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The final five Nancies on the U.K.'s "I'd Do Anything"Back in March I blogged about the start of the BBC's new musical talent competition I'd Do Anything, which searches for a girl to play Nancy in a new U.K. stage production of Lionel Bart's Dickens-based musical Oliver! With a judging panel that includes Andrew Lloyd Webber and a selection process that combines the public vote with ALW's decisions, the original 12 finalists have now been whittled down to five. They're still quite a diverse lot, ranging in age from 17 to 28. And no fewer than three of them are Irish, raising the interesting question of whether Nancy needs to be played as a born-and-bred London East End girl, as she has traditionally been played, or whether she could in fact have an Irish background. The youngest of the five finalists is 17-year-old Catherine Zeta-Jones lookalike Samantha Barks, who comes from the Isle of Man (temporarily renamed the "Isle of Sam" in her honor):
Although I wonder if she'd really have the stamina and experience to hold the role, she's certainly done very well in the last couple of weeks, performing "Sway (Mucho Mambo)" and Destiny's Child's "Survivor" with plenty of confidence. She has never yet been in the bottom two (i.e., the two contestants who have received the lowest amount of public votes that week, one of whom is then saved by ALW, the other sent home). Next youngest is 17-year-old Northern Irish girl Niamh Perry:
I have mixed feelings about Niamh. She seems totally wrong for the tough, rough-living Nancy, and she's also not very emotionally expressive. But she's still very enjoyable to watch, being a light, skippy dancer and having a clear, bell-like voice. Perhaps she would do better in a role like Alice in Alice in Wonderland. The audience have put her in the bottom two twice now, so she may be the next to go. 18-year-old Irish girl Jessie Buckley certainly looks the part of Nancy, with her curly, dark red hair:
The judges have continually given her very favorable comments, but I admit I'm puzzled as to why. Her body language onstage seems very awkward to me, and she speaks out of the side of her mouth almost as much as Joey Potter in Dawson's Creek. She's definitely talented, but it seems to me like she needs a lot more training. Twenty-six-year-old Belfast native Rachel Tucker is also in the final five:
Rachel has had previous professional stage experience, and with her consistently reliable performances she seemed like a shoo-in for Nancy. But in the last couple of weeks she's faltered with weak performances of upbeat songs that aren't good for showcasing what the judges call her "wounded" quality. Still, with more experience and maturity than most of the other Nancies, she shouldn't be ruled out just yet. Finally, 28-year-old Jodie Prenger is from Blackpool in England:
With her buxom figure and motherly, extrovert air, it's easy to picture her as Nancy, and she's given good performances week after week, although they can sometimes feel a bit similar. Like Samantha and Jessie, she has never yet been in the bottom two. When the competition first started, I wondered if, given that there were 12 finalists, any of them would come out as lesbian or bisexual over the course of the show. (I'd Do Anything frequently delves into the background and personal lives of its contestants, and several of the girls have mentioned boyfriends or fiancés. I wondered if the show would be prepared to be similarly open about a Nancy with a lesbian relationship). According to this recent article, three of the remaining Nancy finalists — Samantha, Rachel and Jodie — all have boyfriends or fiancés. Niamh says that "I don't have time for a boyfriend," and Jessie says that "I'm single — which is a good job as I'd drive a boyfriend crazy at the moment." It may mean nothing, but an anonymous poster on the forums of U.K. entertainment site Digital Spy recently claimed to have insider knowledge that "at least one [of the Nancies] is gay" (though the poster doesn't specify whether s/he is talking about all of the 12 finalists or only the remaining ones left in the Nancy House). Anyway, gay or not gay, I'm hooked on this show, though I think I'd be even more hooked if I had an openly lesbian Nancy to vote for! What about you? Do you have a favorite? And are you voting? Submitted by on May 12, 2008 - 1:00pm. |
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Rachel
I've only been watching on and off, and I haven't voted but I'd like Rachel to win. My first choice for Nancy would have been Francesca but she went weeks ago. I think Niamh is a good performer, but she's not Nancy. So Rachel.
Rachel 4 Nancy!!
I'm voting for rachel because she's a Belfast girl like me! she's also pretty good to look at :p plus i don't really like the idea of a blonde or redhead nancy ... i always pictured her as a brunnette
Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.
Jessie is totally my
Jessie is totally my favourite, I know she is kinda awkward but I'm kinda crushing on her a little bit :P. So glad Ashley went this week, she just pissed me off. I have a bit of a soft spot for Jodie, but I do really like Rachel too, and while, as I say, Jessie is my favourite, I do think Rachel is the best choice for the role.
