Lin-Manuel Miranda Wants to Bring 'Hamilton' to Puerto Rico
*By Britt Terrell*
Oprah Winfrey is a rain maker ー she can make almost any interview subject cry. It didn't take long for the tears to start flowing during [her conversation with Lin-Manuel Miranda](http://www.oprah.com/inspiration/oprahs-interview-with-lin-manuel-miranda-may-2018#ixzz5EY3hJFF8) for this month's issue of O Magazine.
Oprah asked the Tony-winning writer and star of Broadway's "Hamilton" about his efforts to help Puerto Rico rebuild after Hurricane Maria. Cue waterworks.
"It's impossible to talk about this without crying, so I'll just cry while I talk," said Miranda, adding that he plans to take his hip-hop theatrical mega-hit to the island next year and donate all proceeds to help arts programs in Puerto Rico.
"You can see what a huge and central priority this is for him and he knows that this story will resonate with the people of Puerto Rico," said Lucy Kaylin, editor-in-chief of O Magazine, in an interview Friday with Cheddar.
The same sense of purpose that informs Miranda's commitment to Puerto Rico, his parents' homeland, motivated him to tell Alexander Hamilton's story as he did.
Alexander Hamilton was an immigrant from the Caribbean who became one of America's founding fathers, and the creator of the new country's early financial system.
"When he found out Alexander Hamilton was an immigrant, that was his 'ah-ha' moment and that made him think about this family's journey," said Kaylin. Coming from Puerto Rico, Miranda's father had the same ambition as Hamilton to do everything he could for his family and his community.
Oprah's interview with Miranda was part of O Magazine's 2018 project to ask ー and try to answer ー a different question every month. The May issue asks, "What Can We Agree On?"
Miranda answered that question by harkening back to Hamilton's time, noting that early in U.S. history, times were even more divisive than today. We can agree, Miranda told Oprah, that the country's differences help it move forward.
For full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/o-magizine-features-lin-manuel-miranda-in-may-issue).
Catching you up on the entertainment headlines of the day with "Top Gun: Maverick" making $19.3M in previews, BTS heading to the White House, and "Ozark” reclaiming the throne as number one in the Nielsen streaming ratings.
Music group North Star Boys joins Cheddar News to discuss their debut single, shutting down Times Square, and representing the Asian community through music.
On this episode of ChedHER: Author of 'The Glass Ledge: How to Break Through Self-Sabotage, Embrace Your Power, and Create Your Success' discusses what exactly the 'glass ledge' is and how to overcome negative self-perception; Co-Owner of Wanderlust Creamery explains the story behind launching her very own ice cream business, and how she's overcome hurdles as a business owner; Chief Marketing Officer at Great Learning and Capacity Planning Analyst at Salesforce discuss how upskilling can help you advance in your career.
Adrienne Borlongan, Co-Owner of Wanderlust Creamery, joins ChedHER to discuss the story behind launching her very own ice cream business, and how she's overcome hurdles as a business owner.
Iman Oubou, Author of 'The Glass Ledge: How to Break Through Self-Sabotage, Embrace Your Power, and Create Your Success,' joins ChedHER to discuss what exactly the 'glass ledge' is and how to overcome negative self-perception.
Aparna Mahesh, Chief Marketing Officer at Great Learning, and Brandy Murray, Capacity Planning Analyst at Salesforce and Great Learning learner, join ChedHER to discuss how upskilling can help you advance in your career.
Umbilical cord blood banking platform Anja Health raised $4.5 million dollars in a seed round led by Seven Seven Six, a venture capital firm founded by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. Anja Health offers a personalized, doctor-backed cord blood bank, which lets new parents freeze stem cells from their child's umbilical cord so they can be used to treat diseases in the future. It's a process Anja has called 'Hollywood's best-kept secret,' as celebrities like Kylie Jenner, Serena Williams, and more have all banked their umbilical cord blood. Kathryn Cross, the founder of Anja Health, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Actor Jimmy O. Yang is partnering with Chinese food chain Panda Express for his YouTube series "Jimmy's Kitchen." The comedian joined Cheddar News to talk about the partnership as well as upcoming ventures. "Panda Express could not be more perfect like even before this deal, I was just wearing a Panda Express hat for fun when I go outside," he said.
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay is displaying his world-renowned collection of historic memorabilia to the public for the first time in the Big Apple. Irsay joined Cheddar News to talk about why he's bringing artifacts from the Beatles to Jerry Garcia to light now. "I borrow all this stuff, you know, and I just feel kind of an obligation to share it with the public and make it come alive if you will," he said.