# Broadway legend André De Shields doesn't walk, he floats

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/fresh-air-214340/broadway-legend-andr-de-shields-doesn-t-walk-he-floats
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/fresh-air-214340/broadway-legend-andr-de-shields-doesn-t-walk-he-floats.md
Podcast: [Fresh Air](https://stenobird.com/podcast/fresh-air-214340)
Published: 2026-07-21T18:18:28+00:00
Episode link: https://www.npr.org/2026/07/21/nx-s1-5902061/broadway-legend-andre-de-shields-doesnt-walk-he-floats
Audio file: https://prfx.byspotify.com/e/play.podtrac.com/npr-381444908/npr.simplecastaudio.com/49850946-31c1-4953-8129-0d718420c400/episodes/edc51122-2b94-4f9c-95bd-1e08a4c4157a/audio/128/default.mp3?awCollectionId=49850946-31c1-4953-8129-0d718420c400&awEpisodeId=edc51122-2b94-4f9c-95bd-1e08a4c4157a&feed=jBsBZBHh&t=podcast&e=nx-s1-5902061&p=381444908&d=2737&size=43795105
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/fresh-air-214340/episodes/broadway-legend-andr-de-shields-doesn-t-walk-he-floats
Duration seconds: 2737

## Resource

At the age of 80, Broadway legend André De Shields now starring in "CATS: The Jellicle Ball." He won a Tony in 2019 for his performance in "Hadestown," and co-stars in the new film of last year’s London revival. He made his Broadway debut in the title role of the 1975 original production of "The Wiz." De Shields describes himself as Afro Queer, a longtime HIV survivor, and unreformed hippie, who grew up in inner city Baltimore. He’s always gone his own way in how he thinks, speaks, dresses and moves. "I don’t rush anywhere. I walk slowly. My reputation is that Andre DeShields doesn’t walk, he floats." He spoke with Terry Gross. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

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