She did horrible in my opinion. She just isn't Mimi. I do believe this was better than the other songs but still not up to par. I love her in HSM because she plays the sweet girl well. But Mimi isn't Gabriella. Vanessa isn't Broadway material. And to the person talking about the original cast I agree. Adam didn't have any experience, but he worked hard and is my favorite Roger of all time. It just, she's good for movies and the sweet girl. But she is no Mimi.
I think she did ok in the ballads but was quite horrible with the uptempos. I actually think she would do well in a film adaptation, with some extensive acting and singing training, she would definitely do well.
I honestly think everyone hates her because she was in HSM. I feel that if she never was in HSM, and she played Mimi in this, most people would have different opinions. She's absolutely not the best (Out Tonight was really not good), she is very talented, and in this, and some of the other songs, she sounds absolutely beautiful. Also, everyone keeps on talking about Rosario Dawson. People need to remember that Rosario was in a RECORDING STUDIO, where it is very likely they tweaked her voice.
Thankfully this is much better than Out Tonight.... but I'm sorry it is not very good. For such a large sale performance of this, you'd think they would've cast someone better.... saying she did a good job even though she hasn't had Broadway training is like sending a high school runner to the Olympics and then saying "Oh, well he did a good job for not having trained for the Olympics." ... no you would just get someone better...
@TheaterForLife2013 The majority of the original cast weren't trained Broadway singers either. Almost all of them were unknown before Rent. However, Vanessa has enough fame and money to get that training. Not that it would be worth anything anyway because she f'in sucks badly. In everything she sings. She has no range or emotion in her voice in this play or anything else that she sings. TERRIBLE. And Neil Patrick is an asshat for casting her. WHY did he do it?!
@jannelli2686 I said the ORIGINAL CAST. Aaron Tveit was NOT a member of the original cast of Rent. I'm still trying to figure out the point of your statement.
God, I wish some of the people who watched her out tonight video first would have watched this. I don't think many people get stage singing. Sure it should sound nice, but there is also character and emotion. I think Vanessa did fine, and honestly, I might have liked her better than the original....Or maybe it was the original maureen I didn't like. Meh. Vanessa did fine. Better than I would even be able to do. Actually, her and the rest of this crew has inspired me to watch RENT some more!
I think she's definitely talented or she wouldn't have been casted in HSM. However, Broadway is not her place. She's not a belter and in turn she goes off pitch and sounds as if she's trying too hard. I would know... I'm a pretty decent singer in chorus but when I belt for fun in my shower I sound HORRIBLE. She sounds pretty good in some recordings from HSM concerts. She's also probably SUPER nervous.
Her vibrato is a little out of control. You can just kind of tell that she has no control of her voice whatsoever. It's not horrible, but it's not good enough to be Mimi. Rosario and Daphne and hell, even Renee, just kicked her ass at singing this.
@TheaterForLife2013 I have to agree, what they are doing is sterotyping her by her disney days, she is trying and that is what should count, I think she is did very good.
I like this song!!:D And Out Tonight and Light My Candle!! She did a really great job!! I'm a huge fan of her, but I still think that Rosario Dawson sings the songs better then Van. But they're both great!!
@EliseWhatever I think this was her only good song. Only because it fits her voice. I said this before and I think it still holds true. SHe's a ballad singer. And in broadway, you gotta be more than a ballad singer.
vanessa did an amazing job okay? people just think she was terrible based on out tonight because she didnt do so well on that particular song. that is a really hard song to. and she didnt do it as well as other mimis in the past. but she still did a great job in without you and light my candle and everything else. so stop bringing her down because of one bad song. shes an extremely talented young girl and i myself am a huge fan.
I agree. She wasn't so bad in this song because it fits her voice. I said this on another video where she sings Without you and i'll say it here. She's a ballad singer. When she's standing still and singing and sounding all winded, she's unbearable to listen to. And it's a shame because in MUSICAL THEATER, you HAVE to learn to sing and dance at the same time. It's what they do. She sounds listenable here because she's not moving around and like I said, it fits her voice.
This was actually her best song of the night. It wasn't that bad. Her voice was smooth, but I agree that she is very inexperienced and played Mimi very timid. Aaron, though, was just perfect as Roger. He saved every song they had together, just like this one. Then again, he is a broadway vet so it's no wonder he was so comfortable and performed so well.
She's just too young, too suburban, too naive and too timid for the part. Mimi is a junkie stripper whore from the East Village....she never embraced the role. The clean Disney thing is her gig......showed no comfort level in dark, perverted, desperate characteristic of the role. Very timid to explore and let go. Pair that with the most nasal flat voice and oof what a combination for a disaster!!!!
she really doesnt sound that bad like really you wanna hear bad listen to Selena Gomez okay so hush up all of you. if you dont like her dont watch this since its so bad
@blay3r Agreed. I said the same thing that this song suits her voice better than out tonight. Which requires you to sing and dance at the same time. Fact is she's a ballad singer. And in musical theater, you gotta be more than just a mere ballad songstress.
Ok, this is the 3rd video that I've watched of her and I thought that it was some bad Flip camera footages....but its consistent...her performance (voice and movement) is AWFUL!! I've seen HSM and RENT (film, broadway, and tour) and this was NOT her gig....sorry bad choice.
@lsherrie I agree that she is inexperienced. And someone said that if she is going to be on broadway, then she needs to get better. Which i agree with ten folds.
@theboyfriendtony And as far being a singer, like I said. I haven't seen the three HSM movies and I only watched one movie with her in it, and I think she at least has general talent to be in four musically themed movies. Do I think she can do live singing? Maybe. I think with practice and with the general stuff she knows, she can. I dunno. I guess what I am saying is...time will tell. I mean she's what..20 or 21? She's got time to improve. I guess we'll see what the future holds.
