By: Markos Papadatos
Courtney Reed is a Broadway actress who originated the role of Princess Jasmine in "Aladdin" on Broadway, and she recently starred as Satine in "Moulin Rouge! The Musical."
Reed will be starring in the Off-Broadway production of "Reunions," which will be performed at New York City Center. She shared 10 interesting and fun things about herself.
Favorite movies
Courtney Reed's favorite movie is “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” with Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson. “It’s very sweet. I do love a rom-com,” she said. “That is usually my go-to favorite movie. I never get sick of watching it.”
“Also, honestly, I love any of the Disney Renaissance classics,” she added.
Favorite series to binge-watch
Reed's favorite series to binge is “Severance.” “It is such a good series, and I cannot wait for the next season,” she exclaimed.
Favorite mottos to live by
Courtney Reed's favorite mottos to live by are the Golden rule (“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”) and also YOLO, which is an acronym for “You Only Live Once.”
Best advice she has ever been given
“I feel like I take inspiration from watching people lead by example, so that's one of the biggest things,” she noted.
“In retrospect, I look back, and I think, ‘Oh my gosh, that person really taught me so much about patience or so much about leading a company.’ I remember when I did ‘In the Heights’ and Lin-Manuel Miranda came back.”
“I was part of the closing company, and he came back to close the show. I saw how great of a leader he was, and I took that, subconsciously, when I played Satine in ‘Moulin Rouge! The Musical’ because it starts at the top,” she elaborated.
“So, Lin-Manuel Miranda was one of my biggest inspirations on leading a company. He and James Monroe Iglehart were incredible about leading a company. Iglehart led our company in Aladdin, and so I took a lot of that knowledge with me into Satine,” she expanded.
Favorite cheat meal
Reed's favorite cheat meal is “pizza.” “I love a spicy Soppressata with chili oil on top,” she admitted. “I like it really spicy!”
Stage of her life
On the title of the current chapter of her life, Courtney revealed, “Renaissance.”
Superpower of choice
If Courtney Reed were to have any superpower, it would be “To fly.” “I would be so fun to fly,” she admitted.
Hobbies to unwind and relax
On her favorite hobbies, Courtney shared, “I'm such a social butterfly when it comes to my besties. I love being on roof and seeing the sunset with a sensible glass of wine and hanging with my besties.”
“Also, coming home and making a collective meal together while we are drinking wine and sitting down and watching a movie,” she said.
“Right now, I’m getting into the fall season, and it’s finally feeling like fall. I can enjoy my favorite movie such as ‘Hocus Pocus’,” she said.
“The best is a fun autumnal cocktail and just hanging with friends watching a movie and eating popcorn,” she added.
Best thing about being her age
Regarding the best thing about being her age, Reed said, “Being confident in who I am and knowing who I am. Also, really wanting to continue to grow, and to do that with confidence.”
Success
On her definition of the word success, Reed said, “At the end of my life, what do I want to be remembered for? I want to be remembered as a good person. The effect that I have on people is most important to me. I really hope that's the takeaway… at the end of my life.”
To learn more about Courtney Reed, follow her on Instagram.
Photo Credit: Nick Pflederer