waitress

Most Hollywood wannabes begin out ready tables. Twenty years after shifting to Tinseltown to observe her goals, Ashley Roberts is strapping on an apron and serving pie, eight shifts per week.

After ending runner-up on final 12 months’s Strictly Come Dancing, London’s West End got here calling and Ashley is making her theatre debut within the smash hit musical Waitress, which made its Broadway switch over right here in March.

But this is not an enormous slice of Great British Bake Off cosy cuteness  The present could be very grounded within the trials and tribulations of three waitresses, so no sequins and stilettos in sight. The larger shock is that Ashley is tackling the least overtly horny member of the group. Her character Dawn is a shy, socially awkward duckling in large glasses who has by no means had a boyfriend – and Ashley could not be happier.

“I’m stripping it again,’ she says with a giant grin. “That’s what I’m excited about. The Strictly audience saw a teensy bit of it when I did the troll Charleston but I have a kooky side to me and I can’t wait to let that out and show all different sides of myself.

“I’m not gonna lie, in the past I was always about the pop world and hip hop and jazz dancing. The theatre wasnt really a big goal of mine – until I did Strictly. I’d been ten years away from performing and getting in there and coming up with the characters and stories, I realised I wanted to get out on the stage again. It was just divine timing that Waitress came to me after Strictly and I am so grateful.”

She may have been in the industry for twenty years, played huge stadiums with the Pussycat Dolls, sold 54 million records and been watched by millions on Strictly and I’m A Celebrity, but this is her theatre debut and terrifying in its own way.   

“It is surreal stepping foot on stage it is so different from a pop concert where everyone is jumping around and screaming. In a theatre they are sat there, staring at you and taking it all in,” she laughs. “So, yes, I’m nervous but I’m excited and the cast is just fantastic and Sara Bareilles’ music is incredible.” 

Ashley also has 

Unlike poor Dawn, Ashley is currently blissfully paired up with Strictly professional Giovanni Pernice. She was partnered on screen with Pasha Kovalek but romance blossomed behind the scenes with the Italian. 

Giovanni can’t stop charming fans with romantic posts on social media and Ashley breaks into a huge grin when his name comes up.

“We’re just really happy and it’s evolved into something really, really lovely,” she says. “It was so unexpected, he is so supportive. And guess what? He is a huge musicals fan. Huge. I think he was more excited than me when I got the role in Waitress. He was like, ‘Oh my God, babe. This is so amazing. My girlfriend is in the West End.’” 

While we’re on the topic, the BBC dance smash is hovering on the horizon and there have been quite a few rumours about who will substitute Darcy Bussel because the fourth decide.

“Have there?” Ashley teases, as if she doesn’t know she is a type of tipped to bounce into the new seat. Her record-breaking run of 5 excellent scores ought to absolutely make her a shoe-in? 

“Well, honey, I don’t have time,’ she replies “Darcey is such big shoes to fill. She was such a presence on the show and she brought so much class… and I haven’t been asked.”

Is she taking part in coy? Her engagement in Waitress is for a restricted run solely till the top of the summer season, which would depart her completely free, simply in time for filming.

“Well, we don’t know yet that I’ll be free,” Ashley smiles. “There might be more big news coming up for me in the UK. Some fun stuff, which I can’t get into yet, but this year is looking really great. But it’s not Strictly.”

After seven years as a Pussycat Doll and selling over 54 million records, Ashley left the group in 2010 and has carved out a career on UK television. 

. New show Waitress mixes mouthwatering recipes with a surprisingly substantial filling packed with real-life issues from first love to infidelity and pregnancy to domestic abuse. Boasting a fantastic score from Sarah Bareilles and a potent mix of sass, sweetness and smarts, the Broadway hit is riding high in London as leading lady Katherine McPhee steps aside for X Factor star Lucie Jones as central character Jenna.

Ashley is shimmying in as her adorkable bestie Dawn and is ready and raring to take on a major new challenge in her career.

 

 Adorably, she also provides many of the laughs in the show as she navigates a rather bizarre romance with the equally odd Ogie, who loves Civil War reenactments. 

Ashley loves every bit of it not being glamorous.

Ashley has found love with Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice, but admits she’s had her share of disasters in the past. Most people have a car crash or two in their dating history, but Ashley literally almost did. 

“In the States, we have Homecoming dances in school and my date was driving me there,’ she recalls. “Back in the day, it was the thing to have big speakers in the car and it was so loud we didn’t hear an ambulance coming through the intersection. It almost T-boned me and killed me on the way to Homecoming. That was pretty rough.“

Strictly speaking, things these days are looking rather better. 

“I’m not much of a baker. I just buy the mix and add egg and water. My pie would be a little fiesta caliente, with a sprinkle of stardust.”

I strive. I really like health. My mom was a private coach. Remember step aerobics within the Eighties? Peggy Roberts was throughout that. Exercise makes me really feel good, it will get the guts pumping and the endorphins flowing. For me, it’s a lifestyle. It makes me really feel good.

So, spinning, yoga and climbing when  I’m in Los Angeles. I really like boxing, too.”

“What’s beautiful about the show is that there are real topics which don’t really get talked about in the theatre world or in life. But it takes a comedic twist which allows you to see the topic in all its humanity, laugh, cry, enjoy the music and then walk away with the message which is about empowerment. It takes you on a really raw journey and allows the audience to make up their own minds. We’re touching people’s hearts but also pushing a few buttons.”

The present made historical past on Broadway as the primary with an all-female artistic crew from songwriter Sara Bareilles to 

“It’s certainly an interesting time right now,’ Ashley says.” With social media and a lot consciousness and entry to each facet, we really feel like we take a number of steps ahead however now you are worried, ‘Are we talking a few steps back?’ I’m hoping the attention is shining mild on issues that must be spoken about. Hopefully, we will make some constructive adjustments. We need to hope.

And twenty years from now? 

‘Holy moly! I could never have imagined where I would be now. Sitting here, talking about pie,’ she laughs. “But obviously I would like to have a family and settle down. Hopefully, have a nice place by the water. I still have my house in LA but this is home for now. This is where I want to be.”

Twenty years within the enterprise.

“Who would have recognized? It sounds loopy to me. Best factor I discovered is to take pleasure in it within the second. It sounds so tacky however it goes by so rapidly and you then’re like, ‘I wish I had just sat and indulged in that moment.” So I am trying to soak it all in right now. Even with Strictly, it was so intense and went by so fast.”

I made a few fashion mistakes in my time. But also just putting too much pressure myself. You want to go out there and do so well, but nobody is perfect. I needed to learn to tell myself, ‘Just relax, we’re not saving lives right here, we’re simply entertaining.’

“Who would have known this would be home for me? It’s been six years now. I did the jungle in 2012 which changed my life. I have an amazing group of friends here now, a community and work has been fantastic. I just feel like the Brits have adopted me.”

Ashley completed runner-up to Charlie Brooke within the twelfth sequence of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! 

She charmed the nation together with her straight-talking, love of pranks and gutsiness throughout her baptism by bugs, slime and the compulsory encounter with the bitey finish of a rat.

Her bikini bod additionally had Dec, specifically, somewhat sizzling below the collar. 

She has remained in contact with Made in Chelsea campmate Hugo Taylor “He simply acquired married and I used to be on the wedding ceremony. I see Rosemary (Shrager) once in a while. But you all bond due to the acute circumstances so irrespective of who got here into the room after nevertheless lengthy, I’d instantly wish to give them a giant hug.

Like so many others, Lucie sprang to fame of the X Factor in 2009 however slightly than chase a pop dream, the Welsh star has constructed a powerful profession in musical theatre. One 12 months later she was taking part in Cosette in Les Miserables. Lead roles in Rent, Legally Blonde, We Will Rock You and Ghost The Musical adopted.

There was a slight detour to symbolize teh Uk at Eurovision in 2017. Her fifteenth place end was a powerful success in comparison with the dismal backside three positions of teh two years earlier than and after her. 

It’s been unbelievable. I used to be terrified till the curtain went up however then Jenna is so chilled and laid again i simply needed to let it go. It’s such a journey. Her arc i sso enjoyable to play I can qute believ I get to do that. 

Its very well accomplished, I used to be talking to David who performs Dr Pomater an dhe was saying a few his relations got here to see te shjow and actually struggled watching it as a result of teh character isnt too dissimilar to him in individual, each very nice guys, married. But the best way it is offered you see simply how unhealthy Jenna’s relationship is so when she connects with another person you simply need them to be joyful. It’s  so effectively crafted.

Unlike Jenna, Lucie’s path to like has been loads smoother, albeit with some fairytae touches. She married her X Factor sweetheart Ethan Boroian in 2017. They met at bootcamp on the present and stayed in contact, however solely went on their first date 2014.

I’m married and i am very keen on my husband. Love could be very sophisticated and this present actually represents that. I’m no good at making pies however my husband skilled as a chef. So he helped me. Perhps that is the important thing to a contented mariage, allow them to do what they’re good at.

I believe it is totally different know. It’s not the identical present it was. People need various things. Also, there’s a saturated market and so many extra reveals, we will watch teh American variations as effectively, so the viewers is cut up. Th esic chair problem terrifies me. I can not watch it. I’m sturdy however I owuld crumble below that strain. It’s brutal. I do not watch the present any extra.

I havent seen Simon for fairly some time, however I work in theatre now so I’m not a part of that Sony Muisc, Syco world. which actually isnt an issue for me as a result of I really like what I do.

Its a disgrace. I dont know what occurred this 12 months. But teh major factor is everybody has a good time, will get drunk, clothes up at house watching it. I used to be doing Rent fro eight reveals per week whereas I used to be sdoing Eurovision so I used to be tee whole. But it was so enjoyable. Bonkers.

I believe I’m a mixture of candy and savoury. I’d put a little bit of marshmellow as a result of my hdart is sort of tender however i am undoubtedly a crimped edge.

Its every thing a theatre present needs to be. It makes you chuckle it makes you cry it can make you wish to be a greater individual. I’ve had folks come as much as me afterwards sobbing as a result of they had been so moved but in addition so joyful on the finish. And the music is wonderful. Sara Bareilles is a genius..