@theboyfriendtony I agree. Many actresses try to go into live theater and it's not where they belong. I am inclined to agree with that statement. However like I said before, it's a HUGE leap from film to live theater. That safety net that most film actresses have is taken away when they are on a stage. Especially in a huge theater like The Hollywood Bowl. It's certainly something to look at. And like you said, it's like being taken out of your element. Like it or not, it's a different atmosphere
@theboyfriendtony And as far as electronic singing goes, I can't speak from experience, yet I do know a few people who work in recording studios. And from what i've been shown people still need to at least have general "talent". I mean there is only so much electronic voice lifting can do to a person's voice. And I've seen quite a bit. Again this is just going by what I've seen. I'm not experienced in this but this is from my general perespective. Maybe you know more than me.
@theboyfriendtony You're right. Yet she doesn't. At least not enough to be on stage. I looked up her bio and she left the theater industry at what...10 years old? that's 11 years out of the live theater. I see what you're saying but you should also see what other people are saying as well. The the "experience" factor did factor into her lackluster performance. It has to. I mean it would be like expecting someone fresh out of a culinary school to prepare an elaborate meal right?
@theboyfriendtony And as far as your friend who is 19 and had no vocal training, maybe she sounded great to you, and I'm not saying she sounds bad. But Im sure if you put her next to a critical reviewer or someone of that caliber, there's bound to be something wrong.
@theboyfriendtony But the thing is she has a LITTLE knowledge about singing and what not. I mean she wouldn't have been in four musical themed movies if she wasn't entirely tone deaf. And I saw this in a review and I'll repeat what it said. "there’s no telling how good she might be on stage with more experience and a fuller rehearsal schedule than the Bowl can provide." So that's all I gotta say about that. Again you are entitled to your view and I respect it. But this is mine.
@theboyfriendtony Uhm im not sure how to respond to this. I could be snarky and rude, but in the end everything stated is an opinion, and while I am not the biggest V hudge fan out there, I will have to disagree about the "Experience factor". It's a HUGE transition to go from film to live theatre. And granted she was pretty underwhelming and what not she had no experience at all on stage or Vocal training. And I'm not making an excuse for her. She tanked. I agree with that.
@harrypotterwicked I agree. However I have to say that this particular song wasn't...horrible. Don't get me wrong it was flawed but I could hear it and not cringe. Unlike Out Tonight and Light My Candle. Those were just bad. And I can kinda forgive her for at least singing adequate on this one. Not great but...adequate.
She doesn't have the breath support to sing and dance. So in this song and one's where she barely moves it's great! From what I've seen her acting was too forced. She over did the whole "i'm sexy" thing to where it looked crappy. Aaron well he's great obviously.
@HuggestFan Very true. One of the reviews stated that she was significantly improved through the Ballads. And I agree with that. However she was unprepared.
I thought this was her best song. Her voice was the smoothest here and it actually sounded all right live. Aaron, though, was just phenomenal. He was an amazing Roger, and I think having a broadway vet like him with vanessa helped compensate for some of her weaknesses. I think her main flaw was just making herself believable as the character of Mimi. Her voice was actually better than I expected.
my best friend told me to give her a chance as mimi and i tried but it didnt really work out. im literally cussing at my poor computer right now. she totaly blows.
i was there for sat night's performance. vanessa was a good, not strong, mimi. but remember they had two weeks to get it all together. as for out tonight, she had to run all over the stage and it's a HUUUUGE stage. i've seen a worse mimi, too.
@1fonzii years ago i saw a non equity production here in LA. just terrible. the only thing good in it was the guy playing angel. my friend and i still can't talk about how bad it was. truly awful.
Yes, I agree. I was there on sat as well. She did better than I expected. Without you was probably her best. It was "out tonight" where I thought she really had a hard time. That was tough to sit thru. Otherwise, she actually did okay.
she does this really really good. and you shouldn't really judge her by some youtube-videos (: but yeah, in out tonight & light my candle she sound off key. anyway, so happy for her to get this chance (:
She is so much better this song, she sounded beautiful in some spots. Out Tonight and Light My Candle in my opinion were just horrible. Shes young and she has room to grow obviously. I think this was a major miscast tho. I don't think she was ready for this demanding of a role. And putting her next to Aaron Tveit (much more experienced and incredible vocals) only dimmed her vocals more. She was put in a cast of incredible vocals which makes her look even worse. i don't like her in this role.
To think that she's only 21. I mean, she can only get better. Screw all those bad reviews. She's the least experienced out of the cast (by that I mean performing in front of thousands of people, running around on a stage, singing live etc) and this alone, is already great. She has proved that she's just not another "Disney girl" with a pretty face. She has talent. And she has so much time to improve that.
@xlilmizjezreelx you do have a point she is very inexperienced in live theatre, and this is probably her trying to break away from Disney. But it's still hard to ignore, if she keeps trying to go in the Broadway direction she better get better.
@xlilmizjezreelx I agree. She has time to improve on that. But mixed reviews can also be a good thing in some ways. You can learn from them see what they didn't like and improve on those areas. Sometimes the best lesson to learn is from getting a negative review.
I can even say it's 'listenable'.. maybe because it's a calmer song and suits her type of voice better... kind of... I forgave her a little for screweing Out Tonight and Light My Candle after hearing this...
this makes me cringe. she was okay lyrically but she is not even close to edgy enough to carry out such a heavy role. what was nph thinking? a travesty.
Vanessa Hudgens is not a good Mimi :/ I mean, sure, if I saw it live, I'd love the show, but from what I've seen/heard of this show here, she did not nail it.
