Willemijn Verkaik VS Idina Menzel | Same Songs 

Idina is so good, but Willemijn has much healthier placement and shows more technique. do not get me wrong i am Idina lover, but Willemijn sounds healthier.

Idina - an actress who sings Willemjin - a singer who acts

I would also like y'all to consider that Willemijn also does most of these songs in German and Dutch. Which is pretty impressive imo

Wow Willemijn’s defying gravity riffs were fantastic

"I'm flying high deFYing gravity" Idina at 4:23: *carelessly tosses note up, slightly flat* Willemijn at 4:38: *turns note into 3 on-pitch showstopper riffs for funzies* (I mean...I have respect for Idina's stage presence and acting, but as a more music-focused person, Willemijn's utter command of technique wins me over every time)

I am almost stupidly in love with Idina, but i don’t even need to watch the vid to know that this is not gonna end in her favor...

That Defying Gravity from Willemijn is INSANE. I don't know how many times I watched it and I cry every single time!

I think the Netherlands and Germany has an amazing Elsa!

This is how it is. Wilejmin needs to head a broadway production to get the same attention. I saw her live in Rebecca as Mrs Denvers and she really has a fab voice. Really loud and clear.

I prefer Willemijn vocally for sure, Idina is an actress who sings while Willemijn is the opposite Imo so I understand why people would have different answers.

They are both breathtaking when you see them live. I've been fortunate enough to see them both star in a musical, Wicked (Verkaik) and If/Then (Menzel) respectively and they are both incredible performers. Idina has a certain aura to her when she is on stage, which is just magical. Your eyes are automatically drawn to her, even if she just takes a breath. There is no way to describe her live performance because no recording ever will do justice to it. That being said, Willemijn is clearly superior when it comes to technique and control. The way she can manipulate her voice is just out of this world. There is a reason she has played Elphaba for 10 years in four countries, she is just that good.

I've finally figured out what drives me crazy about Idina's voice - she sounds constantly out of breath, while Willemijn's sounds effortless but still forceful. SHe's a fantastic performer but her belt makes me so worried one day it'll just leave her.

In terms of Wicked, I certainly think that Idina nails the emotion of the character better. Her acting is so raw and beautiful and perfectly captures Elphaba. However, in terms of actual singing and technique, Willemijn soars above her I think. And it is all down to correct technique which allows her to sound so natural even in the higher notes. A lot of the time when I listen to Idina nowadays I worry that she's going to seriously injure herself and her voice because she seems to be straining her voice more often than not. But anyway, love them both! These guys are legends!

Willemijn is the better singer, but Idina brings so much emotion into it. I like both.

I can't even put in words how grateful I am to have Willemijn sing the official German version of Wicked as well. Her Defying Gravity will always manage to make me cry a river. Instant goosebumps whenever she's singing.

Willemijn player the role of Elphaba for 10 years and her voice is intact. That's the result of great technique.

It really is unfortunate that Idina didn’t learn to take care of her voice from a young age. Willemijn is only 4 years her junior. (At 46 and 42) And Id imagine Idina was much younger when she did Elphaba In 2003-05 because Willemijn was still in the role in London last spring (2017).

Willemijn is far superior in every way vocally. Her tone, her range and her effortless ease. I'm always scared watching Idina if shes going to make the notes at all. Willemijn is vocal perfection

I personally don't like the idea of comparing professionals. Being a professional singer is a very tough job and obviously to get there you have to work really hard and develop a range of skills and control. I believe, or at least hope that everyone in the theatre business are good and have technique, or else they wouldn't be there. But everyone is at a certain level and everyone have different voices, weak points and strong points. Idina has control and she definitely had way better performances - everyone's allowed to mess up and she does and it's okay. Although Willemijn has better control and a better belt, she sometimes messes up too or her belt sounds too excessive. It happens, their both just humans and still all of us look up to them, believing they have superpowers (although, I am myself convinced they do)

Can we please take a moment to talk about the fact that Will sang that "Let It Go" sitting DOWN? Thank you. My beautiful queen SLAYS !!! 😍🥰

Willemijn makes me feel rest assured as a listener. This is so important for a singer to do for their audience. As I listen to Willemijn I am fully confident in her. As I listen to Idina I brace myself for the high notes...she might hit it, she might not.

As many people have already commented, I prefer Idina's acting and Willemijn's singing but they're both fantastic in their own way! Musical theatre is such a demanding job and they both nail it but it's nearly impossible to master equally all three art forms involved (acting, singing, dancing)! So nothing but endless respect for both of those queens!

I love Willemjin, I’m soooo glad our Germany got her for Frozen as Elsa’s voice 👏🏻👏🏻❤️❤️

I have to say, I do love the simplicity of Idina's defying gravity war cry.

