Skip to main contentSkip to footer

Linedy Genao: The rise of a Latina Broadway star

The Dominican-American actress landed a prestigious leading role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s latest production, ‘Bad Cinderella’.


Jovita Trujillo
Jovita Trujillo - Los Angeles
Senior WriterLos Angeles
MARCH 30, 2023 7:05 PM EDT

Linedy Genao is a natural-born powerhouse! The trailblazing Dominican-American actress is breaking down barriers and making history as the first Latina to originate a role in the latest production of British genius Andrew Lloyd Webber - considered the most successful composer today. The Broadway show is titled, ‘Bad Cinderella’ and it premiered on March 23rd.

As a child, she yearned for princesses that looked like her. Now, Genao is making the Latin community proud and paving the way for more diverse representation in the theater and entertainment world. With the title of ‘first’ comes great responsibility, but for Genao, it’s about showing the world that anything is possible with hard work and determination.

Born in the bustling and energized city of Brooklyn, New York, Genao spent most of her childhood in the neighborhood of Cypress Hills. Then when she was around ten years old, her family moved to Hamden, Connecticut; a challenging time for her. As a Latina with a Brooklyn accent, she felt like an outsider - just like Cinderella before the ball.

Linedy Genao Digital Cover HOLA!© Hola
Photographer: Emilio Madrid | Stylist: José Ramón Reyes | Fashion Assistant: Elanur Erdogan | Makeup/Hair: Jamie Harper | Hair Assistant: Irving Stirving | (Look Top: Proenza Schouler | Pants : Proenza Schouler | Earrings : Oscar de la Renta | Shoes : Valentino)

Music and performance ran through her veins from a young age as she spent countless hours singing and harmonizing with her family. By her sophomore year of high school, Genao had found her way to a theater group, where her talents were unmasked and began to shine. After graduation, she set her sights on the country’s top musical theater schools. However, despite her best efforts and unwavering determination, she received rejection letters, which led to Genao studying business at the University of Connecticut. Even as she pursued a different career path, her passion for acting continued to burn brightly through community musical theater.

After graduating college, she dove headfirst into the corporate world and started working at a private bank in New York. And while she was succeeding in banking, there was still a spark within her that refused to die out. That spark led her to an open casting call for the Gloria Estefan bio-musical ‘On Your Feet!’ With nothing but a selfie printed at Walgreens in hand, Genao blew the casting directors away and landed a spot in the ensemble. In 2015, she made her Broadway debut.

Linedy Genao Bad Cinderella Digital Cover HOLA!© Hola
Photographer: Emilio Madrid | Stylist: José Ramón Reyes | Fashion Assistant: Elanur Erdogan | Makeup/Hair: Jamie Harper | Hair Assistant: Irving Stirving | (Look Trench: Valentino | Blouse: Valentino | Shorts: Valentino | Earrings : Oscar de la Renta | Shoes: Valentino)

The pandemic hit the world hard, and Genao was no exception. As her career started to take off on Broadway, the COVID-19 shutdowns brought everything to a screeching halt. With theaters closed and no signs of a return to the stage, Genao found herself working remotely for a bank again - and the dreams she had worked so hard for seemed to be slipping away, but the universe had other plans for her. Just as she was about to accept a full-time banking position, the casting agency for ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ called, and Genao found herself back where she belonged - on a Broadway stage.

As she continues her journey in the entertainment world, Genao has been candid about her struggles with imposter syndrome - a challenge she has faced head-on. Despite her self-doubts, her stardom has continued to rise, with one exciting opportunity after another coming her way. Recently, she sat down with HOLA! USA for an exclusive interview ahead of the opening day for her first-ever cover story. Bleary-eyed from a 3 am wake-up call for a Today Show appearance, Genao apologized for any dip in her usual energetic demeanor. She was eager to share her story and inspire others to pursue their dreams passionately and persistently.

As the interview unfolded, Genao became more and more radiant as she opened up about her childhood, fondly reminiscing about her younger self - as she calls herself, “Linedita.” Smiling, she told stories about her journey, from her early days in theater to landing her leading role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Bad Cinderella.’ The conversation reveals how Genao’s Dominican heritage plays a key role in shaping her work - infusing every character she plays with a richness and authenticity that only comes from a deep understanding of her roots. It was impossible not to be captivated by her energy and passion for her craft.

