Short Biography

Kristin Chenoweth (born July 24, 1968) is an American singer and musical theatre, film and television actress. Some of her best-known roles have included Glinda in Broadway`s Wicked and Annabeth Schott in television`s The West Wing. She is currently appearing in the role of Olive Snook on the ABC dramedy Pushing Daisies for which she received an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy. She is also the face of Jude Frances jewelry. And owner.

Chenoweth has a distinctive speaking voice. In FHM`s March 2006 issue, she compared her voice to that of Betty Boop. Chenoweth is a soprano known for her powerful singing technique.
Chenoweth was born Kristi Dawn Chenoweth (she added an "n" in her first name later because she thought that "Kristin" was a more operatic name than "Kristi") in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and was adopted at birth. Chenoweth`s ancestry includes one-quarter Cherokee lineage. After studying drama at Broken Arrow High School under Billie Sue Thompson, Chenoweth attended Oklahoma City University, where she was a member of Gamma Phi Beta (Beta Omicron) Sorority. She earned a degree in musical theater and a master`s degree in opera performance, studying under Florence Birdwell who taught Miss America 1981 Susan Powell and three-time Tony nominee Kelli O`Hara. While at OCU, Chenoweth won the title of "Miss OCU" and went on to win second runner-up in the Miss Oklahoma pageant in 1991. She also performed at Opryland USA.

Chenoweth won a "most talented up-and-coming singer" award in the Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions, which came with a full scholarship to Philadelphia`s Academy of Vocal Arts. Two weeks before school started, she went to New York City to help a friend move. While there, she auditioned for the Paper Mill Playhouse`s production of the musical Animal Crackers and got the role of Arabella Rittenhouse. She turned down the scholarship and moved to New York to do the show and pursue a career in musical theater.

Chenoweth was once engaged to actor Marc Kudisch and previously dated virtuoso violinist Joshua Bell.

She also dated producer/writer Aaron Sorkin. In Sorkin`s Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, the character of Harriet Hayes bears significant resemblances to Chenoweth (a Christian in Hollywood).

She reportedly is dating 25 year old producer/writer/director, Charlie McDowell. He was her date at the 2008 Tony Awards. (June 15, 2008)

Sorkin accompanied her to ABC`s Television Critics Association press tour party at the Beverly Hilton on July 17, 2008.

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