Some of you are making a lot of excuses for her. All of the things you keep mentioning, like the crowd size, how little rehearsal time they had, nerves...its called being a performer. Many have come before and will come after, and they will rise to the occasion or fall flat on their face. Rent has been out for over a decade. Vanessa was cast as Mimi months ago. She had ample time to get a coach and prepare. This performance does sound better than out tonight, but trust me, that's not saying much
@myeyesonfire i agree, maybe she did get training but i think in her case she needs more work because she was pitchy, she came in too early with some songs and went out of tune, i want so much to say she did a fantastic job, but i think she did what she could as her role of mimi. Everyone deserves an opportunity to perform. Hope she grows from this. I feel just abit embarrassed for her because aaron, nicole, tracie, telly are seasoned performers and can sing so well.
@gezbez I felt you up until you said, "everyone deserves an opportunity to perform". That's just not the reality of show business. The reality is that many amazing performers lost out on a roll that they could have performed better, because there was another actress whose name would draw attention and sell tickets to her fan base. There are actors and actresses who aren't as seasoned who can hold their own with veterans, vanessa's not one of them. I don't hate her, but I couldn't like her less.
@myeyesonfire you are right, alot of other seasoned performers miss out, but i guess NPH took a chance on her and im sure he knew she wasn't that great of a singer too. I actually really like vanessa just not her singing.
@myeyesonfire I agree with you. She was completely unprepared and had months to get coaching and train for this role. She was just like you said very unprepared. And granted those things mentioned are definitely factors, I mean stage acting and film acting is a very different experience as well as singing and moving around, she could've prepared more and done well. That's the sad thing.
Her acting is very one demensional, her voice even worse. But I must say, even though her version of "Without You" isn't the best, it's better than the rest of her performance, that's for sure. This is reletively good compared to the rest. Aaron Tveit rocks the role of Roger, though. Loved him in Next to Normal, and he's great in this.
she seems all right as long as she's sitting still. just nobody touch her. for your own sakes.
Vanessa, just stop trying to be Mimi and nobody gets hurt.
she does not sound perfect by any stretch of the imagination. she did not deserve a standing ovation for what countless Mimis have done before her, better, on a //legitimate broadway stage//. at least she was on pitch for this one. i barely cringed at all! *app.lause*
@CorinaJoanBlack - there will always be greater mimi's but to say she doesn't deserve a standing ovation is unfair. No one is perfect so you're not going to get the perfect sound you are looking for.
@bialystockandbloom yeah of course perfection is strived for but nothing is ever really perfect. i've seen shows before but this is 3 night run not an ongoing broadway production. i knew when they cast vanessa it wasn't going to be about perfection. But i can still appreciate her efforts and the rest of the cast too.
Vanessa definitely doesn't live up to past Mimi's, but she was a lot better than I expected. She sang the song well, and even conveyed some of Mimi's agony in her singing :)
What the heck is going on here?? She isn't even singing in proper moments of the measures! At the beginning - does no one else hear it? Right before getting to "the seeds root", she is singing at the completely incorrect time. She does it once or twice after that, too. Man, talk about back-phrasing....
@Maestrojosh87 I know you! I sing along to songs you play. :)
And um, I have to say my bad. I admit I was wrong! (And I do know one technically backphrases in this song. I even have a recording of me doing this song.) Know what threw me off? How the video starts. I was counting differently. So I changed my senses and yeah, she's fine. Not sure why I'm catching this only now given I kept restarting this video a few times wondering if I was hearing it wrong. Oh well, no big, we all make mistakes.
I guarantee that this will get better she's starting to get used to the audience and performing at the Hollywood Bowl I don't think and I know the actors and actresses now-a-days not a soul could play this character better than her, sure you have great actors better than her because they've been in it for a long time but I can tell you they can't nail a singing performance like she did even if they got a singer to be MiMi they could not nail the acting like she did. Just look and think on that.
I don't really like her as a person. But I do have to admit this song was a soulful perfomance.
I think she was so nasal, out-of-character and patetic in Light my Candle, but I do think if she is able to give a performance like this song, she may be able to become a good actress... someday. Now she need to work harder and find a Vocal Coach.
i have to admit she did a fantasic job on this song now i'm not a big Vanessa fan but i can admit when some one is good and i think she nailed this song, i think she has finaly learned what Mimi is all about and that she starting to be more comfortable with the character and OMG Aaron is completely hot i'm totaly in love!
seeing her tonight so i can judge. This is her first night in front of thousands of people. YES SHE IS A PERFORMER AND SHOULD BE USED TO THIS but seriously...give her a break. It's scary
I didn't like the style of "Out Tonight' period, and people need to keep in mind it was opening night in front of nearly 17,000 people. Vanessa was breaking out that night, leaving the shell of Gabriella behind to burn and show what kind of acting chops and what kind of voice she has. Nervous? Hell yes she had to have been, but yet she still put on a stellar performance and got rave reviews from people. Get a hobby and stop hating. Can you sing better? Not likely.
This wasn't as bad as Out Tonight and Light My Candle, it was acceptable. And I think most people doesn't compare her to Rosario, who recorded these songs in studio but to other Mimis who sang these songs on stage in Nederlander Theatre or on tour.
Omg I knew I shouldn't have clicked this. I I knew it was gonna be bad... Ugh
MsChatterbox235 3 days ago
She did horrible in my opinion. She just isn't Mimi. I do believe this was better than the other songs but still not up to par. I love her in HSM because she plays the sweet girl well. But Mimi isn't Gabriella. Vanessa isn't Broadway material. And to the person talking about the original cast I agree. Adam didn't have any experience, but he worked hard and is my favorite Roger of all time. It just, she's good for movies and the sweet girl. But she is no Mimi.
sparrowstarstrukk 3 months ago
I think she did ok in the ballads but was quite horrible with the uptempos. I actually think she would do well in a film adaptation, with some extensive acting and singing training, she would definitely do well.
benjsinister 3 months ago
She wasn't too bad in this song, but my ears were still bleeding from her "Out Tonight" that it doesn't matter!
macrent2 7 months ago
I honestly think everyone hates her because she was in HSM. I feel that if she never was in HSM, and she played Mimi in this, most people would have different opinions. She's absolutely not the best (Out Tonight was really not good), she is very talented, and in this, and some of the other songs, she sounds absolutely beautiful. Also, everyone keeps on talking about Rosario Dawson. People need to remember that Rosario was in a RECORDING STUDIO, where it is very likely they tweaked her voice.