Okay wait, I’ve seen plenty of performances where Idina does fantastic at “let it go” and “rain on my parade”. I’m not saying she’s better than Willemijn because that woman has major talent! but some of these are poor examples to compare.

Willemijn just makes every note look and sound effortless! Idina is amazing but always looks like it’s harder for her to do.

I love them both, Idina is an amazIng actress and Willemijin is an amazing singer. Can’t we just be kind to both of them?

Lets just all admit that both lady’s are excellent at what they do.... both sound awesome and we all cant even come close too what they do Willemijn is the dutch equal to idina they sound so much alike I love it And love them both Dutchie here

Watching Willemijn perform Wicked in German (esp No Good Deed) is positively Wagnerian, it's amazing.

I really like them both. I love Idina more (although her voice may not be as good as Willemijn) because my entire life I grew up with her voice and she has such a great personality. While I can admit she is not as good at singing as Willemijn, that doesn't change the fact that she is still an incredible singer. I don't think she deserves all these people saying she sucks when there are people far worse than her who are more popular...

It is so effortless for Willemijn, and her pitch is spot on.

I prefer Willemijn in every song!!

Is no one gonna acknowledge that Willemijn did Let it go IN THE AIR??? Like WOW.

My favourite Elphaba, in general, is definitely Idina. She has such a distinct stage presence and a charming voice that just screams “Wicked Witch” to me. She’s through and through an actress and does have an amazing vocal ability. However, Willemijn has the technically ‘better’ voice. She has a healthier belting technique and even a better breathing technique, by the sounds of it (I know people say Idina always sounds out of breath but sometimes you can tell she really is out of breath). But she’s not as good of an actress, with not nearly as iconic of a stage presence as Idina. Both are good. Both are incredible at what they do. But to me, Idina was built for Broadway, whereas Willemijn was built to be an amazing singer. Idina is more of a performer, and most certainly more of a misunderstood wicked witch - at least to me, that is.

Idina's high notes almost always relies on raising her larynx and almost screaming. While the other singer is much more controlled in almost everyday way, larynx, breath, etc. Idinas voice has never impressed me the way it has a lot of people. But, i think she has great stage presence and you can tell she loves every second she's on stage, which is important. What's sad is you can definitely tell the screaming idinas been doing her whole career has really caught up to her as she's gotten older. Her recent high notes are so insanely strained and often go out of key. She's obviously a legend, but it's sad to see someone's voice get destroyed because of improper belting of high notes.

Willemijn is the better singer, but Idina is the better actor. I'd prefer to hear Willemijn sing those songs out of context in a concert. but if I'm watching the entire musical and following the characters it's Idina all the way - I need to feel the pain and fear of No Good Deed rather than watching a performer showing off her lungs.

I really love both of them! Idina has such a unique voice and tone that have made her instantly recognizable. She has created some of the most beloved characters in musical theater and made a lasting impact on the MT/Disney universe by creating characters like Elphaba, Maureen, and Elsa. She voices one of the most independent and strong Disney characters and she has one of the more powerful of the stereotypical "princess" voices but still sounds like a Disney princess. Willemijn is incredible as well. Their voices are both amazing, but Idina has influenced a generation with her vocals and I think has a more distinctive tone.

- Don't cry for me Argentina Tie - The Wizard and I Willemijn, sounded more healthy. - Let it go Willemijn, again, more healthy. The belt was pure and powerful. - No good deed (Both) Idina. Pictured the emotion very well. If it wasn't for that, it would be a tie. - Don't rain on my parade Willemijn. Better technique. (Idina was singing for Barbra; that's so cool). - Defying Gravity Willemijn. The F5 was very great, wth. - Defying Gravity (Ending) Idina. so powerful. They're equally talented. No more words.

Anyone that even considers Idina to be better is delusional, just listen to them now Idinas voice doesn't hold up now and it didn't during wicked she simply isn't controlled enough to sing insane vocals like Willemijn, she has so much control and generally a voice id actually want to listen to unlike Idinas

Willemijn is so much better. Love her voice!

Willemjn sounds so much better. She has a bearable tone that doesn't screech or scream. I can't stand screaming.

Willemijn’s voice has such an element of purity and effortlessness that Idina’s just doesn’t have. Don’t get me wrong, of course Idina is an incredible singer, but Willemijn just nails everything she does with such clarity and ease!

Willemijn hands down plus she sings in at least three different languages. She's an amazing German Elsa.

