In a stunning revelation that has Broadway buzzing, Kristin Chenoweth—the iconic Glinda in Wicked—just uncovered a family secret that ties her directly to the magical world of Oz. While filming an episode of PBS's Finding Your Roots, Chenoweth was handed a century-old newspaper clipping that listed the cast for a stage production of The Wizard of Oz. Her reaction? Pure shock.
"The cast for The Wizard is as follows. Oz: Billy Eugene Ethridge. Are you kidding me? Are you kidding me?" Chenoweth exclaimed, her voice trembling with disbelief. Ethridge, it turns out, was a relative of hers—a fact that connects her to the Wizard legacy decades before she ever donned Glinda's bubble dress. "Oh my gosh, is that not freaky? That's nuts," she added. "The Wizard of Oz? Wow. Well, we were a lot alike."
Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel in 'Wicked' on Broadway. Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic
But the surprises didn't stop there. Genealogist Gates Jr. dug deeper, revealing that Ethridge wasn't just a one-hit wonder—he was a full-blown theater kid long before the term existed. "Growing up, Billy was in productions of The King & I, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, and he also participated in a dance revue, a music club, and the school choir," Gates Jr. explained. Chenoweth, known for her own multifaceted talents, was floored. "You know, I think of Billy as a rockabilly, he was an incredible guitarist and also pianist, but I don't think of him as this music theater kid, but he was!" she said, with Gates Jr. chiming in, "That makes you believe in fate."
In a poignant moment, Chenoweth wrapped up the segment with a heartfelt wish: "I wish he was alive so I could just be like, 'Look at this!'" The discovery adds a new layer to her legacy, suggesting that her path to Oz might have been written in the stars—or at least in her family tree.
And if you thought the Oz connection was the only bombshell, think again. The episode also uncovered that Chenoweth is distantly related to two former U.S. presidents—John Adams and his son, John Quincy Adams. Fellow guest Haines was moved to tears upon learning a similar presidential tie, exclaiming, "Oh my God. I'm related to a president! And he was a good one!"
This viral-worthy clip from Finding Your Roots—airing Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on PBS—is proof that sometimes, truth is stranger than fiction. Chenoweth's reaction to her family's Wizard of Oz link is a must-watch for fans of theater, history, and jaw-dropping revelations. Share it before the Munchkins get wind of it!
