If you watched NBC's The Wiz Live, you've probably joined the millions who immediately fell in love with Shanice Williams -- the charming 19-year-old TV newcomer who played Dorothy. So, who is she, where did she come from -- and how'd she learn to sing like that?
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1. She won the role at an open casting call
Williams, a New Jersey native, auditioned in New York City the day after she got back from Los Angeles, where she had just left the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. She figured it would be "impossible" to land the role of Dorothy, but decided to give it a shot in order to get her first major audition out of the way. And, well, you know what happened next.
2. This wasn't her first production of The Wiz
In junior high (which wasn't actually that long ago), Williams played Addaperle, the Good Witch of the North. She told the New York Post in November that she was "too scared to audition for Dorothy," even though her grandmother wanted her to. Good thing she shook that fear.
3. But it is literally her first major role
Though she's been singing and acting throughout her life -- and once won a Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Award -- this is Williams' first large-scale production, and it's a doozy. Seriously, the girl's IMDb page has one credit.
4. She's a hometown hero
When she was cast, Williams received a special celebration in her hometown of Rahway, N.J., including a proclamation from the mayor.
5. One of her biggest inspirations is Broadway star Audra McDonald
Williams has stated before that she sees McDonald as a role model -- and happily, McDonald was mesmerized by the young performer's work in The Wiz Live.
.@LuvbeingShanice your world is about to "change its face" but I know where you're going...as far and as high as you want. #TheWizLive— Audra McDonald (@AudraEqualityMc) December 4, 2015
Preach it, Audra.
Our new star @LuvbeingShanice really shined bright tonight! So young and so talented . We are all proud #TheWiz pic.twitter.com/zcU7KXoFRe— James Brown III (@TheJBIII) December 4, 2015