INTERVIEW: Idina Menzel on Why 'Idina' Is Her Most Personal Album Yet

Idina Menzel released her fifth studio album Idina back in September 2016, and, according to the singer, it's her most personal album yet. The new record includes twelve songs, most of which were written by Idina herself, including singles like "Queen of Swords" and "Perfect Story." Now, the New York native is taking her music on the road, and sharing it with fans live as she heads out on her headlining world tour. 

We recently caught up with Idina, and during an exclusive interview, she told us why her new record is her most personal, what it was like to make the album, bringing her emotional music to fans on tour, and more.

[Buy idina. on iTunes]

On why Idina is her most personal album yet

"Every album is really personal. But I guess this one was especially so, because I was going through a bunch of personal stuff, and I was feeling kind of raw. I had these polar opposites happening in my life. I had this personal turmoil, like divorce going on, juxtaposed with all of this amazing professional success, and the excitement of all that. Like the Oscars and the Super Bowl and, and everything. With Frozen. I was just feeling the gamut of emotions and just brought it all into the studio and poured my heart out. I like to say that I bring the kitchen sink to the writing session. And I work with people much more talented than myself, who can kind of sift through all of it, and turn it into pretty music. But I guess that's why it was more personal than other times. It was just happening at a very raw time in my life."

Idina explains that she worked with songwriters and producers that she's always wanted to work with on her new album. And it was these people who were able to understand and challenge her.  She explains that, not always wanting to write songs like Frozen's "Let It Go" and "Defying Gravity," she had every intention of writing a darker more heartbreaking song. However working with these songwriters and producers ended up yielding more empowering and optimistic songs for the album.  

"The process of making the album was amazing. I collaborated with incredible songwriters and producers. People I've always wanted to work with, people that I felt really understood me and challenged me. It's funny, I kept coming into the studio with this intent of writing something really dark and heartbreaking, because I'd be going through something, and I was in that mood, and I would often leave the studio with something empowering and uplifting, which was so annoying. I don't always want to be that girl that sings the 'Let It Go's' and 'Defying Gravity's' of the world all the time. I mean, I love that, and I'm proud of those songs, and they're amazing, and they've changed my life in so many ways. But we can't all always sing these songs where we can rise above everything in our life. Sometimes you just want to throw the covers over your head and write something dark and despondent. But, for whatever reason, sitting in the room with some of these great songwriters, we always just found the light at the end of the tunnel. It just creeps in and follows me around, so I must be putting something out there to attract this kind of, horrible optimistic music to me."

On what she loves most about performing live on tour

Idina loves to perform live. She says that she "thrives" off of her fans during shows, and that touring is really a "dream come true" for her. "I was in high school and that's what I used to dream about. Of having enough success that I would have my own tour bus, and I could pull up to city after city, and just play music for a living. So, I'm truly living the dream. Taking this music out on the road is thrilling for me. It really is." She adds:

"Putting a show together is such an emotional process for me. Because it's not just about playing the album. I pick songs that chronicle my life, from the past, the present, [and] new stuff that I've always wanted to sing. And each tour, I get to reassess where I am and what I've done with my life, who I love, who inspires me, what I want to do differently. I don't know how to be anyone else. I just kinda put myself out there. I tell my stories, I have a laugh, I make mistakes. I try to be as authentic as I can be, because all the greatest shows I've ever seen were the ones where you felt the artists let you into their world, and their souls. And they make themselves vulnerable. They're real. I believe that's the only way you can truly connect with an audience. That reciprocity between audience and performer. The give and take. It's a beautiful thing, and it's actually where I feel the most myself [and] the most free."

Idina Menzel fans can win a trip to not only see her in concert from the front row, but also sing with her on stage ... in Las Vegas! To enter, download/open our free iHeartRadio App and listen to Idina Menzel's custom station (Idina Menzel Radio) for the chance to win.