It should come as no surprise that Kristin Chenoweth’s favorite holiday is Christmas. Over the course of her 30-year career, the talented actress and singer has recorded her own Christmas album, amassed an impressive list of festive film credits, and fulfilled her childhood dream of singing with the Tabernacle Choir at its annual Christmas concert.
This year, Chenoweth, 52, adds to her Christmas film collection with the Netflix romantic comedy, “Holidate.” In October, she co-starred in the HBO Max adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic children’s book, “The Witches,” and in November, Chenoweth began hosting the new Food Network baking competition, “Candy Land.”
After canceling her concert tour when the pandemic first hit in March, Chenoweth began adjusting to a new COVID-19 reality. This included learning how to work remotely: she voiced the role of Daisy, the mouse in “Witches,” from a closet in her New York home.
The singer, who is used to juggling multiple projects, has also found a creative way to spend her downtime: a TikTok account where she has become a rising star by entertaining fans with videos that showcase both her comedic talents and impressive vocal range.
“I’ve been a worker bee my whole life and I typically have to carve time into my schedule to take a walk, listen to some music, breathe the air and just exist,” Chenoweth says. “When the pandemic first started, I struggled at first and I still do in some ways, but I’ve also become very grateful for the time to just be thankful and smell the roses.”
Known for her Broadway roles in “Wicked” and “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” and for television shows including “Pushing Daisies” and
“Glee,” Chenoweth’s work schedule sometimes prevents her from returning home for the holidays. This year she’s excited to return to her hometown of Broken Arrow, Okla., with her boyfriend, guitarist Josh Bryant. The two have plans to ring in the holidays with her parents, Jerry and Junie Chenoweth in Oklahoma, and with his family in Arkansas.
Photo © 2019 IRI
“Since I was unable to come home for Thanksgiving, my mom is cooking an amazing turkey with all the trimmings for Christmas,” Chenoweth says. “After dinner, we have a tradition of decorating the Christmas tree, lighting candles, and taking turns saying what makes us feel thankful. Personally, I’m grateful we’ll all be together and we’re all healthy.”
In her new holiday film, “Holidate,” Chenoweth plays the aunt of Emma Roberts’ character, Sloane, who is forced to endure another family Christmas celebration marked by her relatives asking why she’s still single. Exhausted by their constant interrogations, Sloane makes a deal with a stranger she meets in a mall (played by Luke Bracey) to be each other’s plus-ones for every holiday over the course of a year. Chenoweth says the premise is one she can relate to as a single woman.
“I’ve handled questions like Sloane does because I didn’t make the decision to settle down and have a child right out of college,” Chenoweth says. “That made me different - not wrong - just different, especially being from the south.”
In a 2016 interview with Bustle, Chenoweth, who has been engaged three times, recalled some sage advice she’d received from actress Betty White on how to put her dreams before the expectations of others.
“You’re a lifer,” White told Chenoweth. “That’s what I am. All those things for sure can be in your life, but this will always come first because it’s what you were born to do.”
Chenoweth admitted that in the past, her busy schedule often made the logistics of dating a challenge.
“When I date someone, it can be difficult for them to understand that I’m not in any one spot very often,” Chenoweth told Bustle. “My life is singing on tour, or a movie, or TV show, or on Broadway. Those closest to me understand that.”
For the past two years, Chenoweth has been in a relationship with Bryant, who has performed with his country band, Backroad Anthem, and other artists.
Photos by Gian Andrea di Stefano
“Because we’re both in the music/entertainment industry, Josh understands my life and I understand his,” Chenoweth says. “One thing that separates Josh from my past relationships is that he completely, fully and wholly accepts me for who I am. It’s an old quote, but it’s true: He doesn’t want to make alterations and I don’t want to make alterations with him. I like him just the way he is.”
