Many wonder what the future of music entertainment will look like. Frankie Grande may just be the answer. Yes, he is the brother of that other well-known singer but Frankie is a singer, actor, and well-known personality in his own right. Indicative of his generation, he is a master at using the internet and social media to not only give evidence of his talent but to present himself authentically. The days of stylists and handlers who tell artists what to say and how to act may be near the end; Frankie Grande is proof that more and more often, the public craves someone with talent and a sense of sincerity about being themselves whether you love them or not.
Known as a singer, dancer, actor, host, social media and YouTube star, Broadway and television star, Frankie Grande has accumulated millions of fans across the planet. He’s known just as much for his embrace of his own uniqueness as for his substantial talent. Grande is equal parts entertainer and personality; the epitome of the new model of celebrity. As a means of connecting more closely with admirers and the opportunity to exhibit his talent, he embarked on the “Livin’ La Vida Grande” tour in June and July of 2017. For those who had only seen Frankie on the TV show Big Brother, in Broadway shows such as Rock of Ages and Mama Mia, or on their favored social media platform, this was a chance to see him do what he does best…be Frankie!
Performing almost exclusively in larger metropolitan locations like Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, and others, the “Livin’ La Vida Grande” tour was a whirlwind of excitement and positivity. Tour and Production manager Doug Middlebrook has “kept the rails on” for some of the biggest concert events including the One Love Manchester benefit concert (one of the biggest live and televised concert events of the past few years), the “Dangerous Woman” Tour (Ariana Grande), and numerous others including the “Livin’ La Vida Grande” tour. Middlebrook states, “Frankie is not just an actor or singer, but a personality. He inhabits every single one of his songs not as a character, but as himself. Every moment of his show is entirely authentic. He never hides behind music or text; he is his truest self through it. Frankie’s show is entirely inclusive. The audience is a wonderful mix of people of all different ages, races, and sexual orientations. This is because he appeals to so many different people & how open and accepting he is. This comes across clearly in his show as he uses his own stories of finding acceptance and self-love as the core of his show. Using songs from Broadway musicals, rock standards, and pop songs to tell stories of his experiences, he weaves song lyrics into his own life stories. His show touches on topics ranging from his favorite TV programs growing up as a kid, navigating his sexual orientation identity, trips with charity groups through Africa, and his time on stage as a top billing Broadway star.”
What Grande has done with his “Livin’ La Vida Grande” tour is to present that there is an evolving definition of entertainer in the modern era. One must possess talent but the previous restrictions which required one to be specialized and exclusive are dissipating. Frankie is exhibiting that creativity is the true talent that the public desires these days.