Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Michael James Scott

Michael James Scott is making all of our wishes come true this holiday season with the release of A Fierce Christmas. The Broadway legend who is best known for his role as Genie in Disney’s Aladdin is spreading some much-needed joy amidst this challenging year by reinventing classics like “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” We caught up with Michael to chat about the release—which he’s been wanting to make since he was a little boy!

PC: How did you discover your passion for the arts?
Michael: My mom says I sang before I spoke. I was literally the little chubby chocolate child running around singing and dancing. There was never anything else I wanted to do. When I was in elementary school, one of my choir teachers saw something in me and told my parents, “I’d like to help. I’d love to take Michael to this performing arts group.” She took a chance on me. Then I was auditioning for commercials and all kinds of craziness. That’s how it all got started for me.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Michael: I’m inspired by so many people around me. I have to say that teachers have been my angels throughout my career. So many of them have given selflessly, saying, “What can we do to help? What can we do to be a part of this?” So many people have done that for me and given me a chance to do my thing. There was one teacher, in particular, Belinda Brewer, who really did that. Also my parents; they simply said yes.

PC: Speaking of your career, you’ve had tremendous success already. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out to you?
Michael: It was probably the first time I did the international tour of Fosse. I was Ben Vereen’s standby. The first time I went on for that role was probably one of the moments that stands out to me because it was electrifying. It felt like the beginning when I realized this was possible and that it was actually happening. It made me think of all the work that it took to get me to that point. It happened in Paris, France, which is crazy. It was an unbelievable experience to get that opportunity.

PC: You’ve been wanting to make an album/EP for some time now and your fans have been patiently waiting. Tell us about A Fierce Christmas and how it came together.
Michael: I’ve said this before, but when actors were practicing their Emmy, Oscar, and Tony speeches, I was practicing my album. For me, that’s what’s been in me. Of course, the craziness of this year has been unprecedented. We’re in a racial awakening. We’re still fighting for equality, diversity, and inclusivity. We’re in the middle of a pandemic. We’re so divided as a country. But in the midst of all this, the holidays are always such an incredible time. I love it so much. I’ve always been obsessed with it since I was a little boy. It never was the right time to do a holiday album. Cue the pandemic. [laughs]

My husband was like, “Let’s do it. Let’s make it happen.” He knows that for me, it was a call. This was my protest. With everything going on this year, I protest with joy. That’s where this came from. I wanted us to feel that comfort. I wanted to revisit the classics and honor them, and also put my spin on it. At the end of this year, I felt like everyone needed a big old bear hug. That’s where this came from: the idea of truly protesting with joy. As divided as we are, what I know is fierce holiday music can bring people together.

PC: Like you were saying, you’ve been practicing your holiday album since you were a little boy. What has it meant to you to have it finally come to fruition?
Michael: Oh my gosh. It means so much because it’s one of those crazy, small dreams that you have, and you think, “Can I actually do it?” To be able to make that a reality has been truly a blessing. I’m still blown away that we were able to get it done and make it happen.

PC: You’re truly breathing a new life into these holiday classics. What was the process of deciding what would make the album, and how did you determine how you would interpret the songs?
Michael: I had lots of influences growing up in church, but I also wanted to make sure that I paid homage to Broadway and to all that it’s done for me. That, for me, was a no-brainer. This is how we’re going to make this happen. I’m not going to apologize for the boldness that I wanted to do with the music, which is also another reason why it’s scary putting out an album. It’s very much you. It’s your stuff and it’s your interpretation. As we all know, people like to comment on interpretations. It’s the idea of standing in your truth and enjoying what it is that you want to put out. For me, that was this holiday epic feel of the classics and figuring out what Michael James Scott could bring.

PC: With this being your debut album, what was the biggest takeaway for you?
Michael: The biggest takeaway is how incredible it was that this all came together and what artists can do together. We did this all virtually. I had eight musicians from Broadway working on my single, and they all recorded remotely. I recorded the album down in the studio in Orlando, Florida, which is where I’m from. Then, we had musicians do it also one by one in the studio, and we put it all together.

2020 has been the year of the pivot and making it work. That’s how it happened, which is insane. I am truly blown away that we could actually make it happen like that, and it happened.

PC: As we look ahead to 2021, what does the year hold for you? Could we expect another album?
Michael: You know what? There is actually talk about it. We’ll see. I’m excited to see where that goes, but there are definitely some conversations happening right now.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Michael: Real Housewives of Potomac.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Michael: Clueless.

PC: Favorite book?
Michael: Charlotte’s Web.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Michael: Dreamgirls.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Michael: John Legend. I was inspired by John Legend, Beyoncé, James Brown, Kirk Franklin, those kinds of artists. I am inspired by them and I just respect their music and their artistry.

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Michael: It would be Anthony Anderson as he’s gotten older…him or Kyle Massey or Meshach Taylor.

To keep up with Michael, follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Pick up or stream A Fierce Christmas today.

Photo Credit: Kelly Balch