Deborah Cox is back on Broadway: Following her stint as Glinda the Good Witch in 2024’s The Wiz revival, Cox is starring in Titanique as The Unsinkable Molly Brown.

After several successful runs elsewhere — including London, where it won the Olivier Award in 2025 — Titanique is now berthed at Broadway’s St. James Theatre for a 16-week limited engagement. Previews began March 26; opening night is April 12. Running through July 12, the musical parody of the 1997 film Titanic also stars Marla Mindelle, Constantine Rousouli, Jim Parsons and Frankie Grande.

Titanique not only marks Cox’s latest credit on a Broadway resumé that includes Aida and Jekyll & Hyde. It also represents a full-circle moment. That’s because Titanique is propelled by Celine Dion’s catalog, including Titanic’s theme song “My Heart Will Go On.” And Cox — a former backup singer for fellow Canadian Dion — is performing two tunes: a solo turn on “All by Myself” and in a trio version of “Tell Him.” It’s the first time Cox has revisited the songbook since touring with the pop icon for a year, including former president Bill Clinton’s 1993 inauguration.

“It was around ‘Beauty and the Beast’ when I left Celine’s tour to start my own career,” recalls Cox. “So it’s wild to be in a production using her music as opposed to just singing background. That’s why I tell people to trust your journey because you never know where it’s going to lead.”

Cox’s journey led to a string of R&B and dance/pop hits including her multiplatinum classic “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here,” “Beautiful U R” and “Let the World Be Ours Tonight.” The Grammy-nominated singer has also won four Juno Awards and became the first Black woman inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2022.

During rehearsals for her Titanique role as Molly Brown, portrayed by Kathy Bates in the film version, Cox chatted with Billboard about what compelled her latest stage adventure, lessons learned from Dion and plans for new music.

What sparked your interest in the parody?

I’d heard murmurings about the show but had never actually seen it. I was on vacation with my family when I got an email from its director Tye Blue. There was no audition. It was literally, “I would love for you to play this role,” as he explained what type of show it is. Then there’s this incredible music and the nostalgia of it all. It was intriguing as I’ve always loved sketch comedy with female comedians like Whoopi Goldberg and Carol Burnett. So I told Tye to send me the script. And here we are.

How would you describe Molly Brown?

She’s a nerd when it comes knowing all the mechanics of a ship; very well-versed about its style and nautical language. And she survived two shipwrecks, a true story. I found all this information when I was doing research on Molly, who later used her wealth for philanthropy. She was a very caring individual when it came to women and empowerment. She didn’t like to see people victimized, so she really stood up for people that didn’t have a voice. I carry a lot of those traits as well, but not the nautical part.

The film really tells more of this love story between Rose and Jack. But [in Titanique] there’s also a cast of characters who are involved with the dynamics of what Rose and Jack are going through.

What did you learn musically from Dion while touring with her?

That period was a great introduction to seeing what type of discipline you need to maintain longevity, that kind of superstardom. She’s so fiercely disciplined about vocal hygiene like not singing or doing press before a show. She was a great example to us young singers coming up. I came to practice a lot of that in my own routine as a singer. It’s really served me.

Have you spoken to her about Titanique?

I haven’t. The last time I saw her was probably the Juno Awards. We were actually both in the same category [female vocalist of the year in 1997], which was wild. When I saw her, she again was so gracious and cool with the idea of me branching out to do my own thing; very supportive. That was the last time I saw her — because after that, she really sprung into high gear with her touring and then her Las Vegas residency.

What can audiences expect from your latest role?

My role as Glinda was very different, two brief scenes. This show has a lot more singing and dancing. It’s an ensemble piece in which we’re working with all these other actors, so it’s very active. It’s also not a show that has an intermission. So it’s like a straight 90-minute marathon, which is great.

Meanwhile, you’re four years into operating your own wine brand.

It’s called Kazaisu [Kah-Zy-Sue], named after my three children. We [she and husband/manager Lascelles Stephens] pride ourselves on being a certified organic brand. It grew out of my wanting to have another alternative from other brands out there. When I was on the road with Celine and then in my own career, I’d go to different tastings. Revisiting the idea during the pandemic, we started with an organic rosé. Our white arrived last year and we have a red that came out over the holidays. We’re slowly growing a great footprint, doing well in Canada and in Japan while also in New York, and select places in New Jersey and Florida, as we work on more distribution.

Is new music in the works as well?

I’m doing a remix of “All by Myself,” so we have that in conjunction with the show. Then I plan to do some new music. I don’t think I’ll have a full album done anytime soon, but I’m definitely working on it. People have been asking for a while now, so I’m ready to get in there and be creative.

Multiple U.K.-based Jewish organizations have responded to Ye’s recent offer to meet and discuss his history of antisemitic remarks, while also urging that he be removed from this summer’s Wireless Festival lineup.

The artist, formerly known as Kanye West, has faced ongoing backlash in recent years for a pattern of antisemitic statements made across social media. Despite this, he was announced last week (March 30) as the headliner for all three nights of the north London festival, set to take place in Finsbury Park between July 10-12. The performances have been billed as a showcase spanning his “most iconic records.”

Over the past few days, the decision has drawn significant criticism from public figures and politicians, including London Mayor Sadiq Khan and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who described the booking as “deeply concerning” in light of the rapper’s past conduct.

There have also been major commercial repercussions. Several major sponsors, including Pepsi, alcoholic drinks company Diageo, PayPal and Rockstar Energy, have withdrawn their partnerships with Wireless over the weekend.

Melvin Benn, managing director of Festival Republic, which co-promotes Wireless alongside Live Nation, has condemned Ye’s past comments as “abhorrent” but has opted to keep the artist on the bill and called for audiences to consider “offering some forgiveness.”

In a statement issued yesterday (April 6), he added that Wireless are “not giving [Ye] a platform to extol opinions of whatever nature, only to perform the songs that are currently played on the radio stations in our country and the streaming platforms in our country and listened to and enjoyed by millions.”

On Tuesday (April 7), Ye addressed the controversy in an update to his Wall Street Journal “to those I’ve hurt” letter, which he originally shared in January. In the amended letter, he said that he would “would be grateful for the opportunity to meet with members of the Jewish community in the U.K. in person” to listen to them and apologize again for his comments.

Now, in a new statement shared online, the Board of Deputies of British Jews — the largest and second oldest Jewish communal organization in the country — have responded to Ye’s request to meet. They recalled how it has been “less than a year since Ye released songs entitled ‘Heil Hitler’ and ‘Gas Chamber,’ which followed on from “three years of appalling antisemitism.”

The statement, which was signed by the organization’s president, Phil Rosenberg, continued: “The Jewish community will want to see genuine remorse and change before believing that the appropriate place to test this sincerity is on the main stage at the Wireless Festival. As such, we are willing to meet Kanye West as part of his journey of healing, but only after he agrees not to play the Wireless Festival this year.”

A spokesperson for another group, Campaign Against Antisemitism, shared a similar position. “If Mr West cancels his appearances at Wireless, it will be a sign that he may be genuine in his remorse,” they shared on social media. “If he does not, then a meeting with Jewish groups can serve no purpose other than to kosher his invitation to the Festival — which we will play no part in.”

The volunteer-led charity also responded to Benn’s comments, stating, “This is about profit, not forgiveness. Nobody knows what might come out of Mr. West’s mouth on that stage or subsequently, least of all Mr Benn. That is why if the appearances go ahead, we will be organizing a mass demonstration outside the Festival, whose organizers should be ashamed of themselves.” 

The general ticket sale for Wireless 2026 will begin on Wednesday (April 8). Following the release of his 12th studio album BULLY last month, which charted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, Ye performed two sold-out nights at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium on April 1 and 3.

Ye has issued a statement in response to the ongoing furore regarding his planned appearance at London’s Wireless Festival in July, and said he would be “grateful for the opportunity to meet with members of the Jewish community in the UK in person” (April 7).

Last week (March 30), Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, was announced as the headliner for all three days at the festival in London’s Finsbury Park this summer (July 10-12).

Following the reveal, a number of public figures and politicians criticised the move and sponsors withdrew from the event, citing his previous antisemitic comments. On Monday (April 6), festival boss Melvin Benn also issued a statement backing the booking.

Now, Festival Republic – a subsidiary of Live Nation which promotes the event – has shared a statement on behalf of Ye. The statement is titled ‘To Those I’ve Hurt,’ an extension of the advert he took out in the Wall Street Journal earlier this year.

“I’ve been following the conversation around Wireless and want to address it directly,” Ye wrote. “My only goal is to come to London and present a show of change, bringing unity, peace, and love through my music.

He continues, “I would be grateful for the opportunity to meet with members of the Jewish community in the U.K. in person, to listen. I know words aren’t enough – I’ll have to show change through my actions. If you’re open, I’m here.”

Since the announcement, Wireless Festival has come under fire for booking the artist to headline all three dates. The criticism stems from his string of antisemitic hate comments, and the release of the song “Heil Hitler” in May 2025. In his original apology, Ye intimated that his diagnosis of bipolar disorder was a primary reason behind the statements.

The move was criticised by the Jewish Leadership Council in the capital, while the Mayor of London said his past comments were ‘not reflective of London’s values.’

Over the weekend Pepsi withdrew sponsorship from the event, and were followed by Diageo – the drinks company behind Captain Morgan and Johnnie Walker – and PayPal, a payment sponsor at the event.

U.K. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the booking “deeply concerning” and The Times reports that Ye’s entry visa into the U.K. has not been approved and is under review by ministers. A number of Labour MPs have called for Ye’s entry to the U.K. to be blocked; Ye was denied entry to Australia following the release of “Heil Hitler.”

Melvin Benn, the managing director of Festival Republic, said that Ye “is intended to come in and perform”, adding that they are “not giving him a platform to extol opinion of whatever nature, only to perform the songs that are currently played on the radio stations in our country and the streaming platforms in our country and listened to and enjoyed by millions”.

Benn also said, “Forgiveness and giving people a second chance are becoming a lost virtue in this ever-increasing divisive world and I would ask people to reflect on their instant comments of disgust at the likelihood of him performing (as was mine) and offer some forgiveness and hope to him as I have decided to do.” Tickets for the event go on sale this week.

Ye recently issued his 12th solo studio album BULLY, which charted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. He also performed live at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium for his first shows in the U.S. for five years.