Willemijin's Defying Gravity is so beautiful it makes me wanna rip my vocal cords out! Her riffs literally makes me say "ugh" outloud everytime I hear them

They're just absolutely incredible, both of them. I really like the assessment that's being made here about Idina being an actress who sings while Willemijn is a singer who acts. Definitely mad respect to Willemijn for performing Elphaba in three languages (English, Dutch and German). Honestly, one of the things that made me love the new Frozen film was the fact that Idina Menzel's Elsa is voiced by Willemijn Verkaik in German, so the longest performing Elphaba does the German voice of the original Elphaba.

I remember seeing Willemijn Verkaik in Wicked, the Dutch version, and I was absolutely blown away by her vocals!

Above all Willemijn is an absolutely perfect piano player. No one plays Disney songs as lovely and powerful as her.

Oh shit from 1:53 until 1:59 I can almost feel the hurt in her throat

Willemijn simply better. I’m not a huge Idina fan, but when it counts she makes a note and a character a superstar. Idina create Maureen, Elphie, Elsa. Credit given, but to me, these songs have been improved with new vocalists. Willmejin is always clear, well placed and technically better.

Absolut Team: Willemijn Verkaik, she is the best. I love her voice so much 🥰👌

omg the video i’ve been waiting to see!

Don’t cry for me Argentina: Willemijn The wizard and I: Idina Let it go: Willemijn No good deed: tie (literally couldn’t choose) Don’t rain on my parade: Idina Defying Gravity: Idina nailed the first part but Willemijn nailed the final notes so I’d say another tie The leaves the final scores! Idina: 4 points Willemijn: 4 points They’re tied cause they’re both amazing! I think Idina is a better Elphaba and Willemijn is a better Elsa though

This is late but whatevs this is my opinion: They are both super talented and powerful women who shouldn’t be compared or put against each other Just saying...

They’re both amazing and we probably have no right to judge them since few can sing like that live

willemijn is a dutch lady who sings in dutch, english and german. dont forget that. her voice is so amazing, really does something for me. but then again maybe other would have prefered lemmy from motorhead to sing frozen.

What makes Idinas voice standout and the reason (in my opinion) she’s had so much success is not because she can hit higher notes than other women or hit them better. It’s because she has an incredibly distinct tone. You instantly recognize her when she sings. Willemijn sounds amazing but she sounds like 100 other women who’ve sang this part well. She may be technically “better” but she’s not distinctive. That’s my 2 cents anyway lol.

I saw Willemijn live at a concert last year and it was INSANE! I had wanted to see her for ten years, it finally happened and she killed every song with her amazing technique and emotion. In the end, she sang a wicked-medley and I cried.

It must suck to be Idina Menzel and know that there's another woman out there doing all the same roles and songs you're famous for but thoroughly out-singing you and out-classing you in every possible way. Willemijn eats Idina's vocals for lunch. (I will say I prefer Idina's version of "And nobody in all of Oz..." because she's just so vicious and angry.)

I love them both, respect for what they do🙌

i personally think the key to singing is singing extremely hard notes while making it seem like the easiest thing in the world and willemijn definitely does that

Willemijn definitely sounds healthier but something about how Idina songs the other notes, not just the highest, is much nicer to me. Man it’s so impressive what singers can do with their voice though theyre both amazing

They have both performed in front of casting directors and landed leads on Broadway shows and elsewhere. Getting into a pissing war over who’s better is pointless and a matter of personal preference. I applaud them both. 👏

Idina always screams the high notes very rough, and doesn't has a good way to blend high notes with the cords she sang before. Wilemijn blends the notes and has enough breath for them because of this she sings better than idina. My opinion

i get what a lot of people are saying but we are also looking at random clips. I would say that Idina is a standout vocalist. I've seen her live and she can be flawless. What makes her her is ability to have enotion, and have a strong belt. and to be fair, she really does always get asked to sing the hardest fucking songs and everyone wants her to sing them ALL THE TIME and that can get weary. But I also am a fan of Willemijn's voice

It's no contest. Verkaik has a FAR superior voice and more command of her instrument than Menzel. In fact, EVERY actress that has taken on the role of Elphaba has easily out-sung Menzel, who admitted years ago that she never wanted to be a Broadway singer, but a pop singer. She would have been much better served in pop. Even so, I felt she acted the role very well, but her thin, pitchy, nasal voice with limited range just isn't pleasant to listen to and not suited for musical theater.

5:47 That moment when you realize Verkaik hit four G5’s FLAWLLESSLY...

both are amazing and have so much talent ♥️

These ladies are amazing vocalists, they both were awesome as Elphaba and they were awesome as Elsa, such wonderful singers

Willemijn is definitely the better singer -- her voice is much more powerful and refined, and she can hit the high notes without having to force it. I feel like Idina sometimes screams to get the higher, most intense notes, and it can come off as strained. But I like the emotion Idina brings to her performances -- I think Idina's performance of Elphaba is the best because I like the performance she gave--very emotional and intense even with the flaws.

