76. “Suddenly Seymour” (with Kelsie Watts)

Summary

Sentimental Men – Episode 76: “Suddenly Seymour” (with Kelsie Watts)

Podcast: Broadway Podcast Network
Date: September 22, 2025
Hosts: Quincy Brown & Kevin Bianchi
Guest: Kelsie Watts (Broadway’s SIX, The Voice)

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Episode Overview

In this rich and lively episode, Quincy and Kevin welcome Kelsie Watts, currently starring as Jane Seymour in Broadway’s SIX. The conversation explores Kelsie's unique journey from gig life and The Voice to her Broadway debut, the intersection of pop and theatre, and the hard realities and delights of eight shows a week. The episode is a love letter to the evolving landscape of musical theatre, pop crossover, and hustle—punctuated by warmth, humor, and a few signature tangents.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

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The Hugh Jackman Detour

• [00:32–07:12] Hugh Jackman’s Multifaceted Appeal
  • Quincy and Kevin reminisce about Hugh Jackman’s status as a musical theatre icon, and his reputation for kindness (Kevin once held the door for him at Trader Joe’s).
  • Fun musings on Jackman’s career beyond “Wolverine”—his stage persona, The Greatest Showman, and the blurred lines of celebrity in NYC.
  • Quote:
    • Kevin: “If James Corden can be a late night host, so can Hugh.” [04:46]
  • Conversation spirals into dream-casting Hugh as a Glee-style teacher and acknowledging the queer allegory of X-Men.

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Book Talk

• [07:12–09:42]
  • Kevin’s deep into the Les Mis audiobook (“It’s four times as long as the musical!” [07:46])
  • Quincy’s rediscovering reading real books as a grounding routine, contrasting with audio content.
  • Quote:
    • Quincy: “My boyfriend was telling me I need an activity that grounds me instead of just waking up and going straight to working or scrolling.” [08:41]

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Kelsie Watts: Introduction and Journey

• [09:44–13:52] Background & Education
  • Kelsie grew up in a musical family, exposed to everything from gospel to classic rock and Broadway scores.
  • Studied opera, vocal performance, and commercial music—an “interesting formula for being a pop star.” [10:27]
  • Rose to prominence on The Voice (Team Kelly Clarkson). Accumulated viral fame on social media with covers and original music.
  • Now, making Broadway debut as Jane Seymour in SIX.
  • Quote:
    • Kevin: “Six is such an easy gateway show for the pop girlies to cross over into theater.” [12:59]

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SIX Fan-Casting (Pop Girlies Crossover)

• [13:17–15:23]
  • Dream Blending: The hosts imagine pop stars like Renée Rapp, Sabrina Carpenter, and Taylor Swift in SIX roles.
  • Quote:
    • Quincy: “Taylor Swift can be, you know I love you, boy, every single way. That’s like a good song for her.” [14:55]

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Segue to Kelsie & Wicked “Touch Point”

• [19:22–20:55]
  • Per Sentimental Men custom: What’s Kelsie’s Wicked connection?
  • Kelsie: “I’m literally, like, every day, I’m like, paint me green, please.” [19:49]
  • Her Broadway initiation was Wicked (2009), first Broadway show, and she’d gravitate more to Elphaba, both vocally and in personality.

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Kelsie’s Theatre and LIFE Journey

• [21:15–22:32]
  • Musical family with an eclectic soundtrack.
  • Never expected professional theatre, citing past Broadway industry body/appearance expectations:
    • “Back in the day… it wasn’t acceptable to have tattoos… you had to look a certain way… I really just kind of, like, wrote myself off...” [21:50]
  • Applauds today’s inclusivity, and credits SIX for being a show where “everybody is right for one of those girls.”

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From Showboat to Broadway: The Long Road to SIX

• [23:45–28:30]
  • Gigging, bartending, and meeting Roberta Duchak (music supervisor for SIX) led to her first audition pre-pandemic.
  • Multiple auditions over several years, getting cut, constructive feedback (“If you could work on acting, that would be amazing” [25:13]), and coaching with Benji Shaw.
  • Finally, contracted as Seymour after persistent effort, even after buying a house:
    • “My manager calls me and she was like, ‘Kelsey, I need to talk to Jane.’ And I said, ‘Melinda, who the heck is Jane?’ She goes, ‘Jane Seymour.’ I said, ‘What?!’ She goes, ‘You’re going Broadway?’” [27:08]
  • Moved to NYC with her husband, changed life overnight.

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Pop vs. Musical Theatre Storytelling

• [28:30–31:21]
  • Kelsie still studies acting and dance, discusses nuances of embodying a character vs. singing as herself.
  • “SIX is really weird because you’re kind of yourself, but you’re not really yourself.” [29:45]

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Broadway Bootcamp & Adjusting to SIX

• [31:21–34:45]
  • Intense logistics — learning precise marks, Rubik’s cube–like choreography:
    • “We don’t leave the stage the entire show…and so the formations are, like, constantly like a Rubik's Cube...” [33:12]
  • Surprised by how not freewheeling the show is, artistically and technically.

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Freedom vs. Structure in SIX Performance

• [34:45–37:54]
  • Though SIX feels pop, there’s precision; even riffs and vocal choices are pre-approved and fixed.
  • Kelsey advocates for honest, intentional performance:
    • “Throughout the entire song of Heart of Stone, I want people to know how I’m feeling, even if I weren’t saying words.” [37:19]

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The Art of the Cover & Finding Your Voice

• [38:12–41:26]
  • Kevin and Kelsie discuss making a cover your own (“they don’t sound like karaoke”; “you made this song” [38:13]).
  • Kelsie shares her “vocal thumbprint” philosophy, as taught by vocal coach Mama Jan Smith:
    • “People need to know when you’re singing a song that it’s you.” [40:02]

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The Realities of Eight Shows a Week

• [41:34–44:48]
  • Performing on Broadway is “the Olympics of performing.”
    • “Touring is easy, man. ...You want me to go be on Broadway? …Why? Crazy rehearsal.” [41:45, 42:14]
  • Juggling shows, music, press, gym, mental challenge, and audience energy (“you’re hoping... ‘I hope they’re gonna like it’” [43:04])
  • Handling mid-show distractions—a far cry from arena tours.

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SIX Sisterhood and Ensemble Dynamics

• [45:19–47:37]
  • Tight cast bond, support, “no drama or divas.”
  • Cast even takes group trips together—watching Love Island at a cabin!
  • Quote:
    • Kelsie: “It’s kind of impossible to do the show without that relationship. Like, six women on stage who can’t stand each other would... be unwatchable.” [47:37]

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Broadway Community vs. Music Industry

• [48:02–50:28]
  • Despite being on Broadway, Kelsie feels “not part of the larger community yet.”
  • The eight-shows-a-week grind and joining a hit show (not a new musical) makes it harder to attend industry events.
  • Both Broadway and pop worlds are supportive but insular; geography and exhaustion are real obstacles.
  • Looking ahead, she aspires to more community involvement—maybe with her next show.

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Pursuing Multiple Dreams

• [50:45–52:24]
  • Wants both: music and theatre (“I will pursue everything as hard as I can until something gives” [50:45]).
  • Dream roles: Satine in Moulin Rouge, star of The Greatest Showman in London, and of course—Elphaba in Wicked.
  • Positive, manifesting attitude to growth and change.

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“Fit In” and Kelsey’s Music Message

• [59:02–64:07]
  • Kelsey details the journey and meaning behind her new (and self-identified!) sound in her single “Fit In” —a song inspired by not belonging, and embracing individuality.
  • Quote:
    • “I want anybody that listens to my music, whether they like my voice or not, I want them to listen to it and know that they belong. …With me, you fit, because you’re human.” [62:36]
  • Song especially resonates with theatre kids and LGBTQ+ youth (recently featured at HMI benefit).

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Broadway as a Business: The Commercial Music Degree

• [53:27–56:36]
  • Studied “commercial music”—meaning not classical, but pop/rock/jazz, plus music business minor.
  • Kelsey is proud of being business-minded—knows her way around running a show, reading contracts, negotiating.
  • Encourages fellow performers to develop business sense:
    • “Updating my one sheet, social media—that’s a job. That’s not a luxury.” [55:00]
  • Advocating for yourself “from a business-minded perspective, a non-emotional perspective” is essential. [56:36]

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Social Media and Selling the Show

• [57:29–59:07]
  • No pressure from the producers to promote SIX on her channels, but they do use her platform for ads.
  • Her goal is authenticity: “If I went over the top on trying to advertise SIX people would be like, what? …But I talk about it all the time.” [57:54]
  • She’s grateful for management’s support of her music-career ambitions.

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Broadway’s Demands and Next Steps

• [64:07–end]
  • Performing SIX is physically demanding—dancing in heels for months.
  • Kelsey is excited, upbeat, and grateful—hopes for more shows, even as she hustles on all fronts.

