Idina Menzel Mentors ‘The Glee Project’ Contestants on Fearlessness + Theatricality

Broadway star Idina Menzel was the mentor/guest judge on tonight's episode of 'The Glee Project.' The theme of the episode was theatricality, something that Menzel -- who played Rachel's biological mother on 'Glee' and has major Broadway cred with roles in 'Rent' and 'Wicked' on her resume -- knows quite a bit about.

Menzel was quick to point out to these singing sensations that theatricality is not about bombast or drama or trying to portray yourself as larger than life during a performance, but about being honest, true, and most importantly, fearless. That was the best advice she could have given the hopefuls, as it prevented them from OD'ing their performances, and trying to be bigger than the moment. Being fearless is something that doesn't come easy, which is why Menzel was so right on to remind the singers to be just that and to throw caution to the wind and go for it.

When Menzel mentored Alex Newell -- who won the homework challenge with his soulful take on Lady Gaga's 'Bad Romance' -- she told Newell to think about the times when he was ridiculed or teased, and channel that anger into his performance for their video for Twisted Sister's electrically charged glam anthem, 'We're Not Gonna Take It.' With the prevalence of bullying over sexual orientation, it was more than perfect advice for Menzel to dispense.

Menzel was as motherly as it gets!

Watch Idina Menzel Mentor 'The Glee Project' Contestants