Written by The Courage to Speak
October 20, 2026
Danielle de Niese is Leonie Mellinger’s guest in this episode of The Courage To Speak, which is also now available to watch on YouTube, Apple, Spotify and other podcast platforms.
One of the world’s greatest sopranos, she is a truly international singer, performer and broadcaster of astonishing versatility and is currently starring in the West End in Hadestown at The Lyric Theatre.
In a warm, candid, funny and at times deeply moving conversation, Danni speaks frankly about a number of issues including her experiences of misogyny and the fears shared by many women in the arts that motherhood will see them written off at a young age.
She gives her views on the great ‘Timothy Chalamet Debate’ and speaks with extraordinary honesty about performing at Covent Garden just a few hours after suffering a miscarriage, and the immense support she was given by everyone at the Royal Opera House.
Born in Australia to Sri Lankan parents with Dutch and Scottish heritage, Danni became the youngest winner of the Australian television competition Young Talent Time aged nine, moved to Los Angeles at the age of 11, made her debut with the Los Angeles Opera at 15, won an Emmy at 16 and by the age of 20 had already performed on Broadway and at the Metropolitan Opera House.
Since then, she has become a global superstar and as well as her numerous performances in Opera and theatre, she has many television credits, recorded multiple albums and this year made her debut as a director.
All this while also being the mother of two children and supporting numerous charities and increasingly speaking out about being a woman and mother in the arts.
New York Times Magazine described her as ‘opera’s coolest soprano’.
The Courage to Speak is produced by Leonie Mellinger Ltd. Recorded and edited by Brazen Studios. Theme music composed by Guy Pearson.