I am thrilled to be catching up with Kelsie Watts who is a Recording Artist, Powerhouse Vocalist, 2026 iHeartRadio nominee & Broadway's NEWEST STAR!

I first spoke with Kelsie in 2025 when she was about to make her Broadway debut in the Tony Award winning musical SIX. 

Hot off the SIX stage, at the Lena Horne Theatre, I am over the moon to chat with Kelsie again as she gets ready to star in her second Tony Award winning Broadway musical, Moulin Rouge!, in the iconic role of Satine (played by the legendary Nicole Kidman in the film version).

In this NEW interview, Kelsie once again answered my call, but this time around she shares:

• Behind-the-scenes of booking a second Broadway show while still in your first
• How SIX prepared her for Moulin Rouge!
• What it feels like to be nominated for a 2026 iHeartRadio Music Award for Favorite Broadway Debut
• How she hopes this nomination inspires other aspiring performers
• How playing Satine stretches her differently than Jane Seymour
• The Moulin Rouge! songs that mirror real life moments
• The personal story behind her new single "Made For Your Love"
• How Kelsie's husband helped her heal
• So much more

Connect with Kelsie: Website, Facebook, Instagram

Kelsie will begin performances in Moulin Rouge! on March 24, 2026 at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre Theatre in NYC. Click Here for Tickets!

In Moulin Rouge!, you will enter a world of splendor and romance, of eye-popping excess, of glitz, grandeur, and glory! A world where Bohemians and aristocrats rub elbows and revel in electrifying enchantment.

Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film comes to life onstage, remixed in a new musical mash-up extravaganza. Directed by Tony Award winner Alex Timbers, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is a theatrical celebration of Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and — above all — Love.

With a book by Tony Award winner John Logan; music supervision, orchestrations, and arrangements by Tony Award winner Justin Levine; and choreography by Tony Award winner Sonya Tayeh, Moulin Rouge! is more than a musical — it is a state of mind.

 Kelsie Watts as Jane Seymour
SIX on Broadway
Photo Courtesy of Kelsie Watts' Social Media

1. You are getting ready to star in your 2nd Broadway musical, fresh off your Broadway debut. What did you learn from being in SIX that you feel will help you in Moulin Rouge!? What I learned from starring in SIX is I learned how to learn a show! Thankfully, the rehearsal process for SIX was intense. So that prepared me to be able to tackle something like Moulin Rouge.

2. If landing your 2nd Broadway while still performing in your first show isn't enough excitement, you also got nominated for a 2026 iHeartRadio Music Award for Favorite Broadway Debut. What does this nomination mean for you? Being nominated for an iHeartRadio Music Award is mind blowing. I’m truly honored to be a part of this creative world! As an artist, being a part of the iHeartRadio Music Awards is a huge goal to achieve and I’m so grateful! 

3. What do you hope it shows other hopeful performers? I hope it shows other performers that there is no “right” way to be successful. There are so many paths to your dreams. Stay focused, work hard and keep practicing your craft and you’ll get there.

4. I loved your social media posts where you talked about what you learned on Broadway. One of the things you mentioned, was that a few months into SIX you were already auditioning for your next gig, even though you still had time left on your SIX contract. How long into your run in SIX did you find out you were going to play Satine in Moulin Rouge!? I actually found out in January that I was asked to be Satine! 

Kelsie Watts
First day of Moulin Rouge! Rehearsal
Photo Courtesy of Kelsie Watts' Social Media

5. What made you want to audition for the role of Satine? I wanted to audition for Satine because I absolutely love the movie Moulin Rouge. Then when the musical was first released, I fell in love all over again. Satine is a character I’m able to relate to on many different levels. Her character and the music made me place this show on my goal list.

6. How does the role of Satine in Moulin Rouge! challenge you in a way the role of Jane Seymour in SIX did not? The role of Satine is a completely different ballgame than the role of Jane. With Satine, I have to have vulnerability, not only with myself, but with multiple scene partners. Satine has challenged me to just let go and trust the art.

Kelsie Watts as Satine
Moulin Rouge! on Broadway
Photo Courtesy of Kelsie Watts' Social Media

7. Let's find out more about you through some of the songs you sing in Moulin Rouge!:

• Firework: When has there been a time in your life when you felt So paper thin, Like a house of cards, One blow from caving in? When my brother passed away I truly didn’t think I was going to make it. I think when anyone loses a loved one their world completely stops. You become much more fragile.
• Come What May: When have these lyrics rang true for you: Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place, Suddenly it moves with such a perfect grace, Suddenly my life doesn't seem such a waste? When I met the love of my life, Brandon, and realized he was the real deal. I’m blessed to say I have the kind of love that Moulin Rouge! shares. It’s a love like no other.
• The Sparkling Diamond: How does playing Satine make you feel like sparkling diamonds? Satine makes me feel like a sparkling diamond because I get to be so dressed up! The
  costumes alone are enough to make me feel like a sparkling diamond.

