Sarah Brightman
The role of Christine Daae was written specifically for Sarah Brightman, because she was married to Andrew Lloyd Webber while he was composing the work. There was much argument over her playing Christine on opening night on Broadway, because their policy was that any non-American performer who wanted to perform there had to be an international star (she was born in England). Webber was able to find a compromise, and she performed as Christine. This was well worth it, though, because album presales raked in a total of $17 million. The albums hit platinum multiple times in America, England, Germany, Korea, and Japan.
Sierra Boggess
Sierra Boggess originally played Christine in Phantom - Las Vegas Spectacular. She went on to play in Ariel and Music in the Air on Broadway, but then left to play Christine in the sequel to Phantom, Love Never Dies. On October 1 and 2, 2011 she returned to the role of Christine Daae to play in the 25th Anniversary production of Phantom alongside former costar Ramin Karimloo. She played Christine in the 25th Anniversary of Phantom on Broadway in January 2013 and will stay there through the first week of March.
Emmy Rossum
Emmanuelle (Emmy) Rossum plays Christine in the 2004 movie version of Phantom. She almost missed her audition because of a family engagement, but she was asked to audition in person at Webber's home. After the audition, Webber thought she could fit the role of the young soprano who becomes the object of the Phantom's obsessive love. For her role as Christine Daae, she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for best actress in a musical, making her the youngest person to ever nominated for that particular award.
Jennifer Hope Wills
At first chosen to play in the short lived musical Woman in White, which was soon cancelled, she auditioned for the role of Christine on Broadway. She was quickly chosen, but soon after she was offered the role on a Canada touring group. After touring for a little over 2 months, she was asked to return as Christine to Broadway. She took a personal leave in 2008, but she returned in 2009 and left the role in September 2012.