Sandra Oh Swaps Hollywood For High Notes At The Met Opera

Sandra Oh’s Big Leap from Silver Screen to Opera Scene

Yo, LA fam, let’s talk about a true West Coast queen making waves on the East Coast! Sandra Oh, the Canadian-American star we’ve been obsessed with since her Grey’s Anatomy days, is trading in her scrubs for something a whole lot fancier. She’s stepping onto the legendary stage of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City on Oct 17, making her operatic debut in Gaetano Donizetti’s laugh-out-loud comic opera, La Fille Du Regiment.

Known for slaying roles on Killing Eve and stealing hearts at every Hollywood red carpet, Oh is now playing the Duchess of Krakenthorp - a stern, no-nonsense character who’s reluctantly marrying off her son. And get this: it’s a spoken role in French, not sung, which is perfect for our girl to flex her dramatic chops without hitting a single high note.

From Central Park to Center Stage: How It Happened

So how did Sandra Oh land this gig that’s got all of NYC buzzing? Picture this: the Met Opera’s general manager caught her killing it in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night at an open-air theater in Central Park (running Aug 7 to Sept 14) and was like, ‘We need her!’ Next thing you know, she’s rehearsing with some of the world’s top opera talents on one of the grandest stages out there.

“I’m just amazed by the magic of it all - to be on a stage this grand with such incredible artistes is a rare vibe I had to experience,”

Oh told AFP after her dress rehearsal on Oct 14. She admitted the fast-paced, chaotic energy of opera production - with moving sets and constant direction - is “bananas” compared to the chill, slow-burn of how audiences soak it in. But our SoCal-rooted star is all about diving into things that scare her, and this leap is pure fire.

Drawing Crowds and Dropping Jaws at the Met

Let’s be real - having a bona fide TV icon like Sandra Oh at the Met is a major win for an institution that’s been hustling to modernize and bounce back financially since the COVID-19 grind. Her presence is already pulling in bigger crowds, and during the dress rehearsal, NYC schoolkids were straight-up cheering when she strutted out in a purple gown, feathers in her hair, waving a fan like a true diva. Can you say Malibu-style drama?

With two Golden Globes under her belt for Grey’s Anatomy and Killing Eve, Oh is thrilled to introduce new fans - especially the younger crew - to the magic of opera. “I love the idea of them experiencing storytelling on this grand scale, with music and the best artistes in the world,” she shared. And trust, her larger-than-life gestures and powerful voice fill up that massive stage, getting laughs left and right - a far cry from the subtle vibes needed for a camera close-up.

Comedy Queen: Oh’s Double Dose of Laughter

Oh isn’t just owning the opera game - she’s also hitting the big screen with some serious SoCal summer energy! Starting Oct 17, catch her alongside Keanu Reeves, Seth Rogen, and Keke Palmer in the feel-good flick Good Fortune, rolling out in American cinemas (and Singapore too). Talk about perfect timing to flex her funny bone.

“I’m in my comedy phase right now,” Oh spilled to AFP, radiating that laid-back LA vibe we adore. “Everything’s about feeling good, bringing joy, and just having a laugh.” Whether she’s cracking us up on stage at the Met or on the silver screen, Sandra Oh is reminding us why she’s a total legend - no matter the spotlight.