You know that thing where two people are in the same room for years and just... nothing happens? That’s basically how it started for Idina Menzel and Aaron Lohr. They didn’t have some whirlwind, tabloid-ready explosion of romance. It was slow. Glacial, actually.
Most people know Idina as the powerhouse behind Wicked or the voice of Elsa that’s been blasting in every minivan since 2013. But Aaron? He’s the guy who stepped away from the bright lights to do something completely different. It’s a weirdly grounded Hollywood story. No drama, no scandals—just a long-game relationship that finally clicked when the timing was right.
How Rent Actually Brought Them Together (Eventually)
Back in 2005, the movie version of Rent was a massive deal for theater nerds. Idina was reprising her legendary role as Maureen Johnson. Aaron Lohr was there too, playing Steve (part of the Life Support group). If you blink, you might miss him in the film, but he’s there, singing his heart out.
They weren't dating then. Not even close.
Honestly, at the time, Idina was still married to her first husband and Rent co-star, Taye Diggs. Aaron and Idina worked together again that same year in an off-Broadway play called See What I Wanna See. They were colleagues. Friends. Maybe they grabbed coffee between rehearsals, but there were no sparks flying on the red carpet yet. It took another ten years for the universe to decide they should actually be a thing.
The Pivot: From "Mighty Ducks" to Mental Health
If you grew up in the 90s, you probably recognize Aaron’s face even if you can’t place the name. He was a "Bash Brother" in D2: The Mighty Ducks. He was Mush in Newsies. He was even the singing voice of Max Goof in A Goofy Movie. Basically, the guy was a Disney staple.
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But here’s the cool part: he walked away.
While Idina’s career was going into the stratosphere with Frozen, Aaron was hitting the books. He didn't want to be "former child star #402." He ended up getting two master’s degrees—one in criminal justice and another in psychology. Today, he’s a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and serves as the Clinical Director at Avalon Malibu, a rehab and mental health center.
It’s kind of refreshing, right? He’s not chasing a Marvel role or trying to get a reality show. He’s literally helping people navigate addiction and trauma. Idina has mentioned in interviews how much she respects his "soulful" nature and his ability to really listen. Probably helps that he’s literally trained to do that for a living.
A Backyard Wedding and a Blended Family
By 2015, the rumors were finally confirmed when they showed up together at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. They looked happy. Low-key. A few months later, they bought a house together in Encino.
The engagement happened in September 2016. Idina tweeted about it like a normal person, saying she was "so happy" and it was a "beautiful time."
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Their wedding in 2017 wasn't some massive Vera Wang-sponsored spectacle at a five-star resort. They did it in their own backyard. Idina wore a lace Carolina Herrera gown, and her son Walker (whom she shares with Taye Diggs) walked her down the aisle alongside her dad.
That’s the vibe they’ve kept ever since.
They’ve been very open about the realities of a blended family. Co-parenting with an ex is never easy, but Idina and Taye have been vocal about putting Walker first. Aaron stepped into that "stepdad" role with a lot of grace. It’s not just about being the guy who married a superstar; it’s about being the guy who plays socks-dodgeball in the living room on a Tuesday night.
Dealing with the Hard Stuff Together
It hasn't all been red carpets and Broadway standing ovations. A few years ago, Idina got really vulnerable about their attempt to have a biological child together. She went through multiple rounds of IVF.
If you've ever known anyone going through that, you know it’s a physical and emotional meat grinder.
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In an interview with InStyle, she talked about how exhausting it was—the hormone shots, the doctor visits, the constant waiting for a follicle count that never quite got where it needed to be. They eventually decided to let it go. It’s a heavy thing for a couple to navigate, but it seems to have only made them tighter. Aaron was her rock through that whole process, proving that he’s just as supportive behind the scenes as he is when he’s cheering her on from the front row of a concert.
Why They Work
They still collaborate occasionally, which is a treat for the fans. Aaron sang a duet with her ("I'll Be Home for Christmas") for her 2019 holiday album. They even did a salsa dance number together at Carnegie Hall.
But mostly, they just live their lives.
Idina travels the world for tours and movie shoots, and Aaron stays grounded in his clinical work. She’s publicly thanked him for "letting her do what she loves" while making her feel "beautiful and appreciated" the second she walks back through the front door.
It’s a partnership of equals, even if one of them happens to be a Disney Legend.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Listen to the Music: Check out their duet on Christmas: A Season of Love to hear how well their voices actually blend.
- Watch the History: Re-watch the 2005 Rent film. It’s fun to spot them in the same scenes knowing they’d get married a decade later.
- Follow the Journey: Idina is quite active on Instagram, often sharing small, sweet glimpses of their home life that prove celebrity marriages don't have to be performative to be real.