The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales Ep420 - Kimiko Glenn: Hang Out Forever and the Art of Being Unapologetically You
Kimiko Glenn brings a mix of honesty, humor, and delightful chaos to this conversation, opening up about the vulnerable journey behind her new single Hang Out Forever and why the music video takes such a hilariously dark turn. She talks about songwriting as her personal diary, how she finally found the courage to share it publicly, and why creative control feels like oxygen after years of being the “vessel” for other people’s visions. We dig into the surprising things that make her the most self-conscious, the unexpected fears that shaped her early career, and why being an “impatient cheerleader” might be her truest personality trait.
She also speaks candidly about the realities behind the fame surge during Orange Is the New Black, including the overwhelming moments she endured in public and the long path toward reclaiming safety and boundaries. Kimiko shares the story of developing panic disorder during Waitress, how she learned to manage anxiety in different performance environments, and the tools she’s built to protect her joy. We also get into identity, community, vulnerability, the pressure to perform online, and what she hopes her upcoming music — including the acoustic version of Hang Out Forever — will reveal about her.
Kimiko Glenn is an actor, singer, songwriter, and multi-hyphenate creator whose work spans Broadway, television, film, animation, and music. She originated roles in Waitress and the National Tour of Spring Awakening, earned global recognition as Soso in Orange Is the New Black, and became one of the most distinctive voices in animation with roles in Hazbin Hotel, Kiff, Centaurworld, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, DuckTales, My Little Pony, and more. Her latest artistic chapter focuses on original music, beginning with her single Hang Out Forever and a forthcoming EP that blends emotional storytelling with sharp comedic edge.
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Find Kimiko Online
- Instagram: @kimikoglenn, @kimiko.wav
- TikTok: @itskimiko
- Watch Hang Out Forever
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