Interview: Chrissy Metz Talks Theater Fears, Angelique’s Strength, and Life After Kate Pearson

“What’s in a name?” For Chrissy Metz, the answer these days is Broadway. From the moment she captured audiences’ hearts as Kate Pearson on the hit television drama This Is Us, Metz has built a career defined by honesty, resilience, and an unwavering belief in embracing life’s unexpected turns.

The Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominated actor, bestselling author, and recording artist has inspired countless fans with her authenticity both on and off the screen. Now, she’s checking off a lifelong dream by making her Broadway debut as Angelique in & Juliet, bringing her warmth, powerhouse vocals, and deeply personal perspective to the exuberant musical.

Between rehearsals, performances, and reflecting on the winding path that brought her to the Great White Way, Metz spoke with TheaterMania about taking the leap onto the Broadway stage, the lasting impact of Kate Pearson, and why it’s never too late to pursue the dream you’ve always imagined.

This conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity.

What inspired you to make the move to Broadway?

It’s something I have always wanted to do. Music was always in our household growing up, but it wasn’t until I joined choir that I was like, “Oh wow.” I loved the fact that people are singing a story, and going into a scene is magical, but I was afraid of my own shadow. All of my friends joined the theater department, and I sat on the sidelines and just dreamt. I didn’t think I was a good enough singer and I was a chubby girl from a small town, so I thought it was not going to happen.

When I first saw & Juliet, Kandi Burruss was Angelique, and I was like, “Oh my gosh, this is so great.” And my publicist said, “I know, right? Would you want to read for them?” I said, “Puh-leaze, are you joking? Get out of here.” I didn’t want to be a charity case or get it because I was on television. I wanted to work for it and I wanted it to mean something. We had some meetings and I auditioned. I wanted to get it fair and square and if they didn’t see me for the role, then I didn’t want it. I even told them I was unavailable, and they kept pushing it.

You have said that you are not a dancer. Did the choreography in the show present a challenge?

The first couple of days I cried. I called my boyfriend and said, “This isn’t for me. It’s too hard. Who do I think I am?” He said, “You’ll regret it if you don’t see it through. You don’t want to quit something you’ve wanted for so long because it got difficult. That’s when you excel.” I came home very discouraged, but I kept pushing forward. I think what’s really special about live theater is that you’ll never have a perfect show. [Theater is] such a great metaphor for life. If you keep showing up, you’re going to get better. The thing I’ve most taken away is to just have fun.

One aspect of the show that is so special is the diversity in the many casts. You are vastly different from Kandi and all of the Nurses before you. What does it mean to you to be part of a show that celebrates differences?

What’s really special is they celebrate individuality. My costume looks different from anyone who has come before me because they really tailor it to you and your body. That was so refreshing. Whether they are making modifications for me or letting me bring my own spirit and interpretation to the role, it’s so meta. I love that Angelique tells Lance how she wants things, and realizes she doesn’t have to settle. As a plus-size woman, as a human, that’s a big deal. Plus-size women have trouble drawing boundaries. In the arts we feel we should just be happy with the crumbs. In the show, Angelique is like, “You can give me the whole buffet, I am not just taking the crumbs.”

What advice would you give young people who are still trying to find their place in the world?

A lot of us, myself included, have always tried to find a place instead of trying to make our place in the world. Ultimately, all we want is to be loved. We do everything we do because we want to be validated. You have to be happy with yourself, and I think that starts with being a good person, being kind, gracious, and patient.

You spent six seasons growing alongside Kate Pearson on This is Us. What lessons from her journey do you still carry with you on Broadway?

Much like Angelique, Kate was like, “I’m a full-fledged woman. I’m not just going to be Kevin and Randall’s sister or Rebecca’s daughter. I want to have a life.” She stopped living outside the shadow of her brothers and pursued teaching and wanting to have children; while it didn’t look the way she thought it would, it looked exactly how it’s supposed to look. That’s something I certainly take with me in my life.

Now you have taken on a crime drama with Apple TV’s upcoming Nocturne. How did that shift feel?

I’m so excited I got to work with Stephen Graham, Liev Schreiber, Bill Camp, Zazie Beetz, and Rory Culkin. It was very dark and heavy, but everybody was spectacular. I learned so much. It’s going to take us all on a journey. It’s probably one of the most intense things I have ever done.

What would the conversation look like if Chrissy, Angelique, and Kate were having drinks?

It would be about how they all like nice clothes and jewelry. They have taken care of a lot of people for much of their lives, and now they’re doing their own thing and enjoying it. It would be really cute. They would each have their special drink. Angelique would be drunkest fastest because Kate’s got kids and Angelique is doing her own thing. Chrissy is not a big drinker!

You have shared so much about your life in your best-selling memoir. What would people not know about you?

I am obsessed with movie theatre popcorn to the point where I think I have a problem. I have even ordered it on Uber Eats. I have gone to the movies just for popcorn. I have the butter in a squeezable bottle. I could just eat it all day, knowing it is not good for me!