At simply 21, Jess Folley is already a pressure to be reckoned with! The powerhouse vocalist first captured hearts because the winner of The Voice Youngsters UK, however it’s her evolution right into a dynamic performer and main woman 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 getting into Christina Aguilera’s iconic sneakers, 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 should be feeling every kind of feelings proper now, however in the event you can, please inform me the way you’re feeling in 3 phrases…
Ooh, let me assume! Okay, I’m going to say: overjoyed, proud and grateful!
You’ve been part of this present for numerous years now, and obtained rave evaluations in your performances in each Glasgow and Manchester. How does the vibe differ now you’re opening in London?
Effectively, firstly I believe it’s vital 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 stunning theatres, and we needed to the perfect time. However to now be right here in London, and opening at The Savoy Theatre… I imply, I can’t fairly consider it – it’s the head, 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 assume 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 unimaginable individual, and she or he’s been so supportive. I’ve really 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 vital to me. I wished 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 considered one of 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 going on? 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 getting into Ali’s sneakers?
So it’s fascinating, 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 really 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 after all 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 supplied the half a short while after. Over the past two years each myself, and the present, have grown and developed into the manufacturing you noticed on stage tonight.
I imply that entire situation feels like a film in itself…
(Laughs) it really does! It’s perhaps not the way in which 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 venture purely as a songwriter first, was the truth that I received 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 “Obtained It All From You” – which is her massive ‘I Need’ tune – I used to be in a position to write it from a spot of really feeling like I knew her in the identical means I might a sister or greatest buddy. 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?
Truthfully, I really feel like there’s lots 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 assume contributing as a songwriter actually helped me to place my very own stamp on issues in a means that I maybe wouldn’t have been in a position to, had I simply been concerned as an actor. The lyrics I wrote, the melodies I composed all got here from my coronary heart, they usually helped lay the foundations for who Ali is on this model of Burlesque, while after all honouring the essence of the character Christina first dropped at life.
Ali adjustments a lot all through the present doesn’t she?
She actually does, and I like that you just seen that! It’s sort of loopy simply how a lot she modifies and transforms – generally it’s like I’m taking part in a special character in every scene, which I really 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 lady stepping out on the planet and coming into her personal, so after all 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 establish with lots of the Ali we see in Act 1. In reality, to start with everybody would at all times 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 lady, and am extra just like the model of Ali we see in Act 2, which feels very nice. She’s an excellent character, and I like occurring this journey together 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…
Truthfully my favorite half adjustments on a regular basis! The group numbers are at all times so empowering, and I get such a rush performing them with the remainder of the solid. “Obtained It All From You” is my like my child, and so I’ll at all times love singing that tune. “Categorical” and “Sure To You” in Act 2 are simply out of this world wonderful, nothing beats them! Ahh, I may 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 lots of self-discipline, belief me! I severely must be on high of my recreation, in any other case I don’t assume I’d get by way of 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 cut 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 every part in between… I’m exhausted by the top 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 great and in a means fairly comforting for us. It clearly goes with out saying the songs featured within the film are at all times properly obtained – and why wouldn’t they be? They’re so iconic! However then there are some exhibits 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 to date, and I’m actually grateful to everybody who has been to see the present.
Discuss 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…
Truthfully, our solid is made up of essentially the most stunning human beings! Everytime you’re doing a brand new present, you might want to have that sense of that camaraderie you speak about, in any other case I believe issues would simply crumble. We’ve all actually held one another tight all through this whole course of, and been there to help each other when instances have been robust. I don’t assume I may do any of this with out them, severely, they’re the perfect.
As the home lights got here up, and the viewers filtered out of the auditorium, have been you in a position to absorb the magnitude of an evening like tonight?
Proper now, I’d say ‘no’ (laughs). Tonight has been magical – I’m truthfully on cloud 9! All the things feels very surreal, and sort of like I’m dreaming, however I’m so joyful. All people has labored so laborious to get the present to the purpose it’s at now, and I’m actually happy with everybody for a way we’ve pulled collectively. However I believe it’s going to take a minute for every part to essentially, correctly sink in.
Lastly, there’s some extent within the present whenever 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 lots of my life to get to the place I’m in my profession. It’s not at all times been simple, and I’ve needed to cope with lots 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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