Jenna Ushkowitz began with Jell-O commercials and soon moved to the Broadway stage in productions such as The King and I and Spring Awakening. From the very first episode, she has inhabited the role of Tina Cohen-Chang on Glee, captivating audiences with a distinctive voice and a lively, offbeat energy. This conversation centers on the release of her debut book, Choosing Glee. Here are her reflections.
Congrats on CHOOSING GLEE. How does it feel to be a published author?
She describes the milestone as thrilling and a touch surreal, still a bit in disbelief that she is considered an author. “It’s pretty cool! It’s still a little weird to me, I’m still sort of in shock about it – I don’t feel like an author!”
What inspired you to write CHOOSING GLEE?
Her answer traces back to a long held wish to write a book and the sense that this topic fit perfectly with what she knows. “Basically, I’ve always wanted to write a book and I feel like it felt right and organic to write about something that I know. Part of who I am is choosing to be positive, so I wanted to share that with teens because I always wanted a book like this when I was that age.”
In your book, you talk about self-confidence and staying true to yourself. How do you personally maintain these traits in yourself?
She points to family as the cornerstone of her mindset. “I owe that to my family. My parents always taught me to have a good head on my shoulders, stay humble and stay true to who I am. I’m not happy if I know that I’m faking it – I’m not a fake person – so it’s all about keeping a good, solid support system around me.”
Did you always know that you wanted to be a performer?
Yes, essentially. Beginning at a young age, acting felt like a natural part of who she was. She recalls a detour in childhood when she briefly wanted to be a veterinarian, but the pull of acting and Broadway proved irresistible from a very early age. “Starting at such a young age, acting was always part of who I was. I wanted to be a vet when I was in middle school, but I got into acting and was on Broadway so young… I couldn’t go any other way!”
Have you ever had any major setbacks or challenges that you’ve had to overcome in your career?
There were moments when a pilot didn’t get picked up, and the show didn’t continue. It could shake a person’s confidence, but she frames it as a setback that briefly dampened her mood. “There were times when I did a pilot and then I didn’t get picked up. It was just my character, the show obviously went and it really sucked basically because you think, ‘What’s wrong with me?’ You don’t know what you did wrong; they don’t really give you a real reason — they don’t have to pick you up. I wouldn’t say that it was a setback but it was definitely something that put a damper on my attitude for a little while! When I was younger, I got a role on a TV movie when I was in THE KING AND I and I was super excited because I definitely wanted to do it and they wanted me in Canada in four days and I couldn’t because you have to give four weeks notice when you do a Broadway show. But you can’t dwell!
Let’s talk about GLEE for a bit. Are you anything like Tina?
More and more there are lots of similarities. The biggest difference is their wardrobe; Tina’s style isn’t the same as hers. She sees Tina as an onion: every layer reveals something new with each episode. There are parallels in preferring quiet moments before stepping forward and then stepping back again, a pattern that mirrors her own learning as an actor. She believes Tina is about getting straight A’s in school, taking a leadership role in the glee club, and growing in confidence.
Was her high school experience similar or different to yours?
It mirrored Rachel’s in many ways. She was class president, highly organized, eager to excel, and involved in numerous clubs. Slushies aside, she was part of the glee club and a student who chased excellence in every arena.
If you knew her in real life, would you get along?
With her younger, earlier self in mind, the answer is nuanced. Tina is close to her heart, and it would have been hard to predict exact compatibility then. Still, it’s clear that the character resonates deeply with her on a personal level.
Reading YouTube comments on videos of GLEE covers alone shows how invested fans are in the characters. How does it feel to know fans treat these figures like real people?
It’s both funny and a little strange to them because the cast isn’t those characters. It’s a sign of affection; fans spend time in their living rooms watching each week, watching characters grow and relate to their own experiences. They appreciate that connection, which is really heartwarming.
What’s your best piece of advice for a gleeful life?
Always look at the glass half full and seek the best in every situation. Be true to yourself, take risks, and push your boundaries.
Thank you