How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? finalists
Simona Armstrong, 28
| From |
Romania. Lived in Glasgow
and now in Greenford, London |
| Occupation |
Actress/receptionist |
| Family |
Two sisters - one older and one younger, and Scottish husband Ian. |
| Experience |
Vocal training at Bucharest Academy. Acting roles in Romania and the UK. |
Ìý
Born and raised in Romania, Simona is a passionate woman who puts her all into every performance. She is trying to make a career as a full time actress and has had some small TV roles.
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Simona has had two years of Romanian pop and classical vocal
training at the Bucharest Academy, an extremely prestigious performing
arts school. She completed two years of a four year course before moving
to the UK.
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She is from a very musical background - her mother and sister sing and her grandmother was an actress. Simona's family are still in Romania and she misses them a lot.
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Simona is married to Ian, a personal trainer, who is "her greatest support" – she met him whilst living in Glasgow – a
city she holds very dear to her heart.
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Simona finds casting in England difficult because of her accent but this is something
she is working on. She loves a bit of karaoke and Abba songs but her favourite
music genres are soul and jazz as they are full of passion.
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She loves playing volleyball with the neighbourhood
kids and, other than performing, her ambition would be to be
a lawyer or journalist.
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When did you first realise you had a talent for singing?
Ìý
When I was in kindergarten, I had to do lots of shows that
included singing and performing. I got a very positive response (I
was quite surprised!), all the kindergarten teachers wanted me to be
in their performances as well, even if I wasn't in their class!
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What is your favourite musical?
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Little Shop of Horrors.
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Who is your favourite character in a musical and why?
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Audrey from Little Shop of Horrors because she never gives
up her dream and she always follows her path. That's very important for
me.
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What qualities do you have similar to those of Maria?
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Her vulnerability, her confidence, her spirit and, most
of all, her honesty inside.
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Why should you be the next Maria?
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Because I really do love everything about this musical.
It is so much me - it's a dream, it's a love story,
it's also working with children which is a big satisfaction for me.
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Siobhan Dillon, 21
| From |
Staffordshire |
| Occupation |
London College of Fashion student/promotions girl |
| Family |
Younger brother Liam. |
| Experience |
Singing lessons age 10-15. |
Ìý
Extremely stylish and cool, Siobhan is currently in her
first year of BA Hons in Product Design (she designs handbags) at the
London College of Fashion.
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On her 10th birthday, Siobhan asked for singing lessons, and had vocal training
once a week for two years and her talent progressed from there. Two
weeks before the Maria auditions she decided to cram in some more lessons
to get back in shape.
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She is a songwriter as well as a singer and has submitted
some demos to record companies.
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She used to perform in her school shows but thought that she would not make it in music or theatre as it was such a huge and competitive world which is why she turned to fashion.
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After hearing a tape of her singing, Michael Parkinson insisted
that Siobhan sing at his charity cricket ball three years ago, after which
she got a standing ovation.
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Siobhan currently lives in a student house but comes from a very tight-knit family – her dad Michael is Irish (from Dunleary), and she is extremely proud to have Irish blood.
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Her mum is a drama teacher and the Irish side of her family
are extremely musical. She describes her musical tastes as "random" -
anything from John Denver to Massive Attack but Shania Twain will always
be her idol.
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When did you first realise you had a talent for singing?
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When I was nine I took part in my babysitter's gala concert,
raising money for her to go to drama school. I sung Look At Me I'm Sandra
Dee from Grease (after having auditioned for her in my pyjamas just
before bedtime one Friday evening!)
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What is your favourite musical?
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Starlight
Express and Blood Brothers (Can I have two? Sorry!)
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Who is your favourite character in a musical and why?
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Esmeralda [ Notre Dame de Paris]. She is a beautiful gypsy
character with a wonderful heart and a sensual streak also.
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She is strong-minded and free-spirited and it is because
of this that she attracts much male attention!
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The story is a tale of lust, love and injustice. The songs
she and the rest of the cast sing are powerful - not just musically
but emotionally.
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What qualities do you have similar to those of Maria?
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The desire to help other people whenever possible; the
drive and ambition to succeed. And optimism - every
cloud almost always has a silver lining. This is one thing people always
pick up on when they first meet me - apparently I'm quite unusually optimistic!
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A degree of uncertainty
but a lot of excitement about where this whole experience will take
me! Dedication in my beliefs.
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Why should you be the next Maria?
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It's the one character I have always dreamt about playing
but never imagined that I would be given the opportunity. I can associate
with her free-spirited yet rational character.
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To see problems and attack
them with enthusiasm and strength... Her desire to feel complete...
Ultimately, to find the place where she really belongs.
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I have grown up with the music - my Nana used to sing Edelweiss
to me when I was very young. I would give it 110% and would enjoy every
moment of it.
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I believe I have the talent to do it... I definitely have
the ambition! I just can't wait to get stuck into the blood, sweat
'n' tears - the real training!
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