I can't choose a favorite between Daphne, Rosario and Renné 😭 they're all so good and special in their own unique way, I don't think their performances can be possibly compared. Each one of them gives Mimi a different interpretation and I think that's beautiful.
They all showcase a different side of Mimi. Daphne is obviously having the time of her life. Her version of Mimi emphasizes the addict and wild version. Meanwhile, Rosario makes Mimi a little minx. She's sexy, sultry, seductive. Renee (my favorite vocal performance but I prefer Daphne's interpretation) makes Mimi flirty and youthful. I personally think it's because she was 37 playing a 19 year old. But they're all great in their own right.
They auto tuned Rosario a LOT. even in places they didn’t have to. She’s definitely isn’t my favourite Mimi, but she was my first and will always have a special place. Renee is my favourite VOICE and dancer for Mimi. She’s fucking amazing. Then, of course, there’s Daphne: the OG, the coolest. She was amazing on the Cast Recording And is a great actress, but her dancing wasn’t the most cool or anything.
originally I really didn't like her as Mimi, but after listening and watching her perform I can say she's one of my favorites. she's just so passionate!
I love to hear this! She’s definitely got something special. I know a lot of people don’t like her but I just find her captivating - she’s so youthful and energetic and I think she actually has a great voice despite not sounding as polished or melodic as other performers.
Awkward Turtle That's how Mimi is supposed to sound. Raspy like a drug addict. Did you expect someone who's struggling with disease and addiction to sound like Whitney Houston?
drug addicts don't have a "sound." i love that you're here to defend her performance which is, in my opinion, the absolute best... however, you're using generalizations you clearly don't understand.
Her voice is rough, which can be perfectly fine, but I’m really quite stunned she wasn’t advised to restrain herself for certain phrases, as that wildness is causing some very serious pitch issues to which people are inexplicably utterly deaf. Renee Elise Goldsberry uses the phrasing to convey emotion-a far more intelligent tactic both for long term preservation of the voice and the artistic product itself.
@Iowa Nowhere I can appreciate that dynamics and phrasing can be difficult to control, but there really isn’t any excuse for such serious misjudgments in pitch by a professional singer on Broadway, new to the role or not.
When I watched this when I was young I was honestly like “why did she ever get casted... she’s terrible” now I’m older I think she’s absolutely amazing at Mimi!!!
I just had to respond to this, even if it’s from 6 years ago: Mimi is “terrible” because Mimi’s high af. I’m not sure why people conveniently forget that she’s a drug addict, but sure. She wanted Christmas Eve to be really happy and special and she self-medicated before going “out tonight.”
It’s so fun to see where the number started knowing where it would end up...the changes in staging right at the end and some of her vocal choices you can tell it was still developing...that’s what’s so great about live theatre it’s never the same!
100% agree. It’s fascinating to see how far this number’s staging/choreo had come along since workshops. I’d love an alternate reality where I could see Daphne perform with the updates added to today’s performances. It would be fire!!!
When I saw Rent the first time, I had just started my love of seeing live musical theater. I went to see Rent, the Mimi tour. I didn't know what that meant. Only half way through watching Rent I realized I was watching Daphne , the og Mimi! Seeing her perform this song live was just freaking awesome!
Everyone has to remember that Jonathan was part of the selection process and chose her because she invisioned her as Mimi. Everyone that followed her was great in their own way but she was the original.
I honestly don’t think when it comes to terms of comparing which Mimi is better, if Rosario can even be included. I loved Rosario Dawson as Mimi, but unlike Daphne, Renee and every other stage Mimi she had a bit of an advantage. They could’ve done so many takes of her Out Tonight performance until she got it right, and I’m not sure if they actually sang live in front of a camera or if they recorded all the songs in a studio beforehand and possibly using autotune. For the stage production everything was done in the moment. So say someone’s voice cracked and it was picked up on camera or they couldn’t stick a certain dance move, they would have to keep rolling with it. So I don’t think it’s fair to include Rosario in this comparison cause she had an advantage the other Mimis didn’t.
after watching all 3. first mimi has the junkie appearance. sporadic actions. Renee has best voice & performance combo, and looks most mimis age. Rosario’s Mimi has great on screen acting and show soft side of mimi.
Renee's voice was too...big Broadway. She used way too much vibrato and her pronunciation was far too proper. Frankly, she sounded too healthy to play Mimi. Daphne didn't have the greatest voice, but she sang it well and SOUNDED like a teenager who had been running the streets, stripping, and using drugs. Daphne sounded like Mimi. Renee sounded like Mimi's successful older sister.
Goldsberry she was on the cast for the last performance of Rent on Broadway in 2008 she was amazing not to mention better moves but Daphne paved the way for her
Age is no factor between the Mimi's. Daphne, Rosario and Renee were all within a year of the same age when they first played the role. Rosario and Renee did a fine job in the role. but Daphne was and is Mimi. Everything comes down to taste. but when Larson created this part I have no doubt Daphne represented everything he envisioned in the character. And let's face it. the key to this tune is attitude and that otherworldly howl which no one has been able to replicate since Daphne did the role. And the fact all the music is being played live here, makes this performance that much more gritty.
I actually hate her voice and her interpretation. I understand that it all comes down to the embodiment of the character, but personally Renee has the vocal ability to make the performance stomachable. She’s easily my favourite, and then ros. Daphne is the bottom of that list for me. This is probably my least favourite version of it ever. There’s no wow factor. I don’t think ros or Renee did “fine”, I think they killed it in their own rights. But this is not what I personally think Mimi should be. Again, that’s just my opinion :)
@@Jojo-hy8dmImo her singing wasn’t that bad though. Like she had some parts where it sounded off definitely, however she does make it up throughout the song. Also in my opinion Renee doesn’t fit the song vocally at all. First of all, Renee is a very good and trained singer and can sing almost anything. With that being said, the difference is that Rosario and Daphne fit the song vocally better. They have a rasp in there voice and it fits the song. It makes it more exciting and more believable. Also in there versions they have a howl like sound they make when they say out, which can make the song more fun to listen too. Also not for nothing, but I feel when they perform it comes off as natural. When Renee acted this out specifically, it just didn’t look as natural to the others. That’s all.
I'm so confused about people hating her voice or saying she's a bad singer. I love it. I own the dvd of the final Broadway cast & I love Renee too but they're so different & they each bring something different to Mimi. But I love her voice, especially for this part. But each to their own I guess.
My personal favourite is Renée. I love her energy during this song and that’s the kind of Mimi I like. If I’m being honest, I get that people are saying that Daphne is more authentic for the role, but some of the notes that she tried to hit I couldn’t help but cringe at. I think she’s very talented, and may bring a different light to Mimi, but for me Renée is the whole package.
I can understand why people like her, but I much prefer Renee. Renee is less nasally and has more of a innocent teenager feel, which makes sense, since Mimi is just 19.
Daphne Rubin Vega, is the best Mimi by far, and I've seen 4 other Mi Mi's. She really sells it, you believe that Mi Mi is who she is. I hear she does a good Magenta too, I didn't get to see RHPS on Broadway.
no, in that performance everyone sat at tables and just sung it through in respect- until la vie boheme- and they all started running the show as normal.
I think Rosario was the best Mimi, but Daphne certainly isn't bad, either. Much respect and love to the original! Renne, however, not a fan of her portrayal of Mimi
I'm not a huge fan of Daphne's mimi. She sounds like Chucky's wife (Not in a bad way, but in a that's genuinely the only voice I could compare it to way)