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Notable Quotes

• “If I get to be painted green one day, I will actually pass away. I will literally pass away and then come back so that I can do the role.”
  —Kelsie Watts [00:10, 52:24]

• “Touring is easy, man. …You want me to go be on Broadway? …Why? Crazy rehearsal.”
  —Kelsie Watts [41:34]

• “Six is such an easy gateway show for the pop girlies to cross over into theater.”
  —Kevin [12:59]

• “Everybody can sing their face off, you know? That’s not what people are coming to see all the time. They want to— they want to feel something, you know.”
  —Kelsie Watts [37:54]

• “It’s kind of impossible to do the show without that relationship. Like, six women on stage who can’t stand each other would... be unwatchable.”
  —Kevin [47:37]

• “If you are in this business, you are an entrepreneur.”
  —Kevin [54:57]

• “I want anyone who listens to my music to know that they belong. …With me, you fit, because you’re human.”
  —Kelsie Watts [62:36]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:32–07:12 – Hugh Jackman / Greatest Showman tangent
• 09:44–13:52 – Kelsie Watts’ intro and journey to SIX
• 19:22–20:55 – Kelsie’s “Wicked” touchpoint
• 23:45–28:30 – How Kelsie got SIX (castings, setbacks, and the big call)
• 28:30–31:21 – Distinguishing concert and theatre performance
• 34:45–37:54 – Artistic “freedom” vs. structure in SIX
• 41:34–44:48 – The marathon of 8 Broadway shows/week
• 45:19–47:37 – Cast sisterhood and backstage life
• 53:27–56:36 – Studying commercial music / the business of artistry
• 59:02–64:07 – “Fit In” and music for the outsiders

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Memorable Moments

• Kelsie’s recurring green dream: painting herself as Elphaba
• Kevin and Quincy’s hilarious Hugh Jackman / musical theatre musings
• Kelsie’s honest take on ensemble camaraderie and her admiration for "no divas"
• The tale of getting SIX—including an unforgettable phone call in Home Depot
• Kelsie’s candidness about feeling “not part of the Broadway community…yet”
• Business, boundaries, and why TikTok isn’t just for fun—it’s a career tool
• The heartfelt story and intention behind Kelsey’s original song, “Fit In”

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Tone & Style

Conversational, fast-paced, and inviting. The hosts’ love for musical theatre and pop culture oozes from every tangent, while Kelsie’s down-to-earth charm is met with warmth and curiosity. The episode is as much about Broadway’s changing landscape as it is about finding your place—and your people—on any stage.

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For more on Kelsie Watts’ music and journey, check out her latest single “Fit In”, and catch her as Jane Seymour in SIX on Broadway.

Transcript

[Kelsey Watts]

Hi, y'.

[Quincy]

All.

[Kelsey Watts]

This is Kristin Chenoweth. Hi, I'm Gloria Stefan. This is Sara Bareilles. Hi, I'm Patti LuPone. This is Lin Manuel Miranda.

[Kevin]

You're listening to the Broadway Podcast Network.

[Kelsey Watts]

And if I get to be painted green one day, I will actually pass away. I will. I will literally pass away and then come back so that I can do the role.

[Quincy]

My name's Quincy.

[Kevin]

And my name's Kevin.

[Quincy]

And this is Sentimental Men.

[Kevin]

We're here to talk and maybe scream about our favorite women in musical theater.

[Quincy]

Cause every night I lie in bed the brightest colors fill my head A million dreams are keeping me away Straight tone. I think of what the world could be A vision of the one I see A million dreams is all it's gonna take oh, a million dreams for the world we're gonna make Greatest Shaman is good. We forgot. Sometimes it.

[Kevin]

I've never forgotten it for a day in my goddamn life. I've never forgotten it. And you know what, Quincy? You know who shops at my Trader Joe's on a regular basis would be one Mr. Hugh Jackman.

[Quincy]

Really?

[Kevin]

Yes. Like, once a week. One time, he reached right past me to get the watermelon cucumber juice, and I was like, I love the greatest showman.

[Quincy]

Is he Hugh Jackman or is he incognito?

[Kevin]

He wears a mask.

[Quincy]

I love that. That's the new celebrity thing. Now, Taylor Swift talked about in her podcast episode with Travis Kelce, which was amazing, how she went to a football game with Travis and literally walked in the main entrance and just had a hat and a mask on and no one plucked it.

[Kevin]

He comes in like that. He is also 100ft tall. So it is a little easier. A little easier for Taylor Swift to blend in than Hugh Jackman. One time I held the door for him, and he said, thank you. So he's very nice.

[Quincy]

Oh, that's sweet. He's very sweet.

[Kevin]

He is sweet.

[Quincy]

I just saw him at Radio City.

[Kevin]

Tell me how it was.

[Quincy]

I mean, it kind of felt like I entered a different timeline because it is such. Firstly, he, like, kind of like 15 minutes in, was like, how many of you only know me as Wolverine? And so many people rose their hands, which to me, in the year 2025, if that's how we're still thinking of Hugh Jackman, I think you've missed a lot of things in culture. I just don't. I feel like he's kind of sh. The Wolverine of it all. But maybe I'm just living in a bubble.

[Kevin]

Yeah. I feel like, we probably have a skewed opinion of Hugh because a lot of his more recent things are very pertaining to us. I think if you asked my brother or your brother what Hugh Jackman is from, they both would probably say Wolverine.

[Quincy]

And with that context, you then buy a ticket to see his show titled Hugh Jackman Live from Radio City from New York with Love, I believe it's called.

[Kevin]

Yeah, maybe. I don't know. I'm not an X Men girly. I don't know what that fandom's like.

[Quincy]

Because there was just like.

[Kevin]

Also the X Men fandom is a lot of gay people.

[Quincy]

So is it.

[Kevin]

Yeah, because it's a very, like, queer allegory. I think a lot of gay people like X Men.

[Quincy]

Interesting. We were going from Whoa to Sweet Caroline, what have I done? Sweet Jesus, what have I done? Become a thief. And it was just. I was loving it. I was like, who is this for?

[Kevin]

For us. He rented out Radio City for the gays.

[Quincy]

It was. He did do. There was a lot of greater showman. A lot. A lot of greater showman, which I was not upset about at all.

[Kevin]

No.

[Quincy]

And I was actually texting videos to a lot of my straight friends who are obsessed with the greatest showman, straight guy friends. It was great. He is such a showman. Pun intended.

[Kevin]

Some would say he's the greatest.

[Quincy]

And just so clearly loves being on that stage and doing his dancy, dance, singy, sing thing. It was like a super enjoyable evening at Radio City. I think it's a tour. Like, I think you have ample opportunity to see him.

[Kevin]

I think he has several, like, mini residencies.

[Quincy]

Yeah, it was. It was a good time. And he's. You know, what I kind of walked away with. He is so good at, like, the crowd work aspect of live performance. Like, he. There was a lot, a lot of crowd work. He was going into the crowd, he was pulling people up on stage to do little bits and stuff. And that's really excellent. I kind of feel like he should be a talk show host or something. I think there's a fun lane for him there.

[Kevin]

If James Corden can be a late night host, so can Hugh. And I don't even mean that shady. I just mean, like Hugh Jackman, literally. If he can sell out Radio City, he can do what James Corden did and be on TV at night.

[Quincy]

No, I mean, Hugh Jackman is an A list celebrity.

[Kevin]

He's an A list. Yeah.

[Quincy]

Did he ever guest star on Glee?

[Kevin]

I don't think so.

[Quincy]

Okay, then I think he should do a Glee esque reboot where he is like the teacher. Because that also feels kind of like perfect for him.

[Kevin]

Mm. But like on a channel that's allowed to curse, like a. Like a Showtime show. Yeah. Or fx. Yeah. And it's like set at a college or like some. Somewhere that is a little.

[Quincy]

We can see his sex life a little bit.

[Kevin]

Yeah. Also for the gays.

[Quincy]

No, it was great. Highly recommend. Go see it.

[Kevin]

I love going to Radio City.

[Quincy]

That was the first time I had been at Radio City for not the Rockettes or the Tony Awards. And so it was cool to see like a normal kind of concert show. Oh, that's not true. I went to Lorde Solar Power back in the day.

[Kevin]

It's just such a cool. It's like so massive. It's so unlike anything else. I just like, I've also gone for.

[Quincy]

Quinn92 and Chelsea Cutler, so I guess.

[Kevin]

So you've been lying to me.

[Quincy]

It is huge. I did. Like, I walked in on Friday. It was kind of like this thing where I forgot I had tickets to it and then realized a couple hours. I texted you a couple hours and never responded.

[Kevin]

I was working, working my fingers and.

[Quincy]

I was walking in and I was like, wow, what a cultured evening I'm about to have at Radio City Music hall in New York City.

[Kevin]

Cut to Sweet Caroline.

[Quincy]

Saying, trouble from the Music Man. He did the greatest hits, which I.

[Kevin]

Just going back to, like, is he still just Wolverine to some people? It's like, this is a man who's done enough movie musicals that he has a Greatest hits to do. And yet.

[Quincy]

Yeah, I feel like Music man should be his calling card moving forward. That was kind of like perfect for him.

