Idina’s Message of Support for Ukraine
Idina Menzel participated in the “Save Ukraine — #StopWar” worldwide telethon with this message of support! Donate to the cause, watch the telethon and get more info here.
Idina Menzel Joins “Latchkey Kids”
Idina Menzel has signed onto a new movie called “Latchkey Kids”! “Latchkey Kids” stars Alan S. Kim as a bright nine-year-old whose aged baby-sitters keep on dying on the job. He befriends an eccentric but tough teen girl (Elsie Fisher) who’s desperate to escape a dysfunctional life and her mother (Idina Menzel). She becomes his perfect babysitter – until the girl and mother are embroiled in a drug deal that goes awry and the boy must do whatever to save his new friend.
The movie will be directed by John J. Budion and is scheduled to start production in late Spring. David Garrett’s Mister Smith Entertainment has boarded as its sales agent. He had this to say in a statement to Variety: “Among her many accomplishments, Idina gave a tour de force performance in Adam Sandler’s black comedy ‘Uncut Gems’ and will undoubtedly bring a unique twist to this role. One cannot help but fall in love with these original and funny characters and we think audiences will be in for a real treat with this affectionate portrait of an unlikely friendship.”
Idina Menzel & Laura Veltz Participate in Oscar Shortlist Q&A
As we know, “Dream Girl” from Cinderella is one of 15 songs on the Academy Awards “Best Original Song” shortlist! Idina Menzel and her co-writer, Laura Veltz, participated in a Gold Derby roundtable featuring songwriters on the Academy Awards “Best Original Song” shortlist last night! First they had a solo Q&A moderated by Rob Licuria and then they participated in a group conversation at the end. Other featured songwriters were: Ron Mael and Russell Mael (‘Annette’), Nicholai Baxter (‘CODA’), Taura Stinson (‘Don’t Look Up’), Diane Warren (‘Four Good Days’) and Jamie Hartman (‘Respect’).
Idina & Cara Announce ‘Loud Mouse’!
Idina Menzel and her sister, Cara Mentzel, announced their new children’s book called Loud Mouse in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE! Loud Mouse is an illustrated book for kids ages 3-5 and will be released on September 27! Here’s the adorable synopsis:
Dee loves to sing. She sings during her morning yoga. She even sings while practicing her math facts. She usually sings to herself. But when her teacher asks everyone to share something with the class, Dee knows just what to bring: a song. And as Dee sings la, la, la, la, LOUDly in front of her class for the first time, something extraordinary happens. . . .
They also shared that Idina is recording a song for the book! Idina told PEOPLE that Cara said, “Just don’t write a song that people like me and moms and teachers can’t sing.” Pre-order Loud Mouse now!
Here’s what they each had to say on Twitter today:
Hi everyone! Great news. I wrote a picture book with my incredibly talented writer/teacher sister @CaraMentzel. Had the time of our lives creating this story. #LoudMouse is poignantly and hilariously illustrated by #JaclynSinquett. pic.twitter.com/VTTicitv2A
— Idina Menzel (@idinamenzel) January 13, 2022
So excited to finally share the great news! @idinamenzel and I have written a picture book titled Loud Mouse. It's brilliantly illustrated by #JaclynSinquett and was an utter joy to create for you. Available September 27th for your reading and singing pleasure. pic.twitter.com/zCtRGkcobw
— Cara Mentzel (@CaraMentzel) January 13, 2022
‘Dream Girl’ on Academy Awards Shortlist!
The Academy Awards announced the shortlists for the upcoming 2022 ceremony, including Best Original Song, and Idina Menzel’s “Dream Girl” is on the list! You may recall that Idina wrote the song with Laura Veltz, so if the song is nominated, she will officially be an Oscar nominee! And if the song wins, she would be halfway towards an EGOT!
Idina tweeted: Thanks @KayKayCannon for giving @lauraveltz and me this incredible opportunity! We are so excited and honored to be on such a friggin awesome list. #Oscars #DreamGirl #CinderellaMovie
Here are the 15 original songs shortlisted from the 84 eligible:
“So May We Start?” from Annette“Down To Joy” from Belfast“Right Where I Belong” from Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road“Automatic Woman” from Bruised“Dream Girl” from Cinderella“Beyond The Shore” from CODA“The Anonymous Ones” from Dear Evan Hansen“Just Look Up” from Don’t Look Up“Dos Oruguitas” from Encanto“Somehow You Do” from Four Good Days“Guns Go Bang” from The Harder They Fall“Be Alive” from King Richard“No Time To Die” from No Time to Die“Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)” from Respect“Your Song Saved My Life” from Sing 2
Idina and Laura spoke with The Hollywood Reporter about their collaboration in this week’s issue:
