Audra McDonald Sings Billie Holiday | Charlie Rose

[@loveinspired7]

I literally had to PAUSE this video after about 21 seconds into it, because I had to pull myself together...SHE SOUNDS EXACTLY LIKE BILLIE HOLIDAY... This is about to make me freaking cry...

[@brandyquick6437]

loveinspired7 Okay!!! that's what I said😆😆

[@loveinspired7]

@{} I probably should've said, "TO ME". Let me give that a try: "She sounds EXACTLY like Billie Holiday...TO ME." There. That's better. Now, you can't object, because it's just my humble, insignificant opinion.😁

[@latoya7029]

@@loveinspired7 She is sounds like Billie Holiday indeed.To me too.

[@jackielawson452]

I know right

[@MariaPerez-xq2bo]

I did the same thing.. I was like wait a minute.!!!! 🤯😲

[@Queenintheblack]

Wow I have to say as a singer myself,i didn't think a SOPRANO could pull Lady Day off anywhere close to what Audra has done...But my jaw dropped from the sound of the first note, and I remained buck eyed and speechless during the performance...Audra my hat is off to you , Queen of Broadway!!!

[@IgnoranceAverse]

Holy crap! I totally thought she was lip-syncing on HBO's Lady Day. I see why she's won six Tony awards.

[@janethockey9070]

Coco She is a Broadway soprano

[@persebra]

so okay i see the thumbnail pic with Audra and I thought, "oh that cute she is dressed up as Lady Day with the Gardenia in her hair, she is going to sing in her usual lovely soprano voice." I have seen singers before just stick a flower in their hair and act like they are singing Lady Day. The shock I felt when she started singing! ...lol. Its was like a shock to my system, just absolutely brilliant. I have just never heard a singer change her voice to that extent, especially an opera singer...damn! she is a superbad mama jama!

[@Liumzh]

Same!!!!

[@liw8718]

I wonder how many countless hours in front of the mirror and tape recorders Audra sang into in order to get it like this ? Only true Billie Holiday aficionados know how masterful this is. She better won a Tony for this. Just sends shivers down my spine !

[@BryceNYC]

I'm completely overwhelmed by the originality of Audra McDonald's vocal impression of Billie Holiday. I love how she goes off her support as a classically trained singer. The tone is mostly in her throat, which isn't great for the voice, but gives an uncanny vocal resemblance of Holiday, including some of the slightly under-pitch notes. It's a brilliant impersonation but you don't think of it as a cleve hat trick. McDonald employs her own musicality to nail the song so it's an homage rather than a recreation. Superb. I hope there's a recording made of this show.

[@Metallicgld12]

She's the only singer I've ever heard that came close in capturing the unique Jazzy vocal stylings of Lady Day. I don't know if it's my ears, but I hear a lil Judy Garland in her impersonation of Billie Holiday. The only thing that throws me off a lil is her facial expression. For some reason everytime I see Audra McDonald I think of Sandra Bullock, is just me? Oh well, Congratulations Audra McDonald for a Tony well deserved.

[@misplacedstoic]

I see the Sandra Bullock resemblance! And Audra McDonald is incredibly wonderful here, as always. I see a bit of what you might mean regarding Judy Garland -- but that probably speaks to both having performed with substance difficulties of varying sorts, perhaps? (I mean that respectfully.)

[@TemujinScott80]

Judy and Billy had the same throaty sound at times

[@carlosacolonsegarra9315]

Metallic if u see old videos of Billie u see that Bilie use to do a lot a facial expressions as she sang, I think Audra shes imitating her facial expressions

[@rapunzelrose68]

Billie and Judy had that shy trill

[@Operafiend22]

Is she really singing? It's so masterfully done...it sounds like a recording of Billy. Wow!

[@morgannalagrave7328]

Operaspia yup! She’s really singing!

[@loveinspired7]

She is absolutely AMAZING!❤

[@THEECARMELLÓ]

Yes Audra is a talented vocalist she’s my muse she’s so amazing

[@Liumzh]

It’s even more amazing when you’ve listened to a lot of her voice and know how different this is

[@VerdaleStinsonBOWTIE]

I honestly got chills watching this I love billies voice and for her to recreate her sound so perfectly its shows her range of acting she embodied billie OMG I LOVE this woman

[@ClintonJRTR]

I was blown away i swear it's like listening to Billie standing there herself singing I see why this woman has won so many Tonys

[@opapoopapo1523]

Her range is outstanding!!! She can sing! Whatever genre is given to her, opera, jazz ANYTHING !!

