Honestly, if you haven't been keeping tabs on the theater world lately, you might still think of Laura Osnes as the ultimate "Broadway Sweetheart." The girl-next-door from Minnesota who won a reality show to play Sandy in Grease and later became a literal princess in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella. But if you look for her on a playbill in Midtown Manhattan today, you won't find her.
The stage lights have dimmed on her New York career. Basically, she’s gone from the center of the Great White Way to a totally different life in Nashville.
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It’s been a wild few years for her. One minute she’s a two-time Tony nominee, and the next, she’s at the center of a PR firestorm that basically redrew the map of her entire life. So, what is Laura Osnes doing now? It's not just one thing. She’s reinvented herself as a Nashville singer-songwriter, a staple of the Great American Family movie network, and even an entrepreneur.
The Shift from Broadway to Nashville
You've probably heard bits and pieces of the drama. Back in 2021, a report from the New York Post claimed she was fired from a one-night concert at Guild Hall in the Hamptons because she refused to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Osnes later sued the publication for defamation, and they eventually settled. She’s been very vocal lately—even as recently as early 2026—about how that period felt like being "blacklisted."
Whether you call it "cancellation" or just the consequences of a workplace dispute, the result was the same: the Broadway community largely distanced itself.
She didn't stay to fight for a spot in a town that didn't want her. She and her husband, photographer Nathan Johnson, packed up their life and moved to Franklin, Tennessee. It wasn't just a move; it was a total pivot.
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In Nashville, she’s leaned hard into the "Americana" and country-pop scene. She released an EP titled On the Other Side back in 2022, which was a pretty raw look at her feelings during the whole controversy. She’s still releasing music, too. Just recently, she dropped a single called "Bring Him Home" with her husband and has been collaborating with groups like GENTRI. Her voice is still that crystal-clear soprano we all remember, but the vibes are way more "porch swing" than "orchestra pit."
Why Laura Osnes is the New Queen of "Great American Family"
If she’s not on stage, she’s definitely on your TV—especially if you’re a fan of those cozy, wholesome holiday movies. While she used to be a Hallmark regular, she’s pretty much moved over to Great American Family (GAF) now.
It makes sense. GAF has positioned itself as the "traditional" alternative to Hallmark, and Laura fits that brand perfectly. In 2024, she was a big part of their A Little Women’s Christmas adaptation, playing Beth March alongside stars like Gladys Knight. She also starred in a movie called Just in Time about a couple struggling with infertility, which was a bit of a departure from the usual fluff.
Her 2025 schedule remained packed with these projects. Honestly, for many people who don't follow Broadway gossip, she hasn't "gone" anywhere. She’s just moved to a different channel. She’s become a face for the network’s "Great American Christmas" events, which are massive for that specific audience.
The Business Side: Stagecraft and Coaching
Interestingly, she hasn't totally cut ties with the world of performing arts education. She and Nathan launched something called Stagecraft.
It’s an online platform that’s basically a masterclass for aspiring performers. She’s taking all that "ingenue" knowledge and teaching kids how to actually handle the industry—not just the singing part, but the business side, too. She also does private coaching and masterclasses.
There's something a bit ironic about it, right? She’s teaching people how to navigate an industry she’s currently out of. But in a way, that makes her insights more interesting. She knows the highs of being a Tony darling and the lows of a public fallout.
What Most People Get Wrong About Her "Comeback"
People keep asking when she’s coming back to Broadway. In an interview with the Star Tribune, she kind of admitted that the "Broadway world was wonderful while it lasted," but she’s in a different season now.
She isn't waiting by the phone for a casting director in NYC to call.
She’s been doing "cabaret-style" shows and symphony gigs instead. For example, she recently performed with the New West Symphony and still does the Broadway Princess Party concerts, which she co-created. She’s found a way to keep singing the hits without needing a Broadway contract.
- She’s not "retired." She’s just working in different zip codes.
- The lawsuit is over. The New York Post matter was settled "to mutual satisfaction" a while back.
- Nashville is home. She’s fully integrated into the Franklin, TN community, even performing in local circus-themed productions like Shiners for a while.
Is a Broadway Return Possible?
Never say never in show business, but it feels unlikely for now. The Broadway community is pretty tight-knit and, honestly, fairly progressive. The friction from 2021 still lingers in those circles. But what is Laura Osnes doing now that actually matters to her? It seems to be building a career that doesn't rely on the gatekeepers of 42nd Street.
She’s building a brand around "wholesome" entertainment, faith-adjacent projects, and independent music. For her fan base, which is largely comprised of families and musical theater nerds who just love a good soprano, she’s doing just fine.
If you want to keep up with her latest, the best place isn't the Playbill website anymore—it’s Instagram or the Great American Family schedule. She’s active there, posting about her new music and her life in Tennessee.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check out her latest EP On the Other Side on Spotify or Apple Music to hear her songwriting shift.
- Look for her upcoming 2026 concert dates on Ticketmaster, as she often tours with symphonies or the Broadway Princess Party crew.
- If you're an aspiring actor, look into the Stagecraft platform for her technical vocal tips.