At simply 21, Jess Folley is already a power to be reckoned with! The powerhouse vocalist first captured hearts because the winner of The Voice Children UK, but it surely’s her evolution right into a dynamic performer and main girl that really units her aside.
Now starring as Ali within the West Finish’s dazzling new manufacturing Burlesque The Musical, Folley is proving she’s greater than only a voice—she’s a full-fledged star. With electrifying stage presence, uncooked emotion, and a sound that blends pop, soul, and theatrical aptitude, Jess is rewriting what it means to be a modern-day triple risk.
On this unique interview, Jess opens up about moving into Christina Aguilera’s iconic footwear, the self-discipline behind the sequins, and the way she’s carving out a legacy on her personal phrases.
Jess, congratulations on making your West Finish debut! You’ve simply come off stage so I do know you have to be feeling every kind of feelings proper now, however when you can, please inform me the way you’re feeling in 3 phrases…
Ooh, let me suppose! Okay, I’m going to say: overjoyed, proud and grateful!
You’ve been part of this present for plenty of years now, and obtained rave opinions on your performances in each Glasgow and Manchester. How does the vibe differ now you’re opening in London?
Properly, firstly I believe it’s essential to say I really feel extremely grateful for the experiences I had in Glasgow and Manchester. As an organization we performed to some wonderful audiences, in two lovely theatres, and we needed to the very best time. However to now be right here in London, and opening at The Savoy Theatre… I imply, I can’t fairly imagine it – it’s the top, it’s the dream!
Christina Aguilera famously performed the function of Ali within the 2010 movie, and is a part of the artistic staff for Burlesque the Musical, offering music and lyrics in addition to serving as producer. What’s it been like working alongside such a revered, and revered pop icon?
In a phrase… unbelievable! I don’t suppose it should ever sink in that Christina Aguilera is aware of who I’m (laughs). Severely, the final 72 hours of her being right here with us in London have been a whirlwind. She’s an unbelievable individual, and she or he’s been so supportive. I’ve truly been despatched some clips of her speaking about me in interviews and I really feel very, very fortunate and honoured to listen to her converse so extremely of me. Having her approval, and blessing to tackle this function was actually essential to me. I needed to be respectful to her, and to everybody who was part of the unique movie, as a result of they created one thing actually magical. After which away from the present… I imply my goodness, she was one in all my idols rising up! I used to sing her songs within the kitchen with my Mum on a regular basis (laughs). And now she is aware of my title? What is occurring? It’s main!
As a result of Christina is such an enormous star, and subsequently her interpretation of the character is entrenched in peoples minds, not simply right here in London however all over the world, did it really feel daunting moving into Ali’s footwear?
So it’s attention-grabbing, as a result of I used to be initially introduced on board to be a composer for the present, not an actor, so it was by no means truly the plan for me to play Ali – which is sort of loopy to consider now! I can’t keep in mind the precise timeline of occasions, however I used to be requested at one level if I’d like to participate in one of many early workshops, and play Ali for the week, which in fact I mentioned ‘sure’ to, and had a ball doing. After which yeah, with out actually figuring out it, that ended up being my first audition for the function, and I used to be provided the half a short time after. During the last two years each myself, and the present, have grown and advanced into the manufacturing you noticed on stage tonight.
I imply that entire state of affairs seems like a film in itself…
(Laughs) it truly does! It’s perhaps not the best way most individuals are solid, however I wouldn’t change it for the world, as a result of what was so nice about me coming into this mission purely as a songwriter first, was the truth that I bought to essentially perceive Ali, and determine who she was, and what she was about, lengthy earlier than I began taking part in her. So after I wrote “Acquired It All From You” – which is her large ‘I Need’ tune – I used to be capable of write it from a spot of really feeling like I knew her in the identical method I might a sister or finest good friend. I felt, and really feel very linked to her.
How did you go about making the half your personal, and never a carbon copy of the Ali we see within the film?
Actually, I really feel like there’s a whole lot of symmetry between the journey Ali goes on, and what’s been taking place in my lifetime of late, so in some methods it’s merely simply been a case of me tapping into a few of these experiences, and fascinated by how I’ve felt being in related conditions to her. I additionally suppose contributing as a songwriter actually helped me to place my very own stamp on issues in a method that I maybe wouldn’t have been capable of, had I simply been concerned as an actor. The lyrics I wrote, the melodies I composed all got here from my coronary heart, and so they helped lay the foundations for who Ali is on this model of Burlesque, while in fact honouring the essence of the character Christina first dropped at life.
Ali modifications a lot all through the present doesn’t she?
