#Fact1The two songs that she is best known for, Defying Gravity and Let It Go, are both about a woman refusing to accept society's limitations and fully embracing the extent of her inner powers.2Upon being announced as the winner of the 2004 Tony Award for 'Wicked,' she went and kissed and hugged her co-star and fellow nominee Kristin Chenoweth, only to then turn back afterward to kiss her husband Taye Diggs.3In 2011, she was awarded an honorary doctorate in Arts and Letters from Long Island (NY) University, at which time she addressed the graduates of the C.W. Post Campus of the University. The ceremony took place only 5 miles from the town where she was born and grew up.4Performed concert version of the musical, "Chess", along with Josh Groban, at the Royal Albert Hall.5In March, 2014, Menzel became the first Tony award winner to have a top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart with the hit from Frozen (2014), "Let It Go".6When Idina Menzel performed the Best Song nominee, "Let it Go", at the 86th Academy Awards, she was introduced by John Travolta, who (while reading his lines off a teleprompter) badly mangled the pronunciation of her name; he called her "the wickedly talented, one and only, Adele Dazeem". This was widely mocked in the press and spurred the creation of several Twitter accounts under that (incorrect) name that quickly gained thousands of followers.7She is of Eastern European Jewish descent.8Separated from her husband of 10 years Taye Diggs. [December 2013]9Continuing her U.S. tour on the East coast. [March 2009]10Performing at Vassar Powerhouse Theater in a new musical, "Nero." Idina plays the part of Poppea. The show runs July 11 - 13, 2008. [July 2008]11Filming Ask the Dust (2006), with Colin Farrell and Salma Hayek, in South Africa. [July 2004]12On 5th releases her single version of Defying Gravity to America and UK. This is a preview of her upcoming album. [June 2007]13Starring in Michael John LaChiusa's "See What I Wanna See", a new musical Off-Broadway in New York City. The show runs through November 20th. [October 2005]14In rehearsals for "See What I Wanna See", a musical by Michael John LaChiusa, with performances starting October 11th, 2005 and running through November 20th, 2005. [September 2005]15Completed album and is preparing for the launch later this year. [July 2007]16Currently starring in "Wicked" at the Gershwin Theater in New York City. [November 2003]17Touring in the U.S to promote her new album, "I Stand." [April 2008]18Getting ready to begin filming Disney's Enchanted (2007), where she will play Patrick Dempsey's girlfriend (the "other woman" role). The movie will also star Amy Adams, Susan Sarandon and James Marsden. [January 2006]19Still starring in "Wicked"; her run there ending on January 9 (to be taken over by Shoshana Bean), and will then be filming "Rent", the new movie set to release at the end of 2005. [January 2005]20Will play her Tony Award-winning role of Elphaba in a London production of "Wicked." [June 2006]21Won Tony award for Best Leading Actress in A Musical for portraying Elphaba in Wicked. [June 2004]22Performing summer concerts in and around the New England area. [August 2005]23According to her website Idinamenzel.com she has announced 2010 tour dates. Also has shot episodes for Glee (2009). [March 2010]24On the 30th, final performance as Elphaba in the London production of "Wicked" [December 2006]25Planning her new album after signing with Warner Records earlier in the year. She is currently writing and recording songs for the album. [December 2005]26Currently working on her third album (Warner Bros.) [January 2007]27Currently starring as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West on Broadway in "Wicked"! [January 2004]28Filming the movie Rent (2005). [March 2005]29Gave birth to her first child at age 38, a son Walker Nathaniel Diggs on September 3, 2009. Child's father is her husband, Taye Diggs.30Returned to work four months after giving birth to her son Walker in order to begin filming Glee (2009).31Sister, Cara, is three years younger.32Oldest nephew is named Avery. He was born in 2000.33Her Rent character, Maureen, is based on Musetta from La Boheme. Two references are made to this. Roger's attempts to write a song resemble "Musetta's Waltz," which Mark directly points out. Musett'a Waltz was also the basis for "The Tango Maureen."34Her last name was originally spelled "Mentzel" but she decided to take the T out because everyone pronounced it incorrectly.35Sings a duet, entitled "I Will Be There", with the late Ray Charles on the album "Genius and Friends" which was released September 20th, 2005.36Parents are Stuart and Helene Mentzel (divorced)37Won Broadway's 2004 Tony Award as Best Actress (Musical) for her role as Elphaba in "Wicked." She had previously been nominated as Best Actress (Featured Role - Musical) in 1996 for her portrayal of Maureen in "Rent."38She was named after her great-grandmother, Ida. The name "Idina" or "Edina" is an Old English name that means "from Edinburgh, Scotland". The name "Adina" is Hebrew for "slender" or "delicate".39Cracked a rib as a result of a fall through a trap door during a matinée show in "Wicked" on 8 January 2005, and could not perform the next day, what was to be her last performance. Her standby Shoshana Bean covered for her, but Idina made a special out-of-costume appearance and did her final song to a standing ovation before being bid farewell at the curtain call (along with Joey McIntyre who was also leaving that day).40BFA in Drama - New York University, Tisch School of the Arts (1993)41Graduate of Syosset High School, Syosset, New York.42Name is pronounced "Ih-DEE-nah men-ZELL."43In the 5th grade, she played Dorothy in her school's production of "The Wizard of Oz."44Met husband Taye Diggs when both were starring in the original Broadway production of Rent. They later co-starred in The Wild Party (Off-Broadway) and Wicked (Broadway).45Has a single on soundtrack of The Other Sister (1999), "Follow If You Lead".