Since the mid 1990s, Deborah Cox has been a staple at dance clubs around the world. Her powerful, relatable anthems like â┚¬Å”Nobody's Supposed to be Hereâ┚¬Â and â┚¬Å”Absolutely Notâ┚¬Â bring LGBTs to the dance floor year after year, and have helped secure her status as a pop culture icon.
Today, the Miami resident and mother of three is still performing her hits, but she's also taking on meaty roles on the Broadway stage. She played the lead role in AIDA, and this year she's portraying â┚¬Å”Lucyâ┚¬Â in a touring revival of Jekyll & Hyde.
As if that isn't enough, Cox is playing LGBT pride festivals across the country, and will make a special stop at the St. Pete Pride Street Festival on Saturday, June 30, when she performs on the main stage at 1 p.m.
This is the first year the state's largest Pride celebration has had a major headliner, and Cox is thrilled to help St. Pete Pride celebrate its 10th anniversary. The singer spoke with Watermark from her Miami home to talk about her performances, what it means to be embraced by the LGBT community and the potential for some new music later this year:
WATERMARK: Several years ago you said you didn't like the term â┚¬Å”divaâ┚¬Â used to describe you. Has that changed?
DEBORAH COX: The â┚¬ËœDiva' word has such a negative connotation to it. To me a diva is someone who is so rooted and grounded in their craft. When I said I didn't see myself as one that was four years ago and I felt sort of green. When people refer to me as a diva I think my personality is so different from that. I'm a more down-to-earth person. I find a way to connect with people on a human level, from the heart level, rather than grandstanding. Maybe in my later years I will be considered a diva, but not yet. Although there are moments I have a diva attitude.
You're preparing to return to Broadway as â┚¬Å”Lucyâ┚¬Â this fall in Jekyll & Hyde. Do you have a preference between Broadway performances and concert performances?
On Broadway I'm playing a character and I'm within that character. I'm part of a huge painting with many different people on stage. Plus, you're working with an orchestra, so it's a completely different sensation and performance than a concert.
I get the same joy because it's me in front of an audience and I'm really singing from my heart. Performing concerts of my own songs is a different kind of love because some of the story lines are familiar with me and those songs have resonated with the audience in a way I'll never be able to understand or comprehend.
But truly, being a part of a piece with other actors and orchestraâ┚¬â€Âthat's an artist's dream.
Are you excited to return to a Broadway show?
Since AIDA, I've been craving a meaty role with meaty songs. When they approached me about playing â┚¬Å”Lucyâ┚¬Â I thought it was an interesting casting twist to use someone like me. I wasn't familiar with the previous production, but once I read the script and talked to the director about breathing new life into the show, I got really excited. I knew I could play around with the role and make my own mark with the songs. I understand it will be a big challenge because it's already been done and that challenge is how do I continue to make it fresh and do my own thing without messing with the piece? It's going to be more contemporary but its about finding that common and delicate balance.
But first you have to get through Pride season. Have you been to St. Petersburg before?
I've never been to St. Petersburg but I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be damn hot. I was in Clearwater with Cyndi Lauper's True Colors Tour. I'm really looking forward to seeing the crowds. Everyone should come expecting to celebrate and have a good time.
You have a busy schedule. Why do you do Pride events?
Pride events are just a lot of fun. Doing Pride events is different than any other performance in that everyone is there for a big coming together. They are celebrating who they are and being true to themselves. A concert is more about me giving a part of myself, a piece of myself and my story to the audience. At Pride I'm celebrating with you. It's like being at a huge birthday party.
Why are you such an advocate for the LGBT community?
The connection between me and the LGBT community seems to be related to the subject matter of my music. It's about love. Everything I've sung is on a topic everyone has dealt with or situations they have been through. They find a part of themselves in each song.
The gay community is about the big voices. Everyone is doing dance mixes now, but originally it was about the big voices and the divas and that was the persona all of the drag queens wanted to live up to or be. I think that's the connection there. The rest is profound. I don't know what it is. Every year the calls come in from different Pride events and each year I try to go to places I haven't been before. Pride takes me all over the world and since Pride is about celebrating who you are, that chord really strikes something for me. I can't imagine what it's like growing up and not being able to be who you truly are. So I try to show my support the best way I can, and for me that's through music.
Speaking of music, when will we get some new Deborah Cox anthems?
(Laughs) Actually, I just finished a single. I have so many songs and stuff I've recorded that I'm trying to get an EP done. Right now I'm looking for a distributor and trying to hone in on the right deal before releasing. My hope is to have an EP out by late this summer.
When you do start touring with Jekyll & Hyde, you'll be working with Constantine Maroulis of American Idol fame. Do you watch much reality music television?
Really? (Laughs) I am way too busy with three kids and touring, so I don't have the time to tune into be a faithful viewer. I'm aware of X Factor and American Idol.
The music industry is such a different beast now. A lot of these singers haven't really earned their stripes or done any kind of performance outside of being plucked from a mall. It's bittersweet. There's this whole thing now about being famousâ┚¬â€Âthat's what everyone wants. It's the fame, not the background.
You have both. What can we expect to see from you at St. Pete Pride?
They should come expecting a high-energy show and to enjoy themselves. Come to celebrate and have a good time, because that's what Pride is all about.
More Info
WHO: Deborah Cox
WHERE: Main Stage, St. Pete Pride
WHEN: Saturday, June 30, 1 p.m.