She actually does, and I really like that you simply observed that! It’s sort of loopy simply how a lot she modifies and transforms – generally it’s like I’m taking part in a distinct character in every scene, which I truly actually love as a result of it means the present by no means will get previous or feels boring to me. On the finish of the day, Ali is a younger girl stepping out on this planet and coming into her personal, so in fact we’re going to see her evolve as a personality. There’s a lot of her story that I relate to, as a result of after I first began out in my profession, I used to be actually younger and I didn’t fairly know what I used to be doing or what was occurring round me. So I actually do determine with a whole lot of the Ali we see in Act 1. In actual fact, at first everybody would all the time joke round and say: “Jess you actually are like ‘Act 1 Ali”, and I assume I used to be, as a result of I used to be solely 19 after I first began taking part in her, I used to be a child. Three years on, and I really feel like I’ve actually grown into a girl, and am extra just like the model of Ali we see in Act 2, which feels very nice. She’s an awesome character, and I really like occurring this journey along with her night time after night time.
The ever altering nature of her character means you as a performer are pushed to your restrict after which some! You’re doing full on choreography, cabaret, pop, energy ballads, drama, comedy and naturally, burlesque! Inform me about a few of your favorite moments and numbers within the present…
Actually my favorite half modifications on a regular basis! The group numbers are all the time so empowering, and I get such a rush performing them with the remainder of the solid. “Acquired It All From You” is my like my child, and so I’ll all the time love singing that tune. “Categorical” and “Sure To You” in Act 2 are simply out of this world wonderful, nothing beats them! Ahh, I might go on and on speaking about my favourites… (laughs).
How do you get your self bodily and mentally able to tackle such an enormous function night time after night time?
It takes a whole lot of self-discipline, belief me! I severely need to be on high of my recreation, in any other case I don’t suppose I’d get by Act 1, not to mention the entire present (laughs). Enjoying the function of Ali requires me to make use of all the instruments in my equipment, and all the expertise I’ve discovered all through the course of my profession. From the second I arrive on stage, I don’t cease! One minute I’m doing a full break up, then a gaggle quantity, then a solo the place I’ve to belt out a be aware on the high of my vary. I’ve to be sassy, shy, assured, ruthless, susceptible, and all the pieces in between… I’m exhausted by the tip of night time, it’s such an emotional rollercoaster.
Burlesque The Musical | West Finish LIVE 2025
Theatre is exclusive in that no two performances are ever the identical — how do you discover viewers reactions differ from present to indicate?
I believe all of us on stage would agree that we’ve began to note a sample by way of audiences responses, and there are undoubtedly particular elements of the present that get the identical type of response night time after night time, which is fantastic and in a method fairly comforting for us. It clearly goes with out saying the songs featured within the film are all the time effectively obtained – and why wouldn’t they be? They’re so iconic! However then there are some reveals the place you’re fully caught off guard by how an viewers reacts to a specific scene or second, and I sort of love that too, as a result of it retains me on my toes and helps to make issues really feel actually contemporary. I don’t wish to sound too soppy or cliché, however we actually have had some wonderful audiences thus far, and I’m actually grateful to everybody who has been to see the present.
Speak to me concerning the solid! Watching you all work together each on and off the stage, there’s no denying the chemistry, unity and camaraderie you share…
Actually, our solid is made up of essentially the most lovely human beings! Everytime you’re doing a brand new present, you want to have that sense of that camaraderie you discuss, in any other case I believe issues would simply collapse. We’ve all actually held one another tight all through this complete course of, and been there to help each other when occasions have been powerful. I don’t suppose I might do any of this with out them, severely, they’re the very best.
As the home lights got here up, and the viewers filtered out of the auditorium, had been you in a position to soak up the magnitude of an evening like tonight?
Proper now, I’d say ‘no’ (laughs). Tonight has been magical – I’m truthfully on cloud 9! Every little thing feels very surreal, and sort of like I’m dreaming, however I’m so joyful. Everyone has labored so arduous to get the present to the purpose it’s at now, and I’m actually pleased with everybody for the way we’ve pulled collectively. However I believe it’s going to take a minute for all the pieces to essentially, correctly sink in.
Lastly, there’s a degree within the present once you sing: “been holding again for fairly a while, however lastly the second’s proper”, does that lyric just about sum up you’re outlook now as you embark upon this subsequent chapter?
Wow, that’s sort of loopy isn’t it? I imply yeah, I assume it does! Like everybody on that stage tonight, I’ve devoted a whole lot of my life to get to the place I’m in my profession. It’s not all the time been straightforward, and I’ve needed to take care of a whole lot of knock backs and disappointments, however these moments solely made me stronger and extra decided. I’m feeling very optimistic concerning the future, and I can’t wait to see what occurs subsequent…
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