You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout we’re telling you why: Kristin Chenoweth is coming to town. And though the Tony Award winner won’t be carrying a bag full of presents in a big red suit, she will be carrying a tune.
Chenoweth is singing her heart out live in concert throughout the country this season. “I love the holidays more than anything,” she says. “I think music is a healer, and it makes me happy when people come together to watch and support live entertainment. We’re all looking for reasons to have some joy, and there’s no better way to start than during this time of year!”
Chenoweth is also spreading her Oklahoma-bred holiday excitement as 3M Command Brand’s new “Partner-in-Cheer.” “I’ve been a fan of their products since I was in college,” the actress explains, adding that she recently used the brand’s silver hooks in her closet. (As part of her new role showing how Command’s useful household items can make Christmastime more magical, she’s also helping promote the company’s holiday-themed sweepstakes.)
The star adds that she’ll be home for Thanksgiving and Christmas this year so she can spend the holidays with her husband, musician Josh Bryant. (The two reside in both Nashville and New York City.) “We just got married in September, so for our first holidays, we wanted to celebrate together with our families,” she says. “So I’m not going to be singing at a parade or performing on Broadway!”
Here, Chenoweth checks off her not-at-all naughty holiday essentials list for CNN Underscored.
Thanks to this compact item from Ariana Grande’s beauty line, Chenoweth's lips are moisturized and glossy. “This is for people like me who suffer with big-time chapped lips during the colder months, especially those cracks in the corners,” she says. “This is made from coconut oil and really works.”
Chenoweth bought these plaid PJs from Reese Witherspoon’s clothing line at the Nashville airport. “They’re so comfortable, cozy and soft,” she says. Shortly after that, Witherspoon — who played Chenoweth’s sister in the 2010 film “Four Christmases” — sent her the same pair in a gift box. “Now I have one for home and pack one in my suitcase when I go on the road!”
Chenoweth admits that her welcoming Christmas wreath from Amazon makes an appearance outside her NYC residence as soon as the calendar hits November. “I’ve got it up on my door right now," she says. “Can you believe it?”
‘Tis the season for Chenoweth to make good use of these adhesive hooks, which can hold up to four pounds each and stay attached in frigid temperatures. “They’re amazing because they’re clear, don’t leave a hole, won’t ruin your paint and don’t come off,” she says. “I use them to hang everything.” She also singles out the Command Outdoor Light Clips for holiday decorating.
She jokes that she burns “the mothership” of all scented holiday candles. Indeed, this three-wick candle lasts up to 100 hours and features notes of pomegranate, mandarin orange, pine, cloves, cinnamon, vanilla and amber. As she puts it, “It’s my favorite during the holidays, the end!”
“As a singer, I need these,” Chenoweth says of the sugar-free lozenges. But she adds that anyone feeling the effects of a dry winter can use one. “People need a lozenge — and it’s never more evident than in church when it’s quiet and all you hear is coughing!” She likes the green apple flavor.
Chenoweth has pored over John Stamos’ revealing autobiography during her airplane travel time. “It’s captivating,” she raves. “I always wanted him to write a book because he has so many good Hollywood stories. So I encourage anyone who’s a John Stamos fan to give it as a present!” She proudly adds that her friend wrote the entire memoir himself.
That’s hot, alright! Chenoweth is a fan of the heiress’ 10-piece all-pink cookware set that comes complete with nonstick pans and gold heart knobs. Her go-to: the scratch-free Dutch oven. “I love making breakfast things like waffles and pancakes,” she says. “I’m really good at doing a ham and cheese melt, too.”