You’ve seen her defy gravity as Elphaba and freeze entire kingdoms as Elsa, but for Idina Menzel, the most high-stakes role she’s ever played has nothing to do with a Tony Award. It’s being a mom.
Honestly, if you follow celebrity news, you’ve probably noticed that Idina is fiercely protective of her family life. She isn't the type to parade her personal business across every tabloid, which is exactly why there’s often so much curiosity surrounding Idina Menzel kids. People want to know: How many does she have? Is she raising a mini-Broadway star? And what’s the deal with her and Taye Diggs these days?
The truth is, Idina has one son, Walker Nathaniel Diggs, and their bond is basically the heart of her world. But the story of how her family came to be—and the siblings that almost were—is a lot more emotional than most fans realize.
Meet Walker Nathaniel Diggs: The Center of the Universe
Walker was born on September 2, 2009. His parents, Idina and Taye Diggs, were the "it" couple of the theater world at the time, having met years earlier in the original cast of Rent. When Walker arrived, he didn't just change their schedules; he changed their entire perspective on fame.
Now 16 years old, Walker is officially a teenager, and he’s clearly carving out his own path. While his parents might be legends of the stage, Walker isn't exactly rushing to join a local production of Les Mis.
In fact, Taye Diggs has joked that his son "can't stand" musical theater. He’s much more likely to be found on a basketball court than in a rehearsal room. Idina has shared that Walker is a massive sneakerhead, too. She even admitted to "borrowing" (okay, stealing) his Yeezys to pick him up from school because they happen to wear the same shoe size. He wasn't thrilled. Kids, right?
A Rare Red Carpet Appearance
For years, Idina kept Walker almost entirely out of the spotlight. She wanted him to have a "normal" childhood, or as normal as it can be when your mom is a literal Disney Queen.
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But things changed recently. At the Los Angeles premiere of the Wicked movie in November 2024, Walker made a rare appearance by his mother’s side. They looked incredibly sharp in matching black outfits. Idina mentioned that she only let him go because he’s at an age where he’s genuinely proud of her and wanted to be there.
The Reality of Co-Parenting with Taye Diggs
Let’s be real: divorce is usually messy. When Idina and Taye split in 2013 after ten years of marriage, fans were devastated. They were the ultimate Broadway power couple.
However, they’ve managed to pull off one of the most successful co-parenting relationships in Hollywood. How? By putting their own egos in the backseat. Idina has been vocal about the fact that they never speak poorly of each other in front of Walker.
Taye often calls Idina "the driver of the bus" when it comes to their parenting dynamic. He’s expressed nothing but respect for her, and they even coordinate their schedules so Walker can spend equal time in Los Angeles and New York. To make this work, Walker actually homeschooled for a period so he could travel back and forth without missing a beat.
"Your child comes first, that's all. You have to get past your own egos," Idina told PEOPLE back in 2016. That mantra seems to have stuck.
The IVF Journey You Didn't See
While Walker is her only biological child, the journey to expand her family was a quiet, difficult battle. When Idina married actor Aaron Lohr in 2017, they started thinking about having a baby together.
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In her Disney+ documentary, Idina Menzel: Which Way to the Stage?, she got incredibly vulnerable about undergoing IVF. It wasn't just about the physical toll; it was the timing. She was literally going through hormone treatments while on a national tour.
Imagine trying to hit those "Let It Go" high notes while your body is reacting to IVF injections. She described it as a "mom going crazy" story.
Ultimately, after multiple rounds, it didn't happen.
Idina has since said she’s found peace with it. She realized that Aaron is an incredible stepfather to Walker, and they decided they were "content and lucky" with the family they already had. It takes a lot of strength to admit when it's time to "let it go" (pun intended, sorry) and move on.
Why Her Story Matters for Other Moms
Idina’s openness about her fertility struggles at age 47 and 48 was a big deal. Most celebs make it look easy, but she showed the exhaustion and the "look of death" you get when things aren't going your way.
She wanted other women to feel seen. Parenting isn't always a linear path of "have baby, have another baby, live happily ever after." Sometimes it's about navigating a blended family and being grateful for the one "amazing guy" you have.
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How Motherhood Changed Her Career
Interestingly, becoming a mom made Idina a better performer. Before Walker, she was known for being a bit "neurotic" about her voice. She used to need nine hours of sleep and a 40-minute warm-up before every show.
Once she had a toddler running around? That went out the window.
She realized she could still give a 10/10 performance even if she was tired or hadn't warmed up perfectly. It loosened her up. It gave her a sense of perspective that a Broadway review or a chart-topping single just couldn't provide.
What You Should Take Away
- Walker Nathaniel Diggs is Idina’s only child, born in 2009.
- Co-parenting works when you prioritize the kid over the drama; Idina and Taye are living proof.
- Blended families are just as valid; Aaron Lohr has a deep bond with Walker despite not having biological children with Idina.
- Fertility struggles are real, even for superstars. It’s okay to decide that one child is enough.
If you’re following Idina’s journey, the best thing you can do is respect the privacy she’s worked so hard to maintain for her son. While we love seeing them on the red carpet, those moments are special because they are so rare.
For more updates on how Idina balances her Broadway return with her life as a "basketball mom," keep an eye on her latest interviews where she continues to be refreshingly honest about the chaos of raising a teenager.