barbara, Eva, they were all there. Eydie Gorme in my world, we know her. So I want to represent all of them. Dinah Washington and Carole King. But, I wanted to put my stamp on it because I had to move. I was watching Ken Burns’ country music documentary the other day and one of the artists said we should keep moving forward with the music. We cannot fall behind and do the same thing again and again. That’s what I want to do here. And this gave me an opportunity.
You brought this to Broadway too! What are you most looking forward to getting back on stage?
KC: Oh, I’m a theater creature. I love performing in front of a live audience. That’s where I have the most fun. That’s where I’m most comfy. In fact, I’m more comfy on stage than I’m in life, in which case I should possibly continue my therapy on that one. I am unable to wait to get out in front of an audience and perform these songs. It will be more concert style than all of Broadway. I am unable to wait, and I’m going to be doing a little songs that are cut from the record simply because I want people to see the process.
Will a friend help you make an album guest starring during a Broadway show?
KC: Possible. There are eight shows on Broadway and there will be surprise guests every night.
You will also star Christmas Love Story on the Hallmark Channel in a few months. How could this occur?
KC: I had this idea with my friend who is producer and actress, Jennifer Aspen, and it related to a subject that we both are very near. I am unable to give it away nor will I give away the film, but there is a love story at the center of it. I wanted to write a song for that movie, and that I know Hallmark does Christmas better than anyone. We bring our ideas to them. They bought it, they wrote the script, and we shot it. My friend Chely Wright and that I wrote the title song “When Angels Land” for the film, which was a first for me. I never owned a song I wrote in a movie.
You will also star Holiday. What can you tell about the film or your character in the film?
KC: OK, starring Emma Roberts. I play crazy Aunt Susan and essentially Aunt Susan has a different boyfriend every vacation – we call it a “holidate.” You find out later why he’s there
stuck in this rut. But, this is a romcom. It’s really cute. There’s quite a lot of heart to it and I am unable to wait for people to laugh. It’s Netflix. There’s a little bit of mischief in it. So it is quite different from Hallmark movies, but still fun.