[Kevin]

Like, he should just do it. Do that.

[Quincy]

No, I want people to be like, oh, Hugh Jackman. Harold Hill. Not Hugh Jackman. Wolverine.

[Kevin]

Yeah. Maybe there would be a new movie of Music Man.

[Quincy]

Sure, I'll take it.

[Kevin]

Put it on record.

[Quincy]

It kind of made me want to watch the Les Mis movie again because they played some scenes from it on the big screen.

[Kevin]

I also. Should we watch it together? Because I've been also craving this lately.

[Quincy]

Okay. Maybe we'll do that for Patreon.

[Kevin]

Oh, my God. A commentary track for the lame commentary.

[Quincy]

The Les Ms. Movie.

[Kevin]

And it's just us going, going, ooh, ooh.

[Quincy]

They played the bishop scene where the bishop is like, yes, I did give him these things. Yeah, it was great.

[Kevin]

I am listening to the Les Mis audiobook right now.

[Quincy]

Why?

[Kevin]

Because I like to have long things to listen to as background noise. And it's like 68 hours long. I've been listening for like three hours and we just got like, I just met that bishop. The book is so like, if you think it's a long musical, it's four times that long of a book.

[Quincy]

Is it a good listen?

[Kevin]

I like the voice of the narrator. He has a nice speaking voice. And I like this translation that I'm listening to. It's very accessible. So yes, is. Is the answer. It is a good listen. I love an audiobook. Send me your audiobook recommendations.

[Quincy]

I'm starting to read again. Real books, paper, paper.

[Kevin]

That's very surprising for you as an individual person.

[Quincy]

Well, I do so much podcast listening that the thought of like an audiobook doesn't really excite me because it just feels like more of the same. I need. My boyfriend was telling me I need an activity that grounds me instead of just waking up and going straight to working or scrolling. So I figured a hard copy book is a good way to kind of get in touch with the earth.

[Kevin]

I love that. Good for you. Good. Thank you for listening to the boyfriend. You can tell him that I co signed that.

[Quincy]

And I used to read a lot. I used to really read a lot.

[Kevin]

I like reading. I just like.

[Quincy]

I.

[Kevin]

It like, it physically makes me tired. But audiobooks I can listen to all day. I can knock a book out in a day.

[Quincy]

My concern about audiobooks is I zone out when I'm listening to things. So then I'm like, fuck, I'm gonna have to rewind to, like, get what I missed.

[Kevin]

I don't have that problem. I think you absorb more than you think you do.

[Quincy]

Sure.

[Kevin]

Can we move on?

[Quincy]

Yeah.

[Kevin]

To talking about. To talking about today's guest, who is.

[Quincy]

Yes.

[Kevin]

Who is Ms. Kelsey Watts, which I'm low key, very excited to have someone like Kelsey on the podcast. I mean, to have Kelsey specifically, but to have someone with Kelsey's journey on the podcast because she has a very cool path now.

[Quincy]

What is her journey?

[Kevin]

It's so funny you should ask. Kelsey grew up in a musical family, performing at church and in her school plays. This particularly interesting. She studied opera, vocal performance, and commercial music at Belmont University in Nashville.

[Quincy]

You study commercial music. That's fascinating.

[Kevin]

Well, that's the first thing that I wanted to say was like, that is such an interesting formula for like being a pop star. Opera, vocal performance, and commercial music.

[Quincy]

It's kind of like a perfect trifecta.

[Kevin]

Yes. Come on. Elle Woods. After she went to school, Kelsey competed on season 19 of the Voice, which where her version of Kelly Clarkson's I dare you got her a place on team Kelly Clarkson, which is a slay. Since competing on the Voice, Kelsey and her music have gone on to be featured all around the world. She has accumulated over 100 million views across social media, including TikTok and Instagram, with her original music, but also with her covers of iconic pop songs.

[Quincy]

See that social media game? That's what she learned in commercial social music classes to market herself.

[Kevin]

Yeah, honestly, probably Kelsey most pertaining to this podcast, is currently making her Broadway debut in six as Jane Heart of Stone Seymour, the ex wife.

[Quincy]

Track.

[Kevin]

One of us had the right words. I love six so much.

[Quincy]

I know.

[Kevin]

I hope it runs forever and ever and ever.

[Quincy]

You were obsessed with 6 pre broadway. I do remember this. I think you saw it in London.

[Kevin]

The last show I saw before the pandemic was 6 on the West End. No, that's not true. The last show I saw before the Minutes or before the pandemic was the Minutes starring Armie Hammer before he got Cannibalism canceled and it reopened with the guy from Schitt's Creek. I saw it with.

[Quincy]

Mine was the company revival. And every. I was so sick. Everyone in the audience was so sick. I think two people were out. And then, like, two days later, the.

[Kevin]

COVID shutdown happened and then we started a podcast.

[Quincy]

Thus the inception of Sentimental.

[Kevin]

So thank God. Yes. So she's currently making her Broadway debut in six, which I think think is some. Well, that is something I wish more of the pop girlies and the recording artist girlies would be doing.

[Quincy]

Six is such an easy gateway show for the pop girlies to cross over into theater.

[Kevin]

I agree. And I think, like, I don't know how long Kelsey's in the show, but it feels like a show a year. But I feel like you could do like, a shorter stint in it.

[Kelsey Watts]

Totally.

[Kevin]

Well, I don't know. I guess learning all the background stuff, like the background vocals is probably a time commitment if you're not gonna do it for a year. I don't know. Yeah. Who Quincy is your. Your dream? What girly would you put in six? I. I've asked you this before.

[Quincy]

I would really love to see Emma Hunton in six, probably in the Jane Seymour track.

[Kevin]

Yeah, I was talking pop girlies, but I love that. I'm sure Emma Hunton would love to know that she was the first name that came to mind.

[Quincy]

Speaking of, we must go see Exorcistic, the musical.

[Kevin]

Gotta go.

[Quincy]

Okay, Pop girl put Renee rap. Ooh.

[Kevin]

Okay. As which One again.

[Quincy]

Jane Seymour. But like an off the wall pick that I think she would kind of slay is the queen of the castle.

[Kevin]

Castle. Pretty rascal. Yeah, that's what I was gonna say as well. My gut instinct would be to put Sabrina Carpenter in as all you wanna do. All you want to do, baby.

[Quincy]

I thought. Sorry. Not sorry. Don't lose your head.

[Kevin]

Oh, yeah, also that too. That's what I'm saying. They just like.

[Quincy]

Oh, we've talked about our, like, dream. Our, like NBC Live 6 with the stars. Right. We've done that. And it feels like we have a whole new crop of pop girls, since we've probably discussed that.

[Kevin]

Probably.

[Quincy]

Where would Chapel Roan go? You know I love you.

[Kevin]

Chapel Roan would do House of Holbein, like, as like a seventh girl. You know what I mean? Like to turn it into it for NBC Live to get a seventh name in there.

[Quincy]

Taylor Swift can be, you know I love you, boy, every single way. That's like a good song for her.

[Kevin]

Better than Heart of Stone.

[Quincy]

I would not put Taylor as Heart of Stone.

[Kevin]

That's what I'm saying. Like, I feel like she would slot into, like, one of those two.

[Quincy]

Oh.

[Kevin]

Because. Yeah. And she would totally go well into. We're one of a kind of category. Yeah, totally. Taylor would be. And also Taylor would. Would never agree to go anything but last.

[Quincy]

Life of a showgirl, baby.

[Kevin]

Life of a showgirl.

[Quincy]

Back to Kelsey.

[Kevin]

Back to Kelsey. I can't wait. I'm so excited to talk to her.

[Quincy]

I'm happy we got these two, like, non wicked guests in before we head into Wicked Bonanza.

[Kevin]

Oh, my God. Banana Ramsa. It's our busy season. You, me, and Elvira. We get busy every October. It's time, right? Like, the ice is melting and you and me are like, someone did the.

[Quincy]

Meme and it was Ariana and Cynthia in Apocalypse that said they're defrosting and I meant to, like, put us in the block of ice. Defrost.

[Kevin]

All right, let's talk to Kelsey. We're off the. Off the rails.

[Quincy]

Did you want to talk about Nicole Scherzinger at all?

[Kevin]

Oh, my God.

[Kelsey Watts]

Wait.

[Kevin]

Yes, wait.

[Quincy]

Okay, listeners, in our episode outline, all he has written is Nicole sch. And then he stopped typing. And I have no context as to why Nicole would be in this outline.

[Kevin]

Because Kelsey competed on the Voice. I love the Voice because I love the blind audition element of it. If you are also a fan of that type of show, that format, there's a new show on. Well, it's not really new anymore. There's a new show on Netflix called Building the band. You called Building the Band, and it.

[Quincy]

Is the katsai one.

[Kevin]

Why don't you let me tell you about it? Quincy, if you're like, why'd you write Nicole Scherzinger down? Hey, is that the. So it is a. I'm not being rude.

