From Lakewood to the Met, J’Nai Bridges taking opera world by storm, educating it, too
Almost exactly three years ago, The News Tribune’s Craig Sailor called J’Nai Bridges a “rising star.”
Now, Bridges — a mezzo-soprano opera singer with strong Lakewood roots — has officially arrived.
Need proof?
These days, the 32-year-old is often referred to as “The Beyonce of opera.”
“At first, I was like, ‘I don’t know how I feel about this,’” Bridges said of the nickname, which has recently been referenced, and played to great effect, by the likes of BET and other media outlets.
“Now, I fully accept it, because I think (Beyonce is) amazing,” Bridges continued. “I’ve always been a fan of hers. She works so hard, and she’s so incredibly talented.”
The same descriptions apply to Bridges, who has gone from being a high school basketball star at Charles Wright Academy and a soprano in the Allen AME choir to one of the biggest and brightest names in opera.
Need proof of that?
Last month, Bridges officially made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, playing the queen Nefertiti in Philip Glass’ “Akhnaten. “
Reaching the Met stage, Bridges said this week by phone from New York, was a “really monumental moment in my life and career.”
She went on to say that playing Nefertiti, the famed Egyptian queen, was more than even she envisioned for herself this early in her career.
“In my opinion, it’s the greatest opera house in the world. It’s where every opera singer strives to sing,” Bridges said of her Met debut. “It’s a big deal … and this is a big role.”
Over the course of a month-long run of shows, which ended earlier this month, Bridges collected praise from the likes of The New York Times, The Root and plenty of others.
Writing for The Root, Maiysha Kai described Bridges’ Nefertiti as “one of the most striking elements” of the show.
In its review of the show, The New York Times described Bridges’ Met debut as “auspicious,” which for those who don’t drink with pinkies extended — perhaps here in Tacoma — is pretty darn good.
Though Bridges has lived far away from the Pacific Northwest for many years, she still holds her old stomping grounds in high regard, she said. Someday, perhaps, she’d like to move back, but right now her career is busy taking off.
As evidence, Bridges spoke to The News Tribune while preparing for her next big role, in the Washington (DC) National Opera’s upcoming production of “Samson and Delilah.” Earlier this year, she made her San Francisco Opera debut, playing another queen in Georges Bizet’s “Carmen.”
Bridges’ growing list of roles and accomplishments stretches on and on and shows no sign of slowing down.
All told, it’s been a whirlwind experience, Bridges said. The month-long run of “Akhnaten,” including the hours and hours of rehearsal that preceded it, “just flew by,” she said.
That’s not to say Bridges isn’t cherishing the opportunity, on and off the stage.
With a heightened profile has come the opportunity to use her platform for something bigger, she said, including vocally addressing issues of systemic racism and openly discussing what it means for an African American woman to reach the pinnacle of the opera world.
At one point, I suggested Bridges might be described as “outspoken.”
She quickly agreed.
“For me, it’s kind of necessary because when people think of opera singers, they don’t necessarily think of black opera singers,” Bridges said. “The truth is, we are very present (in opera) and have always been. It’s just been an issue of opportunity.”
“I don’t know if I’ll be talking about it forever, in every interview, but for sure I think it’s an important aspect, and for me, part of my ambassadorship to the art form,” she added. “Being an opera singer, people are often surprised by it, so I feel like it’s not a bad thing to dispel myths and also talk about why it’s important to have more representation of every ethnicity, because America, and the world, is not just one race.”
Bridges’ willingness to speak up, and “educate” as she put it, comes from her parents and particularly her mother, she said, who was an educator.
“I have always felt the need to kind of educate, because I definitely have experienced a lot of ignorance,” Bridges said. “It wasn’t necessarily coming from a hateful place — not that I’m giving an excuse for it — but a lot of it was a matter of non-exposure and not knowing,” Bridges said.
Growing up in Lakewood, Bridges said, her mother was always teaching, including frequent lessons on African history.
In a way, Bridges said, it’s like she’s come full circle, both through embracing her career and the opportunities outside of opera — like advocating for issues that matter to her.
Bridges recalled her childhood home, where she said her parents had pictures displayed of prominent kings, queens and other figures in African history.
Including Nefertiti, the icon she just portrayed on one of the biggest stages of them all.
The role, Bridges said, “felt right.”
“It felt like I was home, in a way.”
This story was originally published December 23, 2019 at 6:00 AM.
