‘All the hard work is totally worth it... I feel very, very lucky’
It’s been a mega busy year for Lucie Jones, from Eurovision to a theatre tour – and she even managed to get married in between. As she heads home to Cardiff, Carly Squires catches up with her...
Donning the signature pink dress and blonde locks, Lucie Jones is currently wowing theatre goers across the UK in Legally Blonde – The Musical.
But it seems that just like her character, Elle Woods, the 26-year-old has surpassed all expectation.
Following rejection after rejection from every London music school Lucie applied for, she was eventually snapped up by hit TV show, The X Factor, and was quickly thrust into the spotlight of fame.
But she didn’t stop there, going on to appear on the West End stage, in multiple television shows, Eurovision 2017 – and she even managed to squeeze a day off this year to get married to fellow X Factor alumni, Ethan Bouroian.
“This year has been exhausting!” She explains.
“I am so excited to be coming home, being on tour is insane.
“There are no breaks and no holidays, and not being able to go home to your bed after a show is difficult.
“But it’s also brilliant, I have the most wonderful character to play and the hard work is totally worth it.
“The show is so well written – it’s funny and moving, and we have had amazing feedback at every single show.”
The Cardiff vocalist will perform in the smash-hit musical, Legally Blonde, at New Theatre – 11 years after she last appeared on its stage as a 15-year-old.
Based on the popular 2001 film comedy starring Reece Witherspoon, the show (including Lucie) has been on the road since September last year.
“I can’t wait to get home,” Lucie sighs. “I am going to go for it – I might have one, two – or maybe 10 drinks!
“It’s really nice to be coming back to the New Theatre, as I used to do shows there when I was growing up. It’s so special to me, it will feel really nostalgic.”
Growing up in Pentyrch, both of her parents adored music, and took her to all sorts of live shows ranging from Stereophonics to Oklahoma, and even ’90s girl band B*Witched.
“My parents were never pushy, but they could see that I loved music and they didn’t stand in the way of me pursuing that.
“My dad is a really good singer, although he would never perform outside the front room, and my brother is a brilliant guitarist now.
“I feel very lucky to be where I am now and part of that success comes from my parents. I’d like to take that from my parents when I eventually have children myself.”
Although kids are not on the cards just yet. Lucie is still enjoying her first year of marriage to Ethan. The pair met when they both appeared on The X Factor in 2009.
“We’re having a great time – although it might be because we haven’t seen each other!” she jokes.
“We do really want to see each other, but we understand each other’s work.
“The wedding day was the best day of our lives. I had nightmares about my dress not turning up or the flowers being wrong, but everything just worked out so well.
“After we got married we spent a few days in the Cotswolds before I had to go back to work – but we’re going on honeymoon to South Africa and Mauritius in January.
“He’s the most wonderful person you could wish for, I feel so lucky. He supports my work because he gets free show tickets, and he works for a champagne house so I get free champagne!
“We will eventually have children. My friends have kids, and I love children, but I like being able to give them back at the end of the day!”
X Factor viewers were left in shock when the talented singer came in eighth place in series six. But what does she make of this year’s Welsh potential, Lloyd Macey?
“I actually taught him on a music course!” she smiles. “I was doing Rent, the professional tour, and Lloyd and his group were doing a Welsh-spoken version of Rent.
“We went out and did a workshop and it was great. They were all a very talented bunch and so committed, which was really nice to see – espe-
cially since it was a Welsh language version, it translates so well.
“Lloyd is brilliantly talented and comes across so well on the show, people love him, and I wish him the best of luck.”
But Lucie has proved that winning really isn’t everything. After all, she’s fallen madly in love, appeared in numerous West End shows and landed 15th place at Eurovision, so what could be next?
“I would love to do a bit more TV and film,” she says.
“It has always been difficult due to scheduling. In a long job like this, I don’t get holidays, so we shall see.
“There are lots more roles that I would like to play on stage, and if I get any of them then I will let you know!
“I am very, very lucky to do what I love and make a living from it. Whatever happens next – even if I don’t find work – I have just had the most amazing year.”