In a touching tribute, Sydnie Christmas recently shared a heartfelt message to her idol, Rachel Tucker, on her page. Christmas recalls a memorable moment from her teenage years when her mother and Aunt Clare managed to sneak backstage at Wicked to get Tucker’s autograph—an adventure made even more special by the fact that they had enjoyed a few drinks that evening.
“Miss Rachel Tucker,” Christmas began, “Tucker with a ‘T,’ not ‘F,’” referencing the humorous mix-up. “When my mum and Aunty Clare snuck backstage all those years ago, while you were still playing Elphaba, to beg you for your autograph, I still don’t know how they managed it, but I know they were a few vodkas down!”
Christmas revealed that Tucker’s performance deeply inspired her as a 15-year-old. She meticulously studied Tucker’s every look, technique, and unique storytelling style, watching every bit of footage she could find online. “From then on, all I wanted was to make people feel the way you made me feel while watching you,” she said.
The highlight of Christmas’s journey came when Tucker invited her to sing on stage during her tour. “You asking me to sing with you was a dream come true,” Christmas expressed. “Standing there as your Glinda for those three minutes was an emotional moment I’ll never forget.”
She praised Tucker not only for her talent but for her kindness and the warmth of her family. “It’s magical when you meet your idol and they turn out to be the best human,” Christmas wrote. “Your son, Ben, is a talented little human and a credit to you. I’m so blessed to call you not just an idol, but a friend.”
In closing, Christmas expressed her deep admiration, stating, “If I ever reach the level of greatness or become even half the woman you are, Rachel, I’ll have won.”