Bless my sole, I’ve chucked my Choos

Idina Menzel has decided to ditch her killer Christian Louboutin and Jimmy Choo heels for her concerts.

The singer-actress will perform barefoot at the Royal Albert Hall in October, accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Marvin Hamlisch.

‘It really grounds you,’ she says.

‘I feel more like myself when my feet are bare. Sometimes you can lose sight of yourself — especially if you’re on stage with an orchestra.

‘I do rehearsals with the band and take my shoes off — I’ve always done that. Then last year I picked up Walker, my baby, the wrongway and my back started hurting. That night I was doing a show and I couldn’t imagine putting on these huge orange pumps — so I didn’t. And I felt more relaxed.

‘You see someone like Beyonce dancing around and think maybe there’s a certain gene she has to remain sexy in high heels.

‘But for me, I think it’s sexier when I’m relaxed and calm… without the heels.’

Idina, who played Maureen in the original production of Rent in New York and created misunderstood witch Elphaba in Wicked on Broadway and in London (to phenomenal success), will give her special Royal Albert Hall concert on October 6.

She has been touring America singing songs from Wicked, plus a fabulous version of Tomorrow from Annie, but she says she may change the song list around for London, her only planned European performance so far.

The last time she played the Royal Albert Hall was for a concert version of the musical Chess with Josh Groban.

She got lost backstage during a costume change and was late for her entrance.

‘I’m not much of a Diana Ross when it comes to costume changes, so I’ll stay in the one dress this time,’ she joked.

She has also appeared in Glee, as Rachel’s (Lea Michele) biological mother, and told me she has been in talks with Glee creator Ryan Murphy about further episodes.

Also being discussed is a live album of her concerts and two theatre projects.

I’ve heard Idina sing numbers from the musical Funny Girl and I asked if she was considering throwing her hat in the ring to portray Fanny Brice for the revival that Bartlett Sher plans for Broadway next year.

‘It’s a part I’ve always been interested in doing, but I’ve sort of let go of that,’ she said.

For now, she’s off on holiday to Mexico with ‘the two boys in my life’: husband Taye Diggs and 21-month-old Walker.