Linedy Genao Digital Cover HOLA!© Emilio Madrid
For the opening night of Bad Cinderella, Linedy wore the Oscar de la Renta Fall 2022 draped chiffon crystal gown. Photo: Emilio Madrid
“It’s been a work in progress every single day. It’s my first time in this position. Everyday I’m learning to trust myself, to surrender, and to put myself first, which is hard. I don’t really do that.” [Linedy Genao]
Linedy Genao Bad Cinderella Digital Cover HOLA!© Hola
Photographer: Emilio Madrid | Stylist: José Ramón Reyes | Fashion Assistant: Elanur Erdogan | Makeup/Hair: Jamie Harper | Hair Assistant: Irving Stirving | (Look Top: Proenza Schouler | Pants : Proenza Schouler | Earrings : Oscar de la Renta | Shoes : Valentino)
So how are you feeling before opening night? I know you already had previews, but this is huge!

I feel very excited. We’ve all worked so hard. Our preview process has been very long, so we’re all very ready for opening and just excited to share the story with the world and Broadway.

Are you doing anything differently in terms of preparing yourself mentally, and physically for this next run?

It’s been a work in progress every single day. It’s my first time in this position. Everyday I’m learning to trust myself, to surrender, and to put myself first, which is hard. I don’t really do that. But just really taking care of myself and my vocal health, going on vocal rest. My husband understands. Sometimes I’m like, “Listen, we’ll text. I can’t talk.” Because I need to rest my voice. So it’s definitely a transition. It’s been the hardest through the preview process because we have rehearsals and then press. So it’ll be a lot easier once it’s just the show and a sprinkle of a couple of things here and there.

BONUS CONTENT - LINEDY’S PHOTOSHOOT

I know you’ve been very open when it comes to having these feelings of self-doubt and this imposter syndrome that women, especially women of color, deal with. Do you feel like you have overcome that yet, or is it still a work in progress?

It’s still very much a work in progress, but I’m proud of myself to say that I have overcome a lot of it. A lot of it was really present during the rehearsal process, creating the show. One of the directors would be like, “Try this.” And I’m like, “I’m scared. I don’t think it’s going to be good.” Just judging myself before I even tried. But getting on stage and kind of surrendering and looking into the abyss of the audience really, really helped because I just let all those feelings and thoughts go away, if that makes any sense.

Linedy Genao Bad Cinderella Digital Cover HOLA!© Hola
Photographer: Emilio Madrid | Stylist: José Ramón Reyes | Fashion Assistant: Elanur Erdogan | Makeup/Hair: Jamie Harper | Hair Assistant: Irving Stirving | (Look Top : Monsé | Skirt : Silvia Tcherassi | Earrings : Anastasia Kessaris | Shoes : Gianvito Rossi)
“... As I’ve gotten older, I’ve stopped discrediting myself and giving myself grace. I have worked very hard as well, in my own way, having to learn everything from scratch with no training.” [Genao]
It does. Do you feel like that’s something you’ve dealt with your whole life? Or is it something that came with Broadway and going after these big dreams?

I think very much more about going after my dreams because I didn’t go to school for this. I went to school for business. I worked in banking, and I dealt with my own imposter syndrome in that business, but it was very different because it wasn’t my passion, where this is. So because I was shot out of a cannon, making my Broadway debut, with just theater experience from high school and my community, all those doubts did come in, of there are so many people much more qualified than I that are working harder than I. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve stopped discrediting myself and giving myself grace. I have worked very hard as well, in my own way, having to learn everything from scratch with no training. And leaning on my peers and just taking in each experience and the lessons that they bring.

Linedy Genao Bad Cinderella Digital Cover HOLA!© Hola
Photographer: Emilio Madrid | Stylist: José Ramón Reyes | Fashion Assistant: Elanur Erdogan | Makeup/Hair: Jamie Harper | Hair Assistant: Irving Stirving | (Look Dress: Alexander McQueen | Belt: Alexander McQueen | Gloves: Valentino| Earrings: Oscar de la Renta | Shoes: Christian Loubotin)
“I think it was when I saw In the Heights on Broadway. That changed my life. Hearing one of the first lyrics, being, “Dominican Republic, I love it, Jesus, I’m jealous of it.” [Genao]
Every acting coach or actor I’ve talked to always says, “acting chooses you.” Do you know the moment you realized that acting had chosen you and you were meant to do this?

