Kristin Chenoweth is finally addressing those rumors concerning her relationship with Wicked castmate, Idina Menzel.
“We differ so much in how we approach our work, so it’s natural that rumors would emerge, correct?” Chenoweth, 57, revealed to The Hollywood Reporter during an interview released Monday, November 3, tackling online rumors that she and Menzel didn’t get along while collaborating on Wicked.
“Only she and I truly understand what we experienced to reach our positions,” she stated. “We would sacrifice anything for each other. That’s akin to sisterhood. Are sisters always flawless? Thus, it’s like family. That’s the easiest way to explain it.”
After both actresses received Tony Award nominations for Best Leading Actress in 2004, rumors quickly spread that they weren’t on good terms. (Menzel was ultimately declared the winner.)
Since then, both Menzel and Chenoweth have chosen to publicly clarify their relationship.
“I want to discuss this,” Chenoweth mentioned in an October 2023 interview with Vulture regarding the feud rumors. “Shortly after we launched, my mother battled cancer. I felt emotional and preoccupied. I didn’t think I could win a Tony. While it involves two leading women, it mainly focuses on Elphaba’s story. I needed to come to terms with that within myself.”
She added, “I felt highly emotional. I attempted to suppress it. If only people were aware.”
Menzel then added, “Sadly, people often portray women in this light. They struggle to support each other. They must introduce conflict. We felt exhausted and offered immense support to each other.”
Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic
The two were chosen for the initial Broadway production of Wicked back in 2003. While critics initially panned the musical — a response Chenoweth found challenging at the time — she eventually considered the situation insignificant compared to what she later viewed as the larger context.
“I realized it when we debuted in San Francisco,” she told the publication. “I knew it. I recall speaking with Idina following the opening night in New York. It was a gloomy day. She commented, ‘We deserved positive feedback.’ I responded, ‘No, it’s not important. You portray the green girl who flies at the close of Act 1. I descend in a bubble. We perform ‘For Good.’ The audience has made their feelings clear.’”
Although launching with positive reviews would have been preferable, she noted that the audience’s response held the most significance — and they were pleased. “I desired positive reviews for our show, but I understood that it wouldn’t matter because I heard the audience.,” Chenoweth explained.
Even though Chenoweth left the production in April 2004 and Menzel in January 2005, the pair made surprise appearances in the 2024 cinematic adaptation of Wicked, starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Eviro in the roles of Glinda and Elphaba, respectively. However, they will not appear in the follow-up, 2025’s Wicked: For Good.
“I’m unsure if I can discuss that,” Chenoweth admitted. “I believe it’s safe to say that I’m not involved. I think we completed our roles and symbolically passed on the broom and wand. Nevertheless, I eagerly anticipate watching it. I’m quite informed about it through my friend [Grande], so I’m extremely excited.”
Since its Broadway debut in 2003, Wicked has evolved into the fourth longest-running musical of all time, achieving this feat in April 2023. At that point, the production had just presented its 7,486th performance at the Gershwin Theatre. As of 2025, Wicked has staged 8,522 performances, ranking fourth behind The Lion King (10,985), Chicago (11,361), and The Phantom of the Opera (13,981).
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