Kristin Chenoweth

Kristin Dawn Chenoweth was born on July 24, 1968, in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and was adopted five days later by Jerry and Junie Chenoweth. She cultivated her passion for performing from a young age, singing gospel music in local churches and later pursuing a comprehensive education in musical theater at Oklahoma City University. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Musical Theatre in 1990 and a Master’s degree in Opera Performance in 1992, studying under Florence Birdwell. Her early career also included participating in beauty pageants, winning Miss OCU, and being the second runner-up in the Miss Oklahoma pageant in 1991.

Chenoweth’s Broadway career began in 1997 with her debut in “Steel Pier,” earning her a Theatre World Award. A pivotal moment came in 1999 when she won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as Sally in “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” Her role as Glinda in the 2003 musical “Wicked” earned her another Tony nomination and solidified her status as a Broadway star. Her transition to television was marked by her role as Annabeth Schott in “The West Wing” (2004-2006) and a Primetime Emmy Award in 2009 for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her portrayal of Olive Snook in “Pushing Daisies” (2007-2009). She also made notable appearances on “Glee” (2009-2014) as April Rhodes, garnering two more Emmy nominations.

Beyond her extensive stage and screen work, Chenoweth has released several studio albums, including “A Lovely Way to Spend Christmas” (2008) and “For the Girls” (2019), showcasing her versatile vocal range as a classically trained coloratura soprano. She co-hosted the 69th Tony Awards in 2015, receiving an Emmy nomination, and has performed at prestigious venues like the Metropolitan Opera and Carnegie Hall. Her film credits include “Bewitched” (2005), “The Pink Panther” (2006), and voice work in animated features such as “Rio 2” (2014). Chenoweth actively supports adoption causes and has authored a memoir, “A Little Bit Wicked: Life, Love, and Faith in Stages” (2009), providing insights into her personal and professional journey.