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, nevertheless it’s her evolution right into a dynamic performer and main girl that actually 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 menace.
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 should 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 assume! Okay, I’m going to say: overjoyed, proud and grateful!
You’ve been part of this present for quite a few years now, and obtained rave opinions 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 necessary 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 one of the best 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 position of Ali within the 2010 movie, and is a part of the inventive workforce 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’ll ever sink in that Christina Aguilera is aware of who I’m (laughs). Significantly, the final 72 hours of her being right here with us in London have been a whirlwind. She’s an unimaginable particular person, 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 communicate so extremely of me. Having her approval, and blessing to tackle this position was actually necessary 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 among 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 due to this fact 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 form 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 understanding it, that ended up being my first audition for the position, and I used to be provided the half a short time 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 state of affairs seems like a film in itself…
(Laughs) it truly does! It’s perhaps not the way in which most individuals are forged, however I wouldn’t change it for the world, as a result of what was so nice about me coming into this challenge purely as a songwriter first, was the truth that I received to essentially perceive Ali, and work out who she was, and what she was about, lengthy earlier than I began taking part in her. So after I wrote “Received It All From You” – which is her massive ‘I Need’ track – I used to be capable of write it from a spot of really feeling like I knew her in the identical approach I might a sister or finest pal. 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 a number of symmetry between the journey Ali goes on, and what’s been occurring 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 about 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 approach 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, 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 delivered to life.
Ali adjustments a lot all through the present doesn’t she?
She actually does, and I really like that you just observed that! It’s form of loopy simply how a lot she alters 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 outdated 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 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 happening round me. So I actually do establish with a number of the Ali we see in Act 1. In truth, to start with everybody would at all times joke round and say: “Jess you actually are like ‘Act 1 Ali”, and I suppose 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 a fantastic character, and I really like happening 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…
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 forged. “Received It All From You” is my like my child, and so I’ll at all times love singing that track. “Categorical” and “Certain 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 position night time after night time?
It takes a number of self-discipline, belief me! I critically need to be on prime of my recreation, in any other case I don’t assume I’d get via Act 1, not to mention the entire present (laughs). Taking part in the position of Ali requires me to make use of the entire instruments in my equipment, and the entire abilities I’ve realized 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 prime of my vary. I’ve to be sassy, shy, assured, ruthless, weak, and every little thing 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 point out?
I believe all of us on stage would agree that we’ve began to note a sample when it comes to audiences responses, and there are positively particular components of the present that get the identical kind of response night time after night time, which is fantastic and in a approach fairly comforting for us. It clearly goes with out saying the songs featured within the film are at all times nicely obtained – and why wouldn’t they be? They’re so iconic! However then there are some reveals the place you’re utterly caught off guard by how an viewers reacts to a selected scene or second, and I form of love that too, as a result of it retains me on my toes and helps to make issues really feel actually recent. I don’t need 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 in regards to the forged! Watching you all work together each on and off the stage, there’s no denying the chemistry, unity and camaraderie you share…
Truthfully, our forged is made up of essentially the most stunning human beings! Everytime you’re doing a brand new present, you’ll want to have that sense of that camaraderie you speak about, in any other case I believe issues would simply collapse. We’ve all actually held one another tight all through this whole course of, and been there to help each other when occasions have been powerful. I don’t assume I might do any of this with out them, critically, they’re one of the best.
As the home lights got here up, and the viewers filtered out of the auditorium, have been you ready to absorb the magnitude of an evening like tonight?
Proper now, I’d say ‘no’ (laughs). Tonight has been magical – I’m actually on cloud 9! All the things feels very surreal, and form of like I’m dreaming, however I’m so completely satisfied. All people 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 every little thing to essentially, correctly sink in.
Lastly, there’s some extent within the present while 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 form of loopy isn’t it? I imply yeah, I suppose it does! Like everybody on that stage tonight, I’ve devoted a number 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 a number of knock backs and disappointments, however these moments solely made me stronger and extra decided. I’m feeling very optimistic in regards to the future, and I can’t wait to see what occurs subsequent…
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