Earlier this year, Chenoweth teamed with a mutual friend of the couple, country singer Ty Herndon, to record “Orphans of God,” a single from Herndon’s new Christmas album, “Regifted.” In June, Chenoweth
co-hosted the Concert for Love & Acceptance with Herndon and Country Music Television host Cody Alan. Proceeds from the concert benefited the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer media advocacy group GLAAD and the Academy of Country Music’s philanthropic arm, Lifting Lives.
The Tony-award winning actress is a longtime ally to
the LGBTQ community and was honored with the Human Rights Campaign’s Ally for Equality Award this past February. A supporter of LGBTQ equality, Chenoweth was also awarded GLAAD’s Vanguard Award in 2013. The award is given annually to “recognize the outstanding efforts of celebrities and other notables who use their voice to publicly stand up for the LGBTQ community.”
In her acceptance speech to GLAAD, Chenoweth explained how being a devout Christian and a supporter of LGBTQ rights aren’t mutually exclusive.
“I want to encourage people of all faiths to come forward and stand with me, even if you don’t believe in Jesus the way I do,” she told the audience. “He did teach love, not just tolerance, but acceptance.”
Collaborating with other musical artists, including those with contrasting styles, is something Chenoweth enjoys. Two years ago, she was asked to sing with the Tabernacle Choir, formerly called the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, at its annual Christmas concert and Chenoweth says the performance, now available on DVD, was a dream come true.
“There were exactly three programs I watched on TV growing up: The Tabernacle Choir holiday specials, ‘Miss America’ and the ‘Tony Awards,’” Chenoweth said in an interview with BYUtv. “The Christmas concert is part of my history, part of my DNA, and it was a bucket list item of mine for a long time, so I am very honored and grateful for this experience.”
Chenoweth celebrated another collaborative effort last year when she released her album “For The Girls,” a tribute to some of her favorite female singers.
“I wanted to make this record as a nod to the women I admire and who molded me as a singer,” she says. “Everyone from Judy Garland to Barbra Streisand to Carole King and Dinah Washington, and Peggy Lee.”
On the album, Chenoweth puts her own spin on classic songs from legendary female artists and also features guest vocals and duets with artists including Jennifer Hudson, Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton and Ariana Grande.
“The album features an array of music that comes from my heart,” Chenoweth says. “It’s really just a thank you to the women who write and sing these songs and who pave the way for artists like myself.”
Chenoweth ended this year hosting “Candy Land,” inspired by the popular children’s game.
Photos Courtesy of Food Network
The six-episode series features teams of professional cake and sugar artists stepping into Candy Land destinations such as Chocolate Mountain and Lollipop Woods and competing against each other to recreate sugar masterpieces.
“Everything on the set was edible, so by the end of the night I was the Energizer bunny having had lollipops and cotton candy all day from the set,” Chenoweth says. “I’m not really a baker, but I’m fascinated by the art form, and I call it that because that is truly what it is.”
Currently, Chenoweth is filming a new untitled musical comedy in Vancouver, British Columbia for Apple TV+ that will premiere in 2021. The series, starring Cecily Strong of “Saturday Night Live,” follows a couple (Strong and Keegan-Michael Key) who discover a magical town where everyone acts as if they’re in a musical from the 1940s. Chenoweth stars as the morally superior wife of a minister (played by Fred Armisen). The cast also features Jane Krakowski and Chenoweth’s longtime friend, Alan Cumming.
While filming the show, Chenoweth left her beloved rescue dog, Thunder (a miniature poodle/cocker spaniel mix named after her favorite basketball team, the Oklahoma City Thunder), with her boyfriend and his family in Arkansas.
“It gives me peace to know she’s well-cared for and enjoying the outdoors, but I really miss her,” Chenoweth says. “Alan is staying next door to me and has his dog, Lala, here. I may or may not be stealing her sometimes and having her visit with me because I miss Thunder so much.”
Chenoweth is looking forward to resuming her concert tour in 2021 and has already scheduled shows across the country. She is also working on several TV projects for 2021, taking on the role of producer.
“For me, that’s stepping into a new arena and I’m very excited,” she says. “I’ve always followed my heart and I have a strong core, a strong belief system in God and I love what I do.”