Olympic Gold Medalist Laurie Hernandez Joins Broadway

A gymnastics champion is trading the balance beam for the Broadway stage, and she couldn't be more excited about it.

Laurie Hernandez, who captured America's heart as part of the "Final Five" U.S. Women's Gymnastics team at the 2016 Rio Olympics, will make her Broadway debut in & Juliet on March 17. The two-time Olympic medalist won gold with her team and silver on the balance beam before going on to win Dancing With the Stars that same year.

Hernandez will perform as Charmion, a featured dance role in the musical's ensemble, through June 14 at the Sondheim Theatre. "I've always been such a Broadway fan, so to make my Broadway debut in & Juliet is a dream come true," she shared in a statement.

The show reimagines Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet with a twist: what if Juliet didn't die for Romeo? Set to pop hits like "Since U Been Gone," "Roar," and "I Want It That Way," the jukebox musical has become one of Broadway's biggest success stories since opening in November 2022.

& Juliet earned nine Tony Award nominations and became the first new musical of its season to recoup its investment. The production continues to pack the Sondheim Theatre with audiences eager for its upbeat message and infectious energy.

Why This Inspires

Hernandez's journey shows that reinvention isn't just possible—it's powerful. After conquering Olympic gymnastics at just 16 years old, she's now pursuing a completely different stage at 25.

Her willingness to step into a new arena as a beginner, despite her athletic fame, sends an inspiring message. Dreams don't have expiration dates, and success in one field can be a launching pad rather than a limitation.

For young athletes wondering what comes after competition, Hernandez is proof that the discipline, performance skills, and work ethic from sports translate beautifully to other passions. She's not leaving her gymnastics legacy behind—she's building on it.

Broadway audiences will get to see an Olympic champion bring that same dedication and joy to a completely new challenge starting this spring.