Idina Menzel: Empowering Women to Own Their Vulnerability

Who are three women that inspire you?

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Sarah Vaughan

My sister-Cara Mentzel

What is the legacy you hope to leave behind as a changemaker and leader in your industry?

 As a performer, I have no choice but to remain vulnerable, open, and empathic.  It’s the only way in which I believe I can truly connect with an audience. I feel I have to strip down my defenses to embrace the truth of what I am playing, which makes accessing my confidence and power a challenge. I think, particularly as a woman, it can be scary and difficult to ask for what you need and, at the same time, to command a room of people. It can be really hard to stand up for what you believe when your guard is down and when you have chosen to be naked in this theater we call life. 

I hope to encourage women to not apologize for their vulnerability or compromise their sensitivity and generosity of spirit while also remaining steadfast in their beliefs, what they stand for, and their desire for greatness. I hope they will feel empowered to harness their power. I hope they will trust their instincts and inner voices while screaming or singing to the rafters.