From working asAriana Grande‘s talent agent to starring onThis Is Usand now singing at an awards show,Chrissy Metzcan do it all.
The actress, 38, blew audiences away with herfirst-ever live television performanceat Sunday’s ACM Awards, even holding her own alongsideCarrie Underwood,Lauren Alaina,Mickey GuytonandMaddie & Taein the group collaboration on the single “I’m Standing with You” from Metz’s upcoming movieBreakthrough.
Below, everything to know about Metz’s musical history.
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American Idol
Metz auditioned for the then-Fox series in 2007 with her rendition of theDreamgirlshit, “Heavy Heavy.”
Recalling the experience in her memoir,This Is Me: Loving the Person You Are Today, Metz said she sang for producersSimon Cowelland Nigel Lythgoe, but neither of the men were fond of her voice.
“Somebody asked me to sing and then I did it. You have five or 10 seconds and then the guy was like, ‘Yeah that’s not what we’re looking for, ‘ ” Metz recounted toToday‘sHoda Kotbin March 2018.
The star also toldEntertainment Tonightthat the audition didn’t seem just about her voice.
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“You know, I get it, they’re trying to make stories and they’re trying to invest the audience into these characters and I understand the whole scope of everything, especially [since] I was a talent agent,” she said. “So, I understand what they’re doing. And I was like, ‘Oh, I can sort of see that and I don’t want to be that girl. …Like, if you don’t dig it, you don’t like my voice, I’ll just keep it moving.’ ”
Now, looking back, Metz believes theIdolexperience was a good thing.
“It was actually a really great experience. I’m glad that I showed up for myself and sat in a stadium for eight hours,” she toldExtra. “I was like, ‘I’m committed. I’m gonna see it through.’ If it wasn’t the right path, that’s cool — I would have never hadThis Is Us.”
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This Is Us
Metz made a name for herself on the small screen after landing the role of Wiggles inAmerican Horror Story: Freak Show. But Metz’s career soared thanks to NBC’sThis Is Us, on which she plays Kate Pearson.
Metz, whoearned an Emmy nominationfor her role, previously told PEOPLE how much she loves combining acting and singing on the show.
“[Creator] Dan [Fogelman] is writing my dream life. I enjoy singing very much,” shesaid in September 2017.
Metz recalled reading the script and finding out she would be singing in season 1. “[Dan] said here’s the script and I was like, ‘She’s singing? Why is it in italics? It’s in italics! She’s singing?!’ And he said, ‘If you don’t want to do it, it’s fine,’ ” she recounted during herTodayshow appearance in October 2018. “Please, I want to do it! I was such a gift.”
Then during season 2, Metz showcased her voice when she sang Fleetwood Mac’s 1975 classic“Landslide.”
Metz has also expressed her interest in singing with costarMandy Moore, who plays Kate’s mother Rebecca Pearson.
ACM Awards
On Sunday, Metzmade her live debutat one of country’s biggest awards shows.
Metz opened up to PEOPLE on the red carpet pre-show ahead of the ACMs.
“As a little girl, you always dream about something like this. But to actually do it and to hold a stage with these incredible women — Lauren Alaina,Carrie Underwood, Maddie + Tae, Mickey Guyton. Are you kidding? It’s really exciting.” she told PEOPLE before hitting the stage.
The powerhouse ladies, including Metz, are all featured on the soundtrack of Metz’s upcoming filmBreakthrough, which is based on author Joyce Smith’s real-life story and her 2017 memoir,The Impossible: The Miraculous Story of a Mother’s Faith and Her Child’sResurrection, about how her son fell through the ice of a Missouri lake and was given a bleak prognosis for survival.
“As an actress, you’re not always taken seriously as a singer. You can’t always cross over, whether it’s drama to comedy or an actress to musician,” MetztoldThe Tennessean. “I can’t even believe it’s happening. I really, really can’t. It’s been a gift on top of a gift. It’s one of those bucket list moments you didn’t think would actually happen. Standing on stage with five incredible women who are brilliant vocalists and artists is beyond thrilling.”
This Is Uscostar Moore was over the moon about Metz’s debut.
“She did that! I’m sorry did you all catch @chrissymetz absolutely slay the @acmawards last night? I love that the whole world finally gets to hear your stunning voice and cant wait for more music. #proudfriend,” Moore applauded.
Breakthroughhits theaters on Easter.
source: people.com
