By Wonderwall.com Editors
8:28am PST, Jan 23, 2019
"Rent" is coming to a TV near you! A live television production of the amazing Broadway musical will air on FOX on Jan. 27, 2019. In celebration the debut of "Rent: Live," Wonderwall.com is taking a look at who's playing whom. Keep reading to meet the cast…
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Vanessa Hudgens is no stranger to musicals. The former Disney darling got her big break starring in 2006's "High School Musical" followed by appearances in "High School Musical 2," "High School Musical 3: Senior Year," "Grease: Live" and the Broadway musical "Gigi." Vanessa's also appeared in several movies including "Beastly," "Spring Breakers," "Machete Kills" and "Second Act." Next up, she'll star in 2019's "Polar." Vanessa has been dating actor Austin Butler since 2011.
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Tinashe stars as Mimi Marquez, an S&M club dancer and drug addict who's Roger's love interest, in 2019's "Rent: Live."
Tinashe is a star on the rise! The 25-year-old Kentucky native began her career as a child actor before transitioning into music. She released her first album, "Aquarius," in 2014 and the lead single, "2 On," hit No. 1 on the Billboard Rhythmic chart. She has since released two more albums, 2016's "Nightride" and 2018's "Joyride." Tinashe also competed on "Dancing With the Stars" in 2018 and is currently recording new music. She previously dated NBA player Ben Simmons and was linked to producer Calvin Harris.
Brandon Victor Dixon stars as Tom Collins, an anarchist professor with AIDS who's a former roommate of several other characters, in "Rent: Live."
Brandon Victor Dixon is a musical theater phenom with several successful musicals and plays under his belt. The 37 year old first came to fame in 2005 starring as Harpo in Broadway's "The Color Purple." He went on to star in "Shuffle Along, or, the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed," "Motown: The Musical" and "The Scottsboro Boys," earning Tony and Grammy nominations along the way. In 2016, Brandon assumed the role of Aaron Burr in "Hamilton." Two years later, he starred as Judas Iscariot in "Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert" on NBC. Brandon, who's single, currently stars on "Power."
Singer Mario stars as Benjamin Coffin III, the landlord of Mark, Roger and Mimi's apartment building and a former roommate, in 2019's "Rent: Live" on FOX.
Mario might be a relative newcomer to musicals but the 32 year old is a veteran when it comes to singing. He released his first hit single, "Just A Friend," in 2002 and his first No.1 hit, "Let Me Love You," in 2004. He's since released three more albums: 2007's "Go," 2009's "D.N.A." and 2018's "Dancing Shadows." Mario is also an actor who starred in "Step Up," "Freedom Writers" and "Empire." The R&B star is currently single and told Essence magazine that he doesn't "even know what my type is because I've dated so many types of women."
Jordan Fisher stars as Mark Cohen, a struggling documentary filmmaker who's the narrator of the show, in 2019's "Rent: Live."
Jordan Fisher, 24, began his career with recurring roles on "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" and "Liv and Maddie." He then starred in "Teen Beach Movie," "Teen Beach 2," "Teen Wolf" and "Grease: Live" and assumed the role of John Laurens/Philip Hamilton in "Hamilton" on Broadway. A talented singer, Jordan released a self-titled EP in 2016 and was featured on the "Moana" soundtrack. He's also a "Dancing With the Stars" champion — he won Season 25 in 2017. Jordan is currently dating his childhood sweetheart, Ellie Woods.
Kiersey Clemons stars as Joanne Jefferson, an Ivy League-educated public interest lawyer who's Maureen's girlfriend, in 2019's "Rent: Live."
Kiersey Clemons is poised to be Hollywood's next big star. The 25-year-old Florida native began her career on the Disney Channel before appearing in "Transparent," "Extant," Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising," "Flatliners" "Hearts Beat Loud" and "Dope." Next up, Kiersey will appear in "Sweetheart" and voice Darling in the "Lady and the Tramp" remake. Kiersey identifies as queer and is currently dating a mystery woman. The actress has never publicly named her love but Kiersey does share some adorable snaps of her on Instagram.
Valentina stars as Angel Dumott Schunard, Tom's love interest who's a young drag queen and street percussionist suffering from AIDS, in 2019's "Rent: Live."
Valentina is making the jump from reality TV to the FOX stage. The 27-year-old California drag queen first came to fame competing on "RuPaul's Drag Race" and the fourth season of "RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars." She has appeared in the pages of "Vogue Mexico" and "Preview" and released a single, "A Prueba De Todo," in 2018. Valentina identifies as non-binary but "will still go by she/her pronouns," according to an interview with Out magazine.
Brennin Hunt stars as Roger Davis, a once successful but now struggling musician and ex-lead singer who's an HIV-positive former junkie, in 2019's "Rent: Live."
Brennin Hunt is building a successful Hollywood career as a singer and actor. The Nashville native got his start competing on Season 1 of "The X Factor" in 2011. He's since independently released several songs and reached No. 1 on CMT with his 2018 single "Rip Off the Rearview." Brennin began his acting career in 2015 with a guest appearance on the TV drama "Nashville" as Sullivan Fitzgerald. Next up, he'll be in "Walking With Herb" alongside George Lopez and Edward James Olmos. Brennin shares two sons with his wife, Kelly Michelle Hunt.
