Krystina Helena Alabado (born August 7, 1989[2][3]) is an American actress, singer, and voice actor. She is also known for her acting on Broadway. Alabado made her broadway debut February 28, 2011 playing a replacement ensemble role in American Idiot. She originated the role of Vanden in the 2016 Broadway production of American Psycho and starred as Gretchen Wieners in Mean Girls on Broadway from March 2019 until the show's final performance on March 11, 2020. Since 2024, she has voiced Cherri Bomb in the adult animatedmusical series Hazbin Hotel.
At the age of 18, Alabado joined the national tour of Spring Awakening as part of the ensemble. She moved to New York City in 2009,[6] and made her Broadway debut in 2011 as a replacement ensemble member and understudy in American Idiot,[7] later reprising her role in the show's first national tour.[4][8] In 2013, she joined the national tour of Evita (based on the 2012 Broadway revival) playing Juan Perón's mistress.[9] In 2016, she appeared in the short-lived Broadway production of American Psycho. Alabado performed in the ensemble and as the minor character Vanden, a nightclub singer.[4] She also understudied the principal role of Jean.[7]
In March 2019, Alabado joined the cast of Mean Girls as Gretchen Wieners, replacing Ashley Park, who originated the role.[10] In an interview in October 2019, she revealed that she had previously auditioned for the show while it was still in development, but did not get cast.[11]
In November 2019, Alabado, along with Evita Tour co-star Desi Oakley, founded Pop Rock Broadway, a Broadway training program for young actors in NYC expanding into the world of Pop, Rock, and Contemporary Musical Theatre.[12]
In March 2020, Alabado started a YouTube channel to explain to her followers different aspects of how Broadway works and interview her fellow castmates during the COVID-19 pandemic that temporarily closed Broadway[13] After the pandemic ended, Krystina continued to upload similar videos about her experience as an actor. In 2024, she began making videos to display fanart she received during conventions.[14]
In 2024, Alabado voiced Cherri Bomb in Hazbin Hotel. According to costar, Amir Talai, the lines were recorded sometime in 2021[15] According to creator of the show, Vivienne Medrano, Alabado sang “Bad Reputation” by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts for her audition, although the audition has not been made public as of 2024 [16] Alabado is best known for this role and regularly attends conventions. Alabado will also voice the same character in the upcoming season 2 of Hazbin Hotel. Vivienne medrano also announced that Alabado will sing in season 2[17]