Frankie Grande is one of a kind with a big personality and a knack for performing. Born in New York City, Frank James Michael Grande expressed interest in musicals at a young age.
This led him to regional shows and eventually Mamma Mia! and Rock of Ages on Broadway. As a Big Brother alumnus, he appeared on multiple reality television programs, including Celebrity Big Brother 18 and Big Brother Reindeer Games.
His most recent success has been playing Victor Garber in Titanique and during his preparation for a nightly performance, he called Windy City Times to chat about his upcoming stage act for Northalsted Market Days in Chicago.
Windy City Times: Where are you at the moment?
Frankie Grande: I just took the train to the theater. I am thrilled about coming to Chicago and we just had a rehearsal for the Market Days show.
WCT: How did you decide on your setlist?
FG: It is a 45-minute set, so there was not much of a decision. I am doing everything that I do. I am doing most of my album Hotel Rock Bottom, which is very exciting. I will play all the songs I have dropped since the album as well.
I have two gorgeous New York City Broadway boys who are coming out to dance with me. It will be a fun celebration.
WCT: Are you going to sing “I Drove All Night’ from Titanique?
FG: Of course I will. How can I not?
WCT: What has been a highlight of Titanique for you?
FG: The stage door and seeing the fans every night has been really amazing. There have been hundreds of people at the stage door every night. They tell me their stories about how their work has affected their life. It has been an amazing thing.
I am grateful that I get to spend that time with each fan every single night. I don’t rush and I want to have that time to be together. I know what a big deal it is for people because I used to do that. I would wait at the stage door and I would remember those moments.
I am very grateful that I get to do that for some people.
WCT: I did a cameo onstage at Titanique when it played in Chicago. Do they offer cameos in the current version on Broadway?
FG: Occasionally someone will come on and hand out the ax. Is that what you did?
WCT: No. They probably knew not to give me an ax because I am so clumsy. Who are some of the celebrities that have seen the show?
FG: John Stamos just came and he is a really dear friend of mine. It was very nice of him to come and support me.
David Dastmalchian came last night and he’s an amazing actor. Jonathan Bennett also came last night and Patti LuPone was there. She saw her cardboard cutout and she loved the show. That made me so happy because it can go either way with Patti. We are reading her for filth in the show, but she still loved it!
There have been so many icons in the audience like Bernadette Peters, Nikki Glaser, Kristin Chenoweth and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
WCT: How long is the run of Titanique?
FG: It is going until Sept. 20, 2026. The end is nigh and I couldn’t be happier because I am exhausted. I do eight shows a week and it is grueling, especially singing Celine Dion.
Every show that I do has hard singing, like Rock of Ages. It had harder singing in it than Titanique with a higher range. (begins singing “Hit Me with Your Best Shot”)
WCT: Don’t strain your voice before your show tonight.
FG: Don’t worry, that one is in my wheelhouse. I did it drunk, so don’t worry about me.
WCT: I heard you have been sober for nine years and I stopped drinking 10 years ago. Did you find it easier after the first year, as I did?
FG: Yes. I had a reawakening at eight years, so that was exciting to double down on my sober program. I feel like I am rediscovering who I am and there has been a lot of growth in this past year.
WCT: You wrote about your journey in your book Supergay!
FG: Writing that book was the best thing in the world. It was like therapy. I had such good conversations with people who were in the book after they read it.
I wrote about many moments in my life and told stories about my mother and my sister. This has been a lovely year with my family.
WCT: I have met Ariana [Grande, Frankie’s sister] and she was very sweet. I haven’t met your mother, but bring her to Market Days.
FG: She is coming. My husband will be there and so will my aunt. I have friends from Big Brother coming too.
WCT: Have you been to Chicago before this?
FG: Oh yes. I love the Shedd Aquarium and Alinea is the best restaurant in the world. I was there when Moulin Rouge premiered in Chicago.
WCT: What is your all-time favorite musical?
FG: Evita had a big impact on my life as a kid. I was obsessed with Madonna and I was 13-years-old when the movie came out.
Little Shop of Horrors was one of the first that I ever saw. Dear Evan Hansen is the one that I have seen the most.
Those shows changed me the most and made me want to do musical theater while I was growing up.
WCT: What music are you listening to these days?
FG: I have a playlist titled “Fagalish,” and it is all my gay male pop stars. I feel sometimes male singers are not supported by the gay community and in general they love to support women. They might support an occasional masculine singer, but the femboys don’t get a lot of love.
I love Bentley Robles, Zee Machine and Tom Aspaul.
Of course I am listening to my sister’s album Petal, which just dropped and I am so proud of her. Her music is sensational.
WCT: I read that you obtained your Italian citizenship.
FG: I did and so did my mother. It feels like a milestone to have and it could be a good place to escape to one day if we need it.
WCT: You have helped other countries such as South Africa as a philanthropist.
FG: What did you call me? [laughs] I am kidding. It is important to me to always give back and it centers me.
I get to give back now with GLAAD as an advocate after all the things I see wrong with this world. I stand up for the underdog and the LGBTQ+ community, which are being discriminated against in record numbers today. I am proud to be on the board of GLAAD and make that my primary focus of philanthropy these days.
WCT: Ariana donated to three LGBTQ+ organizations this week with proceeds from her concerts in Chicago.
FG: Of course she did, and her Brighter Days Ahead Foundation is so beautiful.
WCT: Do you ever stop to think how your voice has been important to a lot of people?
FG: I don’t, but I have been told that often recently with the show, book and album. This past year I have put myself out there in a way that has exhausted me, but I am finally able to receive and hear that.
I was speaking at Grammy Camp yesterday and a student asked how I stay true to authentic myself. The moderator said that no one has ever asked that question to a panelist before, so it was a huge compliment. I put a level of truth about myself out into the world, and I still get assholes I have to ignore, but the gift of being myself outweighs the noise of people who are sad, mad or jealous.
WCT: Well, your fans are excited to see you play at the street festival this Friday.
FG: For me, the gay community is everything. We need to stand together during this time. I feel if I can be a uniting voice and force to provide a safe space to dance in, then let’s do it and have a good time.
Catch Grande on the Addison Stage at Market Days on Friday, August 5 at 7 p.m.