And I'm hoping if any are gay that it's Jessie, if just coz of the afore mentioned crushing :)
Haha my thoughts exactly!
Haha my thoughts exactly!
Jessie would be amazing with a little bit more experience- and wow-zar shes pretty hot, i think the slight awkwardness adds to her charm.
And I didn't like ashley, bit smarmy....... I kinda hope Jodie wins, she seems like such a loverly lady as well!
GO JESSIE!!!
i think niamh is HOT!!! sorry to put it like that, but seriously!!! I think jessie should win on talent, but niamh is beautiful!!! I think Jessie is 2nd hottest, and i think she's gonna be the winner!!! GO JESSIE!!!! ( i love her accent aswell)
ps. I'm not creepy, i'm sorry if i've come across that way :( lol
jodie all the way!
I love Jodie! I know a lot of people find her annoying, but I just really love her and her voice! I also like Ashley. But I hate Jessie. I find her annoying, and think she has a pitchy voice when she sings high notes. The same goes for Niamh... Hope Jodie gets to the final!!!:D
http://www.youtube.com/BetweenThaLines
CZW look alike?
Really?
Speak what we feel not what we ought to say...
Pirategrrrl
Rhetri ...
WHERE have you been all my life???? ;)
Speak what we feel not what we ought to say...
I'm around and
and I'm ...
Done on Friday!!!!!!! Hey? Wanna meet in the middle for post-semester drinks, and getting rid of our early morning classes???? ;)
Speak what we feel not what we ought to say...
Way ahead of you on this end . . .
all that's left now are the plaintive e-mails expressing desires for gifts unearned.
It's over!
Ahhhh...
Can't wait ... especially when some of them ask me for a prelim grade, and that instantaneous facial shock of horror when they learn that the A they had visualized is actually a B or lower, because no one listened to me about the absence policy while reviewing the syllabus.
Speak what we feel not what we ought to say...
isle of arrr 'Sam'
I'm for the now re-named Isle of 'Sam', everyone over here has gone mad! Eor the show! Ever place you to it Sam, Sam, Sam, Sam! But mind you nothing ever happens to stick the Island on the map so this is as bit as it gets! Have seen bit of the show, can't say am botherd who wins but geuss i have to say good luck Sam!
It sort of annoys me a
It sort of annoys me a little, but maybe it'll make people realise the island is there right in the middle of the map. I'm sick of people asking "is that where the Isle Of Wight festival is?"... Lol. Also hope it makes people realise thats its a different country.
Has everyone gone mad? I don't live there at the moment and my friends and family back home aren't bothered so I wasn't sure if there was hype or not. Its really bugging me because I think she was in my school and a few years below me and I sort of recognise her but can't quite remember who she is or if I knew her brother, if she has one... Good luck to her though.
so there's only one irish
so there's only one irish finalist then.... not 3.
Go Sam!
no
no - jesse, niamh and rachel are all irish.
Niamh and Jesse are my favourites! I also like Sam, and Ashley but she's gone... :(
3 irish finalists!! :)
Rachel and niamh can be counted as Irish because they are from the north and therefore have dual nationality, so there are 3 finalists from both parts of Ireland... and with a name like niamh i'm guessing her main nationality is Irish.
Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.
i guess so! although i have
Jodie speaks instead of singing!
Oh this annoys me, because nice as Jodie seems, she really can't sing at all! Did you hear her singing "Luck Be A Lady"? It was mostly spoken with a few (off key!) notes every now and again... Niamh has a beautiful voice - maybe the stage presence can be trained... and Jessie has a good voice too, and gives consistently good performances... I like Rachel too, Sam irritates me a little.
Niamh is sooo pretty though!
Jessie is the only one who has never been out of tune while I've been watching, and in my book that counts for a lot. I think the rest can be taught, whilst teaching someone to sing well can take any number of years (I've been being taught for five, and I'm still only grade 7 standard!).
Rachel to win!
OK, so there's loads of mixed feelings about Rachel winning as she's the one with the most experience + the previous 2 winners of the contest had similar backgrounds, but if its to take on such a hard role as Nancy, I'd want to know my money was well spent and the performance I saw was a really good reliable one!
I liked Jessie at the start, and though she's cute, her diction is terrible (classicly trained singer, my teacher's really picky about it, so I have it rummed into me!!) + I often can't make out what she's singing, although I've known all the songs so far (music student, cant help it!) I think many would struggle to understand her if they didn't know the song, so I dont think she should play Nancy!
I do think they're all great singers and undoubtably get parts in various shows, so there's no need to worry if your favourite doesn't win, as you'll probably be able to see them in something else soon anyway!
