Crystal Kay to star in the Japanese run of the Broadway musical, Hairspray

Crystal Kay hasn't even hit the stage in her role as the Leading player in Pippin yet and she's already landed the role of Motormouth Maybelle in the Japanese run of the Broadway musical, Hairspray! CK is out here securing her Broadway bags. GET THAT MONEY BITCH.

Crystal gon' be on a stage in a Japanese theatre talking 'bout 'Negro day'. I cannot.

Crystal is really 'bout to become that chick that casting agents call when they want a 'dark' skinned lady who speaks Japanese and can sing. I could be mad about it. But the alternative is that these musicals cast a Japanese woman in Ganguro to play these roles. So, if Crystal gon' be that chick, then be that chick, take them roles and get that money. Representation matters, even if Japan nationally wants to high key act like it doesn't. It's good to see Crystal find an angle where her race works in her favour. It will be such an inspiration for a mixed race girl in Japan who constantly feels 'other' and that her race will stop her from being a star in Japan to see a woman like Crystal on stage.

Hopefully Crystal's Broadway musical stints will have a knock-on effect on her popularity off-stage and in her Pop career.

It's great that Crystal is finding other avenues to get paid, but also do what she loves; which is to perform and sing. Taking part in musicals will also allow her to hone her craft in a way that touring Pop music will only do to an extent. It'll be interesting to hear how she sounds on her next studio album, as doing Broadway musicals will undoubtedly have an impact on how she approaches singing. And with a cover album still in the works, we'll probably get a Broadway cover or two. Why do I have this feeling that Crystal would cover "Let it go" from Frozen? Don't ask why. I just heard her singing it in my head.

Hairpsray will make its Japanese stage debut in June 2020 at the Toshima art & culture theatre.