With an important head toss, a twinkling soprano, and a number of sparkles, Johnson is altering that. “We will present in artwork that folks of shade may be the main characters, not the most effective pal,” she says. “People who find themselves not an airbrushed model of magnificence—not solely these folks get to seek out love. Then possibly we gained’t be so judgmental of one another in actual life as a result of we’ll see, ‘Oh! These individuals are the main characters of their lives too! They’re not simply equipment in my life.’”
Johnson has carried out on Broadway phases, she’s labored as a swing, an understudy, and a standby, and now she’s smashing by means of boundaries. She’s no person’s accent. She joined Glamour for a spherical of Doing the Work to share how she bought from countless audition traces to Glinda’s towering bubble.
My childhood dream
I needed to be Mariah Carey. Additionally, I needed to be a mechanical engineer.
My first job
I labored as an administrative assistant at my highschool through the summers. I’d take summer time college lessons and work. I took my job very severely, and I used to be superb at it—I’m very organized.
One factor I’m a perfectionist about
Every part, till I spotted that you could’t be. I’m a planner. I thrive after I know that issues are organized and I’ve my lists that I can test off. After which life occurs to you and also you’re like, “Oh! None of that issues.” I nonetheless prefer to know what the plan is, however I’m studying to be extra spontaneous as I grow old.
Probably the most misunderstood factor about my job
Folks assume that that is a straightforward job! They assume that it’s straightforward to get this job, and it’s one thing that you just simply form of do for enjoyable on the aspect. [Laughs.] It’s not that! It takes loads, loads, a number of coaching and sacrifice. And it’s so exhausting to get a job as a result of there’s so many individuals that wish to do that. Any time that you just e-book something, it’s trigger for celebration. We make it look straightforward—it’s not straightforward.
A bit {of professional} recommendation that has caught with me
My first job out of school, I labored with a number of—I say older actors, however I am their age now. What I discovered from them was the significance of prioritizing your life, not simply your profession. As a result of time strikes so quick—I’m actually noticing it now. I’ve been a working actor on this enterprise for a decade now. On this business there’s a lot that we sacrifice due to the schedule. Folks come to observe us do our job on holidays, which implies we’re not with our households. That’s one thing that has been actually robust for me. I discovered from them to essentially take into consideration the form of life I needed to have and to incorporate my profession in that however to attempt to not make the profession your full life. And I haven’t all the time taken that recommendation—I haven’t all the time been in a position to.
The individuals who taught me to set boundaries
My mother. And my therapist. And myself. Studying what I’ll and gained’t settle for, what sort of vitality I wish to settle for in my life, has taught me that I’ve to have boundaries. However remedy is a giant assist! I like to recommend it.
How I cope with disappointment
I really feel it. The very first thing I do after I’m disenchanted is I let myself really feel it and grieve it. I let myself have a complete expertise round it so I can shut the circle off and transfer ahead. I used to—if I didn’t e-book a job, I’d sit in it. “What ought to you may have carried out in another way? Because of this it’s your fault!” That wasn’t useful. It will make me sit on this disappointment of myself for weeks after, after which it could begin affecting different issues. So now when one thing unhealthy occurs…to begin with, there may be all the time a pint of ice cream in my freezer, but additionally, I let myself expertise the complete breadth of it. After which I’ll transfer on. However you’ll be able to’t actually try this until you expertise all of it.
Recommendation I want I might give my youthful self
Cease taking your self so severely! It isn’t that large a deal! Every part that you just assume is a giant deal will not be a giant deal! [Laughs.] It’s simply life! Go on that journey! Reside! Reside just a little bit, Britt! You’re not going to remorse having experiences.
My favourite factor about my job
I’ve so many favourite issues. My very favourite factor, although, is after I get to see firsthand the way it’s affecting different folks. The wonderful thing about the theater is that everyone is having that have on the similar time. It’s totally different than the films. We’re all having the expertise on the similar time. If anyone finds one thing humorous they usually’re cracking up, different individuals are going to listen to it. That’s so particular.
My workday necessities
I’ve a few rituals. I do a mini yoga exercise beforehand. There’s a music that I’ve to listen to and dance just a little bit with my dressers and my hair folks earlier than I am going on. It’s change into a convention; we all the time take heed to “Dancing within the Moonlight.” It will get me pumped up and makes me comfortable.
Supply: Glamour