I totally think Sarah was HOT, but she's no longer in the program! *gutted* But as I've said before, RACHEL TO WIN!!!!!!
xxx
Samantha
You're OK! I fancied the 16
Hi fellow Scottish lass.
Hi fellow Scottish lass.
I think Sam is hot too and yes I feel like a perv as well. Sometimes I wish they wouldn't tart her up as much as they do because its well distracting.
As lovely as Sam is I'm kind of hoping that Rachel wins because she seems the safest pair hands for the show.
God I could not stand Ashley, she was really fake and had shifty look about her.
Don't know why I am watching this show since I'd never go to see Oliver, because I hate musicals about kids, but I love show like this. I loved watching Maria and even Joseph. Mind you, none of these girls are as good as Connie, Helena, Aoife and Abi.
JESSIE JESSIE JESSIE! I
JESSIE JESSIE JESSIE!
I can't believe this was on the AfterEllen homepage, 'cause I love it and thought nobody else watched it! haha
Yeahh, I want Jessie to win. She's hot, for one thing, her accent makes her hotter, she can DEFINITLEY sing, she can act (she proved that in the pub/Barbara Windsor challenge) and even though she's awkward, she's can dance.
And for the record, her 'awkwardness' is a good thing, I think it makes her unique and gives something extra to the character!
JESSSSSSSSSSSIE CAN WIN! :D (And I hope she's the gay one... LOL)
If she doesn't I'll cry.
But if she leaves any time soon, I'm rooting for Jodie. :)
it WAS all about Fran
but now she's gone it's not really that good.
BTW i'm just trying to throw some more Francesca Jackson love in here because there isn't enough and she was obviously the best! John Barrowman keeps saying they made a mistake after.
Yay
I am so totaly happy this is a topic! I love this show and its finaly getting down to the good ones! my top three in order are Jodie,Rachel,Jessie.Niamh has an amazing voice but she just don't pull Nancy off in my opinion and im afraid i want Sam out next.
P.s i agree Francesca was awsome :)
~~~~~~~~xXx~~~~~~~~
Passion, it lies in all of us, sleeping... waiting... and though unwanted... unbidden... it will stir... open its jaws and howl. It speaks to us... guides us... passion rules us all, and we obey.
Brilliant show, even just to
Mesmerised
what? fisticuffs?
Jessie-Gaydar much?!
O.K. so it may be wishful thinking but I am sooooo crushing on her. Her 'awkwardness' is all part of her charm and although she did a really bad job with 'Fighter' this week she still has it in my eyes.
I have to say this is the one talent show where the best ones do seem to be getting through, I think all those left could play Nancy. I'm going to so miss the show when it ends and I'll probably be a complete sucker and book my tickets whoever wins.
But back to my girl Jessie.... there's just something about her that screams baby dyke. At least in my dreams anyway!
I'm not getting any
I'm not getting any gay-vibes from any of them really. I suppose Jessie seems the mostly likely out of the remaining girls. I'll be on the lookout for "signs" now that people have mentioned it. On Maria, Abi seemed kinda gay to me but that was obvious. I really have a crap gaydar.
I wonder if they bring back the John Barrowman surprise kiss mission. I was praying, praying they would bring that mission for the Josephs but instead they had the seduce DVO dull mission.
jessie to win even if she's not gay
I think she's probably not only the best physically suited to playing the role... but vocally i think she performs the best as well. She's definitely my fave and if not her then Jodie.
I like all of the girls personalities and I think they are all good performers but I'm getting increasingly tired of the panels overwhelming support of Sam - as I think she's the least able of the group. In fact I don't know how others feel? but I'm not sure they would be so supportive of her singing abilities if she wasn't soooo physically attractive. Plus I know maybe Ashley wasn't suited to playing Nancy but I was becoming frustrated and Lloyd Webbers Ashley-bashing evry week - she was better than a lot of the other finalists that he unjustifiably backed.
Anyway yeah! Jessie's well the best!!! and if she is gay then all the better! :)
Am I the only person who
I think that Jessie and Niamh are both really talented but I can't see them playing the role of Nancy, they look too young in my opinion (I know Nancy isn't supposed to be that much older than the boys but she still has to be a believable mother type figure to Oliver)....the best ones I think are Rachel or Samantha (I know Sam is the youngest in there but she doesn't look as young as Jessie and Niamh do)!!
I'm also in love with
I'm also in love with Jessie now.
Because her favorite stores are Topshop & Urban Outfitters and they are totally mine too :)
Mmmmmmm, I don't think she could get more perfect. In my eyes anyway :D
JESSIE TO WIN!!!!!
