Hot Clip of the Day: Heather Headley's Remarkable The Lion King Performance

Last updated July 6th, 2021 by BroadwayBox Staff
Hot Clip of the Day: Heather Headley's Remarkable The Lion …

Photo by Emilio Madrid

Each day, the Bbox team trolls YouTube for the hot clip—sometimes it's a brand-new moment and sometimes it's a throwback to an oldie but goodie. No matter what praise hands are shot up, pearls are clutched and the repeat button is hit.

"Endless Night" from The Lion King (Heather Headley)


Ulterior Motives: In 2020, MCC Theater held their brilliant annual benefit online Miscast. The event brings Broadway's best to the stage singing songs they would otherwise never sing in turn showcasing stars for years with these memorable performances. One performance from last September lives rent free in our heads and that is the divine Heather Headley's performance of Simba's moving ballad from The Lion King for which Headley originated the role of Nala. We have loved Heather for decades from her remarkable Aida days to The Actors Fund Dreamgirls benefit, Into The Woods and of course her triumphant return to Broadway in The Color Purple. Heather can currently be seen as Helen Decatur on the TV Series Sweet Magnolias.

Ultimate 🙌 🙌 moment: This phenomenal performance takes the audience on a journey. She begins the song so delicately and so passionately - almost in a whisper prompting you to lean in. There really is absolutely nothing like her truly magic vocal inflections on the heartfelt lyrics. That voice. By the time we reach 2:18 we know we're in for a showstopping finale. The amount of times we have watched 3:31 to the end... Thank you Heather for the absolutely tremendous performance of this beloved song from the legendary musical. Thank you for the key changes, the clapping, your immense vocal talent and the magic you bring audiences. The sun will rise!