“Hamilton” star Mandy Gonzalez shares her journey from backup singer to Broadway
#HowIGotHere is a video series that brings career stories to life, highlighting people from a variety of industries and professions with unique stories to tell about their path to success. Subscribe above and be inspired.
Mandy Gonzalez answered your questions about show business and her career journey.
A question I always ask guests that I interview for the #HowIGotHere series is: How has your background or upbringing influenced your career or what you decided to pursue for a living?
I often find the answer to that question illuminating, offering insight into a person’s identity, their experiences and how those things shaped what they decided to pursue—and how. It also tends to bring up interesting questions and discussions about identity and authenticity.
For actress Mandy Gonzalez, embracing her differences early-on in her career helped her to find success on the Broadway stage. But fitting in wasn’t always easy.
“I was the only Gonzalez in Hebrew school,” said the California native who was raised by a Jewish mother and a Mexican-American father who served in the Vietnam war. “I didn't want to be different.”
As Gonzalez began charting her career, she was told that her last name would hinder her from landing roles, a harsh reality that many actors from Broadway to Hollywood face. Take Chloe Bennet from Marvel’s “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” for example, who said she changed her name from Chloe Wang to improve her job prospects.
Gonzalez considered a modification, but ultimately, decided to stick with her given name.
“I told that agent that I am Mandy Gonzalez with two Zs, so please write it correctly on the contract,” she recalled. “That was the first time that I really truly learned about integrity. And as a Latina, how to never forget where you come from.”
After getting her start touring and singing backup for Bette Midler, Gonzalez went on to play leading roles in “Wicked” and “In the Heights.” She joined the cast of the Broadway smash hit “Hamilton” in 2016 after the hip hop musical based on the nation’s founding won 11 Tony Awards.
She’s also worked on TV and in movies such as CBS’ “Madam Secretary” and voicing Mei in Disney’s “Mulan 2.” Offscreen, she founded an online movement for inclusion and positivity called the #FearlessSquad.
In this first episode of Season 2 of #HowIGotHere, Gonzalez shares some untold secrets about Broadway, how she stayed true to herself and found power in saying “yes” to opportunity. She also gives some insight into what a day on Broadway is like.
Here's a transcript of the video:
Mandy Gonzalez: This is what it is to live a day in the life of Mandy Gonzalez. I get on the train and then I head into Broadway. I get to the stage door, I sign in, I warm up. I do a physical warm up, a vocal warm up. I put my makeup on. I get my hair ready. I put my wig on. I get the dress on. I do the show and then I take it all off. I change. I go and I sign autographs for people outside. I get into the car and I go home and I crash. And then I get up again and I start all over again.
Maya Pope-Chappell: Mandy Gonzalez landed her first professional gig as a backing vocalist for Bette Midler. The California native went on to work on Broadway playing Nina Rosario in the Tony Award winning musical "In the Heights," Elfaba in "Wicked," and later as Angelica Schuyler in the smash hit "Hamilton." She's also acted in movies, on TV shows, and she's released a solo album. This is how she got here.
Gonzalez: I knew I wanted to be an actress when I was 14 and the singing teacher that I had had me audition for a theater camp. And the teachers that we had were Gregory Hines, Treat Williams. We had people that were doing it.
After I graduated high school, my singing teacher said that Bette Midler was looking for new Harlettes and would I liked to go to the open call. I was, at that time, at CalArts and I got the job. I went on the road and I knew after that tour that this is what I wanted to do and so I didn't go back to school.
Pope-Chappell: Mandy took a chance by dropping out of college to tour with Bette Midler. She took another chance when she decided to move rom L.A. to New York City to make it on Broadway. But taking chances and saying yes to opportunity is something that Mandy would go on to do throughout her career.
Gonzalez: I moved to New York from Los Angeles because I wanted to be on Broadway. When I started in the business I was 19 and I got my first agent. They felt that my last name being Gonzalez would hinder me from getting roles. And I cam up with a name, Mandy Carr, because I just so wanted to be a part of that world. And when I went to sign my contract, I thought of my abuelita and I thought of my father and I thought of my grandparents who came to this country and worked as migrants in the fields. And I told that agent that I am Mandy Gonzalez with two Zs.
I feel like that was the first time that I truly learned about integrity. And as a Latina how to never forget where you come from.
