Broadway star Laura Benanti has become famous on TV for comically playing Melania Trump on Stephen Colbert’s “Late Show.”
“If I ever met her, I would probably run away . . . I do not think she would be excited to see me,” Benanti told us.
She added of the role, “I would not consider myself an impressionist . . . I just watched videos of her and imitated her, but of course put my own ridiculous spin on it.”
Benanti is currently starring in Steve Martin’s “Meteor Shower” with Amy Schumer.
When we asked about being an actress on the Great White Way, she said, “I would not say that it is harder being a woman on Broadway but there is more competition. I think that there are more actresses and fewer roles, and more male actors and a ton of great roles. On Broadway, it is more about talent than looks . . . You have to be multitalented to be on Broadway. A celebrity is not going to survive and thrive on Broadway unless they can bring something to it. Amy Schumer is one of the biggest stars in the world, but she is also one of the best actors — that is why people love her.”
New mom Benanti says: “I miss that bath time every night, except Sunday and Monday night.”
The show ends its run on Jan. 21.