I think it was when I saw In the Heights on Broadway. That changed my life. Hearing one of the first lyrics, being, “Dominican Republic, I love it, Jesus, I’m jealous of it.” Seeing people who look like me, talking about the foods I eat, the music that I dance to, and my culture. I was hysterical in my seat because for the first time in my life, I saw myself represented on stage, and I knew that there was a place for me, even if it was just in one show. The possibilities were endless, and it blew my mind. And that’s when I knew that somehow I wanted to continue this passion as a strong hobby, singing in the choir and doing community theater. I never in a million years thought that it would become my career.

Linedy Genao Bad Cinderella Digital Cover HOLA!© Hola
Photographer: Emilio Madrid | Stylist: José Ramón Reyes | Fashion Assistant: Elanur Erdogan | Makeup/Hair: Jamie Harper | Hair Assistant: Irving Stirving | (Look Trench: Valentino | Blouse: Valentino | Shorts: Valentino | Earrings : Oscar de la Renta | Shoes: Valentino)
I saw a photo you posted with your dad and your brother playing the guitar. I want to know a little bit about what this experience has been like for your family.

Yeah, they are beside themselves, as I am. It’s been my dream since I was little. We all started singing in church. My dad was the choir director, playing guitar. I would run up to the choir to sing with my mom and my aunts all the time and do shows in church, our little versions of musicals. But they’re just so proud of me, so grateful for this dream come true. And just reminding me where I started and where I came from all the time.

"Bad Cinderella" Broadway Opening Night© GettyImages
Jordan Dobson and Linedy Genao during the opening night curtain call for the new Andrew Lloyd Webber Musical “Bad Cinderella” on Broadway at Imperial Theatre (Photo by John Nacion/Getty Images)
You post a lot of photos and videos of yourself as a child, and you call her “Linedita.” I just want to hear a little bit about who Linedita was.

Linedita, just like Cinderella, spoke her mind. Let me tell you, I would get in trouble all the time because I did not know how to keep my mouth shut, very much like this picture. But I would just take my hairbrush thing in front of the mirror and hold concerts for my family in the living room. My brother, my two cousins, and I had a band called ‘The Cousins’ that we would play for my family. I also was the Pink Power Ranger. We would put up concerts as Power Rangers, and I broke my leg pretending to be the Pink Power Ranger. I jumped off of the table, kicked in midair, landed in a split, and broke my leg. So that was fun. But just very carefree, spontaneous, and loved to just show my love for music and arts.

“At that point, whether I got the role or not, the fact that I got to work one-on-one with Andrew Lloyd Webber, who was looking at my headshot, looking at me, talking to me - it was just beyond my wildest dreams.” [Genao]
Andrew Lloyd Webber Special Broadway Announcement© GettyImages
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Linedy Genao
That’s so funny and sweet. And now you’re doing it professionally. So Andrew Lloyd Webber personally asked you if you would be his Cinderella. Take me back to that day, I know that it was already a grueling audition process. Were you expecting to hear it that day in person, or from your agents a couple of days later?

Yeah, the team even told me typically that never happens, that they’ll tell you in the room that you got the role. You typically find out a few days, maybe a week later from your agents. It’s just a simple email. They’ll call you and say, “Congratulations, blah, blah.” But it was the most intense audition process I’ve ever been through. Obviously, the music is very, very challenging. I was in Dear Evan Hansen at the time, doing eight shows a week, as well as an understudy. And it was 10:00 AM, and we were singing our faces off, which meant I was waking up at 6:00 AM every morning to warm up and talk and just make sure I was alive and awake. They had us do the material over and over and over. Andrew did one-on-one work sessions with the actresses who were in final callbacks for Cinderella, which was really cool to just be able to work with him on the material before going into the big room with everyone else. It really did help calm the nerves. At that point, whether I got the role or not, the fact that I got to work one-on-one with Andrew Lloyd Webber, who was looking at my headshot, looking at me, talking to me - it was just beyond my wildest dreams. I had already made it by then. Then after an intense couple of hours, they called me back into the room again. I was the last person there, didn’t think anything of it. And thinking I was going to have to do everything again, I literally said, “I don’t have anything else.” And they’re like, “Don’t worry.” And that’s when I went back into the room, and Andrew Lloyd Webber asked me to be his Cinderella.

Andrew Lloyd Webber Attends "The Phantom Of The Opera" On Broadway© GettyImages
Jordan Dobson, Linedy Genao, and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
That is so amazing. And it looks like you have had so many special memories and were just meant to find each other with this play. Do you have a favorite memory with him?

