Jade Ewen, who represented the United Kingdom at the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow, Russia, stars as Princess Jasmine in the stage version of Disney’s Aladdin.
Jade Ewen, known for her strong vocals, views her role as Princess Jasmine as a highlight in her career. The artist told BBC Newsbeat:
I love her because she was the first Disney princess who didn’t need a man to make her happy.
After her Eurovision-participation and joining popular British girl band Sugababes, Jade Ewen is following her own musical path again. Playing the lead role as Princess Jasmine in the stage adaptation of the 1992 Disney animated film Aladdin marks a new venture in her career. Jade Ewen talked to BBC Newsbeat backstage, after the gala opening of the play:
Wow, it was overwhelming. I’ve absolutely loved every second. I’m currently not in the studio because of Aladdin but once the show settles I’ll be back in for sure.
The singer has good hopes that the stage production of Aladdin at London West End becomes as popular as the version on New York’s Broadway, which has been running for several years. She is impressed by the technical innovations that accompany the musical:
The magic carpet baffled me the first time I saw it. People that have seen the play still don’t know how we do it.
And what if Jade Ewen found a magical lamp herself, what would she wish for? The artist says:
If I had a lamp my three wishes? Happiness, adventure and I’d save one for a rainy day.
Jade Ewen (Plaistow, London, 1988) has a Scottish-Sicilian father and a Jamaican mother. At the age of ten, she starred as young Nala in the stage adaptation of The Lion King. She began her career in both the United Kingdom and Australia, having a role in the Australian TV-series Out There from 2003 to 2004, being a member of the girl group Trinity Stone from 2005 to 2007, and co-writing songs for artists such as Jessica Mauboy and the girl group Booty Luv.
In 2009, Jade Ewen became known to the wider public when she participated in, and eventually won, the British selection for Eurovision, Eurovision: Your Country Needs You! She represented the United Kingdom at the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow, Russia, with the song It’s my time. The power ballad was composed by sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, who accompanied her on the piano on stage in Moscow. Jade Ewen reached an honourable 5th place in the Grand Final with 173 points: to this day the best result for the United Kingdom since 2002.
After Eurovision, the artist released the single My man, and replaced Keisha Buchanan as part of the widely popular girl group Sugababes. After several hit-singes and albums, Jade Ewen left the band, focussing on her solo-career. The artist played roles in various stage productions and musicals, including Porgy and Bess, In The Heights, and most recently Disney’s Aladdin.
Enjoy Jade Ewen performing It’s my time during the Grand Final of the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest:
