Andrew Lloyd Webber recalls moment he knew ‘very special’ Jessie Buckley would be a ‘huge star’ as he celebrates her Oscar win – after she called his TV show ‘brutalising and objectifying’
Andrew Lloyd Webber recalled knowing ‘very special’ Oscar winner Jessie Buckley would be a ‘big star’ after she appeared on ‘I’d Do Anything’.
Nearly 20 years before she was awarded Best Actress for her role in Hamnet, 17-year-old Jessie launched her career on the Lloyd Webber-run reality show, a competition to win the role of Nancy in the West End production of Oliver!
The star finished second to winner Jodie Prenger during her time on the show in 2008 – and Jessie admitted she struggled during her time on the telly, saying she was “not good” and experienced “unfair objectification”.
Andrew, who stopped short of claiming Jessie was ‘bruised’ on his show, credited himself for pointing out her talent, saying: ‘I think I already knew and I think everyone else knew that this was a very special girl and she was going to be a big star.’
After reminiscing about the star, he continued: ‘If beautiful and lovely Jessie ever sees this…well done darling.’
Andrew Lloyd Webber recalled knowing ‘very special’ Oscar winner Jessie Buckley would be a ‘big star’ after she appeared on ‘I’d Do Anything’.
Nearly 20 years before she was awarded Best Actress for her role in Hamnet, 17-year-old Jessie launched her career on the Lloyd Webber-run reality show, a competition to win the role of Nancy in the West End production of Oliver! (Jessie pictured on the show)
After reminiscing about the star, he continued: ‘If beautiful and lovely Jessie ever sees this…well done darling.’
Andrew’s speech against the Oscar-winning actor comes after he claimed he was ‘brutalised’ and subjected to ‘unfair objectification’ during his ‘I’ll Do Anything’ mission.
The actor, who is now 36 years old, She told Vogue: ‘I was 17. I was in a moment of discovery…
‘As women, this is such an unfair objectification… At that time, I was trying to move into a space that was just my own. I hope a woman of any age, 15, 17, will never be subjected to brutality like in that program…
‘But I didn’t really recognize it at the time. I just felt like it was so hard. It’s crazy in hindsight. And I was like, “Oh my God. I can already look behind this curtain. I can sing. I’m going to be a part of this industry that I really hope I can be a part of.”
Sitting down at the piano, Andrew put aside his words and said: ‘I just wanted to say how thrilled I was that Jessie Buckley won Best Actress at the Oscars last night.
‘I’ve known Jessie for years, ever since the TV show I recorded called I’d Do Everything, I was so impressed with the whole thing that when I heard about it I went on YouTube and found the little clip of her doing The Man That Got Away all those years ago…
Andrew’s lash out at the Oscar-winning actor comes after he claimed he was ‘bruised’ and subjected to ‘unfair objectification’ during his ‘I Would Do Anything’ stint
‘I remember having a huge row with the BBC when I said I really wanted him to sing this song and he just took the roof off the building…
‘That was the moment where I thought I already knew and I think everyone knew that this was a very, very special girl and she was going to be a big star so not only did she win the Oscar, she won everything but if beautiful Jessie can ever see that, well done darling.
Jessie never sought fame or fortune and keeps details of her home life secret from the world, including the full names of her husband and their eight-month-old daughter; Except they got yelled at during his acceptance speech.
The Daily Mail discovered this week that Jessie’s husband is Freddie Sorensen, 47, who worked as a producer before leaving the industry to work in mental health.
He is also known to be extremely careful about the work he chooses; He is often juggling West End stage shows with low-key television series and film roles where he can showcase his other passion, music.
Those close to Jessie wonder if there’s a reason behind her cautious approach to fame and avoiding the spotlight that inevitably comes her way.
Speaking on Irish radio this week, her father Tim Buckley, a poet and hotel bar manager in the family’s hometown of Killarney, County Kerry, said being in the public eye and speaking on stage at awards ceremonies ‘wouldn’t be his favorite thing’.
He added of his daughter: ‘She needs to improve herself like a boxer before she goes out there.’
After reminiscing about the star, he continued: ‘If beautiful and lovely Jessie ever sees this…well done darling.’
