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WHO: Jess Alexander
WHAT: Disney’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid.
After much debate and anticipation, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, starring Halle Bailey, was a success. Audiences loved Bailey’s charming portrayal of Ariel (those vocals!), but there was another character that stole the film—Vanessa, Ursula’s human persona. English actress Jess Alexander fully committed to the villainous role, with director Rob Marshall saying, “It’s sort of rare for someone that beautiful and charismatic to be able to then turn into the sea witch literally in front of you and just lose it. It was exciting to see that change.” It’s that kind of transformation that makes Alexander a thrilling young talent to have on your radar. You can see Disney’s The Little Mermaid at home for the first time only on digital July 25.
Stepping into the shoes of Vanessa, Ursula’s human alter ego in the live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, was… Terrifying, exhilarating, and nothing short of a full-circle moment for me. Vanessa was one of my favourite cartoon characters growing up, so it felt incredibly surreal and still does. It was also a huge challenge, though, to deliver a performance that did her justice, as she’s such a hidden-gem, fan-favourite character.
I would say a common misconception of Vanessa is… That she’s just trying to steal someone’s man! Of course, that’s quite literally what she seems to do, but neither Ursula nor Vanessa care about men. They want to wreak havoc, be evil, and look fabulous doing it. Not that I agree with her intentions, but Prince Eric was just getting in the way of her master plan!
My favorite moment filming this project was… Trying on Vanessa’s black lingerie outfit for the first time for the screen tests. I instantly felt so womanly and powerful. Colleen Atwood really is a fashion genius when it comes to these costumes, and she helped me step into that role with so much confidence.
The stories that make me feel excited to work in this industry are… Usually the small everyday things. I love hearing about random funny stuff that happens on set, how something that didn’t quite work on paper came to life when something “clicked” in an actor’s brain, or listening to my friends talk about their characters and all the amazing people they met when they’re wrapped and back home. That kind of stuff is why we get into all this.
Outside of acting, some of my other passions include… Reading, writing, fashion, knitting, walking, training—anything that stimulates me creatively, physically, or emotionally. I think all actors who are truly in love with acting will happily admit that their main passion and purpose is storytelling, but we all need to find other outlets to keep ourselves fulfilled and busy when we’re not filming or rehearsing. That in itself has been a huge journey for me, and I learn more about myself every day with that.
If you catch me off duty, chances are I’m wearing… A black minidress and leather boots.
When it comes to fashion, I’m a total sucker for… A good thrift store in a new city. If I go somewhere new, I’m leaving part of my suitcase empty and finding the best vintage store I can.
My summer wardrobe would not be complete without these three pieces…
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