Heather Headley and AIDA - an Appreciation

I think she only came back to do those concerts because no one else would have her, touch!

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I know, I know...hence the




She's insanely talented, but I do think it'll be a while before she's back on Broadway in a proper show...not counting concerts/benefits, etc. And that's a shame.

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Heather Headley as Elphaba would be a dream come true. And that's coming from a non-obsessive Wicked fan.

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"Heather Headley as Elphaba would be a dream come true. And that's coming from a non-obsessive Wicked fan."

A fan suggested that to Heather during an online chat session and while she tried her hardest NOT to sound taken aback, she clearly was. She said something about the role having shoes that were too big to fill, but you got the distinct impression that she was not at all interested and was perhaps a bit offended at the suggestion. Not everyone thinks that Elphaba is the be-all and end-all of female Broadway roles and Heather probably is one of those people. Besides, while she's far from that now, Heather was once so hot on Broadway, that composers wanted to write vehicles especially for her. I'm sure that she would see being a replacement - even in a coveted role - as a big step down.

I also was one of those people who felt that Heather sounded a bit "up herself" in some interviews after the massive praise she got after her starring stint in Aida. But in later interviews she said that she actually missed Broadway far more than she had anticipated and that she felt at home there. She said she definitely wanted to return, but only in the right vehicle.

Also, quite frankly, I think she was humbled. Both she and everyone else expected her R&B album to do far better than it did sales-wise. People were expecting it to sell Beyonce or Alicia-sized numbers when it only went past gold. That's certainly no disgrace and most Broadway singers would kill for "just" gold albums. But much more was expected from Heather.

The trouble is, that CD needed much more pop infusion. It was far too middle-of-the-road to sell like everyone had expected from such a hot talent.

Therefore, much of the heat that she got from her breakthrough role on Broadway, dissipated. And people who never liked her in the first place cackled and said their I told you so's.

And frankly, even though I am cautious about throwing around the "R" word, I think that some of the "Let's bury Heather's career" stuff was racially motivated.

I mean what else can you say about people who say ass-backwards things like "She's no Idina." Well of course she isn't. They are two different people. But some of those insane Wickedites don't think it's enough for Idina to succeed. Everyone else must fail for Ms. Menzel to get all the praise she deserves. That means nobody else other than Idina can sing or act or has charisma. And Heather is one of their favorite whipping girls. Stupid, vile, racist, little gits.

But anyway, I don't begrudge Heather a successful recording, movie or TV career if that's what she wants. And I think she does, seeing as how she's said that her career goal is to win an Oscar an Emmy a Grammy and a Tony.

She has formidable talent and she works hard. So she's as deserving of success as anyone else and more deserving than most. But she needs to step it up because time keeps slipping by.

And WORD about the abandoned website. A low profile can be good. But right now, she has NO profile.

Updated On: 8/19/05 at 02:51 PM

Heather was not in failing vocal health at the Kennedy Center Honors. She was just pitchy (as she often tends to be). But, what is amazing about her, is that no one who sees her live cares if she is pitchy -- because she is so human. She gets the order of art right: (1) Be human, (2) be an artist, (3) be a technician of your art. If that makes her flat/sharp, if it makes her vocally tired, if it makes her "too big", she doesn't care...and rightfully so. More actors need to learn from her, and stop concerning themselves with "technique".

I add my voice to the "please update the website" sentiment. I also say that someone should write her a new Broadway role (maybe even a straight play???).

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