A star of stage, screen and social media, last year’s Out100 honoree Frankie Grande is returning to a musical role that’s getting a major “glowup” this month.
INTERVIEW >>>
Q: Frankie, hello! You’ve had a really busy 2026, and we’re only about three months in! You’ve recorded quite a bit of music lately, and now you have basically a full concert’s worth of original material to work with. Do you have any favorite originals you enjoy performing live the most?
Performing my own songs is completely feral, and I mean that with love. There is nothing more heartwarming than watching a room full of gays and theys scream your lyrics back at you like it’s church, but with better outfits. “Rhythm of Love” is one of my favorites because it’s dramatic, frenetic and emotionally raw — my core brand. And “Boys”, obviously, because the second that beat drops, the entire room collectively blacks out into homosexual mayhem.
Q: Between all the content and artistry you’ve been putting out there recently, is there anything you’ve really come to learn about yourself as a performer?
Yes: subtlety is not, has never been, and will never be my ministry. The gayer, louder, sparklier, and more emotionally chaotic I am, the more it works. I’ve fully embraced that my “too much”-ness is actually my superpower. I’m not everyone’s cup of tea. I’m a full glitter mocktail with a sparkler in it. Get into it or get the fuck out.
Q: Who/what were some of the musicians, actors or shows that really inspired or interested you growing up?
Oh, the holy trinity of dramatic divas and pop girlies. Madonna, Whitney, Celine — women who never met a key change or a wind machine they didn’t like. And of course David Bowie, George Michael and, wait for it… Counting Crows! I know, twistacle the mystical. But Adam Duritz’s vocals and lyrics were so satisfying to belt out at the top of my lungs in my Volvo S80 on the way to high school.
Q: I was in one of the first audiences for Titanique when it was playing at Asylum NYC and caught you in the early role of Victor Garber, aka the ship captain. Titanique, of course, is the cult musical based on both the 1997 historical fiction megafilm Titanic, as well as the Celine Dion songbook, reimagining Celine as an omnipotent Titanic passenger. (The real Victor Garber played the captain in the film). You brought the house down with a rendition of “I Drove All Night!” How did you get involved in that first version of Titanique?
I was performing in Cruel Intentions: The ‘90s Musical with Constantine Rousouli when he leaned over to me (probably onstage during an ensemble number) and asked while dancing and singing backups: “Hey, do you want to be in a musical parody of Titanic I wrote where you get to be the captain and crash the boat while singing ‘I Drove All Night?’” To which I said: “Yup.”
Q: Were you aware in those early days of the show that it was something special with potential staying power?
The second we saw audiences losing their minds, we knew. People weren’t politely chuckling, they were howling, crying, ascending. That’s always a good sign. If the gays are quoting your show in line for drinks, you’ve won.
Q: Does anything pop out to you as a really great memory or moment from that original Titanique run?
Well, we flooded every theatre we performed in, which was pretty insane. So watch out St. James! Hope you have a good plumber.
Q: You’re returning to the world of Titanique when it opens with a major upgrade at the St. James Theatre for previews on March 26 with an official opening night set for April 12! You’ll be back in the role of Victor Garber, and the show’s co-creators and original stars Constantine Rousouli and Marla Mindelle are returning as Celine and Jack. It’s a highly anticipated reprise! Were you 100% on board for this version when you were approached with it, or did you need a bit of convincing?
Immediate, aggressive yes. Sprinting yes. Kicking the door down yes. You don’t say no to returning to something this beloved unless you’ve fully lost your mind.
Q: Jim Parsons of The Big Bang Theory and stage and music legend Deborah Cox will be in the Broadway cast as well. What is it like being on stage with them?
I mean… casually sharing a stage with absolute legends while trying not to visibly geek out is a full-time job. They’re brilliant, hilarious, iconic. Deborah and I have been friends for years but have never been in a show together, so this is for sure going to be a dream come true. I’m just out here living my best lucky homosexual life.
Q: Can you speak on any of the major differences between the original and Broadway versions of the musical?
She’s had a glowup, honey. Same chaotic soul, now with a budget and even better lighting. It still has the ridiculous heart and insanity people love, just with extra sparkle and theatrical steroids.
Q: If her spot-on Celine vocal impersonation is an indicator, your sister Ariana must be a big fan of the show too!
Oh, she absolutely understands the level of camp foolishness happening here. The Grande family runs on hilarity, musicality and theatrical nonsense. It’s genetic at this point.
Q: What else is coming up for you that we should be on the lookout for?
More music, more glitter, more emotionally expressive gay screaming into microphones. I’m in a very “Why be chill when you can be fabulous and exhausted?” era.
Q: And finally: although you’re proudly sober, you’re still known to have fun in New York’s nightlife from time to time. Where do you like to go?
Anywhere with good music, great energy, drag queens and a suspiciously high concentration of gays making questionable decisions. New York nightlife is less about the location and more about the vibe: joyful, loud and loving with at least a little bit of debauchery.
