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From: BeauteReine
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  • Idina<3

  • Her pitch is not as high as Lea's, but it's amazing how she can belt those high notes on this song. It's really high, ya know. Just, they're both awesome in their own way :)

  • @gwyethpierre Idina Menzel is undoutedly the best Elphaba there has ever been.. in a league of her own.. to say she struggles with this song is ridiculous.

  • Idina menzel has one of the most confident voices on broadway but she does sometimes have problems with pitch. they are both amazing

  • have a look at the version of Kaprice85, too !!!

  • Got to listen to Idina sing this live once. It is absolutely AMAZING. This video does her no justice at all, even though she sounds so great in this video, you would never think those notes are high for her at all.

  • Idina struggles so much with this song - EVERY time she sings it, no matter where.

  • Comment removed

  • Indina for me is a hell lot better

  • People say that Idina's not nearly as good live. It's not true.Though she doesn't sound like the sountrack, there's a passionate, emotional quality to her live performances that makes them better than the track.

  • i think that they are both great and let's just thank them for giving us a good time listenin' to the song we love...:D

  • I LOVE indina dont get me wrong but i feel like everyone forgets how great Kristen is too :) in my oipion they are both Amazingggg singinger and actors :)

  • Idina is amazing!! Am I the only one here that realizes that all of the comments marked as spam were the ones saying Idina was better? Everyone has different opinions live with it

  • Idina, off pitch? That doesn't exist!

  • wait. Idina off pitch? NEVER!

  • Wait, is this a comparison of Lea and Idina singing Defying Gravity? Really? This is all I got to say... Idina will and always will be Elphaba, she rocked the role even if she did have pitch problems, but I would to if I had to hit those notes. Lea holds back too much with a voice like hers and I think Fantine and Eponine are where she withstands legendary status. Both are equally amazing but in different roles.

  • oH pitchy ! or what!

  • makes me want to become elphaba even more now i've heard this :) <3

  • those who don't appreciate idina's performance are ignorant at best.

  • Eargasm.

  • I love lea, ♥ SSSSOOOO MUCH!!!

    but for me, she is too sweet to play the role. Idina however has some "witchiness" on her. :D

    BOTH ARE great singer . I'm just thankful that I heard their voices

  • Idina is much better at singing Defying Gravity. They weren't even close

  • Wait ... are people actually comparing Lea Salonga and Idina Menzel

  • how come all of the related videos are glee?

  • this is broadway you don't sing to be perfect like a recording singer, you sing with emotion so the audience believe the story you are trying to tell, and you have to dance and act and without mic...

  • idina sings defying gravity better. people say lea is better but shes not. idina is dancing and being lifted into the air plus she doesnt have a microphone like lea you can only expect so much. lea also sings with kind of a shaking its not just full through like idina's

  • @blackfrog320 "lea also sings with kind of a shaking"

    That's known as vibrato and it showcases a performer's use of proper vocal technique. As for dancing, I didn't see one lick of dancing in Idina's performance, Lea however was moving around her stage.

  • @blackfrog320 On broadway, they do have a microphone. Its a small one attached to them so they can move around and do hand gestures. As a singer, Lea is legendary, but as Elphaba, Idina rules.

  • I love both of them :) Idina struggles with pitch, yes, but it's still impressive to me that she can belt those notes out at all! and her acting is great. Lea is one of my favorite singers ever and her performance of this song is fabulous as well in my opinion! her voice is just flawless. <3

  • Are you kidding me??? Idina has one of the WORST voices in the world! Rough, squeaky, ZERO QUALITY. Struggles with the notes. The only reason she got this role was that she genuinely comes off as a WITCH, both in looks and (especially) in sound!

  • @von7654 Exactly! Idina has SO MANY vocal issues and pales in this comparison video.  I like her as an actress, though, and good or bad, she does embody the "witchiness" of her character.

  • luf this musical:)

    

  • Lea Salonga really surprised me. I've always known her as Jasmine's singing voice from the Aladdin films, but she really threw her all into "Gravty." I never knew she could be so passionate.