StarShine82093 8 months ago
Comment removed
NIKEsweet476 8 months ago
Vanessa was brilliant in this song when I went to the Hollywood Bowl. My favorite song of the whole show.
pabs619sd 9 months ago
she did a better job than I thought.. She sang and acted good, not great though :) I only hated her in Out tonight.. she needs more training :)
jazzy6788 11 months ago
@TheaterForLife2013 ya PROFFESSIONAL stage singers????
900068032 11 months ago
Thankfully this is much better than Out Tonight.... but I'm sorry it is not very good. For such a large sale performance of this, you'd think they would've cast someone better.... saying she did a good job even though she hasn't had Broadway training is like sending a high school runner to the Olympics and then saying "Oh, well he did a good job for not having trained for the Olympics." ... no you would just get someone better...
jannelli2686 1 year ago
she did better with the ballads then out tonight
oNegLeEk 1 year ago
@TheaterForLife2013 The majority of the original cast weren't trained Broadway singers either. Almost all of them were unknown before Rent. However, Vanessa has enough fame and money to get that training. Not that it would be worth anything anyway because she f'in sucks badly. In everything she sings. She has no range or emotion in her voice in this play or anything else that she sings. TERRIBLE. And Neil Patrick is an asshat for casting her. WHY did he do it?!
zLuxz 1 year ago 2
@zLuxz Actually, Aaron Tveit has been in many Broadway productions and he is very well-trained and very good and has been nominated for many awards.
jannelli2686 1 year ago
@jannelli2686 I said the ORIGINAL CAST. Aaron Tveit was NOT a member of the original cast of Rent. I'm still trying to figure out the point of your statement.
zLuxz 1 year ago
God, I wish some of the people who watched her out tonight video first would have watched this. I don't think many people get stage singing. Sure it should sound nice, but there is also character and emotion. I think Vanessa did fine, and honestly, I might have liked her better than the original....Or maybe it was the original maureen I didn't like. Meh. Vanessa did fine. Better than I would even be able to do. Actually, her and the rest of this crew has inspired me to watch RENT some more!
virgo2leo2 1 year ago
i think she did pretty good for her first dradway prodution
MistoffeleesCyra 1 year ago
p.s. I realize my shower anecdote is nothing like this... but I figured it was a decent analogy.
risingsenior11 1 year ago
I think she's definitely talented or she wouldn't have been casted in HSM. However, Broadway is not her place. She's not a belter and in turn she goes off pitch and sounds as if she's trying too hard. I would know... I'm a pretty decent singer in chorus but when I belt for fun in my shower I sound HORRIBLE. She sounds pretty good in some recordings from HSM concerts. She's also probably SUPER nervous.
risingsenior11 1 year ago 2
omg hes soo goodd! poor vanessa!
diaz044 1 year ago
I wish NPH cast Tamyra Gray as Mimi instead. She was phenomenal on Broadway even with Anthony and Adam opposite her. She definitely held her own.
x0yucifer 1 year ago
Her vibrato is a little out of control. You can just kind of tell that she has no control of her voice whatsoever. It's not horrible, but it's not good enough to be Mimi. Rosario and Daphne and hell, even Renee, just kicked her ass at singing this.
msRluvsU 1 year ago
@msRluvsU dont like how you said EVEN renne :/ Renne was my favourite :(
DanielMurphy94 1 year ago
I really think she did a great job...
SweetAmy007 1 year ago 5
@TheaterForLife2013 I have to agree, what they are doing is sterotyping her by her disney days, she is trying and that is what should count, I think she is did very good.
raichy9525 1 year ago
Daphne<Vanessa.
countrygirl8ful 1 year ago
Aaron deserved a partner that could actually match his talent
akuaparker22 1 year ago 4
I like this song!!:D And Out Tonight and Light My Candle!! She did a really great job!! I'm a huge fan of her, but I still think that Rosario Dawson sings the songs better then Van. But they're both great!!
12Jenni13 1 year ago
She's Amazing ! And Her voice, WOW It's just so Beautiful :) I love her ! <3
DemiSelenaax 1 year ago
She's...beyond crap in out tonight, this is better, she's just too cute to play mimi. To be in Rent in general. Stick to high school musical..
EliseWhatever 1 year ago
@EliseWhatever I think this was her only good song. Only because it fits her voice. I said this before and I think it still holds true. SHe's a ballad singer. And in broadway, you gotta be more than a ballad singer.
TheEgotasticRipoff 1 year ago
i love vanessa i thought she couldnt sing :p this musical proves she can
RequestChipmunk 1 year ago 2
@lorirox12 can't say i disagree.
TheEgotasticRipoff 1 year ago
@whenzacismine first time or not, people paid to see her deliver. and she didn't.
TheCherryBomber1 1 year ago
I actually reeeeaally liked this.. Awesome job !!!
peppermintcat 1 year ago 3
vanessa did an amazing job okay? people just think she was terrible based on out tonight because she didnt do so well on that particular song. that is a really hard song to. and she didnt do it as well as other mimis in the past. but she still did a great job in without you and light my candle and everything else. so stop bringing her down because of one bad song. shes an extremely talented young girl and i myself am a huge fan.
MamaMiaBaby93 1 year ago 2
And on a basic level I can even enjoy it to some degree. However to be successful at musical theater you gotta be more than just a ballad singer.
