It’s been ten years since Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel divorced, but the former “Rent” co-stars still consider themselves family.
That’s because the pair landed the roles of a lifetime during their decade-long marriage — as mom and dad to their son, Walker.
While Walker Nathaniel Diggs, who was born in 2009, hasn’t been bitten by the showbiz bug like his folks (yet!), he has followed his parents footsteps as far as walking the red carpet.
Read on to learn more about him.
He makes co-parenting a positive experience
Diggs and Menzel credit Walker with keeping peace and positivity between them as they transitioned from partners to co-parents.
“Your child comes first, that’s all,” Menzel told People in 2016.
“He comes first, and you have to get past your own egos and you never talk bad about each other,” she added.
Diggs also told the outlet that he and Menzel are aligned with prioritizing their son.
“He’s what’s most important for us, so we’re still there as a family,” he said. “We were friends to start out with, but especially when you have a kid in the mix, there’s no time for any negativity.”
He walked Idina Menzel down the aisle
Walker has welcomed another father figure into his life — his stepdad, actor-turned-therapist Aaron Lohr.
In September 2017, Walker played an important role when Menzel and Lohr said their “I dos.”
“Wanted to let you know… Married the love of my life #aaronlohr this weekend @ our home,” the bride posted on social media at the time. “Dad & son walked me down aisle. It was magical.”
Walker inspired his dad to write a book
In addition to being a stage and screen star, dad Diggs is also a children’s book author with a number of titles to his name, including “Why?” and “Chocolate Me!”
During a 2015 visit to TODAY, Diggs spoke about his then-new book, “Mixed Me,” which he explained came about because of Walker.
“This book, as well as ‘Chocolate Me!’ hits on identity,” he said. “This one was inspired by my little boy, Walker Nathaniel Diggs, who is the product of a blended relationship. His mom is vanilla, and I’m dark chocolate. So, I just wanted to write a little something that touched on their experiences.”
Apparently, Walker approved, as Diggs added, “He loves it. I read it to him, and he tells me which pages to repeat.”
Walker inspired a couple of Taye Diggs’ tattoos
Dad took inspiration from his son when it came to his body art, too.
In 2010, Diggs celebrated Walker’s first birthday by getting “Walk” tattooed on the inside of his left forearm. And then, in 2015, he decorated the outside of that same forearm that appeared to be a message from his little guy.
The tattoo, which Diggs shared on social media in May 2015, reads “I love Daddy,” complete with reversed Ds.
Walker gave Idina Menzel a big confidence boost
When Menzel turned 50, she suddenly found herself wrestling with age-related worries about her appearance. Walker helped turn her thoughts around.
“I’m very vibrant, and the music I sing is for lots of young people,” Menzel shared in an interview with Glamour in September 2021. “So it’s silly for me to play into that. But I will be honest and say I have to combat a lot of my own neuroses.”
But when Walker realized what was weighing on her mind, he offered some simple advice.
“He says, ‘Mom, don’t look in the mirror and worry about how you look. You’re beautiful.’”
Walker brings her down to earth, too
Menzel’s singing voice may be beloved by her fans, but her vocal range doesn’t really impress Walker when she belts out songs around the house.
“I try,” she said while on TODAY with Hoda & Jenna in May 2022. “But he just kind of goes, ‘Mom! Shut up!’”
So, the “Frozen” star settles for singing opera to a family member who appreciates it.
“The dog likes it,” she said with a smile.
Walker has a big fan in Taye Diggs
Diggs has expressed how he’s absolutely starstruck by his teen these days.
“I try not to show him how excited I am just when he says three words to me, but it can be difficult,” Diggs told People in November 2024 of what it’s like communicating with the cool kid. “It’s very humbling because I feel like a 12-year-old girl that’s out with a senior boy. Anything I say could ruin the date. I’m so tentative.”
Jokes aside, Diggs said he loves their new dynamic.
“It’s a trip,” he continued. “I’m an adult and I’m hanging on every word of this 15-year-old. It’s fun. It’s really, really fun and eye-opening.”
Walker is a red carpet regular
It was once rare for Menzel and Diggs’ fans to get a glimpse of Walker, but in 2024, he’s made a habit of appearing alongside his parents as their plus-one at big events.
In October 2024, he held his mother’s hand as she got ready to receive a big honor.
“Making the walk with my Walker,” Menzel wrote in an Instagram caption that accompanied a clip of their stroll. “Honored to be invited to the White House this week as a recipient of the National Medal of Arts. #CoolMom”
Then, in November 2024, he followed that up by walking the red carpet at the Los Angeles premiere of “Wicked” with Menzel, who originated the role of Elphaba on Broadway back in 2003.
