The 1996 Broadway musical about life in Alphabet City and the AIDS epidemic resonated with theatergoers who quickly became Rent-heads. Her character, Maureen Johnson, was a bisexual woman who tackled issues from homelessness to sexuality to social justice.
In 2003, Menzel turned the “Wicked” Witch of the West into the misunderstood, deeply empathetic and incredibly powerful Elphaba. Her song “Defying Gravity” became an anthem for embracing the truest version of yourself and not being afraid of your power. She won a Tony for her performance.
“Those songs were real callings to powerful women to not hide that very thing that makes them strong for fear they are going to be ostracized in some way,” the 46-year-old performer said.