Interview: West End star Marisha Wallace on ALPHA UNSIGNED

Broadway and West End sensation Marisha Wallace (Dreamgirls, Waitress) will headline the amazing final of new talent show Alpha Unsigned at the Indigo O2 on 30 March, where she joins an incredible line up including host and previous The X Factor winner Ben Haenow. We caught up with Marisha about the event and her future plans.

First and foremost, how are you doing?

I'm great thank you, excited to be speaking to you again!

We're excited to have you back. The last we spoke, you were about to release your album, about to embark on a big tour around the UK and Hairspray was on the horizon as well. How are you feeling a year on from these incredible achievements?

It has been a rollercoaster of amazingness! I never thought that my career would go to these lengths, especially in the times that we’re in right now. Things stopped for many but seemed to keep going upward at pace for me! I sang for the Queen, I sang for the NFL, I went on a US tour, a UK tour; it’s been an incredible journey and I'm so grateful.

And it doesn’t stop there! You've got so much more coming up, haven’t you?

SO much coming up! I'm about to do Oklahoma at the Young Vic and I will be performing at the grand final of Alpha Unsigned at the Indigo O2 next week, which is a new event to help unsigned artists get a record deal. There are 10 artists in the final who have the chance to win a £100,000 record deal. I'm headlining the night and giving the artists some inspiration so hopefully they can have the amazing year as I’ve had.

That sounds incredible. Can you talk a bit more about your specific role within the event?

Yes, so I'll be performing a couple of songs from my album and tour that night. The final contestants will perform one original song and one cover, and then the audience get to pick the winner.

In the press release for this event, it says that it’s looking for the “next big thing”. So we just wanted to ask, in your opinion, what is the “next big thing?

Authenticity. Someone who is truly themselves, who brings something different to the table and isn’t afraid to show it. I think a lot will come down to the songwriting too as a really good song can turn people's heads. I’m really excited about the originals, even more than the covers, as its something new and we can see where people are going with their artistry. Since the lockdown, there seems to have been a shift in desire for more authentic and original material. It has become much more about emotions and about how we’re feeling and being vulnerable, ultimately. A lot of people have taken that on and we're seeing some really good music come out of this era of time.

What advice would you give to those who are preparing to compete for this prize?

I would tell them that everybody wants to be famous, but it's all about the work that you put into being famous. Fame comes with some pain. The pain is the work that you have to put in but this will pay off. Also, don’t let this be the ‘be all and end all’. This is the beginning, this is where the work starts. Be prepared for what's next and really use the platform that you're given, even if you don't win. I’ve auditioned for everything: American Idol, The Voice, all those things, and didn't get through. I didn't win, but I kept going.

You’ve got to really value doing the work. Be fulfilled by what you're putting out into the world and not what you’re getting from the world. Everything else will come in time.

Because a lot of these artists have only played in pubs, or have never even gotten a chance to be on a big stage, they’re going to have full backing, lights, sound, everything! So they can really get a taste of what it takes to make it to that level. So even just getting to the finals is a win. It's a great opportunity for these people to showcase themselves on a massive platform.

Why do you think it’s so important that these opportunities are offered?

It levels the playing field. Not everyone has rich parents or connections and because of systematic racism, gender bias etc, it puts a lot of people at a disadvantage to make it. So having something like this gives people an opportunity and a chance where they might not have had one. And there's so much talent out there. We have to go inside these communities and find people to give them a stage to shine on. This is going to change someone's life.

Are you able to share with us the songs that you’ll be performing on the night?

I’m going to be performing ‘Tomorrow’ from my album and ‘And I Am Telling You’ from Dreamgirls. I do a special version in my concerts all the time so hopefully people want to hear that again! There are lots of surprises.

Now that things are opening up again and returning to a degree of normality, how are you taking care of yourself and what advice would you give to others?

I think we're currently in a state of burnout. We didn't have live entertainment for so long and then we went back full force so we may have pressed the gas too hard. I think we just need to try and find that balance now, finding things that are important besides work. I work out a lot and I try to meditate, but also try to spend time with my friends and just enjoy my life. I felt like I did have a great work life balance before the pandemic, which forced me to put some energy into my social life. That helps the work because you become a better friend, a better artist, and a better person if you have a more well-rounded life. Take time for yourself and take a moment and reflect.

How excited were you to finally share with the world that you’re going to be in Oklahoma at the Young Vic from 26 April?

It was so crazy because I only found out I had an audition a few weeks ago! I had played the role of Ado Annie eleven years ago at the Portland Center. I have always loved the role and I loved this particular production because it's a gritty show. I'm always doing “shiny” theatre, which is what I call it, so it will be so cool to do this production and performing at the Young Vic is an honour. I feel really proud of myself.

What we can expect from Oklahoma in such an intimate venue?

It’s almost immersive. They call it the “sexy” Oklahoma, it's dark and gritty but of course still has its joyous parts.

To book tickets for the grand final of Alpha Unsigned at the Indigo O2 on 30 March, please click here.