Kristin Chenoweth Has Got Your Back

Kristin Chenoweth is not afraid of contradictions. The Tony and Emmy award-winning star of stage and screen, who is probably best known to gay audiences for originating the role of Glinda in Wicked and playing alcoholic high school dropout April Rhodes on Glee, is just as comfortable talking about her Christian faith as she is speaking out for gay rights.

Last year when a Newsweek writer questioned whether openly gay actors like Chenoweth’s Promises, Promises costar Sean Hayes could convincingly play straight, the actress fired off a burning missive that labeled the piece “horrendously homophobic” and likened the writer’s comments to bullying. And in 2005 after being named singing spokeswoman for a Women of Faith concert in Oklahoma City, promoters demanded her resignation after learning of her pro-gay stance — which ironically came out during an appearance on The 700 Club that upset many of her gay fans. Chenoweth refused to step down, saying if Women of Faith had a problem with her beliefs they could fire her. They did, which she referred to as the saddest moment in her professional life.

Her fourth studio album, Some Lessons Learned, available September 13, is an exploration of the Oklahoma native’s Southern roots, a journey that will continue with her role as Carlene Cockburn in Steel Magnolia writer Robert Harling’s upcoming ABC drama Good Christian Belles.

The Advocate: Many of the songs on your new album are about yearning for someone or something. Were you nervous about putting out something so personal?
Kristin Chenoweth: Yes and no. Every album I’ve done felt personal to me at the time, and obviously this one is about some lessons I’ve learned — both good and frustrating, and hard and wonderful. Mostly I wanted it to be full of hope and inspiration for women like me: women that have had love but maybe haven’t found that right one yet.

Did you learn any specific lessons while you were making the record?

Yeah, I always learn. I feel so lucky because every time I put out an album I learn so much. I think the lesson for me on this one was just to let it go. These guys [I worked with] were like, “Let’s throw it all away, and let’s just sing.” There’s a freeing element that happens when you do that. And I loved it. I loved living in Nashville; I loved getting together with those musicians and songwriters.

What was it like working with the legendary Jordanaires, who sang backup for Elvis Presley and some of country music’s greatest artists?
Oh, my gosh, you’re the first person to ask me that! I think it was one of the coolest moments because two of the original members of the Jordanaires were in the recording studio with me. And they were so sweet. One of them said, “I do believe this song’s a hit!” They have game. They’re team players, and I got why Elvis loved them. I was very honored to get to work with them. That was Bob Ezrin, my producer’s, idea. I was like, “We’ll never get them!” And they said yes. I couldn’t believe it.