The 37-year-old barrier-breaking supermodel, business mogul, and mother-of-three has been careful to forge her own path. She started by keeping a journal as Roxie. (Journaling has long been an important and personal outlet for Graham, helping her with anxiety and when she’s in a mental rut). “At first, I didn’t like Roxie,” she admits. “I thought, ‘Oh, you’re just out for all you can get. A narcissist, who killed somebody because you didn’t get it your way.’ Over time, I really felt endeared towards her. She’s had so much heartache, but she’s always been glass half full, a go-getter, which is what I try to do always.”

As she continued her character study, Graham felt a kind of kinship with Roxie. “She’s really taken a lot of her ‘nos’ and turned them into ‘yeses’—that’s literally my whole career. So, I’ve really tried to find myself in her—not that I know how to do method acting. I didn’t go to school for this or have an acting coach. Journaling really took the evolution of Roxie for me from sour to sweet.”

Photo: Lucy Helena Van Ellis

Photo: Lucy Helena Van Ellis

Every day for almost two weeks now, Graham has either run the full show or every scene she’s in. For up to eight hours a day: Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. On her days off, she’s doing press, managing her businesses, and traveling for meetings. Often, she sings to her kids: Sometimes they enjoy it, other times it’s hands over ears. “It’s wild, but I know the play inside out now. It felt like a slow progression, but also super fast. Yesterday I looked at everyone and was like, ‘Next time I see you is opening night…like, don’t you think I should have another month of work?’ ‘No, you’re ready,’ they said.”

Some lifestyle changes come with this new role. The Velma to Graham’s Roxie, Welsh actor Sophie Carmen-Jones, advised Graham not to go to loud bars in the lead up. “Don’t go anywhere you have to strain your throat,” she says. “I’ve been dealing with allergies—always fun this time of year—but I take good care of myself anyways. One of the things new to me is singing while walking on a treadmill. It’s got my stamina up. As well, I sauna to keep everything warm. My calves and feet have gone through it, so I’m also doing a lot of acupuncture. My acupuncturist told me I need to tap into my quiet—find the prayer time, no phones. That’s easier said than done when married with three kids and some businesses. But I’m trying.”

Photo: Lucy Helena Van Ellis

Photo: Lucy Helena Van Ellis

Nerves, still, abound. “I wake up in the middle of the night with a sour stomach. Like, I’m about to be live on Broadway! It’s not a movie!” she says, taking over her black-rimmed glasses to rub the bridge of her nose. “I’ve never even filmed a movie, never danced or acted…This is all brand new.”