My first original Broadway show was a show opposite Michael Crawford called "Dance of the Vampires." And when I got the call from my agent that I got that job, I dropped to my knees crying. And I called my mom, I call everybody. I said, "I made it. This is it. I'm a Broadway star." And then the show opened. The reviews were terrible. I remember the critic wrote, "Mandy Gonzalez is lacking in acting, singing, and looks." And I cried. And I think it hurt me so much because it brought up so many things from my past of not belonging, not looking a certain way, not being light enough, not being dark enough, always being in between.
Growing up as a Mexican Jewish American, I just felt like I didn't want to be different. And when I got to the theater and I thought of my grandparents as well as my father, I thought I am not going to be somebody that walks with my head down. You can say these things about me, but I'm going to walk with my head up.
We can be fearless. We can try to change the world and when we fall, begin again, check in again. I know that you and I can do it all.
I think my favorite role out of everything I've done is Nina Rosario in "In the Heights." It was the first time that I met Lin-Manuel and Tommy Kail and Alex Lacamoire. And at that time, I had already done three Broadway shows. I got a phone call from Tommy Kail and he said, "You want to come play Angelica Schuyler in Hamilton?" And I said, "Yes."
And I am not throwing away my shot. I am not throwing away my shot.
Pope-Chappell: Mandy isn't slowing down. Now she's set to join the cast in a new staging of "The Who's Tommy" at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
Gonzalez: I think it's about just saying yes and beginning the journey. And know that your journey is going to take you places that you didn't think you should go. But follow your heart.
The quote that my mother said was, "Traveler, there is no trail. The path is made by walking."
I think it's about surrounding yourself not with naysayers, but with people that are going to elevate you to be your best self.
Song from Hamilton: I'm past patiently waiting. I'm passionately smashing every expectation. Every action's an act of creation. I'm laughing in the face of casualties and sorrow. For the first time I'm thinking past tomorrow.
Gonzalez: I think the untold secret about Broadway is that it's a job. It's a dream, but it's also very, very hard work. And if this is something that you want to do, you've got to be willing to give everything. Because there's things you're going to miss like birthday parties, family reunions, funerals, and so you have to love it. Because some days on that eighth show you're tired. But when I get to my job, they call it like Dr. Broadway. Right before you hit the stage it's like ah, I love this.
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5 年Very nice story, it is not easy to get to your dream way, but it always worth of it.?
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5 年"That's when I learned about integrity."
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5 年To The Great Actress Mandy Gonzalez, I seen & read over your inspiring story several times now! Honestly... I have not known what or how to respond. That reason being is how much I relate to your story in my own life. Being born with a quiet & humble spirit. I found it hard to express feelings or open up to others. So I was often misunderstood... feeling these strong emotions of rejection at such a young age made me feel like an outcast. Even with being dyslexic, the School teachers would say what a good writer I am! I also took on some small roles in a few School plays and found it was a good outlet to vividly express my thoughts & I really enjoyed bringing my characters to life! My parents even allowed me to use their old 8mm silent movie camera! In which I filmed several short videos. Using my hard earned paper route money. I would purchase my own film, then take it up to the local K-Mart Store, in which it took several days to develop! Was able to then watch what I created on their old projector & roll up video screen! I even entered one in a School Talent Show! Now time goes by sssooo fast... and life happens. And over the years my dream of being an Actor & working in the Movie Industry slowly faded away... but I kept it buried deep within my heart... and it was never forgotten. Although I won't go into great detail on the countless of events conquering through much hardships & circumstances. My body persevering through a war zone of injuries throughout a lifetime of working construction. In 2007... enduring through a year of life altering chain of tragic events... my life did a complete 180... Leading to an Ironic Change! Forced to engage in the world wide internet! In which I so deeply despised! I used to laugh & tell my kids... The internet is a waste of time! Boy... I see now how blind and really wrong I was. Life is full of valuable lessons... if we open our hearst to see them ? Adapting into this new internet became adventurous for me! So I started praying for something that I could engage with... staying true to a Vow that I had made to God over 16 years ago now. (that is another in depth inspiring story... I have many of those). To somehow be productive & accomplish goals... & to be a positive influence to my family & friends and make a difference