Whitney Leavitt Reveals Which Former Roxie Has Been Her ‘Go-to’ for Advice Ahead of Broadway Debut in “Chicago” (Exclusive)
- - Whitney Leavitt Reveals Which Former Roxie Has Been Her ‘Go-to’ for Advice Ahead of Broadway Debut in “Chicago” (Exclusive)
Luke ChinmanJanuary 31, 2026 at 12:00 AM
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Whitney Leavitt
Bruce Glikas/Getty
Whitney Leavitt, the breakout star from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, is set to make her Broadway debut on Feb. 2, when she assumes the role of Roxie Hart in Chicago for a six-week run
The reality TV personality sat down with PEOPLE for a chat before opening night, revealing which former Roxie has been her “go-to” for advice as she prepares for the role
“We’ve been talking a lot — you know, the dos and don’ts, taking care of yourself while doing this, because I’ve never done this before,” she says of the advice she’s received
Whitney Leavitt has been leaning on former Broadway stars as she prepares to take the stage.
The 32-year-old performer — who rose to fame as the breakout star from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and recently twirled her way to the semi-finals on the 34th season of Dancing with the Stars — is set to make her Broadway debut on Feb. 2 in the iconic role of Roxie Hart in Chicago. And as she gears up for opening night, Leavitt has looked to several other iconic women who have played the part for advice.
Naturally, throughout rehearsals over the past few weeks, Leavitt has had the opportunity to shadow the current Roxie — Kate Baldwin — to prepare for the role.
“I was just trailing Kate Baldwin’s Roxie last night, I was sitting backstage watching her, and I was like, ‘Oh my God, like that's gonna be me,’ ” she tells PEOPLE in an exclusive conversation before her debut. “Watching her, I was like, ‘Oh, I love that choice.’ Or, ‘Oh, that's totally Kate.’ ”
Whitney Leavitt
Bruce Glikas/Getty
Continues Leavitt: “I'm excited to bring a bit of Whitney into the role, which I feel like every single celebrity who has played Roxie has.”
As for suggestions, the reality TV personality has actually gone to Vanderpump Rules star Ariana Madix, who starred as Roxie for two runs on Broadway in 2024.
“My go-to for advice has been Ariana,” Leavitt reveals to PEOPLE. “We’ve been talking a lot — you know, the dos and don’ts, taking care of yourself while doing this, because I’ve never done this before.”
Ariana Madix as Roxie Hart in 'Chicago'
Andrew H. Walker/Shutterstock
Luckily for Leavitt, she has another Broadway star in her inner circle, as well: her former DWTS partner Mark Ballas, who notably played Frankie Valli in Broadway’s Jersey Boys in 2017. The duo has kept their friendship alive online after the season wrapped, posting TikToks together even while separated by hundreds of miles, and Ballas has been coaching Leavitt through the rehearsal process, too.
He has shared everything from “technical things” — like maintaining your physical and vocal health amid grueling rehearsals — to more philosophical advice as she prepares to take the stage, shares Leavitt.
“Live in the moment and just be present, because that will be the most enjoyable. And you’ll obviously perform better rather than just anticipating the next thing,” Leavitt says Ballas told her ahead of her Broadway journey.
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And on opening night, Leavitt is thrilled that she’ll be able to look out into the audience to see Ballas there supporting her — alongside her family and several of her Mormon Wives costars.
She tells PEOPLE: “I’m so excited to see him.”
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
