In just 21, Jess Folley is already a strength to count on! Powerhouse singer first captured the hearts as the winner of The Voice Kids UKBut it is her development into a dynamic artist and leading lady who really separates her.
Now the lead role like Ali in West Ends Dazzling New Production Burlesque the MusicalFolley proves that she is more than just a voice-she is a full-fledged star. With an electrifying scene presence, raw feelings and a sound that mixes pop, soul and theatrical style, Jess writes about what it means to be a modern triple threat.
In this exclusive interview, Jess opens up to go into Christina Aguilera’s iconic shoes, the discipline behind the sequins and how she carries out a legacy on her own terms.
Jess, congratulations to you made your West End debut! You have just come off the scene so I know you have to feel all kinds of emotions right now, but if you can, tell me how you feel in three words …
Ooh, let me think! Okay, I’ll say: happy, proud and grateful!
You have been a part of this show for a number of years now and have received fantastic reviews for your performances in both Glasgow and Manchester. How does Vibe differ now you open in London?
Firstly, I think it is important to say that I feel extremely grateful for the experiences I had in Glasgow and Manchester. As a company we played to some fantastic audiences, in two beautiful theaters, and we were at the best time. But to be here in London and open at the Savoy Theater … I mean, I can’t really believe it – that’s the top, that’s the dream!
Christina Aguilera played famous the role of Ali in the 2010 movie and is part of the creative team for Burlesque the Musical, which provides music and lyrics and acts as a producer. How has it been to work with such a revered and respected pop icon?
In a word … Incredible! I don’t think it will ever sink in it Christina Aguilera Know who I am (laughing). Seriously, the last 72 hours of being here with us in London has been a whirlwind. She is an incredible person and she has been so supportive. I have actually sent some clips of her talking about me in interviews and I feel very, very happy and honored to hear her talk so much about me. Having her approval and blessing to take on this role was really important to me. I wanted to be respectful to her and for everyone who was part of the original movie, because they created something really magical. And then away from the show … I mean my goodness, she was one of my idols that grew up! I used to sing her songs in the kitchen with my mom all the time (laughs). And now she knows my name? What happens? It’s big!
Since Christina is such a huge star, and therefore her interpretation of the character is rooted in people’s minds, not only here in London but around the world, did it feel scary to go into Ali’s shoes?
So it is interesting, because I was originally brought on board to be a composer for the show, not an actor, so it was never the plan for me to play Ali – which is a little crazy to think about now! I don’t remember the exact timeline for events, but I was asked at a time if I would like to participate in one of the early workshops and play Ali for the week, which I of course said “yes” and had a ball to do. And then yes, without knowing it, it ended up being my first audition for the role, and I was offered the part a little while after. Over the past two years, both myself and the show have grown and developed into the production you saw on stage tonight.
I mean that the whole scenario sounds like a movie in itself …
(Laughs) It actually does! It may not be like most people are thrown, but I would not change it for the world, because what was so good that I got into this project clean as a songwriter first, was the fact that I really got to understand Ali and find out who she was and what she was about, long before I started playing her. So when I wrote “got it all from you” – which is her big “in want” song – I could write it from a place with a real feeling that I knew her the same way I would make a sister or best friend. I felt and felt very linked to her.
How did you do to make the part your own, and not a coal copy by Ali as we see in the movie?
Honestly, I feel that there is a lot of symmetry between the journey that Ali continues, and what has happened in my life lately, so in some ways it has simply been a case of using some of these experiences and thinking about how I have felt in similar situations like her. I also think that contributing as a songwriter really helped me put my own stamp in a way I might not have been able to, if I was just involved as an actor. The lyrics I wrote, the melodies that I composed everyone came from my heart, and they helped lay the foundation for Who Ali are in this version of Burlesque, while of course honor the essence of the character Christina first brought to life.
Ali changes so much throughout the show Doesn’t she?
