Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
I was never so glad to get back on my feet..
Estefan’s life inspires musical
GLORIA Estefan has opened up about the terrifying bus crash that almost ended her career and the “euphoric” moment she was able to return to the stage.
Speaking at the launch of the new theatre show On Your Feet! which tells the story of the 62-year-old and her husband Emilio, the singer revealed she is delighted with the reaction from fans.
The show is currently running at Belfast’s Grand Opera House until Saturday.
Gloria said: “It’s been fantastic. The cast is amazing. Christie Prades, who was in the original Broadway production, has been loving it because she has a whole different energy to play off.
“The book is brand new to the English cast and the acting choices they’ve made are spectacular. And Philippa Stefani, who is performing at certain shows in London and is headlining the UK tour, is just wonderful.”
On Your Feet! also touches on the devastating bus smash in 1990 which almost ended Gloria’s career. She said: “It’s strange because I remember more the aftermath than the actual crash.
“I’ve spoken to a lot of people who have also been involved in accidents and they agree there must be some mechanism in our brains or our spirits where you remember before and after but you don’t remember the actual impact.
“I was awake for it and afterwards, as I lay on the floor, I was in so much pain I was praying I’d faint but I never did. I remember everything except the actual breaking of my back.”
Gloria also spoke about her determination to get back to full fitness, adding: “I grew up taking care of my wheelchairbound father so I knew what my family might have to face with me.
“I didn’t care about getting back on stage. I just wanted to be independent and walk again. I said, ‘OK, if I end up in a chair I’ll figure out a way to deal with it but I am going to fight my hardest for that not to happen’. Then I started getting all these letters from people.
“They kept throwing the song Get On Your Feet back in my face and I said to Emilio, ‘I never did this for the fame so what if this is the sole reason I became famous’.”
Reflecting on the moment she was strong enough to get back on stage Gloria added: “Oh my God, it was euphoric. It was how I imagine climbing Everest would feel. I had overcome so many obstacles and I’d worked so hard. It was just amazing.”
Tickets are available for On Your Feet! via the Grand Opera House website.