8. On April 10, you are releasing your latest single, "Made For Your Love." What was the inspiration behind writing this song? My thought behind “Made For Your Love” was that I wanted to write a love song that people could dance to! Then I realized I’d never written a song about Brandon. It was the perfect inspiration.

9. There is a line in the song, "Take all the pieces of me cause you are the one I need," what were some pieces you gave to your husband that you felt he was able to heal for you? I’ve unfortunately had a few rough relationships that caused huge trust issues. Brandon showed me that true love does exist and that I can trust him implicitly. 

10. What is something we didn't get to talk about in this interview that you'd like my audience to know about you? I’d just love for you audience to know how grateful I am that they’re here. I couldn’t do this without them and their support!

More Kelsie Watts Interview:

2025 (Read Here): The Royal Treatment in Broadway's SIX The Musical

Kelsie Watts, Photo Credit: Jeffrey Mosier

More on Kelsie Watts:

Kelsie Watts is an innovator when it comes to music. Her approach to the pop genre is traditional, yet unlike anyone you’ve heard before. The truth is, there isn’t a genre of music that Kelsie Watts can’t tackle and that shines through in her music. From classical to pop and R&B to rock, Kelsie’s voice soars and captivates listeners. This is what makes a Kelsie Watts record special, a pop record with undeniable vocals and an innate ability for storytelling. 

Born into a musical family, the Lubbock native developed her powerful vocals and artistry as a child. It was her musically talented parents that encouraged Kelsie to pursue her craft after hearing her sing for the first time at two years old. Growing up performing in church and as the leads in her school plays. It was in Nashville where Kelsie began to hone in on her craft by songwriting and creating her own music that would soon launch her career. 

Kelsie began writing and releasing music on her own which caught the eye of industry professionals as well as her peers. In 2020, the emerging artist was asked to be the featured vocalist on AJ McLean’s (Backstreet Boys) single, “Hurts to Love You” which was released under McLean's solo venture.  Following the single release, Kelsie auditioned for Season 19 of NBC’s The Voice. She wowed the judges and viewers with her version of Kelly Clarkson’s “I Dare You” securing her a place on Team Kelly. It didn’t take long for the performance to go viral across socials and has since gained millions of views.

Watts has quickly solidified her place as a rising independent pop artist. Writing the powerful “Look What You Missed” an upbeat female empowerment track co-written with Casey Cook. Followed by “I Can’t Say Goodbye” which serves an anthemic ballad for anyone who has gone through a painful loss. Kelsie penned the song about the grief of losing her brother suddenly due from issues with his mental health with the hopes of helping others who have gone through similar anguish.

Additional releases include “After Midnight,” produced by Craig McConnell, and “Forgetful,” a duet written by legendary songwriter Diane Warren. Her current single “Fit In” written with Producer DQ is climbing the charts, reaching the Top 20 on digital radio. The original version is accompanied by both a high-energy remix by DJ SmashKash and Mix Master David and a stripped-down acoustic version produced entirely by Watts and featuring legendary guitarist Joel Hoekstra from Whitesnake fame. 

Kelsie also produced and released her EP, The Joy of Christmas, a 4-track collection of sentimental Christmas hits. She has toured with the iconic Trans Siberian Orchestra as a featured vocalist. 

2025 was a big year for Kelsie as she made her Broadway debut as Queen Jane Seymour in the Tony Award®-winning SIX The Musical, at the Lena Horne Theatre in NYC.  Her performance has gained major recognition for her powerful version of “Heart of Stone” earning Kelsie her first iHeartRadio Music Award nomination for Favorite Broadway Debut. 

Kelsie Watts performing in NYC
Photo Credit: Alexa Jae

For the holiday season this year, Kelsie released “Christmas in New York,” a nostalgic love letter to the magic of the Big Apple at Christmastime. In celebration of the release, she performed at several iconic Christmas events, including NYSE Treelighting, Tavern on the Green Treelighting, Washington Square Treelighting and the Lighting of the Iconic Vessel.

“Christmas in New York” was featured on ABC Disney’s Daytime talk show LIVE with Kelly and Mark. In addition, NARAS asked Watts to reimagine Sia’s “Chandelier” as a stunning, stripped-down, piano-driven ballad for The GRAMMYS ReImagined series.

Kelsie has become a viral singing sensation with over 250million + social media views, over 3.5M+ followers combined on Tik Tok and Instagram, and a star-studded roster of social media supporters including Diane Warren, Kristin Chenoweth, Hugh Jackman and Jermaine Dupri.

Her videos have gotten her featured on ABC’s Nightline and in the promotional campaign for the Oscar and BAFTA nominated film Song Sung Blue. Other brands that have featured Kelsie’s incredible vocals for their campaigns include Maybelline, Behr Paint, AG1, and OGX.

As her work continues to write and record new music spanning Broadway and high-profile live performances, 2026 is shaping up to be a milestone year & filled with new music further solidifying her place as a multifaceted force in entertainment. Kelsie Watts is clearly the one to watch.

In fact, Kelsie performed the National Anthem at various professional sporting events, including the NY Islanders NHL game at UBS Arena on February 3, 2026.