    Of course I love Idina for originating the role and being as amazing as she is at this song. But I think, based off these two peformances alone, that Lea has the slight edge, though I agree her more polished voice would suit itself better to Glinda.

    I wish Lea could actually play Elphaba in a Wicked tour.

  • Chills...

  • Lea is hands down....hands freakin' down...the better singer.

  • Lea has a too controlled and 'trained' voice for Elphaba but as Glinda she may do well

  • I prefer Idina as Elphaba in this clip as Lea had a better voice that is too controlled and too trained for the role. Idina has a more raw and natural tone

  • Defying gravity isn't the same without a glinda there...

  • I think my idol Ruthie Henshall would make the best Elphaba, but on this video, yeah, Lea Salonga wins over Idina Menzel, hands-down.

  • I love Idina as an actor but I never liked her screechy Minnie Mouse voice; Kristin's screechiness is actually worse, but since Kristin had training, her attack on the notes is much better (Kristin's a better singer than Idina). Lea Salonga is better than both.

  • @mdiamse Have you heard Jennifer Paz & Lea Salonga's rendition of For Good? Since they have better voices than Idina & Kristin, once trained for Elphaba and Glinda, they would make a much better tandem!

  • The producers deliberately picked singers with ugly, SQUEAKY voices (hence Idina and Kristin) because they wanted an instant association with the WITCHY sound. Lea Salonga, of course, has a more beautiful voice than either Idina or Kristin and can sing better than either one, but since she's a better actress, too, can certainly pull off this role even if she doesn't look or sound like a typical witch.

  • POTATO!!!

  • My left ear is lonely. :(

  • @Some1toShout4 YES! My thoughts exactly hahaha!

  • Filipinas can sing!

  • i like idina but I prefer lea's version. 

  • No I think it should be Kristin, I think shes better!!

  • I'm sorry, but i think Willemijn Verkaik is better. Look for her on youtube....

  • both those down's were flat

  • @mattcookie Yes, both of Idina's "downs" were flat.

  • i prefer that blonde chick, Kerry Ellis

  • They are both phenomenal! But when I think of Wicked, Idina comes to mind. When I think of Lea, Les Mis, Mulan, And Miss Saigon come to mind. Both women are in my top 5 Broadway actresses and I loved this video.

  • Lea is better. Im not a fan of Idina's singing voice...too nasaly and weak for my taste. Of course thats only my opinion. Best Elphie: Mamie Parris :)

  • @virlizorchid99 Are you kidding? Idina INVENTED Elphaba's singing voice. Okay, Stephanie Block, but I mean Idina made it famous, being the ORIGINAL Elphie.

  • Seven people are still servants of the Wizard...

  • Lea as Glinda + Idina as Elphaba = wow....

    *dreams on*

  • Idina is the only Elphaba for me (it might have to do with her being on the soundtrack), and I'm sorry, but I hate glee and anything related to it, that includes Lea

  • @wraithkelso Idina is on Glee haa x) Trololololol.

  • @LissaLAWLZ21 you realize she has only been in 11 episodes right...

  • @wraithkelso You do realise she is still appart of the cast, right?

  • @wraithkelso wrong Lea

  • @wraithkelso lea michele (rachel from glee) has nothing to do with this, this is lea salonga who is not on glee. : BUT! yes, i agree. idina is the one and only true elphaba ! <3

  • @wraithkelso Idina is on Glee! Lea is not. This Is Lea Songala from Miss Saigon and Jasmine's singing voice on Alladin. Not Lea Michelle from Glee.

  • @wraithkelso If you hate anything related to Glee, then you hate Idina. Lea MICHELE is the one on Glee (the one known for flashing her chest on Spring Awakening and being autotuned on Glee). Lea SALONGA is the internationally acclaimed performer who holds the record, among many, for being the only actress in theater history who has won both the Olivier and the Tony Awards for a single role.

  • lea starts off by singing electricity from billy elliott, genius!!!

  • I seriously got goosebumps when Lea sang "down" at 8:02!!! She has the most amazing voice!!!