[@bendabledoll]

The way she becomes Billie Holiday reminds me of how the great Elaine Paige physically transforms into historical figures like Evita Perone and Edith Piaf. But I think Audra might be the better voice mimic. Everyone has noticed what a good job she did presenting Lady Day's raw, unmistakable timbre, and even more elusive phrasing. Nobody sounds like Billie Holiday! The transformation is even more admirable if you know Audra's natural singing voice, her soaring, clear as water, Broadway soprano. It is like asking the moon (Audra's voice) to be the sun (Billie Holiday) for a day. She is such a fine singer and fine actress, her talent, intelligence and success are an inspiration to me. I wish I could be her.

[@MarkiaNicole1]

Audra McDonald truly embodies all of Billie Holiday. I swear Audra's body of work has significantly inspired me so much over the years but this takes the cake.

[@janetshayheard653]

She's the best impersonator I've ever heard. It's like Billy Holiday possessed her then accomplished another brilliant performance.

[@G.A-m1t]

The things I’ve heard from celebrities…some kind of sorcery wouldn’t surprise me…but hoping not…

[@MtButler09]

Audra's voice (and acting) is absolutely divine

[@Vicky-ye8kd]

I got a tear in my eye when i heard her impersonate Billie Holiday at the theatre! an amazing vocal resemblance

[@jonldn]

So impressed to see an artist with an amazing voice taking on lady day's style of the 50's. Brava to her ...please bring the show to London.

[@jonldn]

Yes yes it's coming to London...

[@dc3fan]

+John London enjoy!

[@jamesmercer8935]

How can anyone give this a thumbs down?

[@dp1451]

Pure idiocy or just no taste. Either way, they don't matter.

[@loveinspired7]

They're only doing it to pi$$ us off...lol

[@unclealand]

I can’t imagine why anyone would not be impressed, but I really don’t mind knowing there are people whose opinions are different from mine.

[@willawentertainment]

Wow, that was so amazing! Audra McDonald is a once in a lifetime type of talent. She graciously shares that talent with the world.

[@1nikitawhite]

Ive heard a lot of singers imitate Billie Holiday on purpose! Audra does it at anothrr leve altogetherl! Bravo, BRAVO BRAVO!!! You are so in the money$$$$$$

[@CreeperKiller420]

Wow. I started crying for some reason. Something is so beautiful about all this. The tempo, how smooth the playing is, the singing style, how wholesome the song is. And the singer's delivery.

[@ahmad.tillery.1987]

Wow she sounds like Billie Holiday 😍😍😍

[@shekolacarrington4522]

WHAT KIND OF SOCERY IS THIS

[@Reggieheadenmusic]

+Shekola Carrington lol......The Theatre!!!!!

[@adaj472]

Haha Audra McDonald

[@janethockey9070]

Channeling Billie Spirit

[@camaroiowaguy23]

i love billie because of fallout. and i am interested to see somebody modern do their version. but this girl chopped it up. i wish she wouldnt try so hard with the hurhurhurhurrrrr uhhhh crap. sounds like peewee herman massabatin.

[@loveinspired7]

I know, right?!! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 She is SICK!!!!! This is kinda scaring me a little bit.

[@BesttBi]

How in the hell did she do that? O.O

[@raffaelw.2767]

She is so freaking awesome, simply amazing everything she does she does to perfection - definitely one of the greatest living singers

[@narvelancoleman3813]

Just amazing! She has really brought Billie back to life so to speak!

[@mytruth7153]

What the ? I stumbled upon this today. I had to check the comments first to see if this is a lip sync . I always see Sandra Bullock in her . Spirit and physical . I didn't think I could love Audra McDonald more

[@thelovelyvalc]

When this first started playing, I wasn't looking down at the video because I was on the treadmill. So I just assumed it was playing a Billie Holiday recording. But once I stopped and looked down, my jaw is literally on the floor I cannot believe this is her she sounds exactly, and I mean exactly like Billie Holiday wow!!! she is so amazing

[@JeffFreemanPresents]

It's that moment right after she is finished that tells the whole story.

[@stephanieskyes5777]

A gifted Vocalist

[@MrsTiffanyMartinez]

She had Billie's voice absolutely perfect! I nearly teared up. Because I don't like impersonators of Billie. However, I did enjoy the us vs Billie Holiday. I have nearly 90 of Billie's vinyls.♡

[@mariobraga3367]

She is amazing! Incredible!. Fantastic! Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

[@mariobraga3367]

Thank you, Sepia Rose. Audra McDonald she is GREAT.

