Australian pop sensation Samantha Jade has long been a powerhouse in the music industry – from winning The X Factor in 2012 to topping charts with her platinum-selling hits and captivating audiences with her dynamic performances. Known for her stunning vocals and undeniable stage presence, Samantha has continually evolved as an artist, expanding her talents across music, television, and fashion.
Now she’s taking on one of her most exciting challenges yet: stepping onto the theatre stage as Vivian Ward in Pretty Woman: The Musical, a role originated in the hit film by one Julia Roberts. You know, no pressure. Bringing her signature charm, vocal prowess, and emotional depth to the role, Samantha is proving that her artistry knows no bounds.
As the show premieres in Brisbane (you can read our review here), before moving onto Sydney, our Peter Gray spoke (and perhaps fanned out) with the pop superstar, talking to her about utilising the different aspects of her voice, making the character her own, and how she keeps the strict structure of the show exciting each night.
It goes without saying, congratulations on Pretty Woman. I can only imagine how exciting it was when you received that news.
Oh, my gosh. I can’t even tell you. Musicals have always been something I’d love to do, but I always just put it in the “too hard basket.” It always seemed to be something that I watched and I was like, “How are they doing all of those things at once? It seems too hard.” I just thought I couldn’t do it. And this movie, I love this movie so much. And my mum and I, it was one of our favourite films to watch together. So it just felt like the stars aligned for this one. I just knew I was going to try it out, see how I go, and, yeah, receiving the news that I actually got it…I was like, “Oh, God. Now I’ve actually got to do it well!”
As you mentioned it was in the “too hard basket,” but with pop, your voice is often leading the storytelling, and in theatre it’s the character. How did you shift between Samantha Jade, the artist, and Vivian Ward, the character?
Do you know what? It’s a very different way of singing. That’s something that I’ve definitely learned. It’s a different way of expressing and pushing and vibrato, and just technically, it’s very different to how I sing my music. I think that was really nice, because it really does separate me from the character. I think people will be surprised, because I am singing in such a different way.
And as this one of your favourite films, as you mentioned, and Julia Roberts’s performance is so iconic. Is there any pressure for you in honouring the character, but at the same you’re making Vivian your own.
Oh, God, absolutely. I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t pressure. There definitely is. But I think that I can take on the Julia Roberts that I know so well, because I love the film so much. She’s one of my favourite actors of all time. But, mostly for me, because this is a musical and a music platform, I feel like I get to do it my own way. Obviously, I’m acting and saying all the iconic lines, but the singing is when you can’t have any more spoken word, and it’s the perfect thing for me. I’m a singer and it’s my favourite art form. But I’ve been trying to find a balance.
Do you find that with pop music and performing in concert, you can improvise in a lot of ways, but with theatre it’s about hitting your mark. Is there a way for you to keep performances fresh, even though there’s a structure?
I think what’s lovely about (Pretty Woman: The Musical) is everything is very choreographed. Obviously, you’ve got to hit all your lighting cues and there’s things coming off and on stage, so if you’re in the wrong place, it doesn’t work. I’m very aware of that. But what’s really nice is, there’s one song called “I Can’t Go Back”, which is my favourite song of the show. And that song I really have free reign on how I do it. As long as I’m walking to hit my lines, and Rusty (Mowery), who is just the best, he’s our director, who’s come from Broadway, he was like, “This song is your chance to just tell the story and do it however you want.” So I kind of have that, which is really nice. That’s my part of the show where I’m just going to see how it goes every night.
Do you feel playing Vivian has changed or deepened your own sense of self as an artist?
Definitely. Truly. They’re big songs, and they’re big in a different way than my songs are, or even how I do corporates. The big, long, straight note was something I thought I couldn’t do, because I was so used to riffing off things. In pop, you can kind of go up there and riff off whenever you want. You can hit it in a scream and then stop. But this is like, “No, let’s go ahead and hold those really high notes, every single night.” It’s challenged me. Honestly, when I got off the stage after the preview, I was like, “I can do this!” I didn’t believe in myself enough. I didn’t believe I could, and I was really proud of myself. It’s really nice to be able to say you’re proud of yourself.
Well, I might be biased, but knowing your voice, I knew you could do it. You should be so proud.
Oh, that’s so sweet. Thank you.
And with Vivian as a character, going through this transformation, both emotionally and visually, how do you track and calibrate that journey each night so it feels authentic and connected?
A huge thing for me is the costumes and the wigs. Whenever I step into the character, I become her. As soon as I have the clothes and wig on, I know who I am. On the side stage, before I walk out, I just tell myself the story of where I’ve been, and I’m just her. The transformation is so fun. That’s why theatre is so fun. You’re a different person for two hours a night.
I imagine it’s one of those things where you put the classic red dress on and then there’s the jewelry snapping moment…
Oh, absolutely. We have to do that every night. It was a blooper in the movie, so it’s not that easy, but Ben (Hall) is just the best Edward ever, and he does it different every night, so I don’t know when it’s coming.
We’re obviously seeing a lot of popular films be adapted for the stage. Is there a favourite film of yours that you would like to see be given the musical treatment?
Oh, that’s such a great question. Do you know? Notting Hill. I feel like that would be such a winner. It’s another Julia (movie), so I’m going to get typecast (laughs), but I just think that would be an amazing musical.
We’ll put it out there in the universe, shall we?
Oh, yes. I’m already auditioning (laughs).
Personally, I can see you doing a good Kate Beckinsale in Serendipity. I think that would make a great musical.
Oh, my God, that was another of my mum and I’s favourite films. We even went to Serendipity in New York and had hot chocolate in the spot.
And before I let you go, I’d be a terrible fan if I didn’t ask about new music. Another EP? Another album? Love.Sick has kept me going, such a great two-parter, but we are starving for more! So I have to ask…
Well, you’ll be happy to know that there a few songs I’ve been writing. I’m giving myself some time here in Brisbane to focus on the musical, so I need to see how my voice goes and how I go mentally. This is all new to me. But when I’m in Sydney, I think I’ll be used to it by then, so I’ll be putting down some demos. I have a few things planned. There will be new music. If not January, then February.
Well, that’s not too far away! I do have to say congratulations again, it really is so awesome to see everything you’ve achieved in your career. I look at you as the poster child for resilience and never giving up. So, with everything, you deserve to be on this stage where you are, so truly thank you for taking the time out.
You don’t know how much that means to me. Thank you. I really appreciate you.
Pretty Woman: The Musical is playing at Brisbane’s QPAC Lyric Theatre through to November 23rd, 2025, before arriving in Sydney at the Theatre Royal Sydney from November 30th. For more information and ticket purchases, head to the official site here.