in this world! That is when I came across Bodybuilding.com back in March of 2008. An answer to my prayers. This is when I started to diligently dive in depth with my overall training through the many Transformation Challenges... evolving year after year. Not only physically, but mentally and spiritually in all aspects of my life. I had also started venturing online with creative writing, creating my own photo shoots and videos. Which lead me to enter several online video contests. That eventually opened the doors into my Acting Career. I have accomplished so many goals and have made many dreams come true since... there is just too many to list here. But some of the highlights include winning the Grand Prize Juggernaut Challenge through Bodybuilding.com in 2011. In which I was featured on the front cover of their magazine with a featured article. Also a 2 page promotional article in November 2012 issue of Iron Man Magazine. This also opened up doors doing special image modeling where I have portrayed a variety of fictional characters which a couple of my modeling images were featured in Mora Modeling Magazine, (issue: 48 "Kick Ass" on pages 52 & 53). Again, these are just a few accomplishments that I have achieved over the past decade. My Acting Career has been slowly flourishing over the past decade as well. From working with Hollywood Talent A-List Actors, having some Indie Movies that I have lead supporting roles in, a mafia suspense type TV series "I Declare War" (biker character named Bear) & a faith based drama "Who will Move the Stone" (character Ben Foster). in which has won many film festival awards... both on Amazon. Currently we are filming another TV series called "Chaplain Series" (character Detective Carl Svenson). Completing 2 episodes & have 6 more in the works. We have a Thriller based on a true legend folk story called "The Legend of Dog Lady Island" (character Medicine Man), this movie has won many film festival awards as well & is due for national distribution this year. Also a Sci-Fi Action film called "Necroland" (SWAT character Joshua Vainx), is set to release 2019 this year as well. I love this one cause they say if it does well & they have enough funds that they want to make my character a toy "Action Figure". I would be sssooo grateful & a dream come true for that as well! Recently last year I had auditioned for a role back in June 2018. One that I did not anticipate that I would land. However, as an actor, even though you do get Cast Typed & turned down for many roles it is part of the process & price of being an actor. And having a strong faith in God, a strong mentality strengthened through Health & Fitness & a lifetime of enduring hardships refines you... strengthening that mental toughness, giving you the strength to endure the rejections. Because even though you have many people that truly knows you, loves & respects your work and they will highly recommend & refer you. I take nothing for granted... and I am so grateful for each and every opportunity... no matter waht. I am so thankful for the roles that I do land, because there are so many that I do not land... I am constantly cast type. Even though it hurts like hell and you have been stereo typed your whole life, you feel you should be used to it by now. You also have many of those jealous haters that are just waiting to see you fail. In which it makes it even more not so easy to write this to you. Though its the not so glamorous part of being an actor. You learn to just have fun with it... no matter what. Anyway, not really thinking that I would land the role, I just went completely "out of the box" and had fun depicting this character. To my surprise I got a call 2 1/2 weeks later... They told me my audition was very Impressive and stood out among all the rest! My Director & Acting Instructors tell me this lead role is a "Break Out Role" for me! I am totally blown away and ever so humbly grateful I just don't have the words to express my gratitude. With NDA contract I am currently not able to elaborate. But it is an action/drama feature film. I know over the past decade I have traveled a very long way to even make this far. However... I know my Journey has just begun. The one advice that I can give to anyone that is trying to achieve their goals and make their dreams come true in life. Be Humble. Be Grateful for Each & Every Opportunity... No Matter What. And despite your circumstances... even though its hard & you hurt like hell. Never give hope... never give up... never. LUCIDITY: Clearness of thought or style. A presumed capacity to perceive the truth directly and Instantaneously... Dream Control...Dream Come True. Progress creates Joy, and there are two things more Important than your money. Your energy and your time... Small steps matter. YOUTUBE VIDEO LINK: The Story and Struggle of PAPA BEAR IV The Apple you see me catch at the end of my video, depicts the old' saying, 'The Apple Never Falls Far From The Tree.' With me catching the Apple, I know God is with me, and I am successfully taking control of my life. I am focused and My Faith and Courage is Strong. I am not sure what direction my road is taking me, but I am content, and I do know that I am on the right path. Thank you sssooo much for sharing your story! Much respect and God bless you Mandy Gonzalez... Respectfully, Kevin Mattson IMDb AKA: PAPA BEAR