I have two that come to mind. When I went to London for the first time and only time, it was to work with him and record Bad Cinderella, iconic. He invited me over to his home to just have a casual dinner - with Andrew Lloyd Webber. I was dying. That’s number one. And number two, when we were in Brooklyn a few months ago recording one of the singles, we go outside to get in the car, and he’s like -Nobody asked him, nobody said anything- “Linedy, I think this would be a great place for a picture. Come on, let’s take a picture.” And I was like, “Huh?” And then he goes like this. He puts up the rock star sign. And I was like, “Wow, Andrew Lloyd Webber is cool.” And obviously the most special one, him asking me to be his Cinderella. I’ll never forget that.

Linedy Genao Bad Cinderella Digital Cover HOLA!© Hola
Photographer: Emilio Madrid | Stylist: José Ramón Reyes | Fashion Assistant: Elanur Erdogan | Makeup/Hair: Jamie Harper | Hair Assistant: Irving Stirving | (Look Dress: Alexander McQueen | Belt: Alexander McQueen | Gloves: Valentino| Earrings: Oscar de la Renta | Shoes: Christian Loubotin)
That is so cool. You said you were encouraged to bring your culture and your life experiences as a Dominican-American into Bad Cinderella. I was wondering if you could just touch a little bit on that.

It’s definitely been an adjustment because, you know, you can’t do too much, so just finding the middle ground. But just my mannerisms, the way that I joke. I don’t know, I feel like a lot of the text in the show, the book, some of the lines... They’ve since changed, but during the preview process, some of the lines were literally things that I say in everyday language, which I’m like, “This is crazy, just how real and how natural it feels to me.” Again, it’s not like a character you have to put on that feels so far removed to me. She’s just so close. I feel like I could very much be myself, again in my mannerisms, the way that I joke, the inflections in my voice, and some of the little dances that we do.

Representation is so important, but I know there can also be this hard side to it. We see it with Ariel and the new Cinderella, this blatant hate and racism. I’m wondering if that’s been something that you’ve had to face at all in terms of the internet.

Thankfully, about my race, no, I haven’t had to deal with that online, thank goodness. But of course, it was difficult at first dealing with all the backlash for so many things and why I was chosen and things like that. I had to choose to remove myself and not read that because it was really affecting me. I’m only human, you know. But I just choose to stay positive. I don’t want anyone to rob me, anyone in this experience of this experience. So I just choose to not read them.

Linedy Genao Bad Cinderella Digital Cover HOLA!© Hola
Photographer: Emilio Madrid | Stylist: José Ramón Reyes | Fashion Assistant: Elanur Erdogan | Makeup/Hair: Jamie Harper | Hair Assistant: Irving Stirving | (Look Top: Proenza Schouler | Pants : Proenza Schouler | Earrings : Oscar de la Renta | Shoes : Valentino)
That’s good, you have to take care of yourself. So you’re also a stepmom. Have your stepsons seen the previews? How has that been?

Yeah, they saw one of the previews. They loved the show. Right after, they gave me more hugs than they have in the past year. They told me how proud they were of me. They commented, “You’re singing a lot,” and I told them, “You understand why I can’t be yelling at you all the time?” They replied, “I know. We’re going to be better.” I said, “Exactly.”

So now that you’ve accomplished this, what’s next? What are some of your big dreams?

Oh gosh. Dreams of what’s next. Oh, Lord. Just doing the best that I can in this show, number one. I would love to continue being a part of new works, amplifying especially people of color. And just being a part of a creative process is so fulfilling, it’s so different. I’m very, very grateful for this opportunity.

CREDITS

Photographer: Emilio Madrid @emiliomadrid Stylist: José Ramón Reyes @thecustomproject Fashion Assistant: Elanur Erdogan @dobs_ny Makeup/Hair: Jamie Harper @beautybyharper Hair Assistant: Irving Stirving Videographer: Gerardo Briceño @gerardobriceno Location: Corner Studio

LINEDY’S LOOKS DIGITAL COVER

First Look Top : MonséSkirt : Silvia TcherassiEarrings : Anastasia KessarisShoes : Gianvito Rossi

Second Look Trench : ValentinoBlouse : ValentinoShorts : Valentino Earrings : Oscar de la RentaShoes : Valentino

Third Look Dress : Alexander McQueenBelt : Alexander McQueenGloves : ValentinoEarrings : Oscar de la RentaShoes : Christian Loubotin

Cover Photo: Top: Proenza SchoulerPants : Proenza SchoulerEarrings : Oscar de la RentaShoes : Valentino.