Latest news with #LucieJones
Wales Online
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Where is Welsh singer and former Eurovision act Lucie Jones now?
Where is Welsh singer and former Eurovision act Lucie Jones now? From musicals and Eurovision to performing at Glastonbury, what has Lucie Jones been up to? Lucie represented the UK at Eurovision in 2017 with her song Never Give Up on You' (Image: AP ) The 69th Eurovision Song Contest is taking place this weekend, and the UK is gearing up to send girl band Remember Monday to represent it in the biggest singing competition in the world. Someone who knows the pressure of competing in Eurovision is Welsh West End sensation Lucie Jones, who represented the UK at the contest in 2017 in Kyiv. The now 34-year-old from the small village of Pentyrch, secured 15th place with her song Never Give Up on You. Host Graham Norton praised her as "one of our strongest entrants in years" after she amassed 111 points, at the time the highest tally since 2011. Reflecting on her performance, she exclaimed: "That. Was. Incredible - unbelievable feeling. Celebrate diversity folks, I will NEVER give up on you". For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter . Her taste for the stage started in 2010 when Cameron Mackintosh cast her as Cosette for the West End's Les Misérables, although she gained fame at just 18-years-old while participating in the sixth series of The X Factor in 2009. The then-teenager left judges and audiences spellbound with her powerful rendition of Whitney Houston's classic, I Will Always Love You, in her first audition. Article continues below Lucie made it to the live shows where she shared the stage with the likes of Stacey Solomon, Olly Murs and Joe McElderry, under the mentorship of Dannii Minogue. Her performances included renditions of Sweet Child Of Mine and My Funny Valentine before she was voted off in the fifth week, finishing in eight place. The topic of Lucie's exit from the talent show sparked widespread debate. In a dramatic sing-off against Louis Walsh's pop-culture sensation Jedward, Lucie was sent home when Simon Cowell cast the deciding vote in favour of John and Edward, leading to public outcry and over 1,000 viewer complaints. Reflecting on her X Factor ordeal years later, Lucie disclosed her feelings: "I did feel Simon was victimising me and in some ways, he was hypocritical for not saving me as he knew I could sing," she confided three years after the incident. Recounting her immediate reaction, she said: "I was so upset I burst into tears in front of the judges. Afterwards, Simon walked out of the studio and tapped me on the nose and said, 'Chin up, love,' but all I could think was, 'I want to punch you!'". However, after the show Lucie went on to more theatrical success and continued to blossom with coveted roles like Victoria in American Psycho the musical, Maureen in Rent's UK tour, Jenna in Waitress and she dazzled audiences as the charismatic Elle Woods in Legally Blonde. In 2022, Lucie graced the stage at Victoria's Apollo Theatre as the star of Stephen Schwartz's Wicked. She played Elphaba, the green-skinned protagonist whose destiny is to become the infamous Wicked Witch of the West and is known for her powerhouse vocals After her time in Wicked, in 2023 she reprised the role of Fantine in the West End production of Les Miserables, before moving on to role of Catherine in the 50th anniversary London concert production of Pippin in 2024. Her next musical theatre role is set to be the lead of 13 going on 30 the musical which is based on the movie of the same name. She will be playing Jenna Rink when the show is set to premiere in September, 2025, at Manchester Opera House. Before she originates the role of Jenna Rink in 13 going on 30, Lucie has something very exciting in store for her. She will be performing at Glastonbury 2025, at the Astrolabe, the festival's home of theatre, drama, dance, and comedy. Content cannot be displayed without consent She shared on Instagram: "Worthy Farm, here I come. I'm so ridiculously excited to share that I will be performing at Glasto 2025. Joined by a band led by the unmatched @jonrangerinsta and guided as always by the best of the best @noisebyjonny I'm there to make some festival history in being the first musical theatre artist ever to perform at the festival." Article continues below Lucie continued: "Cannot wait to see the happiest people in the world- the glasto ticket holders- at Astrolabe on Thurs Fri and Sat! Let's all defy gravity in a field together babyyyyyyyyy!!"
