Lin-Manuel Miranda's Surprising College Crush Revealed

It’s always fascinating, isn’t it, how our paths can intersect in the most unexpected ways? I was reading recently about Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creative force behind so many of our favorite musicals, and a particularly sweet detail emerged that really struck me. In a biography titled "Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist," it's revealed that back in his college days at Wesleyan, long before Hamilton became a household name, Miranda actually had a shared crush with a theater director named M. Graham Smith. Smith, a prominent figure in the Bay Area theater scene, even directed the initial workshop of what would eventually become In the Heights. It’s a small anecdote, but it paints such a human picture of Miranda’s journey, showing a young artist navigating not just his craft but also the complexities of personal connection and self-discovery. Smith, looking back, seems to have no regrets, emphasizing that he gave his all to the project and that Miranda was always unconstrained in his vulnerability, a trait that surely fuels his brilliant work.

This thoughtful look at Miranda’s early years reminds us that even the most prodigious talents are shaped by their experiences and relationships. It’s not just about the flash of genius; it’s about the people who help nurture that spark. As Daniel Pollack-Pelzner’s book details, Miranda’s career is a testament to collaboration, learning from notes, and even knowing when to let go of certain ideas for the greater good of a project. We see this in how he approached feedback from giants like Stephen Sondheim, with a humble eagerness to earn his place.

And speaking of connecting with audiences in unexpected ways, it seems Lin-Manuel Miranda still has a knack for delightful surprises. Just recently, commuters in New York’s Grand Central Station were treated to an impromptu piano performance by Miranda himself, serenading them with hits from Encanto and other beloved tunes. This event, part of an art exhibit called “Dear New York,” underscores his enduring connection to the pulse of a city and its people. It makes you wonder, what’s next for an artist who continues to find innovative ways to share his gift, weaving personal history with public performance?