  • I have to say, my favourite Elphaba would be Rachel Tucker. She's the only Elphaba I've seen who doesn't strain to get the high notes, they just come naturally. Plus when I watch her, I actually feel like it's Elphaba the way she portrays the character and the emotions. When I saw Idina or Kerry or Eden there were some parts of the show where I was reminded that I was just watching an actress.

    Idina may have been the original Elphaba, but that doesn't necessarily mean she's the best.

  • @sunderlandgrl

    After reading ur comment, I watched Rachael for the first time. And u r right....she is absolutely amazing! She doesn't strain her voice at all! I will definitely agree that she is probably a better singer than Idina, but I still think Idina playsElphaba a little better. :) Rachael is an amazing actress, too, though! :D

  • @sunderlandgrl dont think I could of said it better myself!!! :D

  • Did Lea ever play elphaba

  • She's good, but listen to this song in Dutch sung by Willemijn Verkaik. The song is called: 'ik lach om zwaartekracht'. She's the best Elphaba ever!

  • @leotrijn totally agree! Proud to be dutch!

  • Idina and Lea have a nasal sound whereas I have a deeper octave. Deeper than most altos and I am on the verge of an alto/bass

  • I agree with people who say Idina has a slightly nasal voice but it could be her placement when she sings to amplify her voice or forward placement. Lea is amazing but there are less famous people who could blow her out of the water. Still amazing though :)

  • Wow, she is REALLY good at this song! Of course, she did the voices for two pretty awesome Disney Princesses so she's got that to back her up XD

  • @TheEpona92 which disney princesses??

  • @peaceluvgymnastics98 Lea did the singing voices of Jasmine of Aladdin (A Whole New World) and Mulan (Reflection). :)

  • lea is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa­aaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better. a little

  • ok I just love Idina but Lea was exceptional

  • Rachel Tucker was immense when I saw her. Flawless

  • Did Lea ever do the part of Elphaba?

  • watch my version of this song :)

  • @djm1072 she has been mainly belting so far... definitely more elphaba.

  • @djm1072 No way. Lea would be a perfect Elphaba.

  • Lea Salonga is fucking flawless.

  • now that is called feeling it

  • omg

  • I think Rachel Tucker is the best ELPHABA ever. EVER.

  • I like when Billy Elliot sings Electricity. it's hard to recreate that sound. :P

  • MY LIFE IS COMPLETE

  • I missed a chance to hear Lea sing live. She performed at a Powwow that I was volunteering at. But I had a meeting that ran over, and I got there late. Needless to say, I was quite (QUITE) disappointed.

  • they were both great!

  • oh.. why is she shouting? :-/

  • from what stage play is this?

  • i always always always get goosebumps hearing this song. always.

  • I guess I misunderstood the video title, I thought they were singing it together as a duet. Good video anyway. I love & admire both of these women! They are 2 of the greatest musical theater singers I've ever heard. I love their voices!

  • personally i think lea is better technically, idina always has me sitting here worried that her voice will crack or get damaged and i get distracted by her noisy breaths, whereas with lea, you can tell she is singing correctly and she makes it sound so much easier :)

    but you should check out the jemmy rix, who played elphaba in australia...definitely the best one i've ever heard!

  • @luvfromjulz Yea. Idina is amazing. And I am a HUGE fan of hers!!! But I am always anticipating a crack or something of the sort, as well. lol. Granted, it's never happened. But I still expect it to come, at times. And the pointedly aspirate breaths do become a distraction at times. But in the midst off all that, Idina does something so remarkable with her breath that you just melt. I still get chills when I hear her interpretation of "Tomorrow" from Annie.

  • is anyones left ear not workin?

  • where the hell is galinda?! Its so weird not seing her there):

  • Dang, Lea rocked that song!! I'd love to see her play Elphie!

  • Lea Salonga's voice has stayed crystal clear and preserved over the last 2 decades. She is just breathtaking.

  • Idina Menzel, one of the best. :) great performer.

  • i think Lea Salonga may just have overtaken Idina as my favorite Elphie... who knew this day would come?

  • This seems like yesterday when I first saw the play only a couple years ago.

    Thank you!

  • I'd like to see Lea fly ...in this concert ...in that dress ...just like in the musical.