Idina all the way she is amazing!!❤️

Ok 1st I'm a huge fan of both. Regrettably I've never got the opportunity to hear them live. I only have 1 small gripewith comparison of these two AMAZING talents. Can anyone find a song that "Willie" has done first THEN Idina? I almost feel that one person gets to hear the other and finds ways to improve/ make her own. Maybe it's me, maybe it's just the way they have their own approach to tackle the music. Responds and comments appreciated! 🤗

I CANT DECIDE OVER THESE QUEENS👑👑❤️❤️

I love that Willemjin doesn't need to be dupped in german - she's the more powerful witch 😉

I love and admire them both so much! I can't choose!

In the end Idina has the much more distinctive voice

Did you all know, that Willemijn is our German Sing-Voice of Elsa?

For me: Idina for vocal tone and emotive qualities Willemijn for technique

Don't cry for me, Argentina - Idina The Wizard and I - Willemijn Let it go - Idina No good deed - WILLEMIJN!!! IT'S AMAZING!!!! Don't rain on my parade - Willemijn or Idina... But they are both good! I can't chooce one... well, they are both amazing! Defying gravity - Willemijn (do you hear that AAAAAA fron Idina and that AHAHAAAA from Willemijn?)

So Willemijn sings and acts in Dutch, German and English. That's really amazing 😍❤️

willemijn...better technique, better tone, better sound... that don't cry for me argentina was angelic... and the wicked songs were crazy good

Sure Willemijn voice is perfect, it’s sounds healthy and clean. But i don’t get the chills like I do with Idina (well except that Defying Gravity riff, insane!). Maybe it’s because Idina’s voice is so “raw”, but it’s so full of emotions and power!

Absolutley Willemijn 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Watching this reminded me why Willemijn is so magical to watch as Elphaba

Willemijn mops the floor while blowing Idina out of the park

As soon as I clicked on this video I KNEW it was going to be spicy

WILLEMIJN VERKAIK FOR LIFE, SHE'S QUEEN

Interesting how many people in the comments jumped into war mode. "The musical theatre fandom is kind and supportive! We're all friends here! No toxicity on our metaphorical fandom stage!" They're both great. Idina Menzel is absolutely amazing in that the emotionality she puts into her singing is contagious and actually makes me shiver and gives me goosebumps. Willemijn Verkaik is a brilliant singer with an astonishing strong, clear, beautiful voice. Comparing them is fine, but y'all needn't fight over who's "better" and who's "the absolute worst".

Love them both. I wish Willemijn can get much more recognition.

Willemijn. Ever and always Willemijn.

Fact: Idinas voice is just unique and very beautiful in its own way (i love it)❤️ Willemijn has an incredible talent,she can sing nearly everything and has such an amazing voice ❤️ Edit: Both are just amazing in their own way and both did all songs freakin' good damn you have to think.. these songs are ones of the most difficult songs to sing

As a german I truly love Willemijns voice. She is also a very kind person. But a lot of german and dutch actors and musical-performers have the problem of not being really authentic actors as some here mentioned. I really want to know why it is as being an actress (in my freetime) myself and I want to do better, but I don't really know. Therefore I'm absolutely in love with seeing Broadway-stars like Jessie Mueller performe. To really touch people is a kind of art.

Willemijn for sure omg! I love her so much

Team willleijn forever ❤💚

There is no contest. Willemijn is incredible. Idina got lucky.

Willemijn hands down in all categories. Idina has a good stage presence but while she must have had a lot of vocal training she makes the basic task of breathing and breath control look difficult. Makes me wonder whether she has a heart condition or something. If she does then massive kudos to her and her shortcomings would make a lot of sense.

Can we just agree that even tho we all have a preference, they're both really talented? :3 My wig was defying gravity the whole video 😂

Though I agree that Willemijin’s voice seems to have better technique and just sounds better overall, what I like about Idina is she has a way of acting with her voice. She was able to portray Elphaba and Elsa’s feelings through her voice perfectly. They are both very different people with different strengths and ways of singing/acting. I like them both

I don't think you can really compare them. Willemijn is vastly superior. She has a much better technique and thus creates a much richer, less nasal and less concerning sound than Idina. Every time I hear anything from Idina, I worry about the damage she is doing/has done to her voice as everything she sings sounds so forced and as though she is in pain. Willemijn is just in much better vocal shape. Simple as that.

I can’t choose because I think of them both as amazing and talented singers

4:38 that deFYing gravity is so insane omg