Kristin Chenoweth is making this Pride season extra fabulous. The Broadway legend is one of five dazzling cover stars featured in Out magazine’s May/June Pride issue, and she’s not holding back when it comes to praising the people who inspire her—especially fellow stage superstar Jinkx Monsoon.
In a lively and heartfelt feature alongside Idina Menzel, Maleah Joi Moon, Megan Hilty, and Lea Salonga, Chenoweth opens up about being considered a gay icon, her excitement for Pride month, and her admiration for Monsoon’s groundbreaking work on the stage.
A Pride Icon Gives Flowers
Calling the title of “gay icon” a “very special compliment,” Chenoweth also teased that she has “something special planned” for Pride this year. And while she’s long been a beloved figure in the LGBTQ+ community, it’s clear that she’s still finding inspiration from within it.
“She’s kind of been a little bit of a trailblazer for me, like RuPaul,” Chenoweth said of Jinkx Monsoon. The praise didn’t stop there: “I was so proud of her. She blew me away,” she added, reflecting on Monsoon’s performance as Matron “Mama” Morton in Chicago on Broadway.
Jinkx’s Star Power Keeps Rising
Monsoon’s impact is no small feat. Since her history-making debut in Chicago, she’s gone on to headline Little Shop of Horrors off-Broadway, dazzle sci-fi fans in Doctor Who, and even make a sold-out Carnegie Hall debut.
Now, she’s playing Ruth in the 2025 revival of Pirates! The Penzance Musical—a role that helped the show secure a Tony nomination for Best Revival of a Musical. Monsoon also recently joined Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda for a special ‘Ham4Ham’ event celebrating the musical’s 10-year anniversary.
Broadway Legends Unite
As Chenoweth preps for her own return to the stage in The Queen of Versailles, a new musical with songs by Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz, she remains as relevant as ever. Fans are also eagerly awaiting the release of Wicked: Part Two – For Good, in which her influence is sure to be felt.
With Chenoweth stepping back into the spotlight and Monsoon continuing to break boundaries and build momentum, Broadway’s future looks as glittery as ever—and the queer fans are ready to cheer them on from the front row.