TheEgotasticRipoff 1 year ago
I agree. She wasn't so bad in this song because it fits her voice. I said this on another video where she sings Without you and i'll say it here. She's a ballad singer. When she's standing still and singing and sounding all winded, she's unbearable to listen to. And it's a shame because in MUSICAL THEATER, you HAVE to learn to sing and dance at the same time. It's what they do. She sounds listenable here because she's not moving around and like I said, it fits her voice.
TheEgotasticRipoff 1 year ago 2
i think vanessa hudgens is a great actress and singer and i think that mimi wasnt the best role for her but she good
888Marshmelow 1 year ago
this one actually isnt as bad as the other songs.
maecake 1 year ago
She sounds good on this song.
porterhouse1974 1 year ago 2
well THIS is good!
florabellaa 1 year ago 3
This was actually her best song of the night. It wasn't that bad. Her voice was smooth, but I agree that she is very inexperienced and played Mimi very timid. Aaron, though, was just perfect as Roger. He saved every song they had together, just like this one. Then again, he is a broadway vet so it's no wonder he was so comfortable and performed so well.
sc7asi7 1 year ago 4
This song is definitely not great, but it's better than Light My Candle and Out Tonight.
PurpleChairPro 1 year ago
really good
Blulini 1 year ago
She's just too young, too suburban, too naive and too timid for the part. Mimi is a junkie stripper whore from the East Village....she never embraced the role. The clean Disney thing is her gig......showed no comfort level in dark, perverted, desperate characteristic of the role. Very timid to explore and let go. Pair that with the most nasal flat voice and oof what a combination for a disaster!!!!
lsherrie 1 year ago
she really doesnt sound that bad like really you wanna hear bad listen to Selena Gomez okay so hush up all of you. if you dont like her dont watch this since its so bad
x0xMaddie0x0 1 year ago
her voice is just not right for Mimi and she's raping a beautiful emotional song
oohlalaooh 1 year ago
she's fine when she's not dancing... however, it's rent... and mimi is a dancer.
blay3r 1 year ago
@blay3r Agreed. I said the same thing that this song suits her voice better than out tonight. Which requires you to sing and dance at the same time. Fact is she's a ballad singer. And in musical theater, you gotta be more than just a mere ballad songstress.
TheEgotasticRipoff 1 year ago
Ok, this is the 3rd video that I've watched of her and I thought that it was some bad Flip camera footages....but its consistent...her performance (voice and movement) is AWFUL!! I've seen HSM and RENT (film, broadway, and tour) and this was NOT her gig....sorry bad choice.
lsherrie 1 year ago
@lsherrie I agree that she is inexperienced. And someone said that if she is going to be on broadway, then she needs to get better. Which i agree with ten folds.
TheEgotasticRipoff 1 year ago
I dont' consider myself a vanessa fan but why does everyone think she sounds so horrible? it doesn't sound that bad.
covercoverful 1 year ago 3
I Love Vanessa
bimba95monella 1 year ago
@theboyfriendtony And as far being a singer, like I said. I haven't seen the three HSM movies and I only watched one movie with her in it, and I think she at least has general talent to be in four musically themed movies. Do I think she can do live singing? Maybe. I think with practice and with the general stuff she knows, she can. I dunno. I guess what I am saying is...time will tell. I mean she's what..20 or 21? She's got time to improve. I guess we'll see what the future holds.
TheEgotasticRipoff 1 year ago
@theboyfriendtony I agree. Many actresses try to go into live theater and it's not where they belong. I am inclined to agree with that statement. However like I said before, it's a HUGE leap from film to live theater. That safety net that most film actresses have is taken away when they are on a stage. Especially in a huge theater like The Hollywood Bowl. It's certainly something to look at. And like you said, it's like being taken out of your element. Like it or not, it's a different atmosphere
TheEgotasticRipoff 1 year ago
@theboyfriendtony And as far as electronic singing goes, I can't speak from experience, yet I do know a few people who work in recording studios. And from what i've been shown people still need to at least have general "talent". I mean there is only so much electronic voice lifting can do to a person's voice. And I've seen quite a bit. Again this is just going by what I've seen. I'm not experienced in this but this is from my general perespective. Maybe you know more than me.
TheEgotasticRipoff 1 year ago
@theboyfriendtony You're right. Yet she doesn't. At least not enough to be on stage. I looked up her bio and she left the theater industry at what...10 years old? that's 11 years out of the live theater. I see what you're saying but you should also see what other people are saying as well. The the "experience" factor did factor into her lackluster performance. It has to. I mean it would be like expecting someone fresh out of a culinary school to prepare an elaborate meal right?
TheEgotasticRipoff 1 year ago
This is by far her best song in Rent. I actually like her in this song! :)
Soon2beonbroadway 1 year ago
@theboyfriendtony And as far as your friend who is 19 and had no vocal training, maybe she sounded great to you, and I'm not saying she sounds bad. But Im sure if you put her next to a critical reviewer or someone of that caliber, there's bound to be something wrong.
TheEgotasticRipoff 1 year ago
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TheEgotasticRipoff 1 year ago
@theboyfriendtony But the thing is she has a LITTLE knowledge about singing and what not. I mean she wouldn't have been in four musical themed movies if she wasn't entirely tone deaf. And I saw this in a review and I'll repeat what it said. "there’s no telling how good she might be on stage with more experience and a fuller rehearsal schedule than the Bowl can provide." So that's all I gotta say about that. Again you are entitled to your view and I respect it. But this is mine.
TheEgotasticRipoff 1 year ago
@theboyfriendtony Uhm im not sure how to respond to this. I could be snarky and rude, but in the end everything stated is an opinion, and while I am not the biggest V hudge fan out there, I will have to disagree about the "Experience factor". It's a HUGE transition to go from film to live theatre. And granted she was pretty underwhelming and what not she had no experience at all on stage or Vocal training. And I'm not making an excuse for her. She tanked. I agree with that.
