Hamilton Star Mandy Gonzalez Reveals Cancer Diagnosis: 'I Know I Am Not Alone'

Mandy Gonzalez, the Broadway veteran who has been playing the role of Angelica Schuyler in Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton since 2016, shared today on Twitter that she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019.

"Everything happened very fast, I was very fortunate that they were able to catch it early," Gonzalez told People in an interview. "It's important for women to know that early detection is key. As a community, as a society, we need to figure out a way so that everyone has access to a mammogram."

Gonzalez said that she received the diagnosis after an ultrasound last fall, which followed an earlier test six months prior that hadn't come back completely clean. In November, she underwent surgery.

"I'm letting everyone know that this is one part of my life, and the other parts of my life continue," Gonzalez told People. "I'm a mother, I have an eight-year-old daughter who's very busy, and I will continue to sing and perform as Angelica Schuyler in Hamilton. I had surgery last fall and am still currently going through treatment."

Gonzalez's announcement follows a brave group of Broadway performers who have spoken out about their cancer diagnoses, including her former Hamilton co-star Javier Muñoz, who revealed his diagnosis in 2016 while performing in the show; he took a brief leave from the production to undergo treatment.

"I know that I'm not alone," Gonzalez told People. "There are so many mothers and daughters and sisters, so many people out there who are going through this, and I want them to know that I stand with them. We need to be comfortable talking about this. There is no shame. There is strength in sharing our stories and learning from one another."

Other performers who have spoken out about their experience with cancer include Tony-nominated Motown The Musical star Valisia LeKae and three-time Tony nominee Marin Mazzie, the latter of whom passed away in 2018.

Gonzalez has previously appeared on Broadway in Miranda's In the Heights, as well as Wicked, Lennon, Dance of the Vampires and Aida. In addition to her current Hamilton duties, she is scheduled to make her Carnegie Hall debut with the New York Pops on Valentine's Day.