Kay Sibal’s Broadway dream comes true in SIX

Kay Sibal | Photo from Instagram/@KaySibal

For Kay Sibal, stepping onto a Broadway stage for the first time in SIX is nothing short of a dream come true. As she made her Broadway debut last month portraying Katherine Howard in the electrifying pop musical that reimagines the six wives of Henry VIII, Sibal is embracing a moment that feels both surreal and deeply personal.

“This has been a dream show of mine for so long,” Sibal told the Asian Journal in an interview. “So, in a way, it is exactly what I imagined it to be, because it’s just been the dream show. But at the same time, who can ever predict something like this? It’s such a rare opportunity.”

Sibal’s journey with SIX began years ago, when she first discovered the show’s concept album in high school. “Somebody showed me the album, and I was like, ‘This sounds like what you hear on the radio!’ That excited me so much because pop music has always been a big part of my life,” she recalled. “I love musical theater, but pop music runs very deep in me, and SIX blends both worlds so seamlessly.”

That early connection turned into a full-circle moment when she was cast as Katherine Howard, a role inspired by pop icons like Ariana Grande and Britney Spears. The connection to Grande, in particular, is almost eerie. “The last song I performed before being knocked out on The Voice was One Last Time by Ariana Grande,” Sibal shared. “Not only that, but I was also styled in a pink sparkly outfit with a high ponytail—just like I am now in SIX! The parallels are wild, but it also makes perfect sense. Ariana has been such a big inspiration to me for so many years.”

The Road to Broadway

Sibal’s path to SIX began in 2021 when she submitted a self-tape for the show’s virtual open call while she was still in college. “I was a senior at the time, and they called me back in person during their audition tour in L.A., where I was studying. Later that school year, they brought me to New York for another callback. And then in 2023, they asked to see me again.”

Initially, Sibal auditioned with material from Anne Boleyn, drawn to the role in part because of Andrea Macasaet, the original Broadway Boleyn and a fellow Filipina performer. “Seeing someone who looked like me in the role made such a difference. It showed me that there was space for me in this show,” she said. But as the audition process continued, she was called back for Katherine Howard, the role she ultimately landed. “Now that I’m playing Howard, it makes so much sense. I feel a lot of parallels and connection with her. The team was very smart to see that in me.”

From The Voice to SIX

Sibal’s rise to Broadway follows a high-profile stint on The Voice, where she was part of Gwen Stefani’s team. The experience was a major learning curve. “It was my first time being seen as an individual solo artist, which meant I underwent a lot of personal growth,” she said. “Being interviewed about my personal story, my family, and my dad on national TV was a new challenge. But I think The Voice helped me get to know myself better, which ultimately prepared me for this Broadway role.”

One of the most significant moments from The Voice was meeting Sofronio Vasquez, the first Filipino to win the competition. “I’m so proud of him. Filipinos have been part of singing competitions for years, but to have one actually win The Voice—that’s huge,” she says. “It also makes a big difference to viewers all over the country who might not have met a Filipino person before. Seeing someone like Sofronio succeed on that stage was a win for our entire community.”

Though she was initially encouraged by her family to pursue a more traditional career path, Sibal’s passion for music and performance never wavered. “Of course, my family told me I should go into nursing or engineering—typical Filipino advice,” she laughs. “But they also supported me in music from a young age, putting me in choir and piano lessons. That foundation made it possible for me to dream of something like this.”

Now, as she steps into the spotlight on Broadway, Sibal is proof that dreams, when combined with talent and perseverance, can become reality. “Being here feels like everything has led up to this moment. It’s both a dream and a full-circle journey.”