TheEgotasticRipoff 1 year ago
@harrypotterwicked I agree. However I have to say that this particular song wasn't...horrible. Don't get me wrong it was flawed but I could hear it and not cringe. Unlike Out Tonight and Light My Candle. Those were just bad. And I can kinda forgive her for at least singing adequate on this one. Not great but...adequate.
TheEgotasticRipoff 1 year ago
Can she hit any high notes? She held the same note through out the song. No range.
Patchouliboi 1 year ago
Why I love her in everything she does? SHE IS SIMPLY GOOD. love you
Steldam93 1 year ago
@Steldam93
She's perfectly adequate. But many people have come to expect extraordinary. She is not.
smccoli230 1 year ago
she is actually good in this song
trinitygrl2011 1 year ago
I kind of feel bad for her, I mean she was cast for her name. but seriously a few weeks of voice could have had this show down. why Neil Patrick?
orangetree4 1 year ago
she sings through her nose. plain and simple...
riskit89 1 year ago
She doesn't have the breath support to sing and dance. So in this song and one's where she barely moves it's great! From what I've seen her acting was too forced. She over did the whole "i'm sexy" thing to where it looked crappy. Aaron well he's great obviously.
HuggestFan 1 year ago
@HuggestFan Very true. One of the reviews stated that she was significantly improved through the Ballads. And I agree with that. However she was unprepared.
TheEgotasticRipoff 1 year ago
This is… no... Just… no.
broadwayswimmer 1 year ago
I thought this was her best song. Her voice was the smoothest here and it actually sounded all right live. Aaron, though, was just phenomenal. He was an amazing Roger, and I think having a broadway vet like him with vanessa helped compensate for some of her weaknesses. I think her main flaw was just making herself believable as the character of Mimi. Her voice was actually better than I expected.
sc7asi7 1 year ago
aaron disappointed me in this too. he was so good in n2n but hes nothing compared to will chase or adam pascal in this
AryaSaphira420 1 year ago
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Clobby528 1 year ago
She sounds so much better here than she does in the rest of the show!
InsomniaCafe 1 year ago 2
Venessa Hudgens + Singing + Broadway = Headache :(
ThePoopingBunny 1 year ago
crap this is like a school production, hardly a broadway show
Deppdevotions 1 year ago
i love aaron tveit
LoverrMyshades 1 year ago
She sings much better here :)
MissDarkstar119 1 year ago 3
she's not a bad actress in general, but for this role, maybe she needs to experience hardship more in her life to do this role. she is still young
kittenDecember 1 year ago
my best friend told me to give her a chance as mimi and i tried but it didnt really work out. im literally cussing at my poor computer right now. she totaly blows.
RENTHEAD4evr 1 year ago 3
Oh, Neil Patrick Harris. Why. Just why.
DoubleCComedy 1 year ago 32
I think she did better on this song than most of the others. But she still could have done better in the whole show i think.
polittle096 1 year ago 2
I think she sounds a little better in this song... But really, she don't even surpass Rosario Dawson, she's great!
CherryJuliePotter 1 year ago 4
this is so bad. she's completely off the music.
shstheatergrl 1 year ago
she obviously didnt do her best!
mafermt 1 year ago
@mafermt
that's the problem. she did her best!! she's just not really good :\
Naama178 1 year ago
@Naama178 Oh jesuss, i thought she was better!, i really did!
mafermt 1 year ago
i was there on the 8th and the only time i thought she was bad was went she was going "oooouuuut tonight" it sounded like a injured wolf....
strawberriefilms 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Poor Aaron. He's so talented. She's so...not.
sooldisme 1 year ago
While I admit she sounds the best here, she needs to stop singing through her nose. Watch Renee Goldsberry and see how it's done.
TrpleThreat22 1 year ago
shes a good singer but nothing that blows me away, hahaha blows me.... but yea nothing special
MZJI99LY2U 1 year ago
i was there for sat night's performance. vanessa was a good, not strong, mimi. but remember they had two weeks to get it all together. as for out tonight, she had to run all over the stage and it's a HUUUUGE stage. i've seen a worse mimi, too.
smrtmnky 1 year ago
@smrtmnky really ?? like who ?
1fonzii 1 year ago
@1fonzii years ago i saw a non equity production here in LA. just terrible. the only thing good in it was the guy playing angel. my friend and i still can't talk about how bad it was. truly awful.
smrtmnky 1 year ago
@smrtmnky who was in that production ?
1fonzii 1 year ago
@smrtmnky
Yes, I agree. I was there on sat as well. She did better than I expected. Without you was probably her best. It was "out tonight" where I thought she really had a hard time. That was tough to sit thru. Otherwise, she actually did okay.
sc7asi7 1 year ago
i think of all the videos i've seen/heard, vanessa sounds pretty good in this one. but the others she seemed a bit off key/way too forced.
xojoannaax3 1 year ago
She sounds AMAZING here!!!
BALover4ever 1 year ago
i had no clue she could sing like like this! great job!
broadwayboy22 1 year ago
This is actually the best I've heard of all the videos I've seen so far. She definitely sang this the best.
remedysweet 1 year ago
'Without You.. the ground...farts?" What was that Vanessa?
Kylezilla 1 year ago 3
Yeah she rocks!
Love you Nessa
!!^.^
helenafdcv 1 year ago
This sounds like a decidedly average High School production.
