Actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth performed a parody of “Popular” from the hit musical Wicked at a Joe Biden virtual fundraiser with some awkward lyrics that subtly criticized the candidate for “hidin’ out” and questioned whether he would be popular enough with young voters to win the presidency.
Chenoweth, who played the good witch, Glinda, in the original Broadway production of the musical, joined a star-studded Sunday grassroots fundraiser along with other celebrities, such as Barbra Streisand, Jay Leno, Adam Lambert, and John Legend, to mark 100 days until the November election.
The Broadway star’s “Popular” parody, which originally appears in the Wicked musical during a point in which her character tried to give a makeover to wicked witch Elphaba, jokingly nudged the presumptive Democratic presidential candidate to dye his hair and make other changes in order to be popular in the 2020 election.
Some of the playful lines, though, may have hit too close to home for the Biden campaign’s comfort.
“Don’t be hidin’ out, bring Joe Biden out,” Chenoweth sang at one point, a reference to Biden being confined to his Delaware basement throughout the coronavirus lockdown and his reluctance to sit for tough one-on-one media interviews. Some Democrats, such as former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, think that Biden’s basement strategy should continue, citing increasing poll numbers.
At another point, Chenoweth questioned whether Biden, a former two-term vice president and 36-year Delaware senator, is appealing enough to win the votes of younger voters: “And just as you tell the truth, will that win the youth? And though a decent man you were — well, are — I’m gonna guide you to becoming popular.”
Kristin Chenoweth preforming another original song — I think it is called Popular — with some biting lyrics. pic.twitter.com/FWS61poJbZ
— Ted Johnson (@tedstew) July 27, 2020
A portion of lyrics from Chenoweth’s performance, transcribed from a video posted by Deadline reporter Ted Johnson, is posted below:
“Oh, I’ll tell you what ties to wear
Maybe dye your hair
Everything that really counts to be
Popular
You’re going to be popular
You see, I’m adorable
I’m deplorable
Well Joe, you could be that too
Be like me, and let’s turn all of those red states blue
Joe, I hear folks with blue collars trust you to increase their dollars
As you’ve always done on their behalf
But think of certain current heads of state who think they’re great communicators
Do they have brains, heart, or courage?
Don’t make me laugh
They’re just popular
Joe, I know about popular
And just as you tell the truth
Will that win the youth?
And though a decent man you were — well, are —
I’m gonna guide you to becoming popular
La, La, La, la, la
Don’t be hidin’ out
Bring Joe Biden out
And very popular you’ll be
Just not quite as popular as Jill, or Michelle, or me.”