[@JoshBG20]

Audra is Incredible! I love her! For her to do Billie's Voice is mind-blowing! Absolutely Phenomenal!

[@rebekahh5565]

Flawless

[@jerne10]

Queen Audra!!!! I saw this show five times in NYC, and each time I was impressed. Add this to her triumphs in Master Class, Porgy & Bess, Shuffle Along, Carousel, A Raisin In The Sun, Ragtime, 110 in the Shade, Marie Christine, and her glorious performance in Sweeney Todd at the New York Philharmonic, and you see why she is so celebrated. I can't wait to see what she does in Ohio State Murders.

[@romainlefranc3760]

Oh la la …elle est incroyable. Je suis fan de Billie et elle me donne des frissons , Magique 👍👍👍👍🫶😘🌹

[@alexleon7927]

Holy ISH balls!! 😳She completely and absolutely TRANSFORMED her voice! Amazing... Just... Wow. No words. I'm in complete awe of her.

[@hgsh9811]

She's absolutely incredible.

[@SandraKayeII]

The very best Billie Holiday impersonation EVER!!

[@jeremyprice7256]

She nailed it! If she isn't a bigger star now, she ought to be!

[@growlikesco]

ASTOUNDING! FLAWLESS! BEAUTIFUL!

[@thewrongaccount608]

Wow spot on!

[@DiamondEssenceVann]

My queen and my inspiration! Ms. McDonald I can only dream that one day I'll be half as amazing as you are

[@charlierose]

A special taping in the Charlie Rose studios...

[@omorado]

Would be great to know when this episode airs. Happy to catch it on good ol' "regular" TV!

[@CharlesCCRidesChandler]

Sweet!!!...:)O(:...

[@maryaquilino4336]

Watched your program today talking about technology. I was disappointed nobody mentioned Amazon's Alexa in the AI conversation. Love your intellectual conversations.

[@db5837]

Interesting how she can change to a jazz vibrato (laryngeal pitch variation) for this impersonation whereas her usual vibrato is more based on breath pressure fluctuation.

[@JMCyoungblood]

Audra I watched you 1st on P.B.S I was so Impressed. Then on Colbert Report So so so Awesome. You brought Billie back through Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill even if just through a moment in time!!

[@rockyAQ04]

What the WHAT! Wow. Audra McDonald is something special.

[@frsh6272]

rockyAQ04 😂😂😂Yes ma'am!

[@solovoyager]

Honest to God, I got the chills. It's as if McDonald's soul was taken over by Lady Day!

[@gradeabeauty09]

I love it!! Audra McDonald is awesome!!

[@harrodroach8606]

She sounds amazing and if you don't look and just listen you would think it's Billy.

[@flootzavut]

Wow, that's so good it's spooky.

[@seanrkelley57]

I saw the show last week. Her performance is breathtaking. If you have any chance to see this, DO IT!!

[@juanvalentin8697]

Oh, my goodness! She sounds eerily like Billie!!!!!

[@thudthedestroyer515]

What are you kidding me....?! I have seen Audra McDonald on lot of different shows! After all this time we find out she does an amazing Lady Day impersonation! Incredible! Brilliant!

[@samdominique]

WHAAAAAAT!!! How am I just now hearing this MAGIC

[@mabelrodriguez3080]

My god !!!! This is unbelievable!!! It’s Billie in someone else’s body !!!!!! 😮🙆🏻‍♀️ I’m floored!!!!!!!’

[@lorij3738]

Audra McDonald is PHENOMENAL! Her performance as Billie Holiday is excellent! Brava! 🎉❤🎤🎶

[@stevew5146]

See her in concert and you will be in Heaven! She's out of this world enjoyable, warm and connecting.

[@sandratcn]

She us scarily very good. Just saw 'Lady Day at Emerson ' show in London. I had no idea who she was or her soprano history. All I know us she completely nailed Billie Holiday. ..her performance, her voice her fragility. Wow! !

[@OldUncleRabbit]

She is amazing.

[@nopekeinPlan]

So glad i found this Gem. It is wonderful and inspires me on another level entirely as someone getting their Adhd diagnosis late in life ... researching positive stories about adhd adults .. i love Billie Holiday and this performance.. just wow... directly send it to my mum with the video of her tony speech from 2014 where she thanks her parents and mentions the adhd

[@rubenscassio1981]

thanks for you return, Billie, through MS. Audra McDonald

[@michaeljohnlyons1934]

What a performance! No wonder she won the Tony...