TheatreFord 1 year ago
I'm sorry but that was terrible. :( I really wanted it to be good but it was not.
tasha5951 1 year ago
she does this really really good. and you shouldn't really judge her by some youtube-videos (: but yeah, in out tonight & light my candle she sound off key. anyway, so happy for her to get this chance (:
filuuren 1 year ago
i think she sounds really good here
HPLover42 1 year ago
She is so much better this song, she sounded beautiful in some spots. Out Tonight and Light My Candle in my opinion were just horrible. Shes young and she has room to grow obviously. I think this was a major miscast tho. I don't think she was ready for this demanding of a role. And putting her next to Aaron Tveit (much more experienced and incredible vocals) only dimmed her vocals more. She was put in a cast of incredible vocals which makes her look even worse. i don't like her in this role.
GreenwithEnvyx 1 year ago 2
To think that she's only 21. I mean, she can only get better. Screw all those bad reviews. She's the least experienced out of the cast (by that I mean performing in front of thousands of people, running around on a stage, singing live etc) and this alone, is already great. She has proved that she's just not another "Disney girl" with a pretty face. She has talent. And she has so much time to improve that.
xlilmizjezreelx 1 year ago 13
@xlilmizjezreelx you do have a point she is very inexperienced in live theatre, and this is probably her trying to break away from Disney. But it's still hard to ignore, if she keeps trying to go in the Broadway direction she better get better.
tylergraeper 1 year ago
@xlilmizjezreelx I agree. She has time to improve on that. But mixed reviews can also be a good thing in some ways. You can learn from them see what they didn't like and improve on those areas. Sometimes the best lesson to learn is from getting a negative review.
TheEgotasticRipoff 1 year ago
that was pathetic
JoshTaylor29 1 year ago
I can even say it's 'listenable'.. maybe because it's a calmer song and suits her type of voice better... kind of... I forgave her a little for screweing Out Tonight and Light My Candle after hearing this...
:]
GiovannaClapis 1 year ago 2
Vanessa isn't that bad as Mimi, but I think she should've probably switch her role with Nicole and play Maureen instead.
Superion74 1 year ago
@Superion74 Nicole is too tall to me Mimi and she doesn't sound like her.
Jacnessa 1 year ago
@Superion74 Nicole's actually a singer and Maureen has more difficult music. Nicole was perfectly cast as Maureen.
TrpleThreat22 1 year ago 2
she did super awesome job! <3
lauruxinjs 1 year ago
This wasn't so bad.. She did a pretty good job. Who was in the cast?
SarahWhitlockBlack 1 year ago
she was so off in the beginning of this...please tell me i heard that wrong?!?!
smoothjazz98pt1 1 year ago
@smoothjazz98pt1 you heard right, she was off because she came in too early she got back in time by "stars gleam" other than that she sounded fine.
gezbez 1 year ago
i think people have to keep in mind that it was opening night she was probably nervous she'll probably get better in the next shows but she did okay
Krazygurl16 1 year ago
this makes me cringe. she was okay lyrically but she is not even close to edgy enough to carry out such a heavy role. what was nph thinking? a travesty.
jannamanzana 1 year ago
wow...she was wayyyy better than i thought she would be...good job v
chinabby18 1 year ago
Vanessa Hudgens is not a good Mimi :/ I mean, sure, if I saw it live, I'd love the show, but from what I've seen/heard of this show here, she did not nail it.
uzamaki19 1 year ago
Some of you are making a lot of excuses for her. All of the things you keep mentioning, like the crowd size, how little rehearsal time they had, nerves...its called being a performer. Many have come before and will come after, and they will rise to the occasion or fall flat on their face. Rent has been out for over a decade. Vanessa was cast as Mimi months ago. She had ample time to get a coach and prepare. This performance does sound better than out tonight, but trust me, that's not saying much
myeyesonfire 1 year ago 42
@myeyesonfire i agree, maybe she did get training but i think in her case she needs more work because she was pitchy, she came in too early with some songs and went out of tune, i want so much to say she did a fantastic job, but i think she did what she could as her role of mimi. Everyone deserves an opportunity to perform. Hope she grows from this. I feel just abit embarrassed for her because aaron, nicole, tracie, telly are seasoned performers and can sing so well.
gezbez 1 year ago
@gezbez I felt you up until you said, "everyone deserves an opportunity to perform". That's just not the reality of show business. The reality is that many amazing performers lost out on a roll that they could have performed better, because there was another actress whose name would draw attention and sell tickets to her fan base. There are actors and actresses who aren't as seasoned who can hold their own with veterans, vanessa's not one of them. I don't hate her, but I couldn't like her less.
myeyesonfire 1 year ago
@myeyesonfire you are right, alot of other seasoned performers miss out, but i guess NPH took a chance on her and im sure he knew she wasn't that great of a singer too. I actually really like vanessa just not her singing.
gezbez 1 year ago
@myeyesonfire I agree with you. She was completely unprepared and had months to get coaching and train for this role. She was just like you said very unprepared. And granted those things mentioned are definitely factors, I mean stage acting and film acting is a very different experience as well as singing and moving around, she could've prepared more and done well. That's the sad thing.
TheEgotasticRipoff 1 year ago
she sang this nicely. but she came in too early.
gezbez 1 year ago
i'm pretty sure anyone who is praising this performance doesn't no shhhhhit about musical theatre. what the f is this. nph, what were you thinking?
arghimemily 1 year ago
oh my god................. stop.
arghimemily 1 year ago
She has a good voice, but it doesn't sound like as much of an emotion driven performance as Rent should be.
melsoft121 1 year ago 3
You all understand that the Hollywood Bowl is a HUGE place and her voice is echoing off the walls?
SunMoonStars2012 1 year ago
@SunMoonStars2012 and how does that affect the fact that she cannot sing?
bialystockandbloom 1 year ago
I think she performs it beautifully
KatieJHK 1 year ago
One word: Perfect.
Vanessa I Love you
helenafdcv 1 year ago
Her acting is very one demensional, her voice even worse. But I must say, even though her version of "Without You" isn't the best, it's better than the rest of her performance, that's for sure. This is reletively good compared to the rest. Aaron Tveit rocks the role of Roger, though. Loved him in Next to Normal, and he's great in this.