She really does, and I love that you noticed it! It’s kind of crazy how much she changes and transforms – sometimes it is as if I play a different character in every scene, which I really love because it means that the show never gets old or feels boring to me. At the end of the day, Ali is a young woman who goes out into the world and comes to her own, so of course we will see her develop as a character. There is so much of her story that I relate to, because when I first started in my career I was really young and I didn’t really know what I was doing or what was happening around me. So I really identify myself with a lot of Ali as we see in Act 1. In fact, everyone would always joke and say: “Jess you are really like” act 1 ali “, and I guess I was, because I was only 19 when I first started playing her, I was a baby. Three years later, and I feel really that I have grown up to a woman, and is more of a woman. I love to go on this trip with his night after night.
The ever -changing nature of her character means that you as an artist are pressed to your limit and then some! You make full on choreography, cabaret, pop, power ballad, drama, comedy and of course burlesque! Tell us about some of your favorite moments and numbers in the show …
Honestly, my favorite part changes all the time! The group numbers are always so powerful, and I get such a rush that performs them with the rest of the role. “Got it all from you” is mine like my baby, so I will always love to sing that song. “Express” and “Bound to you” in team 2 are just out of this world amazing, nothing beats them! Ahh, I could continue and talk about my favorites … (laughs).
How do you do physically and mentally ready to take on such a big role night after night?
It requires a lot of self -discipline, trust me! I have to seriously be at the top of my game, otherwise I don’t think I would get through act 1, let alone the whole show (laughs). Playing the role of Ali demands that I use all the tools in my kit and all the skills I have learned throughout my career. From the moment I arrive at the stage I do not end! One minute I do a whole division, then a group number, then a solo where I have to belt out a note at the top of my range. I have to be sassy, shy, confident, ruthless, vulnerable and everything in between … I’m exhausted at the end of the night, it’s such an emotional mountain and coaster.
Burlesque the Musical | West End Live 2025
Theater is unique because no two performances are ever the same – how do you think the audience’s reactions differ from show to show?
I think we all on the stage would agree that we have started to notice a pattern when it comes to the audience’s answer, and there are definitely specific parts of the show that get the same type of reaction night after night, which is wonderful and in a way quite comforting for us. It obviously says that the songs presented in the film are always well received – and why shouldn’t they be? They are so iconic! But then there are some shows where you are completely caught by how an audience reacts to a certain scene or moment, and I love it too, because it keeps me on my toes and helps make things feel really fresh. I don’t want to sound for soppy or cliché, but we have really had some amazing audience so far, and I am really grateful for everyone who has been to see the show.
Talk to me about the role! When you look at you all interacts both on and off the stage, no one denies chemistry, unity and friendship you share …
Honestly, our role consists of the most beautiful people! When you do a new show you have to have that feeling of the friendship you are talking about, otherwise I think things would just fall apart. We have all really kept each other hard throughout this process and been there to support each other when times have been tough. I don’t think I could do any of this without them, seriously, they are the best.
When the house lamps came up, and the audience filtered out of the auditorium, could you take the size of a night like tonight?
Right now I would say “no” (laughs). Tonight has been magical – I’m honest at Cloud 9! Everything feels very surreal and that I dream, but I am so happy. Everyone has worked so hard to get the show that it is now, and I am really proud of everyone for how we have contracted. But I think it will take a minute for everything to properly, properly sink in.
Finally there is a point in the show when you sing: “Held back a rather long time but finally the moment is right”Does that lyrics pretty much you are outlook now when you go into the next chapter?
Wow, it’s a little crazy, right? I mean yes, I guess it does! Like everyone on that stage tonight, I have devoted a lot of my life to get where I am in my career. It has not always been easy, and I have had to deal with a lot of knockbacks and disappointments, but these moments only made me stronger and more determined. I feel very optimistic about the future, and I can’t wait to see what happens next …
Let us know your thoughts on Jess Folley and Burlesque the Musical Over On Celebmix Socials Now!
| | |