[Quincy]

Can I say one more thing?

[Kevin]

Okay, but one more thing. Do you ever let anyone else talk? It is a new show. It is like the Voice meets Love is Blind where they have all these singers in these little pods and they take turns singing for each other. And then they sort themselves into bands based off the blind audition. Then they exit the pods like. Like. Like a Pussycat Dolls. It can be any. It could be all boys, all girls, or coed. Then they leave the pods and they get mentored by Nicole Scherzinger. And Quincy, you specifically are gonna eat this show up. It is just like hot girlies in their slutty little pop outfits, belting, riffing, whistle toning, and then like, arguing over who gets to sing lead. It's so good. And the boys are a mess. The boy, it's like, it's one of these things that makes me like, it is so hard to be a woman. America Ferreira really hit it on the head. It's like these boys show up and are so uncharismatic and just like yelling into a microphone. And everyone's like, oh, yeah, man, excellent tone. And then there's girls, like, singing the house down boots. And people are like, I don't know. It's pitchy. I don't know if she sounds like someone I would vibe with. It's so good. You gotta watch it. But Nicole Scherzinger's on it. So is Liam Payne, which is a little sad, but they do like a very nice, like, in memoriam thing to him.

[Quincy]

Like he doesn't finish the season.

[Kevin]

No, he finished it prior. I think they filmed it like a year ago.

[Quincy]

Oh, wow.

[Kevin]

Like, I think they filmed it between West End and Broadway Sunset.

[Quincy]

For Patreon, can we discuss the scuttlebutt with maybe happy ending?

[Kevin]

Ooh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Quincy]

And Evita alw JamieLoyd.

[Kevin]

Okay, so Patreon listeners, you keep on, keep on keeping on. Everyone else, we will see you in the interview.

[Quincy]

Okay. Kelsey Watts, thank you so much for joining us on Sentimental Men.

[Kelsey Watts]

Yes. I'm so excited to be here. This is going to be awesome.

[Quincy]

We are so happy to have you here as a non wicked guest. Some context on us is we Began our podcasting journey as a very Wicked centric podcast, and then have branched out. But one thing that we have learned with all of our non Wicked guests is that they all have some sort of a touch point with the musical. So we like to start by asking, what is your Wicked touch point?

[Kelsey Watts]

Are you kidding me? I'm literally, like, every day, I'm like, paint me green, please. Yeah, just any. Anytime. Just. Just. I volunteer. Like, you just. You just let me know when you got an opening, and I'm gonna be like, all right. Paint me green.

[Quincy]

Okay, that was my question.

[Kevin]

Yeah, pink or green? And would you do it?

[Kelsey Watts]

Yeah, 100%. I mean, I. I remember whenever Wicked was, like, just becoming massive, you know, like, the first time I got to see it on Broadway and 2009, and it was actually my very first Broadway show I've ever seen.

[Quincy]

Wow.

[Kelsey Watts]

That was really. Yeah. So I would say that could also be, like, a totally.

[Quincy]

It was Elphaba in 2009.

[Kelsey Watts]

I know. Yeah, we'll have to check. It would have been, like, May or June of 2009.

[Quincy]

Okay.

[Kelsey Watts]

So, like, something in that area.

[Quincy]

Listeners will check our records.

[Kelsey Watts]

Yes. Like, and I remember, literally, and I was in a state of complete shock, and, like, I was like, oh. I mean, the second that the first half ended, I was, like, weeping, like, oh, my God. Like, just, like, ugly cry. Ugly cry.

[Kevin]

Yeah.

[Kelsey Watts]

Yep. And I feel like I would be. I would be green. I love. I love Glinda. I think she's amazing. And I would love to sing it and just play the part for, like, the fun of it, you know? But I definitely vocally relate more to Elphaba, but also, like, character wise. Like, I would be typecast more as an Elphaba than I would a Glenda.

[Quincy]

Okay, so what is your theater history?

[Kevin]

Yeah, I was gonna say, like, when you're watching the show, you're already a theater kid. Right? Like, you're. You're growing up. You're musical. You're singing already.

[Kelsey Watts]

Yes. So, I mean, like, so I was brought up singing, like, my whole family's really musical. So I was brought up on, gosh, like Celine, Mariah Whitney, but then also, like, Boston Def Leppard and Kiss, and then also, you know, the Les Mis 10th anniversary soundtrack. So, like, you know, I mean, like, there. You know, there's just, like, a hodgepodge, and then you have, like, the gospel stuff in there. So it was just a lot. But I did, like, some theater in high school. But then I've never done, like, professional theater, like, until Now. So it wasn't something that I ever thought was going to be in the cards for me. Like, I really was just like, wow, this is incredible. But, you know, like, back in the day. I say back in the day. Well, however many years ago, like, you know, it wasn't acceptable to have tattoos on Broadway. You had to be a certain size. You had to look a certain way. You know, like, it was. So. It just wasn't nearly as accepting of everybody. And as it now is, which I'm so grateful it now is, but I really just kind of, like, wrote myself off and was like, oh, that's never going to be a thing. And. Lol. Now here I am.

[Kevin]

Yeah, we were talking before you joined us about how six specifically is just, like, a show that everybody is right for one of those girls or all of them. Like, it's. It is like, you're saying such a show that is, like, welcoming to anybody that fits into it.

[Kelsey Watts]

Oh, yeah. I love it.

[Quincy]

And how it's the perfect bridge for pop ladies wanting to cross over into Broadway. Six feels like the perfect middle ground to marry Both of those skill sets.

[Kelsey Watts]

Yes. It really is. I was very excited, but I was like, oh, we're using in ears. Sick microphones. Awesome band. Got it on lock. I was like, this is amazing.

[Quincy]

Ears on stage.

[Kelsey Watts]

Yeah, we have in ear monitors the whole time, and we're actually in the mic. So, like, if you're. Yeah, so, like, if you're not singing into your microphone, like, nobody will hear you. Like, it is all actually, like, working.

[Kevin]

Like, you know, they're not props. They're functioning.

[Kelsey Watts]

No, they are functioning microphones. Yep. Yeah. You have somebody, like, live mixing the whole show. Yeah, I know. So I'm over here, like, super excited, and everybody else that's in the cast is like, what the heck is this?

[Kevin]

Yeah.

[Kelsey Watts]

And I'm like, well, everything else I'll be asking y' all questions about, but this I got. So, like, I can help you.

[Quincy]

Okay, you've told this story before, but just tell us how six happened for you, because I think it's a longer story than most people would realize.

[Kelsey Watts]

Oh, for sure. I'll give you the. I'll give you the Cliff Notes version. So I was doing a gig on a showboat, and we had, you know, like, as a singer, we're just trying to make a living as an artist. You're just like, whatever will pay the bills. Amazing. So I was on a showboat and bartending at the same time. It was great. But anyway, so I did a I did a gig, and this lady came up to me at the meet and greet after the show, and it ended up being Roberta Ducheck, who's the musical supervisor for Six the Musical, who I'm now, like, such great friends with. I'm obsessed with her. But she gave me her card and was like, hey, I would love to chat with you. I think you would be a great fit for something that we're working on. And it was right before Six had even come to the States. So they were just casting for the very first cast.

[Quincy]

Okay.

[Kevin]

Oh, this is pre pandemic.

[Kelsey Watts]

This is pre pandemic. Oh, yeah. Most people assume that because I have such a large following that I was just, like, handed a role. And that's. That has nothing to do with it, like, at all. Like, they. I don't think they could care less about my. After Covid. She invited me to come audition, and they called me for park, and I got to Chicago, and then they asked me to come to New York. And then they cut me. And I was like, what?

[Kevin]

Cool, cool, cool.

[Kelsey Watts]

Dang it. Why? So I emailed Peter Van Damme, the casting director, and was like, hey, what can I do to be better? Like, what was it? And he goes, have you ever acted before? And I said, no, I definitely have not. I was like, no, I've never touched that in my life. And he was like, if you could work on that, that would be amazing. And I was like, oh, sweet. So, like, send me. Who do I go to? I was like, I can do that.

[Kevin]

Yeah.

[Kelsey Watts]

So he gave me a coach, Benji Shaw, who I started working with via Zoom. And then they called me again the next year, still as Par. I think they were casting for the tour. I made it to the finals. Like, I sent my stuff to the UK for whatever reason, wasn't cast. Then they call again the next year. By this point, I'm just expecting an annual phone call from them just to be like, cool. And then they asked me to come to a boot camp, but they, like, flew me in, put me up in a hotel, and they called me for Seymour. So I was in New York for about five days with about 30 other girls. And, you know, we were doing one on ones for acting, music, choreography, all of the things.

[Quincy]

Were you attached at all to Par at that point or didn't care?

[Kelsey Watts]

Yeah, for a while I really did like Seymour. I was like. I was like, hold on, now I love her. Like, now I'm like, oh, she's freaking fierce. But at the beginning, I was like, I don't even have a kid. Like, I don't what? Like, I have a dog. Like, you know, because that's like, what she's so, like, geared towards at the beginning. And I'm like, now I'm like, she's so much more than just a child. Like, but. But I was like, okay, cool. I knew that vocally, Seymour would make a lot of sense too, so I was like, okay, cool. Well, the boot camp came and went and, I mean, gosh, I didn't hear anything for over a year by this point. I'm like, full blown social media, just releasing music artists. I'm Bart. Like, I quit all of my other jobs and bartending during the day to pay for my own music. Like, I mean, just so. It's all kinds of things. And I was so not expecting this to happen. Like, my husband and I closed on a house three days before I found out that I got this in Nashville.

[Kevin]

Of course.

[Kelsey Watts]

Straight up. Yeah. Insane. Insane. So we're in Home Depot picking out blinds for this house.

[Quincy]

And what does your husband do?

[Kelsey Watts]

He owns a practice in South Africa. He's from. He's from Johannesburg, so he owns a medical practice over there. But he was bartending. He was managing the bar that I was bartending at in downtown Nashville. And so my manager calls me and she was like, kelsey, I need to talk to Jane. And I said, melinda, who the heck is Jane? She goes, jane Seymour. I said, what? She goes, you're going Broadway? Out of. No, out of nowhere. Out of just simply nowhere. So I looked at the person helping us pick out blinds, and I was like, I'm gonna need a second. Just. I'm gonna need to recover. I gotta call my parents. I. I guess we're moving to New York. I mean, so it was a whole thing. But, yeah, so, I mean, it was a. It was a journey, you know, like, there were things that I had started working on on my own outside of the musical because I didn't expect this to. To happen, you know? Like, I really didn't. And lo and behold, here we are.

[Quincy]

You talked about needing acting lessons, which is interesting because there is a level of emoting and storytelling in pop solo music as well. How do you differentiate between the two?

[Kelsey Watts]

Yeah, so I think one of the things. And I still take acting now, I'm taking Asmert, who's a great, great friend. She. I take from her, like, one on ones, and I'm taking dance one on one and all the things. And one thing that I've really been working on is figuring Out. Okay, well, how. How do I speak this? Like, Kelsey, but the character, you know, like, internally, like. Because I believe good acting is good acting. I don't believe there's, like, musical theater and film. It's like, good acting is good acting. So. And that's what I really want to be able to do. And so it took me a while to figure out different nuances of how things were received. Like, if I'm on stage and I say something in a certain way, I've never. Like, I've never been in acting classes. I didn't go to musical theater school. Like, I've never had these certain types of experiences. So it was a lot of technical things that they'd be like, this reads this way. And I'd be like, oh, I didn't even realize that. So then I would adjust it and be able to move differently. But as far as the storytelling goes, that. That's just. Yeah, I'm like, my gosh, I can do that all day. But at the same time, I'm not being Kelsey. I'm being a character. But also in a concert setting, it's six is really weird because you're, like, kind of yourself, but you're not really yourself. And you have to still kind of, like, ride that line of, what would this character do? But how do I make it as natural as possible?

[Kevin]

Right.

[Kelsey Watts]

While still putting on a show, you.

[Kevin]

Know, as a singer, songwriter, Separately from this, it's like you have a stage Persona you put on for that too. So it's like separating that from the Jane Seymour stage Persona. It's interesting coming from your background, specifically separating your performance style from this character's performance style, as opposed to someone who maybe only performs in a musical theater setting. It's just like, okay, how do I play a part pop star?

[Kelsey Watts]

Right.

[Kevin]

There's almost a secondary challenge for you of separating it from yourself more.

[Kelsey Watts]

It was. Yeah, because there are certain things that I would just naturally do, like on a stage. Like, I just got off of an arena tour with tso, and I was like, oh, yeah, totally. This is great. And then they'd be like, no, that's. That's too big. Or that's. No, we need it more like this. Or I was like, wait, hold on. So, yeah, I mean, so it was. It was a challenge. More so just learning how to learn the show and learning how to be this character that's very similar to me. But also having to. Yeah, you're having to, like, separate multiple layers, which was really interesting.

[Quincy]

Yeah. So walk us through the Process of learning the show. You get the call that you booked it. What happens next?

[Kelsey Watts]

I went on tour with Transiberian Orchestra. Two days later, and poor Brandon, my poor husband, moves everything into the house, God bless him. I've just moved him all over, everywhere. He moves everything into the house. I'm gone for, like, two and a half, almost three months, and then we have to move everything out of the house because we had to get a property manager to rent it out. So I get back from tour, like, January 1st third. No, the third. I was home for three days, and then I moved to New York, and I had an Airbnb with a friend of mine for a month because rehearsals started on the 12th. Yeah. So, I mean, it was. Yep. And then we had four weeks of rehearsal.

[Kevin]

Four is a lot, though, I feel like.

[Kelsey Watts]

Yeah.

[Kevin]

To replace in a show. Did you rehearse with your cohort?

[Kelsey Watts]

Yes. So they replaced the whole cast all at the same time.

[Kevin]

That's nice.

[Kelsey Watts]

Yeah. Full changeover. Yes. So, yes, I'm very grateful. And I think. I think I've noticed that the trend that they do in the show, like, unless people are, like, leaving sporadically, it seems like they like to take a whole cast and turn the whole cast over because of the dynamic of the show or, like, people wanting to come see it again, to see multiple queens play different people. Yeah. So it was great because all of us. There were three of us that had a Broadway debut. The other three had already been on Broadway. Three of us had moved in. Three of them have already been living in New York. So it was a really good combo of, like, everything just meshed really nicely. And so the rehearsal process was exhausting, but was great to have that kind of a dynamic with everybody.

[Quincy]

What was surprising to you about the Broadway rehearsal process?

[Kelsey Watts]

I think the most surprising thing about the rehearsal process was just how intricate it is. And I don't know if it's like this with every show or if it's just like this with six. I'm sure it has to be. It has to be with everything, because there's mass ensembles in most other shows, but the whole time we look, we don't leave the stage the entire show. Like, I go get a prop at one point, and that's, like, about it. And so the formations are, like, constantly like a Rubik's Cube, like, all over the place, like. And it was. It was just so intricate. So, so intricate. You know, I'd never been told, stand on this number, or, you know, be on the inner gold rim or the Outer gold rim, or you're going to be on the pink X or the blue X or this. And so you have every single time.

[Kevin]

Every time exactly the same.

[Kelsey Watts]

Yes. And so, you know, because as a pop artist, like, I just perform, right? You know, sure. Like, but. But I get to play off of the band members, you know, like, I'll have. If it's the same show. I mean, generally the same kind of movement, motion, but the crowd is different every day. So what I'm going to say could be different. You know, the mood may be different, who you're interacting with may be different. So there's a lot of guessing in that. But with this, it was just like, nope, same every single time. Which makes sense because somebody could get hurt because it's, you know, you're moving so many. You know, there's so many moving parts. So I would say that was definitely the most surprising part for me was how incredibly intricate everything is.

[Quincy]

You know, we talked to a lot of actresses who have done Wicked, which, similar to 6, is kind of this international hit, and they're always a little surprised when they go that there are confines. It's do your own thing. But within the confines of what this character is. Six is a similar show in its status, but I suspect that it's slightly looser with allowing the different women to have their own interpretations on the tracks.

[Kelsey Watts]

To an extent. I was actually really surprised we didn't have more freedom than we do because it seems like a show that would be so, like, furry and it's. And it's not most. I mean, even, like. Like, I'll just use my song specifically. So the. I'm able to emote specific parts of the song. Like, I want to, like, if I want to go into head voice instead of chest voice, I can. You know, if I, like. If I feel like this would make more sense to me artistically, then they would like, then they'll do that. But you have to get everything approved. So, like, the riffs, like, the truthfully riff. Had to get that approved. The ending. The end. The big. Yeah. Going into everything on that.

[Kevin]

Yeah.

[Kelsey Watts]

Also have to get that approved. If you ever want to, like, change it, you have to get that approved. And it has to be the same every single time. So it's not like you get up there and just kind of like just do your thing. It's actually really set. But I will say at the beginning, they do give you, hey, how does this fit you? Let's find something that fits you. And I came in and was like, Hey, I feel like this would be great. I feel like this would be great. If you hate it, tell me and we'll fix it. And even halfway through the run, they had wanted me to change an intention in the very last chorus, and I was like, well, the riff that I have doesn't reflect that intention.

[Quincy]

Come on. Reflect that intention.

[Kelsey Watts]

It didn't, though. I really did it. I was like, I'm sitting here going, like, man, if I'm gonna. Like, if you want me to feel like, this sad, like. Or like, this is, like, where you want me to go, like, I'm not gonna be like, yeah. Like, yeah.

[Quincy]

No, sad. People don't rip, right?

[Kevin]

No, they just don't.

[Kelsey Watts]

Yeah, they just don't. Like. No. Like, unless you're freaking Jessie J. And, like, I'm not Jessie J, you know? So I was like, no. So I was like, it doesn't. That doesn't make sense. I was like, so let's set up a session so I can alter this riff so it would be a more genuine, like, riff that. That would, like, make that, like, the emotion would come out of.

[Kevin]

Yeah.

[Kelsey Watts]

You know, because my goal is, like, throughout the entire song, at least for me personally, throughout the entire song of Heart of Stone, I want people to know how I'm feeling. Even if I weren't saying words. Like, even if I'm not saying words, I want them to know exactly how they're gonna feel by the way that I'm singing it and delivering it, you know? Yeah. And so, like, if nine times out of ten, a riff doesn't serve that. So, like, why do it? Like, it's pointless. Like, everybody can sing their face off, you know? Like, that's not what people are coming to see all the time. They want to. They want to feel something, you know.

[Kevin]

Right before we get too far away from it. You kind of just talked about, you know, taking something and finding the ways to make it fit for yourself or fit to you. And I know you. You do a lot of covers, and I think very appropriately, you were Team Kelly on the Voice.

[Kelsey Watts]

Something.

[Kevin]

Something that you and she have in common is I think, this ability to make everything you sing sound like it's yours. Like, when you sing covers, they don't sound like karaoke. They sound like like, you made this song. You know what I mean?

[Kelsey Watts]

Which is, like, an amazing compliment ever.

[Kevin]

And it's like, y. And it's like, not even shade, but it's like. That's, like, a special skill, I think, to, like, really do that. So when you're taking something that you didn't write or that you weren't part of writing. What are the things that you look for that you're like, oh, this is how I can, like, put the Kelsey spin on this. Or this is how I can adapt it to myself.

[Kelsey Watts]

Yeah. I mean, you know, there's small things that I'll be like. For example, I think I Posted Halo on TikTok yesterday, day before, something like that. And in Halo by Beyonce, there's like a very iconic down riff, and she's. I think she's. And I can barely do that because me and down riffs are not friends. So I really have to think about it. And so. So. But so what I do is I swap it.

[Kevin]

Yes.

[Kelsey Watts]

And I just, like. I'll just, like, go up because. Because that works better for me. So, you know, so there's like, technical things like that. But then also, I've worked really hard with my vocal coach, Mama Jan Smith. She's frickin amazing. We've worked really hard on my vocal thumbprint because when I first started working with her, she goes, kelsey, I was blonde at the time, but she was like, kelsey, what makes you different from every other blonde singer out there? What is it? And I was like, dang, that's. Okay, cool.

[Kevin]

Great question.

[Kelsey Watts]

That's a great question, you know, and it doesn't have to be, like a technical answer, but she was like, people need to know when you're singing a song that it's you. And so I think as I, like, go through songs for TikTok and Instagram, it's always just kind of like, what's gonna pop off best. And so nine times out of 10, because you're just, like, working to continue to build a fan base. Nine times out of 10, it's just picking a song that I know is going to do well. Like, if I sing Alicia Keys, it's going to do really well every time. Beyonce is going to do well every single time. Like, I can give you a list of songs that I'm like, that will pop off just because it's that song, but it's also because I think I'm very intentional about not over singing. And there are moments, especially whenever you're doing something, like with a karaoke track for, you know, social media, like, you want people to still be able to feel something and not just be like, look, I'm singing for you to see that I can sing. And so I think it really is the intention behind that that I think that's kind of what grasps people. And I would say Kelly Clarkson does the same thing. You can feel like. You can feel that she's. She means what she's singing, even if it's not her song.

[Kevin]

And that. That aspect of keeping the lid on it, like you're saying, is it's like the big. The biggest of your big is there, but it can't be that the whole time. It's about picking the moments to go there and then keeping that lid on until then, for sure.

[Kelsey Watts]

Because that'd be exhausting. I don't even want to hear myself do that all day. Like, how awful. I'd be like, can you stop?

[Quincy]

You've toured before plenty. But is there anything especially different or difficult about doing the eight shows a week on Broadway that you weren't prepared for?

[Kelsey Watts]

Oh, my gosh. It's the hardest thing ever, I guess. Oh, my gosh. Okay. Let me tell you, touring is easy, man. I mean, like, bruh. I mean, now, granted, I was treated like a princess on these tours. So, I mean, like, like, I was. I was very blessed to tour, you know, someone like TSO who has, like, millions and millions and millions of dollars in their budget. Like, yeah, I was like, this is the best thing ever.

[Kevin]

You want me to go be on Broadway? And like, how much would we work?

[Kelsey Watts]

Why? Crazy rehearsal. Oh, my word. So let me tell you, it is. It's a lot. Like, it is a lot. And I will say, on top of that, it's the eight shows a week on top of rehearsals, because they still have us in brush up rehearsals often, like, which, I mean, I get it. The type of show it is. You have to. But then I also have my own music, and I'm still writing and recording, doing press, doing my own shows, trying to stay healthy, going to physical therapy, the gym, make sure I'm, like, getting enough sleep. I mean, the. Like, I always joke with people when they ask me to go get a coffee. I'm like, if you can find a spot in my calendar, I go for it. And, like, and I show them. I literally showed a friend today. I was like, let me, like, let me show you.

[Kevin]

Yeah.

[Kelsey Watts]

Where? I'm like, I'm not being dramatic. Like, let me just show you.

[Kevin]

Another club.

[Kelsey Watts]

Another club, another club, another club, another club. I know. I was like, yo, I really. You can come hang out between shows, but then typically I have a podcast between shows. I mean, I'm so serious, it's crazy. So, like, you know, so I'm really. I always tell people I'm like, Broadway is like the freaking Olympics of performing. Like, it's. Because you are. It's also like you have people that are buying tickets that are excited to come see you, but not always, you know, like, you know, it's not like you're Taylor Swift and you're touring internationally and, you know, everyone's gonna be insanely excited every single time. And you're like, yeah, this is awesome. And granted, I'm sure her tours are very hard too. You know, they're very long. But you also, being on Broadway, you. You do have an audience, like a theater audience perspective where, like, people typically aren't really rowdy. Like, it depends on the crowd. You know, it's different types of people from all of. It's. It's just different. So on top of, you know, working like crazy, you're also, like, hoping, like, okay, I think it's gonna pay off. I think they're gonna like it. I hope. I hope they're gonna like it, you know, So I think it takes a lot, like, on you mentally as well, you know, so it's. It's a mental game just as much as it is a physical game, for sure. And it's hard. Like, I love it. I'm obsessed with it, and I'm so, so insanely blessed to be where I am. But, yeah, whenever you're singing a ballad and, you know, everybody gets up in the middle of your song because it's the slow song, so they can go to the bathroom or, like, get a.

[Quincy]

Snack, you know, is the crux of the show.

[Kelsey Watts]

I know, I know, but I mean, you know, it's just, like, you have to work really hard, like, not to get distracted or by the people, like, you know, that are, like, falling asleep, like, in the middle. It's. It's. It's just a different dynamic sometimes. So it's. It's. It's crazy. But, I mean, I have such mad respect for people that are doing this for years and years. Like, it's the, like, day in and day out, like, ensembles, swings, alternates. I'm just. It's. It's incredible.

[Kevin]

Something that a lot of, like, our. Our Wicked guests have talked about is, like, the sisterhood that comes with being in that show. Like, with actresses who play Elphaba, they all kind of stick together. Same with Glinda. And especially coming into the show and rehearsing with your other five queens, and I would imagine your swings and standbys as well. Like, what kind of sisterhood comes from that? Like, what is the group dynamic, like, dealing With a show like this, where it's like you're fighting. Fighting for the audience's attention the whole time and everything like that.

[Kelsey Watts]

And did anyone take you under their.

[Quincy]

Wing and be like, hey, this is Broadway, kid?

[Kelsey Watts]

I know. It's crazy. I mean, you know, I was. Man, I was really, really excited when I found out everybody was actually cool, you know, like. Because the hang will be good. The hang will be good. That's great, because you're about to be living with these people, you know, like.

[Kevin]

Right.

[Kelsey Watts]

Six days a week, minimally. So I will say going into the. To the rehearsal process, everybody's kind of figuring out personalities, but I will say nobody has ever had. We've never had any drama. Everybody gets along. There's no divas. Like, there's no egos. Like, everyone is just actually really awesome together, which is great. And now, like, we even took a trip together. Couple weeks ago, we let. We left on a Saturday night after a double, went upstate to a cabin all day Sunday, and came back Monday before the show on Monday night. Yeah. I mean, and it's like. And we all just, like, hung out and took funny pictures and, like, watched the finale of Love island. And, you know, I mean, just, like, it was great. I mean, we even had, like, themes, like, in our dressing rooms, like, that, like, downstairs there's a. Oh, my gosh. There were, like, questions that we voted on every day for. Like, it was the whole thing. It was a whole thing. But, I mean, it's really awesome to have, like, such a supportive group of people, like, to. Where if you're not feeling great, you can be like, hey, like, I'm just kind of off today. And they're like, we got you.

[Kevin]

Yeah. And they'll give you a little extra, you know.

[Kelsey Watts]

Yeah, yeah. Because people will ask often, they're like, do y' all actually get along? I'm like, yeah, yeah, we actually do. It's great.

[Kevin]

It's kind of impossible to do the show without that relationship. Like, six women on stage who can't stand each other would. It would read. It would be unwatchable. Or any six people. I don't need to say, like, six women specifically, but, like, any six people.

[Kelsey Watts]

No, no. But still. Yeah. Like, it's such a small group of people. So if something's off, like, you would.

[Kevin]

There's no set to hide behind. There's no nothing.

[Kelsey Watts]

It's no.

[Kevin]

It's just you guys and your chemistry out there.

[Quincy]

And what has it been like entering the larger Broadway community? And how does it compare to the music industry.

[Kelsey Watts]

You know, I don't even, I don't even feel like I'm like a part of the larger community yet. Like, I mean, I'm so honest. Like, I'm just like, I, I have spoken to like a few people on Instagram. Like, so, like, I'm, I follow, like, I mutually follow a lot of people or I'm followed by like other people in the industry that I'll follow back and connect with and we'll have like small conversations and you know, but as far as really like feeling like I'm a part of the community of Broadway outside of my show, like, I don't, I don't think I have that and I don't think that's anybody's fault. No.

[Quincy]

It's interesting because joining a long runner too, I feel like the new musicals are the ones that are kind of like at all of the industry events. So to be. It's an interesting perspective from a long running show.

[Kelsey Watts]

Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I couldn't even tell you what events are happening. Like, like, I genuinely wouldn't know. I didn't even know that Broadway bowling was a thing until it was over. Like, like that's how much I'm like, I have no idea. So, you know, I mean, it's, it's different, but I would say it's kind of the same thing in the pop world. Like pop rock music. Like, you're, it's the same, you know, I mean, you, you're able to connect on things, but you're in your, you're working on your artistry and your show and like, you're super supportive of everyone. Like, I'll always go to everybody's shows. I'll go support, like, I'll pre save your song. I'll share your music. Like, I mean, it's the same thing as on Broadway. Just, I think it's a completely different. Everybody on Broadway's right here, you know, like, I'm literally a couple streets away. I mean, I think. Yeah, yes. Yeah. It's more physical. But again, we're all in the same time schedule. So like, you know, a couple of us are dark on Tuesdays instead of Mondays. But I mean, at the same time it's kind of, you know, everybody's so exhausted from doing their show. The last thing you want to do is be like, hey, you want to get a coffee before the show?

[Kevin]

You're like, no, I want to get there 31 minutes before start time.

[Kelsey Watts]

I know, I know. So, like, I really would love, I would love to Be a part. More of a part of the community. Like, honest to God, that is, like, a goal of mine and something I would really love to have. I think it's probably going to take me being in another show for me to just get to meet more people.

[Quincy]

And do you have. I was talking to Gracie Lawrence, who is. Has a band, but is also in Just In Time on Broadway, and she was kind of like, I want to do it all. I don't want to, like, stick to just theater or stick to just music. I want to be able to do it all. Where are you falling on that spectrum currently?

[Kelsey Watts]

I am the type of person where I will pursue everything as hard as I can until something gives. So my thought is like, I'm an artist. I love writing music. I love touring. I love releasing music. But I also. I love musical theater. I love Broadway. Like, I would love to go, man. Go. Put me in Moulin Rouge. Like, Greatest Showman in London. Like, I'm there, you know, like, oh, my God, Kelsey. I know. Can I. I'm manifesting here. Okay. I'm totally manifesting.

[Kevin]

The campaign starts now.

[Kelsey Watts]

I know. So campaigning. We're campaigning for Kelsey as Satine, and then Kelsey is never enough.

[Kevin]

Oh, my God.

[Kelsey Watts]

So that's the campaign in my heart. Okay, great. And then if one day I get to be painted green. I was literally. That's what I was gonna say. I was like, and if I get to be painted green one day, I will actually pass away. I will. I will literally pass away and then come back so that I can do the role. If you use an example, like, the Greatest Showman, like, that's film. So. And there's so much music coming into film now that I would love, love to be able to get into that as well. So now that I'm in New York, I'm being really intentional about dance lessons, acting lessons. Like, I'm looking for an agent right now because I'm still. I mean, I have a manager, and she's amazing and wonderful, but I don't have an agent. So things, like, they just work. They're two different things. They work differently. So, you know, so I'm trying to pursue everything as hard as I can until. Until something gives, you know, I'll keep writing music. I'll keep releasing and singing on showboats. Yeah. Gosh, I really don't want to go back to that.

[Kevin]

But it's that same mentality of. It's just like, I'm gonna keep doing.

[Kelsey Watts]

What I gotta do it.

[Kevin]

Yeah.

[Kelsey Watts]

Yeah. And it really is Like a. I totally believe that what's meant for me is going to come. So as long as I just keep working. Yes. It's not gonna pass me by. So as long as I keep working my butt off to actually be the best version of me. So that way, like, in my off season, I'm still working really hard. So that way, whenever my number's called, I'm like, yep, put me in, coach. I'm ready.

[Quincy]

Okay. This is my formal request for a TikTok series, though, of Kelsey's Broadway dream roles, where you just cover.

[Kelsey Watts]

Yeah. Oh, my gosh. Yes. Can I tell you. Okay. Defying Gravity has been posted. Every time I post it, like, Kristin Chenoweth follows me now, right? And I almost. I almost died. I was like. Because she's, you know, like royalty. And I was like, oh, my gosh, this is a sign it's going to happen one day. But because every time I post Defying Gravity, it's just, like, shoots off. But it's also because I'm just being stupid in my kitchen, like, singing, and I'm not like, you know, I mean, like, I'm just being ridiculous. So it's so fun. But, yeah, that's a great TikTok series. Broadway Dream roles.

[Quincy]

Okay, you kind of have talked about your business acumen throughout this conversation, but Kevin and I found it both very interesting that you studied commercial music in school. And what does that mean?

[Kelsey Watts]

Yeah, like. Yeah, like, what is it? I know exactly.

[Kevin]

What kind of classes did you have?

[Kelsey Watts]

So I studied vocal performance. Like, I did opera at Texas Tech for the first two years of school, and then I transferred into Belmont. So commercial music really just means not classical for them. So, you know, you can study pop, rock, jazz, hip hop. Like, I mean, whatever you want to. And then I also did a minor in music business, so.

[Quincy]

Gotcha.

[Kelsey Watts]

For me, commercial music was more so, like, okay, you know, we had the normal classes of, you know, the basics that you have to cover, but then, you know, theory, aural skills. I mean, stuff like that. But then also we had talent skills. Yes. Technical. But then we also had classes like writing charts. Like, I can speak drummer. You know, I can speak guitarist, and I can speak producer. Like, you know, if you. I was talking to my manager about this today because I have a gig coming up in November, and I was like, if they don't have, like, my kind of sound guy, like, I can go do it. I know how to run a board. Like, I know. You know, I can tell you what the lights are supposed to look like. Like, I can write all my own stuff. You know, I understand what it looks like to, you know, have my own LLC and understand how I have to run things through and invoices and. Because this business is a business, you're an entrepreneur.

[Kevin]

If you're in this business business, you are one.

[Kelsey Watts]

Yeah, it's exactly right. Yeah. And that's like, you know, things like updating my one sheet social media, that's a job. That's not a luxury. That's. That's a job. And you know, making sure that your resume is like, really solid, like, good to go. Which is hilarious because I had to make one the other day and was like, what the heck do I do with this? Like, but it's things like that. Like, but it's a new industry for me. So I was like, okay, let's figure this out, you know.

[Kevin]

Yeah, yeah.

[Kelsey Watts]

I just haven't had to do it. So, like, you know, there's stuff like that. But as far as commercial music goes, it was really helpful. You know, we had songwriting classes, contract classes. So that way you understand, you know, what a contract looks like. You know, I mean, I'm not an attorney and I have a great one, but I can, I can understand it enough, you know, if that makes sense. So. Yeah, but I mean, I'm very, very business minded when it comes to this industry.

[Kevin]

I was going to say that's a very like, industry forward field of study. Like with musical theater schools, like, there are some where you go and you really focus on like the performative parts of it. And then there are some where it's like, okay, and this is how you, like, get an agent. This is how you make a resume. This is the business side of things.

[Quincy]

And I think it's like a missing link for theater performers. A lot of it's a big missing link on Broadway. Don't have a hard time recognizing that it's a, A business first and foremost. And I understand.

[Kelsey Watts]

Yeah.

[Quincy]

Inclination to be like, but we are artists and this is capital A art. But it's also art at the most commercial level.

[Kevin]

But also you got to sing on some showboats, you know.

[Kelsey Watts]

Yeah, you do.

[Kevin]

You really do.

[Kelsey Watts]

I'm telling you. And it's. Yeah, I mean, well, and then like, I mean, especially like understanding how to advocate for yourself as well, like from a business perspective, you know, like, I didn't always have a manager and I had to be able to be the person to say, that doesn't sound right. Let me get that double checked. Or like, actually, this. No, I think this is actually the minimum and I'm doing this, therefore I should, like, like, you have to learn, and it's not fun to learn. Like, honest to God, it's not fun to learn how to do because they're uncomfortable conversations. But you have to learn how to appropriately advocate for yourself from a business minded perspective, a non emotional perspective, to then be respected by the people that are giving you the job, you know, And I think that's. And I totally agree. I think that's something that's not often taught and it's not fun to learn in real time.

[Quincy]

As someone in the cast with a large following, do you feel pressure from the outside forces to help sell six the Musical while you're in it?

[Kelsey Watts]

Nah. I mean, now they are using my platform, like, to run ads. So I was like, sure. I was like. I was like, go for it. I was like, I don't care.

[Quincy]

Dude, dude, I want to play to four.

[Kelsey Watts]

I was like, I was like, cool, awesome. And I will say, like, I'm very. I'm very, very grateful, you know, that people will come from. People come from all over and they're like, oh, my gosh, I follow you on TikTok, and I'm so excited that you're reading this. I'm like, this is crazy. This is so cool. But I. I do my best on social media to stay as transparent as possible, like, and to speak and to stay like, just me. Like, yes, throughout the years, like, I've elevated because I. That's just what. That's what I'm trying to do as an artist is elevate myself, you know, but, like, I want to be the same person that people see in real time that they do on my pages. And so I think if I went over the top on trying to advertise six people would be like, what? Okay, Kelsey, what's the deal? You know, like, they'd be like, why? You know, But I mean, I mean, but I like, talk about it all the time, you know, like, I'll do random wig prep stuff and, you know, I'll do like some makeup looks and things like that. But one thing that I really love about the show, like, their actual, like, the management of the show is they're so insanely supportive of what I do outside of the show, and they. They really work well together and they don't fight against each other. I'm really grateful for that.

[Quincy]

Okay, so talk to us about your solo music. You have the new single thing out.

[Kevin]

Yes. Song of the Summer.

[Kelsey Watts]

Not quite. I feel like you Know what I feel. Side note. You know what I feel like the song of the summer actually is Jet two Holiday. No, no, no, but close. Do you have any kids? Yes, I have one daughter. How about you? How many baby daddies do you have? A little mommy. It's my favorite. That's as for sure. No, yeah, yeah. So I released Fit In, I think, about a month ago, and I'm obsessed with it. I love it. I'm about to release an acoustic version of Fit in as well. Yeah. Yeah. Yes. It's. I'm really excited, but, I mean, I. I was really passionate while I was writing it about the message. Like, I was writing with a guy named dq, who's a producer out of Nashville, and it was our first time writing together, and we were talking about, you know, what is Kelsey Watts's sound? Because prior to this single, I've been pushed in multiple directions. Oh, we should sing ballads or. Oh, you should go straight pop and do this or do this. And, like, nothing. It just didn't work. And so I was like, I'm gonna figure it out. And Fit in is really, I think, the first song I've released that like. Like, I'm like, oh, no, this is. This is me. This is going in the right direction. And while we were talking about that, he was like, whoa. So you felt like you had to, like, fit? And I was like, yeah. And then we started talking about school, like, growing up, and, like, I was never the cool kid. I never had a date to prom. I wasn't invited to the parties. Like, I. Like, people would kind of talk to me, but I wasn't accepted. I wasn't a part. You know, Like, I didn't fit. I was the weird girl that just wanted to sing all the time or, like, you know, was in theater but wasn't really a theater kid. So, like, I really didn't fit there either. Like, you know, I just. I just didn't fit. And for so long, I spent. I mean, even well into college, like, spent so much of my life trying to look a certain way, lose a certain amount of weight, do my hair a certain way. Like, how do I need to do my makeup? What should I wear to, like, make myself look like these people or to be invited to the party? Do I need to drink more? Do I need to drink less? Like, you know, I mean, you can take it super deep if you want. And. And it finally dawned on me one day. I was like, this is stupid. Like. Like, this is just stupid. Like, even the cool kids aren't Cool. Like. Like, they're constantly trying to fit into something, too. And so as we were writing it, like, that's kind of like what inspired us. And we were like, okay, well, what are some things that people would say to you? And I was like, okay, so the very first line of the song is, I know that you think that you're a lot, because people always be like, kelsey, you're just a lot. Like, you're just. You're just a lot, you know? And you're like, why did that hurt my feelings? What? Why? Why. Why did that make me sad? You know? And it's. So I started writing, and I was like, I know that you think that you're a lot. You love until it costs you all you've got. You water until you're dry with everything you do. Then you say you're going to change for real this time. But then you fall off and fall in line and when you look up, you find the dirty truth that you're standing in your own way caring what people say. So, like, just let it all burst into flames and watch it burn. And that's the. And that was just this whole premise of, like, I want anybody that listens to my music, whether they like my voice or not, I want them to listen to it and know that they belong. Like, they belong with me. There's no way that you have to be. You don't have to be from a certain place or believe a certain thing or not believe a certain thing or. Yeah, I. I want you to know that, like, with me, you fit. You fit because you're human.

[Quincy]

And that message is so theater kid core, too.

[Kelsey Watts]

Yes, I know. I literally just did. I just did a charity event at hmi. It's a. It's a nonprofit for LGBTQ youth, so that way they have resources for counseling, mental health, food, shelter, like, you know, like, it's all these things. We raised almost a million dollars in an afternoon. It was crazy. But that was. Yeah. So that was one of the songs that I sang, and the response to it was, like, I think more encouraging than anything because I was like, yeah, you get it. Like, yeah, like, you belong. Like, you. You do fit. Like, you really do fit, you know? And so I get really excited to share it with people, and it's just the first of many, you know, like, the acoustic version will come out. I have another song that's gonna drop in October, and we're trying to do some Christmas stuff, if I can find the time. God willing, February a year. Yeah, I know. It's a year. My gosh, my knees are gonna be dying.

[Kevin]

Yeah.

[Kelsey Watts]

Six months. Golly, dancing in those heels is brutal.

[Kevin]

Yeah.

[Quincy]

Yeah. That's amazing. Well, let me finish this interview by saying you certainly fit in in this Broadway community, and I cannot wait to see what you do next. Satine, Swing, then Elphaba. Cherry Picker.

[Kelsey Watts]

Yes.

[Kevin]

We're leaving the stage.

[Kelsey Watts]

Yeah. Literally, I'm like, okay, I'll sing Firework for you right now. Just, like, put me in. I got you. Yeah, I know. That'd be so. Oh, my gosh. So, so much fun. So, I mean. Yeah, I know. I really hope. I really, really hope that I get to do another show, like, following this show and. Because I love it. It's so fun. It's just so fun. It's hard work, but it's so fun.

[Quincy]

Well, thank you so much for joining us, Kelsey.

[Kevin]

Thanks so much.

[Kelsey Watts]

Oh, my word. Yeah, thanks for having me. This is a blast. And what a great way to spend a Sunday night.

[Quincy]

How awesome you've been listening to Sentimental Men.

[Kevin]

If you enjoyed this episode, let us know by leaving a rating and a review on whatever platform you're using to listen.

[Quincy]

And to be sure you never miss a new episode, subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever else you get your podcasts.

[Kevin]

If you're listening looking for a way to support the pod, you should join us on [e-mail] sentmenpod Patreon members get early releases, extended episodes and more exclusive content.

[Quincy]

Special thanks to Julia DiMarzo and Mikayla Reynolds for our logo design and key art photography.

[Kevin]

To get in touch, find us on TikTok, Instagram or X entmenpod, or shoot us an email @sentmenpod.

[Quincy]

Till next time. I'm Quincy.

[Kevin]

And I'm Kevin.

[Alan Seales]

Hey, there. I'm Alan Seales, host of the Theater Podcast, a weekly podcast that takes you behind the scenes with intimate personal conversations that include the biggest stars on Broadway, TV and film. My podcast has over 350 episodes with guests including Stephanie J. Block, Kerry Butler, James Monroe Iglehart, Andrew Barth Feldman, Alex Brightman, Patti Lupone, Ramin Karimlou, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and even TV stars like Isaac Bizrahi, Ariana Maddox, Michael Urie, Eddie Izzard, and literally so, so many more. My guests have spilled secrets, told coming out stories, discussed their fears and successes, and even had huge epiphanies live in the episodes. So you're bound to hear some things from my guests that you've never heard anywhere else. I've also got many deep dive takeovers on the podcast, which are consecutive episodes dedicated to casting creatives from a single show like the Outsiders, Back to the Future and Juliet wicked, Beetlejuice, Hadestown, Frozen 6. I could go on. Can you tell? Theater I've definitely got something you're going to enjoy, so go ahead, search for your favorite star and listen to their episode. You can find all the info about the podcast at BPN FM TTP on the Broadway Podcast Network or anywhere podcasts are found. If you need that link again, it's BPN FM ttp.

[Kelsey Watts]

Take a deep breath, make the world a little colorful.