Bernadette Peters.

I think we were all strange little people when we were younger, so I’m not going to act like I was the only kid who watched the concerts on PBS instead of, like, cartoons. Right? At least one of you did the same thing, probably. Well, anyway. I usually have a relevant reason to knight my Gingers in a particular month (whether it be their birth month, or an upcoming or just-released album or film, or whatever), but I don’t really have a reason for Bernadette Peters to be my lovely red pal this month; I just fucking love her a lot. Also, I did see The Jerk for the first time recently, so that means something.

But yeah, I was definitely a normal kid with the Barbies and the climbing trees and the cartoons (like Animaniacs, which Bernadette lent her voice to!), but I also really enjoyed watching the operas and concerts that regularly aired on channel twelve. I think it all started with Bernadette, in fact. I was blonde back then (for shame!), but the sight of this pale, little lady and her big, fire-hair and even bigger, booming voice really shook me. It was then that I decided I wanted to be a singer (worked out pretty well, I must say *looks around with De Niro-grin*). I mean, I’m not old, but I can’t really remember specifics of my early-Bernadette love; I know she sang songs I recognized (like Disney songs), she randomly showed up on television programs I watched (like The Rosie O’Donnell Show (I’m telling you, I was a middle-aged woman my whole life)), and I always flipped back to PBS to make sure I wasn’t missing her. She was in that Brandy/Whitney Cinderella remake (the stepmother, of all things!), voiced a character in the under-appreciated (but still completely unnecessary) Anastasia, and then showed up in random episodes of Will & Grace and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (my jawns).

She’s just been popping up in things my whole life, but still way under-appreciated by me. I don’t mean for it to be that way. I was lost in a sea of teen bop idols for so long, and then became enraptured by my ginger-and-not indie darlings of today. It was actually upon finally seeing The Jerk that I realized how much I truly love the woman! She is beautiful, obviously and firstly, and then she just seems to have a great personality. She’s hilarious, but with that dash of innocence I’ve always aspired to have. The talent is just icing on the big ol’ awesome cake. And, speaking of cake, she’s currently filming a pseudo-Gypsy revival with director Sam Mendes in Queens, New York. (I fooled you! That had nothing to do with cake! Silly two readers.)

I wish I could write her more justice. I feel like I’m at a loss. Just know, Bernadette Peters (I know you’re reading this), that I truly love you and have since I’m a kid.

Greatest scene of any film ever, Y/N?