Idina Menzel Opens Up About Navigating Prejudice and Love: Her Inspiring Journey with Taye Diggs

Idina Menzel and Taye Diggs Gregg DeGuire/WireImage/Getty Images

Idina Menzel and her ex-husband Taye Diggs faced public struggles due to the challenges of their interracial relationship. "It's a complex situation. We have always been very supportive of each other. I am genuinely excited for his success. The main issue that affected us, as both of us have openly discussed, was the interracial component," shared Menzel, 52, on Jesse Tyler Ferguson's "Dinner's on Me" podcast episode aired on Tuesday, October 17. "In the theater world, race is not a barrier. We all love and support one another, forming close friendships regardless of who we choose to be with."

Menzel and Diggs, who are now 52, first met in 1996 when they were both cast in the Broadway production of Rent. Menzel made her debut as Maureen Johnson, while Diggs, who was already an experienced stage actor, portrayed Benjamin “Benny” Coffin III. After leaving Rent, Diggs' acting career skyrocketed, but it came with its own challenges.

“When you leave that familiar environment, and in his case...he's now on the cover of Essence and Ebony and being interviewed by Black journalists. I think he had to confront his own issues," Menzel shared during a podcast episode on Tuesday. "There seemed to be disappointment from the community because he was married to a white, Jewish woman from a show that no one even remembers. So, I also took that criticism on. It was something we had to face. It was less about success and more about those kinds of struggles."

She said, "You know, when we were on the red carpet together, they asked if we could take a picture of only him."

Menzel and Diggs tied the knot in 2003, almost six years prior to the birth of their son Walker, who is now 13.

Menzel, who had always felt overshadowed by Diggs, finally had her moment in the spotlight when she was cast as Elphaba in Broadway's Wicked in 2003. At this point, Diggs became her biggest cheerleader and supporter. She mentioned to Ferguson, 47, that he was likely relieved and proud of her newfound attention. He had always been supportive and probably felt relieved that he no longer had to worry about overshadowing her or taking up too much space.

Menzel and Diggs ended their 10-year marriage in 2013. Their divorce was officially completed in January 2015, and they have since developed a friendly co-parenting relationship.

Discussing their smooth co-parenting dynamic in July 2020, Diggs emphasized their focus on putting their son, Walker, first. "We always prioritize Walker's well-being, which helps us avoid making any mistakes," Diggs shared. "Our love for Walker and our shared goal of providing the best for him makes things easier."

Menzel wedded her soulmate, Aaron Lohr, in September 2017.

"When we attend red carpet events together, I often bring him along as it's wonderful to have someone by my side. He exudes elegance in suits, but on occasion, he tends to overshare about me," she humorously remarked on Tuesday. "He boasts about me to the extent that it feels like a parent, you know, like 'Mom, enough!' ... He's incredibly proud, but it puts me in an awkward position."