I absolutely love this girl. She has gorgeous voice, possesses real grit that I think Nancy would have and her crooked smile is so hot... Ahem, anyhow I'm voting for her to win!!!
Jodie has got a great voice but I think she looks a bit too old, I'm thinking that only a younger and more niave girl would put up with Bill Sykes without trying to
castrate himrun away.Niamh seems too fragile for the role and Rachel's been really stuffing up her performances lately, which isn't a good sign. I like Sam as well but once I saw her in the hot pants I think I would really have to try not to like her ;)
Jessie for the HOT 100!
I'd happily see Niamh and Sam in there too. But Ms Buckley HAS to be in there, crooked smile, Irish lilt, 'awkwardness' and all.
hehe, i voted for her, she
I wish I did now! Grrrrrr.
I wish I did now! Grrrrrr. I have an amazingly hot picture of her too.
And I agree with the smile & awkwardness comment.
JESSIE BUCKLEY OWNS MY HEART :P
lol...
omg this is my favourite
omg this is my favourite show on tv EVER! i really love it. my favourite is jessie, she is just amazing and v hot! ive totally got a crush! i would love it if she was gay but i don't think so - it's always the ones you really hope are and really could be..and then they never are! :( if they're talking about all 12 nancys then it might have been cleo. she went out in week 2. we didn't get to see much of her but what we did i got the kind of vibe she could be.
i LOVED ashley, seriously that girl has talent. she was always so good to watch, never boring. great personality, hope to see her in something v soon. did anyone see her exit? it was fab! my least fave left is sam, she seems like a nice person and all but her performances kind of bore me.
an all irish final would be pretty amazing. i like jodie too though. i guess id like jessie, rachel and jodie in the final if i had to choose. niamh is amazing but maybe not for nancy?
Jessie
All the girls are gorgeous and talented, but Jessie is my favourite in term of looks and singing. She is soooo hot, and the crooked smile and irish accent makes her even hotter :)
I think the top 3 should be Jessie, Jodie and Rachel. Sam and Niamh are so wrong for the role of Nancy.
Niamh is from my hometown...
..goes to my old school (was it seriously 10 years ago that I left!?!-eek!) and my cousin goes to the same grammar & drama school that she was in and was filmed recently for the show. My gf tells me that I pointed out how good she was and how attractive when we saw her in a few of the drama school productions a few years ago but now I know she's only 17 that seems so so wrong!
She is seriously good but I agree I don't think she's Nancy, she's hasn't got that motherly vibe but the boys did pick her as their favourite last week. I've no doubt she could pull the role off but when I first watched the show Sarah and Jodie stood out for me in terms of Nancy, now it's down to the final five I'm thinking Rachel as she has the maturity, looks and voice (when she gets the right song!) I do think Niamh will go on and be great in something else, I'm sure Andrew will find her work somewhere, she'll definitely go far.
Ashley was rubbish and I hated the smirk she always seemed to be sporting. Jessie is cute but her nerves seem to make her falter and she seems to stumble her words out and seems stilted onstage or when having to act.
My family are all obsessed with the show as they know Niamh (or have a connection to her via my cousin) but I only started getting into it the last 3 weeks or so....it's pure cheese and the outfits are hideous but you kind of get hooked!
My gaydar doesn't ping for any of them but who knows?? It's probably not a show they would want contestants to be making a big deal about their sexuality on!?!?
'The Man that got away'
'The Man that got away' performed by Jessie in week 6 has randomly been in my head for the last few hours! i think it's really cool this topic is on here as it's my favourite show, kind of obsessed!
just wondering: does anyone go on the 'i'd do anything' website?? cos jessie's video diaries are on it so you guys should check them out! she's so cute in them!
Jessie is soooo not Vanilla
I had to stand Jessie up last night as I had the pleasure of seeing Kaki King (another totally talented hottie). However I recorded 'I'd Do Anything' and have just watched it before the results show,-sooooo pleased our girl is still in the competition! Sam was also damn good last night too.
I thought Denise's comment about Jessie moving 'unfemininely' was out of order and wrong. Whilst Barrowman's 'Vanilla' comment made me chuckle a little in disagreement.
I loved Jessie's performance of 'The Man That Got Away' I think it's my favourite of the whole series. And as for the I'd Do Anything website/diaries- I'm glad that I'm not the first to admit to a minor addiction!
Is it Saturday again yet?
I loved her too :) NOT
I loved her too :)
NOT Vanilla at all.
If those moves are 'done every week', they're obviously just signature to Jessie, and all artists have their signature moves/sound.
So f*ck you John Barrowman.
And I don't have a minor addiction - I have a HUGE one (: