Actor and singer Idina Menzel stole her parents’ car and drove illegally to play at her first paying gig during her teenage years. 

The actress, musician and voice of Frozen's Elsa, 52, opened up about her first paid debut performance when she was just 15 years old. 

Describing the moment in an interview, she said: “It was for a wedding when I was 15. I drove illegally to the catering hall in my parents' 1985 silver Cordoba. 

“The band leader gave me a chance and I remember singing the theme song from the movie Ice Castles. 

“I got paid $100 - I couldn't believe I was earning my own money from singing.”

During her later teenage years, she regularly performed at wedding and bar mitzvahs. 

Menzel, who was raised in Long Island, New York, also said she performed for the first time in front of a group of people at a talent show when she was just six years old. 

Recalling the moment, she said: “It was a talent show at a resort in the Catskills, upstate New York, when I was six. I sang The Way We Were. 

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Idina Menzel poses during the Disney and Saks Fifth Avenue unveiling of 'Disney Frozen 2' holiday windows in 2019 (Photo: Getty)

“I remember feeling transported. I had this sense, this realisation that I had something special and maybe one day I would share it with the world. That's what happened with Frozen and Let It Go.”

The Frozen star later described the first time she felt overwhelmed by her growing fame. 

In 2003, she became one of the most popular Broadway performers when she starred in the role of Elphaba in Wicked. 

This role brought her not only huge popularity and acclaim but a Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical.

But Menzel revealed that by the time she had her first child in September 2009, she struggled with balancing her Broadway role with being a mother.

She said: “There are days when I've been sick laryngitis, sinus infection - with high-pressure concerts to perform, holding my infant son and heading to the doctor. 

“One time I had no make-up on, my hair was matted, and, unbeknown to me, my shirt was on inside out, and I walked into a swarm of paparazzi. 

“Those are days when I've been overwhelmed. The rest of the time I would say I'm overwhelmed with gratitude. I remind myself that my dreams have come true.”

In the interview with The Times, Menzel also admitted The Diary of Anne Frank was the first book that made an impact on her. 

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Idina Menzel also discussed her thoughts about the Holocaust (Photo: Getty)

Speaking about the wider impact of the Holocaust, she added: “At an early age my parents would talk about the Holocaust, wanting me to have an understanding of the Jewish experience. 

“As a parent, I often wrestle with what age is appropriate for children to be exposed to the hatred in the world. 

“When do I protect my son's innocence? When do I have the real conversations?”

Menzel is starring as Adam Sandler's wife in the comedian's upcoming film, You’re So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah, which is released on Netflix later this week.