The Greatest Showman
First breaking out as a semi-finalist on the ninth season of American Idol back in 2010, Todrick soon transformed what for most would have been a 15-minute window of fame into a career that has traversed theatre, music and television.
Although celebrated for roles in Chicago and Kinky Boots, Todrick often directs, choreographs and writes all his original material. The visual album Straight Outta Oz reimagined the famous L. Frank Baum tale with a sassier edge, while the video to smash-hit single Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels is the definition of a gay house-party anthem and ratchets any night out up a notch. Proving Todrick is an auteur for the YouTube generation, his live shows attract truly diverse crowds of gays, straights, mums and dads with their offspring, as well as drag queens and queer kids. He is a worthy winner of Attitude’s Artist Award.
When we reached out to Todrick about this interview, there was one person who immediately sprung to mind for him to be grilled by – his ‘adopted mother’ Michelle Visage. Recalling what he remembers to be the first time the pair met on the set of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Todrick says, “I came in with this ridiculous green suit on, and I remember them being, like, ‘You’re going to sit next to Michelle,’ and I was terrified because I was, like, ‘She’s going to be so mean, I’m so intimidated by her. I just don’t know what I’m going to say to her.’
“I was already nervous to be there, and then, the fact that I’m on the other side of Michelle, where I can’t see RuPaul, was very scary. But Michelle was just the sweetest person in the world, and honestly made me so comfortable, and ended up at that point basically adopting me. And we built this really crazy bond.”
Michelle Visage: How are you?
Todrick Hall: I’m good. This is so exciting, because we never really get to work with each world.
