Michelle Williams Worried She'd Never Get Another Broadway Role After Leaving Last Show Due to Mental Health: 'I Blew It'

Mar. 15, 2025

Michelle Williams on ‘Good Morning America’ on Monday, Feb. 3.Photo:Paula Lobo/American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. via Getty

GOOD MORNING AMERICA - 2/3/25 - MICHELLE WILLIAMS

Paula Lobo/American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. via Getty

Michelle Williamsis currently starringon Broadway inDeath Becomes Her, the hilarious and critically acclaimed stage musical adaptation of Robert Zemeckis’ 1992 dark comedy starringMeryl Streep,Goldie Hawn,Bruce WillisandIsabella Rossellini.

It’s the first time the Destiny’s Child star has originated a role on a New York City stage — a milestone that comes over 20 years after she made her debut on the boards, as a replacement in Elton John and Tim Rice’sAida.And though that means theDeath Becomes Herstar will be eligible for a Tony Award come nomination time, she toldRobin Robertsduring a visit toGood Morning Americaon Monday, Feb. 3 that being back on Broadway is the prize.

“I feel like I’ve already won,” said Williams.

That’s because the last time the Grammy winner was on Broadway, in 2018 for the revival ofOnce on This Island,she exited the production after only two weeks on doctor’s ordersdue to ongoingdepression.

“I had to leave. Broadway show because of my mental health,” recalled Williams, who at the time hadended her engagementto Chad Johnson. “And I thought that door was closed for me to return on Broadway. I thought I’d blew it. I thought I’d be seen as a liability. ‘Can she maintain?’ And six years later I get a phone call, minding my business, saying, ‘We want you to come to New York.’ "

Earlier that same year, Williams had checked herself into a treatment facility for her depression. She told Roberts she thought she was good enough to doOnce on This Islandbut quickly realized she was in over her head.

“I wasn’t as well as I probably should have been, and it just got to the point where I had to check out of the show,” she said. “I didn’t want to do it. To me, that was two blows in the same year: checking into a treatment facility for depression and then checking out of show, still, because of it.”

Michelle Williams at the premiere of ‘Death Becomes Her’ on Broadway in November 2024.Paul Zimmerman/Shutterstock

Michelle Williams at the premiere of ‘Death Becomes Her’ on Broadway in November 2024

Paul Zimmerman/Shutterstock

“I love being able to help people,” said Williams. “Again, I didn’t know where my life was going to go. And I love helping people make certain life transitions or coaching them out of what I was in.”

Making those pivots, Williams noted, are possible when you have things that can anchor you through the tough times. “Being in preparation for the storms that lie ahead: you have to be anchored,” she highlighted.

Michelle Williams (left) and Megan Hilty in ‘Death Becomes Her’ on Broadway

Now, eight shows a week at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in New York City, Williams received the reminder that “when you think that you did wrong and something happened, [you can] get another chance.”

“I turned into a little girl, or [whomever you become when you meet] somebody you admire and respect so much,” Williams said onGMA, of the moment she metthe Oscar-nominated actress. “I didn’t want to keep her waiting. My hair and makeup was all over the place!”

Michelle Williams and Isabella Rossellini pose backstage at the musical “Death Becomes Her” on Broadway at The Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on January 21, 2025 in New York City. Isabella Rossellini originated the role of “Lisle Von Rhuman” in the 1992 film “Death Becomes Her” and Michelle Williams plays the role (re-named “Viola Van Horn”) in the current Broadway Musical ‘Death Becomes Her’ at The Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.Bruce Glikas/WireImage

Michelle Williams and Isabella Rossellini pose backstage at the musical “Death Becomes Her” on Broadway at The Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on January 21, 2025 in New York City. Isabella Rossellini originated the role of “Lisle Von Rhuman” in the 1992 film “Death Becomes Her” and Michelle Williams plays the role (re-named “Viola Van Horn”) in the current Broadway Musical ‘Death Becomes Her’ at The Lunt-Fontanne Theatre

Bruce Glikas/WireImage

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She went on to praise Rosselini’s “kindness” and “grace” explaining that the Italian actress gave her so much love. “For her to say she’s so proud and how excited she was to see the show? For me to be able to do a little bit of justice for her role, because she was the trailblazer. So I’m just following her footsteps,” Williams shared.

Good Morning Americaairs weekdays (beginning at 7 a.m. ET) on ABC.Tickets toDeath Becomes Herare now on sale.

source: people.com