11 Surprising Celebrities Who Have Been On Broadway

Learn on to seek out out which celebs made it to Broadway…

1. Charli D’Amelio

It was just lately introduced that TikTok star Charli D’Amelio can be making her Broadway debut in & Juliet. However as an alternative of taking over a lead function, Charli was forged as Charmian, a member of the ensemble. Though she’s confronted some backlash, the spot within the ensemble makes complete sense contemplating Charli has a dance background and the function is dance-heavy.

“this has been my final dream ever since i used to be slightly woman, but it surely at all times felt like one thing i may solely admire from a distance, by no means imagining i’d truly get to be a part of it. and now, right here i’m, beginning this superb new chapter in my life and cherishing each second,” Charli wrote on Instagram. “i truthfully can’t discover the suitable phrases to explain simply how a lot this implies to me. i’m deeply grateful to everybody who has supported me alongside the best way; i wouldn’t be right here with out all of you.”

2. Cameron Dallas

In 2020, social media star Cameron Dallas joined the forged of Imply Women within the function of Aaron Samuels, quickly changing Kyle Selig throughout his depart of absence. Cameron, who didn’t have a lot of a musical background, ended up getting scathing critiques for his efficiency. Wanting again on the 4 weeks he was on stage, Cameron mentioned it was a “nice expertise” even when individuals made enjoyable of him.

“I obtained slightly style of what it’s prefer to even be on the market and on the finish of the day, I used to be actually pleased with myself for doing it however these individuals are simply so proficient,” he mentioned throughout a KIIS FM interview. “I used to be getting clowned on it on TikTok, like getting actually clowned on it for singing however on the finish of the day I nonetheless did it. It’s not one thing that I do however I put myself on the market and I did it.”

3. Wendy Williams

Again in 2013, speak present host Wendy Williams made her Broadway debut as Matron “Mama” Morton in Chicago. In preparation for the seven week stint, Wendy took vocal classes and went by means of in depth rehearsals with the forged.

“I used to be requested to take the function of Matron Mama Morton and naturally whenever you get requested to do one thing by Broadway you don’t say ‘no’ as a result of it is a dream that many individuals don’t even get the possibility to understand,” Wendy advised Essence.

4. Will Ferrell

Whereas seeing Will Ferrell on Broadway could have been slightly surprising when he starred in You’re Welcome America in 2009, it was much less stunning figuring out that he was enjoying George W. Bush — a task he had beforehand performed on Saturday Night time Stay. The political efficiency ran on Broadway for six weeks and ended up breaking the home report on the Cort Theater.

“I’ve at all times thought if I may consider the suitable car it could be fantastic to be on Broadway — to come back to the theater each night time and be in that routine. Additionally, previously couple of years, I would achieved just a few issues in entrance of a dwell viewers that had been a lot enjoyable it actually made me suppose,” Will advised Playbill.

5. Tiki Barber

Former NFL participant Tiki Barber turned to the world of Broadway after retiring from the NFL. Whereas he dabbled in some smaller productions, his first main efficiency was as Don in Kinky Boots. Whereas reflecting on the expertise, he mentioned appearing ended up being so much like soccer.

“Lots of it is rather related. A lot of acting on stage is choreography — the dancing, but in addition shifting the stage round, and shifting from place A to position B. On my first day, I used to be principally given a playbook, like I used to be again with the Giants. It had all my actions in it, all the rating in it, and all of the strains,” he advised GQ.

He continued, “I used to be like, ‘Man, I haven’t had a playbook in 11 years!’ Then they gave me a video that was taken from the mezzanine of all the present, which was like watching tape in soccer.”

6. Al Roker

In 2018, Al Roker was requested to tackle the function of Outdated Joe in Waitress. Regardless of having no Broadway expertise, Al agreed to the function on the insistence of his daughter, who loves the performing arts.

“[The Waitress team] reached out to my agent and mentioned they thought I’d make an awesome Outdated Joe. After I obtained off the preliminary chagrin of someone considering I’d be excellent for a personality named Outdated Joe, I used to be sort of flattered,” he advised Billboard.

He continued, “My daughter, who went to LaGuardia Excessive College of Performing Arts, is the one who actually wished me to take the function — ‘Dad, you are able to do this! It’d be nice! You’ll be able to speak in pitch, it’d be superb!’”

7. Erika Jayne

Actual Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne could have had some appearing and theater credit underneath her belt however followers had been nonetheless shocked when it was introduced she’d be making her Broadway debut as Roxie in Chicago. She started her run in early 2020 but it surely ended up being lower quick as a consequence of COVID shutdowns.

“Rising up in musical theater, going to a performing arts highschool — that is positively one thing that’s at all times on everybody’s purpose checklist. It is nice to do Erika Jayne exhibits, but it surely’s totally different to step right into a manufacturing like this and actually sink your enamel into an awesome function and with all of those stunning individuals round you,” she shared earlier than the manufacturing ended. “I get to essentially play inside this extremely complicated feminine character. It is like getting to return and actually discover your self once more.”

8. Sherri Shepherd

Again in 2014, former The View co-host Sherri Shepherd made her Broadway debut in Cinderella as Cinderella’s evil stepmother Madame. She starred alongside Keke Palmer, who was additionally making her debut — and was the primary Black actress to play Cinderella on Broadway.

“After I came upon that it was Keke and I used to be doing it along with her, I screamed. I smile an excessive amount of to be the evil stepmother as a result of I really like this woman an excessive amount of,” she advised ABC.

9. Billy Ray Cyrus

Shortly after Hannah Montana ended, Billy Ray Cyrus made his Broadway debut as Billy Flynn in Chicago. Whereas Billy Ray admitted that it wasn’t precisely what individuals would count on of him and he felt like a “nervous wreck” going into the present, he mentioned he was excited to get exterior of his consolation zone.

“I would not essentially say it’s in my wheelhouse. Definitely, I’d say I needed to push myself,” he advised the Toronto Solar. “I’ve at all times been hungry to study new issues. For me, being on stage, I like that feeling of flying with out a internet.”

10. Rosie O’Donnell

Whereas Rosie O’Donnell has lengthy been recognized for her love of Broadway, it was a shock when she joined the forged of Grease again in 1994, enjoying Rizzo. After her run, Rosie admitted that she realized being on Broadway wasn’t the profession for her. Her ardour for Broadway did lead her to later host the Tony Awards and carry out in Seussical and Fiddler on the Roof.

“It takes extra self-discipline than I’ve to carry out a present eight instances every week with out altering a line,” she advised Playbill. “I want the liberty to edit myself, or I get actually bored. I am in awe of actors with the energy to present 100% at each efficiency.”

11. Pamela Anderson

Pamela Anderson had been requested to tackle the function of Roxy in Chicago on multiple event earlier than she accepted the half in 2022. When she was first requested, Pamela didn’t need to depart her younger youngsters however when she was requested greater than a decade later, she determined it was lastly time.

“I simply threw myself into rehearsals. And it was six, seven, perhaps eight hours a day. I used to be doing 4 hours of dance, one hour voice, two hours of appearing … Then I got here to New York and obtained thrown proper into it with David Bushman and the director. I’m similar to, ‘I’m doing this, I’m doing this!’” she advised CNN.

She continued, “It’s unbelievable as a result of I didn’t understand — clearly, your voice, it is a muscle, and so day-after-day my voice is getting stronger and stronger to the purpose the place I’m simply wanting behind me going, ‘Who’s singing like that?’”