Heather Headley Returns to Northwestern as Convocation Speaker
Student-turned-Broadway star urges Wildcats to fly beyond rainbows in commencement address
Image: Instagram
From Campus To Stage
Heather Headley, the Tony and Grammy–winning performer, came full circle on June 8 when she returned to Northwestern University as the convocation speaker for the Class of 2025. Nearly 25 years after leaving Evanston a year before graduation to join Broadway, Headley donned the purple gown and regalia she never had the chance to wear—and addressed thousands of Wildcats and their families under the marquee of Ryan Field.
In her opening remarks, Headley said, “It was a full circle…and then another turn of the dial! I will admit that I was a little teary on Saturday as I sat on that stage with those amazing professors and scholars, watching the students, with their families glowing around them, walk into that stadium.” Her candid admission set a warm tone for an occasion many students had anticipated for months.
A Full Circle Moment
Headley was pulled from Northwestern’s drama program just before graduating to originate the role of Nala in Disney’s The Lion King on Broadway—a decision that earned her a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 2000. She went on to release several albums, including the Grammy-winning Audience of One in 2010, and has appeared on stages around the world. Yet she told graduates that, despite her successes, she never forgot the lessons learned in Evanston’s lecture halls and rehearsal rooms.
She reminded students they were “designed, prepared, and created to FLY…beyond…rainbows…and that Arch,” a reference to NU’s signature symbol. “I never had a chance to walk across the stage to graduate: I was pulled out of NU a year before graduation to start my journey to Broadway (no complaints, just great thanks),” she said. Her heartfelt speech blended nostalgia with encouragement, urging the Class of 2025 to embrace uncertainty.
Inspirational Message
Headley drew on her Broadway journey to offer three guiding principles: passion, preparation, and perseverance. She told students to follow their passion beyond degree requirements; to prepare by seeking mentors and building networks; and to persevere when doors close. She quipped, “Remember that you are great and qualified Purple-clad Wildcats heading to the world—go U @northwesternu!”
Faculty and graduates alike praised her message. Dr. Anne Johnson, Head of the School of Communication, noted, “Heather’s journey from student to stage star underscores the value of seizing opportunities and honoring one’s roots.” Graduate speaker Kyle Thompson added, “Her words reminded us that success isn’t linear—but our training here has prepared us for every twist.”
Broadway And Chicago Return
Headley’s convocation appearance follows a series of Chicago engagements that keep her connected to the region. Last year, she teamed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and conductor Steven Reineke for a benefit concert, sharing the stage with vocalists Curtis Bannister and the Fred Nelson III Ensemble. That performance raised awareness for the CSO Association’s outreach programs and reaffirmed Headley’s ties to the city where she nurtured her early craft.
On Instagram, Headley posted images from the CSO event (@heatherheadley, April 2023), captioning them: “An electrifying night in Chicago, sharing powerful music with this incredible ensemble.” Her Northwestern return now cements both her academic and artistic legacies in the area.
The Class of 2025 celebrated alongside family and faculty as diplomas were conferred. For many, Headley’s presence symbolized the promise of turning dreams into reality.
As caps flew skyward, the new graduates carried Headley’s message with them: to fly beyond rainbows and pursue their own spotlight—be it on campus, on stage, or in any field they choose.
Seeing Headley stand at the podium in cap and gown closed a chapter and opened a new one—one in which those Wildcats will chart their own stories, inspired by one of Northwestern’s most accomplished alumni.
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