NEW YORK, N.Y. (CBS) -- At just 25 years old, Emilie Kouatchou is a part of Broadway history.

"It's overwhelming. It's scary, and daunting, and exciting all at the same time," she said. "It's so many feelings wrapped into one."

Back in October, Kouatchou became the first Black actor to play the role of Christine Daaé in the New York production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera." She was the alternate leading lady.

On Wednesday, she again secured a spot in history when she took over the role full-time.

When asked if she's living out a dream, Kouatchou said, "Yeah, definitely. This is a show that I’ve like envisioned myself in for a while.”

But she admitted it almost didn't happen. When the COVID-19 pandemic halted Broadway productions, she started to rethink her future.

"I'm exploring other options and then just as I was like literally starting to get into that, I got the audition for Phantom, so it was kind of like crazy how that all worked out," she said.

Kouatchou wants her leading role to be one of many firsts.

"I 100% hope that this can like open more doors for all different kinds of Christines," she said. "And all different roles on Broadway that they can be played by anyone."

The historic moment took place as "The Phantom of the Opera," which is the longest-running show on Broadway, celebrated its 34th anniversary.

Kouatchou joins another "Phantom of the Opera" lead making history in London. Lucy St. Louis became the first Black actor to play the role of Christine in the West End when she reopened the London production of Phantom in July.

This report was originally written by CBS News' Danya Bacchus.