Frankie Grande in Full Glitter: Broadway Dreams, New Music, and Speaking Truth to Power

Your shift from reality TV to Broadway, music, and now writing a book feels like a deliberate reinvention. What moment or decision most signaled that you were ready to own your narrative in this new chapter?

I actually don’t think of it as reinvention. I think of it as renaissance or Frankiessance if you will. Every chapter of my career has been authentically me, I just wasn’t always the one holding the pen. Reality television introduced me to the world, and I’m deeply grateful for it, but now I get to tell my own story through music, and my book. The moment I realized I didn’t need to fit into someone else’s edit and that I could write, produce, create, and even invest in my own work, that was when everything shifted. And I truly owe that realization to my sobriety. I’m no longer asking for permission to exist. I’m soberly creating the spaces where I get to thrive.

You mentioned feeling like a star-cast rather than stunt-cast at the Tonys. How does it feel to step into your own spotlight on Broadway after years in reality TV, and what does being a co-lead producer mean to you personally?

It was incredibly emotional. Broadway has always been home for me, and to stand on that stage not because I was a novelty or a headline, but because I earned my place as an actor, producer, and collaborator it felt like coming full circle. Being a co-lead producer means I get to champion stories I believe in while helping create opportunities for other artists. That’s the dream. Success is so much sweeter when you can share it.

“Titanique” is deeply rooted in queer culture and joy. What is the most surprising reaction you’ve received from audiences, and how do you channel that energy in performance?

The thing that surprises me most is how emotional people become. They come expecting to laugh until they cry, and they absolutely do, but they also leave feeling genuinely seen. Queer joy is powerful because it’s often hard-won. Every night I walk onstage knowing someone in that audience might need permission to laugh loudly, love openly, or simply feel like they belong. If we can give them that for two hours, we’ve done something really meaningful.

You’ve spoken about nine years of sobriety as a cornerstone of your stability. How has sobriety transformed your creative process and the way you approach high-pressure moments on stage and in media?

Sobriety gave me something I never had before: presence. I’m no longer surviving my career! I’m actually living it. Whether it’s opening night, the Tony Awards, or writing music, I get to experience every moment fully. Creativity doesn’t come from chaos for me anymore. It comes from clarity, discipline, gratitude, and a whole lot of joy. Ironically, getting sober made me far more fearless as an artist.

You’ve cited Madonna as a mentor for embracing both love and hate. In today’s landscape, how do you navigate online criticism while staying true to your authentic self?

Madonna taught me something invaluable: if you’re making people feel something, you’re probably doing something right. Not everyone is going to understand you, and that’s okay. I don’t measure my worth by comments or algorithms. I measure it by impact. If my authenticity gives even one person permission to embrace theirs, then the criticism becomes background noise. I’d rather be polarizing than forgettable.

You’ve called for more diverse archetypes beyond the token gay character. If you could rewrite a reality TV moment to positively reshape LGBTQ+ representation, what would you change and why?

First off I would actually cast out gay and bisexual people on Love Island. Enough of this horseshit about ARE Zach and Bryce gay… they should be OUT and FUCKING. The whole queerbaiting angle is so annoying. Mainstream Reality TV is scared to show queers genuinely interacting so they only cast one. What are you so scared of?

What would be your dream role to play?

Frank-N-Furter. Period.

With albums, theatrical roles, and a book coming out, how do you manage the creative energy across different mediums? Do you approach each project with a unifying theme or a distinct mindset?

The medium changes, but the mission stays the same: I want people to feel less alone. Whether I’m singing a dance anthem, writing a deeply personal chapter, or performing eight shows a week, I’m telling stories about resilience, joy, identity, and hope. Different tools, same heartbeat.

Your persona blends opera-level camp with heartfelt sincerity. How do you protect and uplift the people behind you when you’re performing in front of thousands?

Simply by existing I am protecting those behind me. I am so loud proud and gay it gives others permission and strength to be themselves while simultaneously acting as a shield for them. Insult me. I can’t take it. Just leave them alone!

You’ve praised a lesbian-led production team on Titanique. How do you foster inclusive leadership behind the scenes, and what advice would you give to aspiring LGBTQ+ composers and producers?

“Titanique “succeeds because everyone is empowered to bring their whole self into the room, especially their sexuality. That’s the kind of environment I want to help create wherever I work. My advice is simple: don’t hid your greatest strength just because others perceive it as a weakness. Fuck that. Build your community, champion one another, and remember that authenticity will always outlast trends.

After a decade of public evolution, what are you most excited to explore next—another album, a new Broadway role, or perhaps a project that marries your music, theater, and writing in a single, immersive experience?

Honestly… yes to all of it. The dream is creating something that doesn’t fit neatly into one category—a project where music, theater, storytelling, and community all collide. I’ve always loved living at the intersection of different art forms, and I think that’s where my most exciting work still lives.

Your sister Ariana has been a huge support in your life and career. How has her support shaped your journey, and are there specific moments or conversations with her that have helped you navigate public scrutiny and stay true to yourself?

I’m incredibly lucky to have a sister who knows exactly what it’s like to grow up in the public eye. More than anything, she’s always reminded me that the opinions of people who truly know and love you matter infinitely more than the opinions of strangers online. We’ve always encouraged each other to keep creating, keep evolving, and never apologize for being exactly who we are. Watching her pursue excellence with such grace has inspired me my entire life, and I’m endlessly grateful that we get to cheer each other on.