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I've loved every phase of being a child. It makes me very emotional. I did not know that I would be able to handle a teenager and she is the easiest person I've ever met to love. So, I rewatched your documentary and growing up you talked about your mom and how she would save up every year to take you to see Phantom and Les Mis. Now you're hosting the Tonys. What does this full circle moment mean to you? coming to the Tonys and she's so excited and this is all because of her. Honestly, like my mom and I had a rough go in this lifetime. But watching Willow thrive in this world, I can give that to my mom and be like, you did this. And it just it makes me want to cry talking about it.
It's going to be a beautiful night. And I'm excited that Willow's getting to help me through it all and it's just really fun. And my son's going to wear white tux and I'm so excited. Well, speaking of Willow, I know you wanted her permission before you accepted the hosting gig. Um, seeing her as a performer and as you have such a strong work ethic in this industry, what have you told her about a career as a performer, the highs and lows and everything to expect? Okay, you don't want to know everything I told her. I'm very transparent with my daughter.
Um, no, I just told her to she just has to work hard and be a good person and show up and be a good teammate. And work hard. Just work on your craft. Never be satisfied, but also celebrate the wins. And be a good teammate cuz this is all about collaboration. I mean, even with me, she's grown up on my tours and it's I it the picture might be mine on the poster, but I'm nothing without my team. And that's from carpenters to lighting to dancers to sound, like it's a real team effort and just work hard. I love seeing you guys sing together.
Could we see you collaborate anytime again soon? And what is it like seeing her evolve as an artist? She is now finally at the age where she would like to do her own thing, which I think is boring. Um but Sorry. Uh she's she's doing the damn thing. She's she's in cabarets for charity. She's in workshops. She's She just did Carrie the musical, which was dark. Um Yeah. She's she's killing it. Okay. It's fun to watch. Well, is it her birthday tomorrow? Do I have that right? She's going to be 15.
15 is such a big age. get back in my belly. How would you describe this chapter of motherhood with where you are right now with your kids at the age? to make me cry. Um Honestly, I was terrified to be a mother and I told Willow in her birthday card that she taught me what love is. And I've loved every phase of being her ball. It makes me very emotional. I did not know that I would be able to handle a teenager and she is the easiest person I've ever met to love.
I'm going to get emotional. That's really sweet. Um when the Tony's wrap, we have summer to look forward to. What do you have planned for the family? I'm going to throw up and then I'm going to cry and then I'm going on vacation. Wow. No, hopefully I don't throw up, but I hope I cry. Um We are getting Jameson into junior lifeguards camp. I don't know if that's interesting to you, but it's pretty darling. He's very cute. He learns CPR and how to get out of a rip tide, which I think is a life skill. And uh Willow's going to go to sleepaway camp, which I'm super not into.
There's this coed. We'll see. Probably we're still talking about that. I did sign her up, but maybe we're still talking about it. Well, um there's an anniversary with you and your hand. It came out 20 years ago. Oh my god. And it's having this like resurgence that long? Well, it's having this resurgence with off campus because it was featured as a cover in the show. Have you seen the show?
No. Okay, it's it's taking over on Tik Tok and I'm wondering what you think that look like? about a whole new generation um I think it's lovely. Okay, discover it. That's great. Well, that's then watch the opening to the Tonys cuz that's will also be a throwback. My last question. So you've said this year is about you saying yes. I'm curious about that mindset and how life has changed since you started saying yes. I think we all I mean I think here's my philosophy. I think we all get into we get set in our ways and we get comfortable with what we're capable of and I'm just I want to push the boundaries and I keep going. I'll be I
saw Tina Turner perform in Louboutins at the age of 69 and I swore at that moment that I was never going to stop pushing the boundaries and just sliding in sideways going holy did you see that? And this year is very much that. I came we came here for Willow, but it's also Jameson is thriving as well. He's an important part of this family and I'm like doing all kinds of cool stuff and it's fun. I'm a touring artist. All I do is tour. Now I'm like no I don't I host Kelly Clarkson. Yes. I talk to people about their problems. It's great.
