Central Florida’s 1st place in Favorite Local Performer: Musician
Few singers in Central Florida have the vocal chops that Heather Abood does, and even fewer support the LGBTQ community as passionately as she does.
“I’m a theatre kid through and through,” she says, “so I have always been surrounded by friends who identified as LGBTQ from a very young age. I have always been loved and accepted by this community, and I am eternally grateful for that!”
It is in part due to Abood’s talent that “The Golden Girls Live” and Hamburger Mary’s Sunday Broadway Brunch were this year’s Favorite Local Theatrical Show and Favorite Local Brunch Spot, respectively.
“My friend from high school, Tim Thomas, was working with the cast to start [Broadway Brunch’s] first show, and he asked if I wanted to be a guest singer for the second one,” Abood recalls. “It was supposed to be a one-time appearance, and this year will be the 10th anniversary. I guess they liked me.”
Abood says that working on “The Golden Gals” has been the “best professional experience of my adult performing career.”
“I’m not kidding,” she says. “The cast is so professional, and it’s a true family. I love when we’re all sitting backstage and just kiki-ing like old birds, spilling tea and cackling at YouTube videos. Ginger, Gidget and Chris go above and beyond not just on the sets, costumes and scripts, but they provide a loving, fun and safe space for us to showcase our talents.”
Abood continues to wow audiences, during Broadway Brunch at Hamburger Mary’s, as a part of the TV Land Live series and beyond.
“Our LGBTQ community has embraced me,” she says. “A straight, Black girl who loves to belt ridiculous songs anywhere she can, and I will always be beyond grateful and humbled for that. And I’m available to sing at your weddings, office events, Drag Race viewing parties, whatever!”
