Idina Menzel Admits She Was Thrown by Travolta Name Flub: 'Did That Just Happen?'

By: Apr. 03, 2014
Get Access To Every Broadway Story

Unlock access to every one of the hundreds of articles published daily on BroadwayWorld by logging in with one click.




Existing user? Just click login.

Broadway's Idina Menzel appeared on this morning's TODAY and spoke about how she has no hard feeling towards John Travolta for mispronouncing her name at this year's Oscars. But that doesn't mean the moment didn't throw the Broadway veteran for a loop. It did - for a full eight seconds.

"I had done this whole preparation to make sure that I really was in my body and didn't get too nervous," she said on this morning's TODAY, referring to her last moments before taking the stage that night to sing "Let it Go" from "Frozen."

"So I was picturing my (4-year-old) son Walker, I thought, 'Let me just sing it to him' like we do in the bathtub ... and (Travolta) said my name like that and I was like, 'Did that just happen?'" Menzel recalled. "Then the orchestra started and then for eight seconds, I said, 'Get your s--- together! And like, stop worrying about your name and sing this song!' ... So it took me about eight seconds to get over myself."

Menzel (Wicked, Rent, Aida) is currently starring in If/Then, a new musical on Broadway that explores the effects chance and choice take on one woman's life. If/Then reuintes Menzel with Anthony Rapp, her original Rent co-star (the pair played Maureen and Mark, respectively). The musical also stars Tony award winner LaChanze (The Color Purple).

Additional New York stage work includes The Wild Party (MTC), Hair (Encores), and See What I Wanna See (Public), Menzel has performed internationally, both in musicals (she brought Elphaba to London's West End) and as herself in a concert tour. Other film and television credits include Enchanted, Ask the Dust, Glee, and Rent. Solo albums include Barefoot At The Symphony (a live recording of her PBS special by the same name), I Stand, Here, and Still I Can't Be Still.


Vote Sponsor


Videos