Hollywood star’s Welsh tweets get worldwide attention
A HOLLYWOOD sensation you might not have heard of is helping promote the delights of south Wales – to his millions of US followers.
On this side of the Atlantic, Lin-Manuel Miranda may not yet have achieved “household name” status.
But the Broadway star boasts 2.4 million Twitter followers, counts Prince Harry among his fans, has bagged 11 Tony awards for his hit musical Hamilton and was nominated for an Oscar for his songs in Disney’s Moana.
And now he has taken to social media to show what a brilliant time he and his family are having in Wales as he films a new version of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials.
Over the past five weeks, as well as publicising a visit to the weekend’s Cardiff Book Festival, he has shared photos of trips to Caerphilly’s Tommy Cooper statue and the castles at Cardiff, Caerphilly and Raglan, posted videos of the glorious Welsh countryside and fielded questions about Welsh Rarebit and Cardiff-filmed hit sci-fi series Doctor Who.
And earlier this week he received a very enthusiastic response after professing his love of Welsh cakes to the world.
Miranda tweeted: “What else did I miss on my week off: That tennis ump[ire] is trash and both champs deserve better; I started watching The Crown; Welsh cakes are good. Okay off to work.”
His followers worldwide went into rhapsodies, with the likes of Lisa Lucas, executive director of the National Book Foundation responding “Welsh cakes are everything”, actor and director Alexander Vlahos stating “Welsh cakes are better than good, sir”.
Miranda’s latest exploits come after he rocked up at a musicals singalong night at Cardiff bar Porters and started belting out tunes from Les Mis.
As previously reported, musical lovers were shocked when the internationally-renowned star turned up and performed at the night, known as Jane’s Calamity .
It has since garnered international attention, including on popular US TV show Good Morning America.