From Chorus Girl to Leading Lady: Meet the Opera Singer Who Lost 150 Pounds
The opera called for my character, "The Old Lady," to leap into the arms of six men, who would then stagger around to audience laughter. It was my last year at Westminster Choir College, I weighed nearly 300 pounds, and I was terrified that they'd drop me or I'd hurt them. It went fine, but I was so embarrassed.
Years of struggle
My unhappiness about my weight wasn't new -- my first time at Weight Watchers, I was 8 (they don't allow such young children anymore). Although I was the youngest one there, it felt more comfortable than school, where kids tormented me to no end. My mom tried to help: She'd say, "Just eat what I eat." But she could have small helpings at dinner and a bite of dessert. I couldn't.
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I got heavier and heavier and continued to be teased through middle school and high school. Early in college, I reined in my portions and dropped 60 pounds, but when I fell in love with singing, switched my major from piano, and got my first role in a school opera, my old habits returned. As I got busier, the weight crept back on. By graduation in 2000, I weighed 295 pounds.
The fat lady doesn't sing
I was no longer being ridiculed, but my weight still held me back: Despite the stereotype, most female opera leads are slender. I knew that, with my voice and dark, curly hair, I'd been born to play the Gypsy temptress Carmen. Instead, I was always in a gray wig supporting the thinner lead.
After my first year of grad school, I talked to the program director, who said, "Jennifer, you'll never play Carmen at that size." I went home and cried my eyes out.
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Getting mad… and motivated
It wasn't until the summer of 2006, while singing the role of a maid at an out-of-town festival, that it clicked how much my size was hurting me. I saw the woman in the lead part and thought, I'm a better singer! That should be my role! But I had to admit she did fit into the costume.
I started exercising on the treadmill and lifting weights. I recommitted to Weight Watchers, counting points and carefully keeping a food journal.
By the time I came home to New York City in September, I had gone from a size 20 to a size 16. At Weight Watchers meetings I was all action, speaking up from the front of the room and following the plan to the letter. I ate breakfast every day and paid attention to portions, swapping bagels with tuna salad for plain fish and greens. I joined a gym, working out five days a week. I also bought less matronly clothes and developed a new, "younger" audition repertoire. As the pounds dropped, I got bigger, better parts.
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Stepping into the limelight
In 2008, at 150 pounds, I finally scored the part of Carmen. Onstage with dell'Arte Opera Ensemble in New York City, I felt like a star.
Soon afterward, I reached my goal of 145 pounds. There were times I slowed, plateaued, even gained a bit - and that still happens. In life's tough moments - a breakup, car trouble - I think, I want pizza! When I resist, I feel good about my choice. And if I give in, I get back on the scale; if I'm up five pounds, I become stricter with my diet. Taking care of my body has become like singing, hard work that I enjoy.
Recently, in a final callback audition to play Anita in a production of West Side Story, I had to leap into the arms of a guy - and he caught me with ease. And I've sung Carmen many times now. One director looked at my résumé, read, "Carmen. Carmen. Carmen…," and then exclaimed, "Well, of course - look at you!"
As told to Catherine Clifford
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