  • Oh my dear god. We have found our new Elphaba in Lea. I didn't know that had that FIERCENESS in her!

  • woah...Lea Solonga can talk? I've only ever heard her sing :D

  • omfg where the hell is freakin kristen or galinda cuz ya know they are so the same person XD

  • hahaha lea is too angelic to be elphiba...

  • Lea Salonga is an incredible singer as well as Idina. I think that roles need a better person that can fit in the character.And I think Idina is better in Elphaba than Lea. If you will compare it also, can Idina make a powerful perfomance in Miss Saigon as Kim than Lea?

  • Although Lea Salonga is far better trained I still prefer Idina purely because I couldn't see Lea's beautiful princess voice in a character as wild as Elphaba. While Idina's vocals occasionally leave something to be desired her acting is usually spot on in this show.

    And for the record, Ruthie Henshall was brilliant as Fantine.

  • Idina is ah-mayzing and that can not be denied. She is an amazing person, actress, and singer. Don't deny it! :)

  • best musical ive seen in my live

  • Okay, for a second I was freaking out because I was reading all these comments talking about "Lea" and I thought they were talking about Lea Michelle. And I HATE it when people compare Wicked and Glee. But it's Lea Salonga. Gottit.

  • Jackie Burns is killing it on Broadway right now.

  • Lea's version is the Best!!!

  • Love you forever Idina, you are the only Elpheba in my opinion! No one can deliver the power, emotion and personality that you give this show.

  • one of the best voices i've ever heard #idina

  • I think both versions were brillian but to be honest you cant compare these two

  • I have to say whilst Idina was perfect for Elphaba, Lea aboslutely rocked that performance and I prefer her voice. Would love to see her on Broadway.

  • i love both their voices... i'd say idina menzel's is more instantly recognisable and very unique, but lea salonga DOES have the voice of an angel.

  • @dlrsa2 Idina has strong features and may easily look more "witchy,", but she's actually quite lovely in person. :-)

  • I think that Lea has a way better trained voice, it's so clear and doesn't sound like yelling, don't get me wrong I love idina as well but she is gonna ruin her voice belting like that

  • @PhanGirl123 yup! that's fairly true.

    idina supposed to sing powerful but not that kind.

    this is to cruel for her voice.

  • @thedeathbymusic unfortunately you have joined that group :(

  • Salonga is the better singer and the better actress, so it's not surprising that she is better overall. She'll blow everyone away if she decides to do this role.

  • @wickedthebest22 of course you would say that, you are an idina die-hard fan i see :))

  • lea salonga is above the others because she has excellent singing techniques, a beautiful singing voice and a wonderful stage presence.

  • Funny how oh-so-casually Lea says, "Thank you very much" at the end of such a huge song :) In Filipino colloquial, it's like, "Wala lang..." :D Bravo, Lea! Bravo *also*, Idina!

  • As posters all over the world have noted, Idina is the QUEEN OF SQUEAKY. Her voice is so painful to listen to that a cat in heat would have to hide so as not to damage its ears!

  • I think Idina has a slight nasaly voice, but the thing about it.........SHE ROCKS IT! I dont understand how she can sound so remarkable I mean WOW <333 Idina

  • Indina sings freaky 

  • SALONGA HANDS DOWN. Imagine how much more interesting Elphaba would become if Salonga were to do it, the way she transformed Ruthie Henshall's lifeless Fantine into a full-fledged tragic, empathetic character!

  • Idina's voice sucks. She doesn't have a steady hold on the notes she kept straining to reach. No wonder she ruined her voice doing this musical and performs this song in a much lower key every time she's asked to sing it.

  • She says "renown" like nobody does anymore. D:

  • 二人ともlovelovelove!!!!!!!

    

  • Obviously, the producers wanted someone who sounded like a WITCH, so they had to cast someone with an UGLY, THROATY, SQUEAKY voice, so hiring Idina Menzel was a no-brainer.

  • @applesaremykids NOBODY said that Idina wasn't the original and that she wasn't talented. It doesn't change the fact, however, that she HAS a squeaky, annoying voice, and that MANY others could do (and have done) better in the role.

  • I like the music!