[@solovoyager]

My what a wonderful gift for those of us who never had a chance to experience Lady Day live. I have a feeling this will be the closest we will see in our life times. McDonald is amazing!

[@kikim2592]

I love Audra McDonald!!! I always admired her deeply since we were in high school, I'd see her perform during our assembly meetings and knew she'd be very famous, her talent would leave me speechless, I knew she'd make it big!!!! So wonderful!

[@ARTwithARC]

Perfect Placement for Billie! I love her even more now! Phenomenal talent!

[@partyinthetardis]

She. wow. She sounds just like her.

[@emilygracey]

If there has ever been a show that needed to be committed to film, THIS is it! This is an absolutely masterful performance! I won't lie, when I heard that Audra, classically trained, exquisite operatic Audra, would be playing Billie, I wasn't really hopeful for a dead on impression, but knock me dead, she's a reincarnation!! 😱😱😱😱😱😱😱

[@jzis1]

oh my!! this song! her voice!! and that dress!!! YESS!!

[@aaronsmallwoodjr.6404]

This is some of the most brilliant work I’ve ever seen . Like wow . She is brilliant

[@charlesparker7242]

Wonderful, Wonderful, JUST wonderful.

[@barryrosen405]

wow she is so good

[@VinnieBlues1]

Amazing...awesome !

[@nadinesnoopy]

6 Tony's! Congrats!!!

[@alexandrealbino2214]

I 'm close my eyes and I feel billie Holiday in front of me. Scandal voice , what can I say, she is wondefull ...... She needs come to Brazil for a presentation in São Paulo so many brazilians love Billie Holiday , Audra please come to Brazil and make a beutifull show for us !!! kisses and congratulalions for your voice ....

[@lesliebest5562]

I just found this and I can’t stop crying! Audra, you are magnificence personified! Mommy ❤️d her some Billie and so did her 5 children! Audra, I adore you! I thought I was listening to Billie! How, how, how, did you manage that feat when you both are at opposite ends of the vocal spectrum!

[@TheMani215]

I’ve seen this multiple times and yet I’m still ready to throw a shoe at the tv

[@lesliebest5562]

I grew up listening to Lady Day thanks to my parents, especially my mother. For she adored Billie and so did her children and still do. And I have loved Audra since I heard her as Carrie in the recording of Carousel. She and Billie are polar opposites when it comes to their singing styles. When I close my eyes and listen to Audra singing Billie it just blows my mind. Billie and Audra will always be two of my favorite singers of all time.

[@Toy1976]

Simply amazing! Thank you for posting.

[@berrie23]

Brilliant. I wish she'd bring Lady Day to Australia!

[@MsCygnusX1]

Audra McDonald is pure magic!!

[@wtbAI]

My great grandmother’s Beyoncé ❤

[@AllyMark-xy8ry]

I am in shock...

[@davesteel7513]

I get misty listening to this. Lady Day was one fantastic singer. Listen to her on Verve Records and you'll swear Audra McDonald is her. Fantastic.

[@mikex3578]

WOW...Just wow!

[@cjqnsnyc]

She sounds EXACTLY like Lady Day! Amazing! Audra is simply AMAZING!

[@nicklarson3962]

Phenomenal. This should be at 100m views at least. Wow.

[@bubbercakes528]

Thank you Ms. McDonald for making me fall in love with Billie Holiday.

[@kaleblinen-yates5093]

Just found this! Very nice rendition!!! Well done Mrs.Donald 💐💐💐

[@MatSwim94]

she is beyond human

[@jameswynn2221]

AUDRA IS FLAWLESS,THAT VOICE IS SO LIKE LADY Day,She is a genius proformer!

[@Mixxie67]

Brilliant talent.

[@pirilu2371]

After choosing this video i thought, Audra can never do Billie. She is Billie in life! My Respects!! Perfect.

[@cpiii6265]

This popped up on my Broadway radio on spotify and had to double take because I couldn't believe it was Audra. I had to see it for myself. Now that I have, I AM SHOOK.

[@khale1977able]

holy shit I got goose bump and chills. her voice

[@dc3fan]

how does she do this? I thought it was Billie when the video started....WOW!

[@thangvuong9196]

Incredible TALENT and impeccable training.

[@DavidAKZ]

thankyou

[@alexisallen5066]

Wow. I'm mad she sounds just like that woman. Mrs. McDonald is the bomb!!

[@Kirandera]

Have I gone to heaven and how did I die

[@lovelovethis178]

talented women.

[@MauricioVillalobos1973]

Crazy I Call Audra McDonald for being SO SUPERB!!!!!!!