CrayonQueen18 1 year ago
@CrayonQueen18
I completely agree with you.
TizzyEfronFANx 1 year ago
she seems all right as long as she's sitting still. just nobody touch her. for your own sakes.
Vanessa, just stop trying to be Mimi and nobody gets hurt.
she does not sound perfect by any stretch of the imagination. she did not deserve a standing ovation for what countless Mimis have done before her, better, on a //legitimate broadway stage//. at least she was on pitch for this one. i barely cringed at all! *app.lause*
CorinaJoanBlack 1 year ago
@CorinaJoanBlack - there will always be greater mimi's but to say she doesn't deserve a standing ovation is unfair. No one is perfect so you're not going to get the perfect sound you are looking for.
gezbez 1 year ago
@gezbez go see ANY show on broadway. perfection is what's strived for. and it's definitely better than hudgens' pitchy, weak voice.
bialystockandbloom 1 year ago
@bialystockandbloom yeah of course perfection is strived for but nothing is ever really perfect. i've seen shows before but this is 3 night run not an ongoing broadway production. i knew when they cast vanessa it wasn't going to be about perfection. But i can still appreciate her efforts and the rest of the cast too.
gezbez 1 year ago 2
I think she sounds much better on a slower song like this than she does on the faster more fun songs like out tonight.
MissSara121 1 year ago 3
Vanessa definitely doesn't live up to past Mimi's, but she was a lot better than I expected. She sang the song well, and even conveyed some of Mimi's agony in her singing :)
neilzgrrlfrend 1 year ago 2
im not a vanessa fan but i hope she gets better while she can in this run cause right now it's not doing it.
darksideost 1 year ago 2
HORRIBLE. PITCHY. AND TALENT FREE
Markeroni 1 year ago
What the heck is going on here?? She isn't even singing in proper moments of the measures! At the beginning - does no one else hear it? Right before getting to "the seeds root", she is singing at the completely incorrect time. She does it once or twice after that, too. Man, talk about back-phrasing....
overthemoo 1 year ago
@overthemoo She's SUPPOSED to backphrase.
Maestrojosh87 1 year ago
@Maestrojosh87 I know you! I sing along to songs you play. :)
And um, I have to say my bad. I admit I was wrong! (And I do know one technically backphrases in this song. I even have a recording of me doing this song.) Know what threw me off? How the video starts. I was counting differently. So I changed my senses and yeah, she's fine. Not sure why I'm catching this only now given I kept restarting this video a few times wondering if I was hearing it wrong. Oh well, no big, we all make mistakes.
overthemoo 1 year ago
I guarantee that this will get better she's starting to get used to the audience and performing at the Hollywood Bowl I don't think and I know the actors and actresses now-a-days not a soul could play this character better than her, sure you have great actors better than her because they've been in it for a long time but I can tell you they can't nail a singing performance like she did even if they got a singer to be MiMi they could not nail the acting like she did. Just look and think on that.
Jacnessa 1 year ago
@Jacnessa No. Just.... NO. Everything you just said was wrong.
bialystockandbloom 1 year ago
I hope ppl post the same performances from other nights. Would be good to compare opening night vs the final..
Lanes24 1 year ago 2
this is good considering they pulled it together in a week.
nessaacosta 1 year ago 3
I don't really like her as a person. But I do have to admit this song was a soulful perfomance.
I think she was so nasal, out-of-character and patetic in Light my Candle, but I do think if she is able to give a performance like this song, she may be able to become a good actress... someday. Now she need to work harder and find a Vocal Coach.
RodCastMusical 1 year ago
i have to admit she did a fantasic job on this song now i'm not a big Vanessa fan but i can admit when some one is good and i think she nailed this song, i think she has finaly learned what Mimi is all about and that she starting to be more comfortable with the character and OMG Aaron is completely hot i'm totaly in love!
khscheer01 1 year ago
I love Aaron Tveit, but he doesn't have a ROCK Roger voice. It's "boybandy". Don't get me started on "Baby V"...
barelybueno 1 year ago
they did it in 6 days i,m proud of vanessa and the cast and tonight it,s going to be better and better
bidambo 1 year ago
seeing her tonight so i can judge. This is her first night in front of thousands of people. YES SHE IS A PERFORMER AND SHOULD BE USED TO THIS but seriously...give her a break. It's scary
toughcookie5454 1 year ago
I didn't like the style of "Out Tonight' period, and people need to keep in mind it was opening night in front of nearly 17,000 people. Vanessa was breaking out that night, leaving the shell of Gabriella behind to burn and show what kind of acting chops and what kind of voice she has. Nervous? Hell yes she had to have been, but yet she still put on a stellar performance and got rave reviews from people. Get a hobby and stop hating. Can you sing better? Not likely.
ladontloveu 1 year ago 2
This is good. She's better at ballads and slow songs if anything.
broadwaymelody33 1 year ago
Well, this is much better than Light My Candle and Out Tonight.
xloveisnot 1 year ago
I am really proud of Vanessa for this number in RENT. This sounds beautiful.
holliRENThead 1 year ago
I was there last night and I personally thought she did SOOOOO fantastic considering what she has done in her past. She really proved herself.
zachandsara 1 year ago 2
she sounds absolutely amazing!!!!!
I LOVE YOU!!!
zanessaluvr4ever 1 year ago
Looks the part, can act the part of mimi, can sing the part but out tonight need a little work.
Wes0922 1 year ago
This wasn't as bad as Out Tonight and Light My Candle, it was acceptable. And I think most people doesn't compare her to Rosario, who recorded these songs in studio but to other Mimis who sang these songs on stage in Nederlander Theatre or on tour.
themeltedchocolate 1 year ago 14
@themeltedchocolate yeah but even tho rosario recorded in a st