It’s rare that an entertainer has an equally successful career on Broadway, in movies, and on TV. But Kristin Chenoweth is rare! In the horse-racing world, she’d be what’s called a Triple Crown Winner, except that Kristin also has a recording career, which makes her a Quadruple Crown Winner!
On the last two seasons of The West Wing, which earned 27 Prime Time Emmys, Kristin played Deputy Press Secretary Annabeth Schott; she earned an Emmy playing Olive Snook on Pushing Daisies, the wonderfully quirky comedy about a pie maker who can touch dead people and bring them back to life; and she made several guest appearances on the hit show, Glee.
On Broadway, she earned a Tony in 1999 for her role in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown; in 2003 she originated the role of Glinda, the Good Witch of the North in the hit show Wicked; and in 2010 she starred in the revival of Promises Promises.
When it comes to movies, Kristin has been in Bewitched, and too many others to mention here; but suffice it to say that comedy is her forte, with the exception of movies like Running with Scissors, in which she played Annette Bening’s lesbian lover, and Into Temptation, where she played a suicidal prostitute—two roles many of her fellow Christians were not happy about. But I am getting ahead of myself.
Initially I tried to interview Kristin for the November 2010 issue of Luxury Las Vegas magazine because November is National Adoption Month, and Kristin is quite open about being adopted. The timing, however, didn’t fit with her work schedule.
But I was able to interview her for the December 2010 “Entertainment” issue, which worked out perfect because this bubbly, talented, petite woman with a huge voice is the personification of “Miss Entertainment.”
Here’s a segment the CBS Sunday Morning show did on Kristin that showcases her talents.
Kristin exudes compassion, integrity, and fortitude. When so many people are followers rather than leaders, when people remain silent rather than speak out about prejudice and hate, Kristin doesn’t hesitate to talk about her beliefs, even if it stirs up some ire.
Playing a prostitute and a lesbian were clues that Kristin isn’t your typical Christian, and with all the gay bullying that happened just a few months ago, I wanted to hear what she had to say. Kristin didn’t disappoint. She left no doubt where she stands:
“Running with Scissors came out at the same time I released my Christian record, As I Am, which definitely wasn’t a hit with the Christian Right,” she said. “When people say to me, ‘You’re cute and talented; you don’t know what it’s like to have your own kind turn on you,’ I say, ‘I certainly do know what it’s like and it doesn’t feel good.’
“I realized that one of my life’s purposes is to speak out about I believe in and say, ‘I’m a Christian and I believe in gay rights.’ I’ve always felt compassionate toward people who are different. When I was a kid, my mom says there was a girl with thick glasses and that’s who I went over to. There was a boy across the street who got tortured for being a fag, excuse the term but that’s what he was called, and I became his friend. A girl followed me around who people called a dyke, and I befriended her.”
LIFE LESSON: Having been bullied in high school, I am very sensitive to this issue. I’m very aware how important it is to give a word of encouragement or befriend someone who is having a hard time. Sometimes the smallest gesture can really make a difference.
If you are not being bullied, be someone who nurtures, and if there’s someone in your class that maybe doesn’t have a lot of friends, be the person that sits with them in the cafeteria sometimes; be the bigger person.”
– Lady Gaga
Here is a clip where Kristin shares her opinions on seven things. The first thing she talks about is whether it’s easier to be a Christian in Hollywood or a recovering crack addict. Gotta love Kristin.
During our conversation, Kristin and I talked about the rash of gay teenage suicides due to harassment and bullying. There was fifteen-year-old Billy Lucas from Greenburg High School in Indiana, who hung himself from the rafters in the barn on September 9, 2010.
On September 22, 2010, eighteen-year-old Rutgers student and accomplished violinist Tyler Clementi jumped off the George Washington Bridge after a secret video of him kissing a guy was posted on the Internet.
The next day, thirteen-year-old, straight-A-student Asher Brown shot himself in the head at his home in Cypress, Texas. Ever since arriving at Hamilton Junior High School two years earlier, Asher had endured taunts because of his slight stature, because he didn’t wear brand name clothing, because he called himself a Buddhist, and because he was accused of being gay.
Sometimes you’re just born to do something. Maybe that’s why God gave me a talent. I’ve been a proud advocate for equal rights and have supported GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender) causes for as long as I can remember and I will continue to speak about them until my dying day.”
– Kristin Chenoweth
“I grew up Southern Baptist, and when I first started feeling uncertain about some of the teachings I was raised on, I said, ‘Grandma, do you think maybe they’re wrong? In my heart, I just don’t think being gay is a sin.’ ‘I don’t know,’ she said, ‘but Jesus told us to love everybody without judging, so I try to do that.’
“I subject everything to the Jesus Smell Test. He was an issues guy, who staunchly refused to dish out or swallow spoon-fed answers. He told people to search the scriptures and think for themselves. I’m not on the fence about certain old-school fundamental beliefs. I don’t believe non-Christians automatically go to hell. I believe gays should be able to get married. I also support gay adoption. I’m sure there are people in the church who are having heart attacks when I say that. I understand people have been ingrained to believe a certain way, but I’ve been exposed to a different way of life.
“The bullying has to stop. Nobody deserves to feel that they aren’t worthy of living. What if being 4’11” was considered abnormal? That’s the way God made me. How dare I not accept it! Many of my gay friends say, ‘Do you think I chose this?’ Of course not. I wanted to be a ballerina. Do you think I chose to be 4’11”?
“I get very emotional when I talk about this. I am a Christian so how can I not accept people for who they are. Christian means someone who follows Christ, and Christ accepted everyone. Unfortunately, there are a lot of Christians who are righteous and very judgmental. I’m not a strict constructionist where the Bible is concerned. Like my grandma said, ‘You can eat the fish without choking on the bones.’ I want Christianity to be respected again and not have people turn and go, ‘Oh no.’”
Here is a great clip from an episode of The West Wing where Martin Sheen dresses down a smug, self-righteous talk-show host using quotes from the Bible.
Here is a clip of Kristin accepting an Emmy for “Pushing Daisies” which had already been cancelled by the time she won the award.
Here is her book A Little Bit Wicked: Life, Love, and Faith in Stages.
When I asked Kristin what words of wisdom she tries to live by, she said: “It’s corrosive to be constantly embattled. Life requires peace. Peace requires balance. And balance requires a certain amount of ‘get-over-yourself,’ with some ‘to thine own self be true’ thrown in for good measure.”
Arlene
Great write up on a great actress/singer/star. This article made me like her more than I already do. I love her stance on gay marriage and equality for all. Thanks for sharing!