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Welsh Eurovision star's advice to Remember Monday
Eurovision star Lucie Jones has advised this year's UK act Remember Monday to "have fun" when they perform in Switzerland on Saturday night. "I said engage in as much of it as you possibly can, because it's very easy to feel overwhelmed," said the singer from Pentyrch, Cardiff. Country-pop trio Holly-Anne Hull, Lauren Byrne and Charlotte Steele have said they are hoping to place in the top 10 in the final in Basel. Jones represented the UK in 2017 with her performance of Never Give Up on You, finishing in 15th place. She said speaking to Remember Monday a few days ago threw her right back into her Eurovision moment. "They're obviously so excited and apprehensive, because it's such a huge opportunity and pressure," she told Lucy Owen on BBC Radio Wales. "You've got to get it right in those three minutes and it's for your country and the whole world is watching, it's a lot to process in the moment." Jones' rise to fame began on talent show X Factor in 2009 and she has since carved out a successful career in musical theatre, starring in a string of hit shows from Legally Blonde to Les Miserables. It was during a run of the latter that Jones first got to know Remember Monday's Holly-Anne Hull. "Holly and I did Les Mis Mis together in lockdown times, so we're pretty close," she said. "I'm obviously wishing them all the best of luck." Speaking to BBC Radio Wales earlier this year, Remember Monday described Jones as "a gem". "She's given us so many words of wisdom and really looked after us during this process, so there's a lot of tea to spill with her when this is all over," they said. The full interview with Lucie Jones will air at 12:00 BST on Saturday or, you can catch up on BBC Sounds Meet the 'invisible crew' who have 35 seconds to prevent a Eurovision blunder Eurovision act Remember Monday: 'The closer we get, the hungrier we become' Ncuti Gatwa withdraws as UK's Eurovision jury announcer
BBC News
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Eurovision's Remember Monday given advice by Lucie Jones
Eurovision star Lucie Jones has advised this year's UK act Remember Monday to "have fun" when they perform in Switzerland on Saturday night."I said engage in as much of it as you possibly can, because it's very easy to feel overwhelmed," said the singer from Pentyrch, trio Holly-Anne Hull, Lauren Byrne and Charlotte Steele have said they are hoping to place in the top 10 in the final in represented the UK in 2017 with her performance of Never Give Up on You, finishing in 15th place. She said speaking to Remember Monday a few days ago threw her right back into her Eurovision moment."They're obviously so excited and apprehensive, because it's such a huge opportunity and pressure," she told Lucy Owen on BBC Radio Wales."You've got to get it right in those three minutes and it's for your country and the whole world is watching, it's a lot to process in the moment." Jones' rise to fame began on talent show X Factor in 2009 and she has since carved out a successful career in musical theatre, starring in a string of hit shows from Legally Blonde to Les was during a run of the latter that Jones first got to know Remember Monday's Holly-Anne Hull."Holly and I did Les Mis Mis together in lockdown times, so we're pretty close," she said."I'm obviously wishing them all the best of luck."Speaking to BBC Radio Wales earlier this year, Remember Monday described Jones as "a gem"."She's given us so many words of wisdom and really looked after us during this process, so there's a lot of tea to spill with her when this is all over," they said. The full interview with Lucie Jones will air at 12:00 BST on Saturday or, you can catch up on BBC Sounds
Daily Mirror
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'I represented UK at Eurovision - here's what I told Remember Monday'
Former X Factor star Lucie Jones represented represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2017 - and she's given 2025 stars Remember Monday some crucial advice Eurovision hopefuls Remember Monday will be taking to the stage in Basel tonight in hopes to bring the title back to the UK. The band will be performing their hit song What The Hell Just Happened? in front of millions - and one former Eurovision star has shared what she told the band ahead of their big moment. It's no secret that the UK don't have the best luck in the competition - as the trio Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull and Charlotte Steele told Richard Arnold on Good Morning Britain earlier this week that they hope to at least make it to the left side of the board. Lucie Jones finished in 15th place during her performance in 2017 in Ukraine with her performance of Never Give Up on You. It marked the the UK's best result since 2011 - and Lucie exclusively told the Mirror what advice she's given her friends Remember Monday ahead of their performance tonight. Revealing she'd spoken to the girls since she found out about their performance, Lucie revealed: "I've spoken to the girls quite a lot since I found out they were doing the show this year, or the competition, I should say. I never think of it as a competition because it's such like a celebration, do you know what I mean?" Although Lucie said the girls "didn't need any advice" because of how great they are, there was one crucial piece of guidance she gave them. "My one piece of advice to them was just have fun," she told us. "Eurovision is the most fun, and if you take yourself too seriously within it, it will never go well for you." This year, Lucie will be away in Stockholm for work, but she'll be supporting Remember Monday from overseas. "I've seen them in concert a few times and I know the girls, they're smashing it! I'll be in Stockholm on Eurovision night, but I will be wrapping my Remember Day t-shirt and I will be voting as many times as I can," she gushed. Viewers saw Remember Monday perform on the Eurovision stage for the first time on Thursday night - as they gave a preview of what was to come during tonight's live final. The trio danced around a giant chandelier as they harmonised in the performance. Fans were loving the performance, as some declared them winners already. One fan said: "The UK slaying the vocals also, yes girls!" Another commented: "Dare I say it… uk shock winners?"
Daily Mail
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
X Factor star lands Glastonbury slot 16 years after first appearing on the show
A former X Factor star has landed a slot at Glastonbury Festival, sixteen years after she appeared on the ITV talent show. Lucie Jones, now 34, finished in eigth place on series six back in 2009, which also featured the likes of Olly Murs and Stacey Solomon, with Joe McElderry winning. She went on to represent the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 with the song Never Give Up on You,' finishing with 111 points in 15th place. And now, the Welsh singer has got another big break as she's set to make her debut at Worthy Farm as 'the first musical theatre artist ever to perform at the festival'. She announced the exciting news on Instagram on Wednesday with her official Glastonbury poster. Lucie wrote in the caption: 'Worthy Farm, here I come. I'm so ridiculously excited to share that I will be performing at Glasto 2025. 'Joined by a band led by the unmatched @jonrangerinsta and guided as always by the best of the best @noisebyjonny. 'I'm there to make some festival history in being the first musical theatre artist ever to perform at the festival. 'Cannot wait to see the happiest people in the world - the glasto ticket holders - at Astrolabe on Thurs Fri and Sat! Let's all defy gravity in a field together babyyyyyyyyy!!' After she was voted out of the X Factor, Lucie went on to find huge success in musical theatre. The young star played Cosette in Les Miserables opposite Nick Jonas and performed the role of Meat in the 2013 Arena Tour of We Will Rock You. In 2016, she played Elle Woods in the UK Tour of Legally Blonde the Musical and was cast as Maureen Johnson in Rent. Lucie became engaged to partner French-American chef Ethan Boroian in November 2015 - and he proposed in a very romantic way. The Welsh beauty met Ethan when they both auditioned for The X Factor and they wed in a small ceremony in 2017 in Lucie's hometown after eight years together. It didn't take long for Ethan to decide that he wanted to spend his life with the songstress as he began filming his proposal video just over a week into their relationship. She announced the exciting news on Instagram on Wednesday with her official Glastonbury poster In the clip, which took the chef 18 months to film, Ethan can be seen filming himself spinning on the spot holding signs that say 'will', 'you', 'marry' and 'me'. He filmed the clips secretly over a period of a year and a half in various locations including Paris, (nine days in to their relationship), Henley on Thames (32 days in) and Chicago (373 days in). Speaking to Wales Online at the time of her engagement Lucie said: 'We had such a perfect weekend. After he showed me the video, he got down on one knee and presented me with the most beautiful ring I have ever seen. 'I've actually known Ethan since we were both on X Factor together. We met at boot camp and got on really well but just as friends. 'Then about 18 months ago we met up again and he invited me out to dinner. We didn't really know if it was a date or just dinner, but it soon became obvious we were meant to be with each other. 'He's always joking and getting down on one knee and then saying, 'Will you... make me a toastie' or something like that.'
