X-Factor finalist Amelia Lily comes to the Ipswich Regent this week, starring as the Narrator in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. She talks taking on the role last minute, venturing into musical theatre and her debt to Simon Cowell’s hit ITV1 talent show
“I got a call on the Thursday asking me if I’d like to go for the role of the Narrator, I auditioned on Monday, got the job the same day and was in my first day of rehearsals on the Tuesday. It’s been such a whirlwind,” she laughs.
The Middlesbrough-born singer, who had a number two hit with debut single You Bring Me Joy, is very familiar with the show, her brother having played Joseph many moons back. She admits it’s a challenge and totally different to what she normally does as a pop singer.
“I love trying new things and challenging myself. I love theatre, so to be a part of a big theatre production at the age of 20 is like a dream come true.”
She’s met Lloyd Daniels, who made the final five of X Factor in 2009 and reprises his role as Joseph after a successful 2014 tour, a few times so expects they’ll have some banter.
Joseph marks her professional musical theatre debut but stepping onto the stage was always part of her plans.
“I didn’t expect it so soon but I think sometimes you’ve got to live life on the edge a little bit and for me this was so spontaneous. I thought, just go with it, you only live once, so just take every opportunity you can,” says Lily, who was mentored by former Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland and took third place on the 2011 series of The X Factor.
“I was also very, very open to lots of options. I always said I wanted to go down different paths in the industry whether it was in acting, theatre, presenting, so I feel this is another thing I can tick off my list.
“This will be very different for me as I’ll be in character for the whole show. I won’t be performing as me, Amelia Lily, I’ll be the Narrator, so that’ll be fun. And the costume’s great, I don’t mind a little waistcoat,” she laughs.
“The difference with being on The X Factor is it was going out every week, I had time to make sure I delivered the song in the best way I could and I could be me. But with Joseph, I’m in character, and I have to deliver these songs how they should be delivered.”
Despite nervous of “messing up”, she’s a determined person and performer. We’re talking about the Comeback Kid after all; a nickname she picked up after being voted out by her mentor early in the competition then voted back in again by the public.
“I think everything happens for a reason and I actually think the fact I got chucked out and then voted back in made me a stronger person and made me more determined to get to the final, which I think you could tell from my performances. I’d turned into a woman instead of Little Amelia, so I actually think the situation helped me as a person,” says Lily, beaten to the top spot by Little Mix.
“Bear in mind when I left the show the first time, while everyone was still performing every week in front of millions, I was out performing gigs, which helped me perfect my craft every week. So it was actually really beneficial because I got to build my confidence up before I went back on the show.”
She still watches the show; adding it’s mental when you tune in every year and think “I went through all of that”.
“To be honest, I don’t think I could go through it again. It was quite a stressful time, but it was an unforgettable experience and I felt like I was in this little bubble throughout the period of the show. But what an experience. And I wouldn’t be sat here now, about to go on an amazing tour, if it wasn’t for the X Factor.
“The only (other former contestants) I still see are the Little Mix girls. I see them on the odd occasion and it’s great. It’s mad though because when you see them, if feels like a lifetime ago.”
A home girl at heart, Lily loves touring and is excited to be travelling the UK with Joseph.
“My family will come and see me, in fact they’ll come everywhere! It’ll be sold out every night because of them,” she laughs.
Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s family musical, presented by Bill Kenwright, is a colourful retelling of the biblical story of Joseph, his 11 brothers and the coat of many colours is packed full of hits like including Jacob and Sons, Close Every Door and Any Dream Will Do.
Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat runs at the Ipswich Regent from tomorrow to Saturday, Read our review online Wednesday.
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