Marisa Abela (L); Amy Winehouse.Photo: Focus Features; Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Abela’s role in the film was first reported in July 2022, asDeadlinesaid thatshe was “the top choice"to play the late singer, who died in 2011.
In January 2023, fans gotthe first look at Abela in characteras Taylor-Johnson posted a photo on Instagram, showing Abela rocking Winehouse’s signature beehive hairstyle and large hoop earrings.
While Abela is already creating buzz for her role as Winehouse, it certainly isn’t her first big project.
She’s from England
Karwai Tang/WireImage
Like Winehouse, who was raised in Southgate, London, England, Abela is English. She was born in Brighton, East Sussex, England, on Dec. 7, 1996.
Also, like the late singer,Abela is Jewish, tellingThe Nationalin 2022, “[My] mum and dad come from completely different cultures — my dad is Maltese Arab, and my mum is from a family of Polish Jewish refugees.”
Comparing herself to her character onIndustry, she added, “Like Yasmin, my parents are separated, and we both grew up and went to boarding school in England. But the thing I relate to most is that those two cultures can be quite divisive, and you can feel like you’re being pulled in different directions.”
She was originally going to be a lawyer before pursuing acting
Before embarking on her acting career, Abela was going to pursue a career as ahuman rights lawyer, tellingWmagazine,“I got into a ton of universities in the U.K. and while I was looking around, I wassupposed to do History with a Law conversion, but I just wasn’t interested.”
Thankfully, her parents supported her decision. “They wanted me to be an actor!” she recalled. “I think being a lawyer would be me rebelling. I told them growing up that, that’s what I wanted to do because every time I was in a school play or a show, they were both like over the moon and like, ‘She’s going to do it!’ They were sort of nudging each other. So, I think my way of rebelling was just pretending I was going to be a lawyer.”
She studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
After getting into various universities, Abela ultimately decided to study at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art,receiving her BA in Acting Degreein 2019. In addition to being one of the oldest drama schools in the United Kingdom, the school has countless notable alumni, includingPhoebe Waller-Bridge,Cynthia Erivo,Anthony Hopkins,Tom Hiddlestonand many more.
She already has an impressive acting résumé
Amanda Searle/HBO
She’s going to be in the upcomingBarbiemovie
Abela is also set to star in Greta Gerwig’shighly anticipatedBarbiemoviestarring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling.Her role was first announcedin July 2022, though it’s unclear who she’ll be playing.
She’s dating actor Jamie Bogyo
David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty
Abela is dating actor and fellow RADA alum Jamie Bogyo, whoplayed Chrisitan in the West End production ofMoulin Rouge!. The couple recentlycelebrated their three-year anniversaryin January 2023, and regularly post photos of each other on their respective social media profiles.
In December 2021,Bogyo celebrated Abela’s birthdaywith a sweet tribute, writing, “TODAY IS A VERY SPECIAL DAY!!!! Because today, the stunningly beautiful, wildly talented, and overall queen of my heart @marisaabela_ turns 25. Here’s to the greatest girlfriend I could ever ask for. V grateful you were born! I love you so much.”
She blew everyone away with her Amy Winehouse audition
Though many actresses auditioned for the Amy Winehouse biopic,Abela was reportedly a front-runnerfrom the very beginning. PerDeadline, Abela’s first audition “blew away execs and Taylor-Johnson and put her in the driver’s seat to land the role.”
Additionally,Winehouse’s estate has given the seal of approvalfor the biopic. “We are thrilled that Studiocanal, Focus Features and Monumental are making this movie celebrating our daughter Amy’s extraordinary music legacy and showcasing her talent in the way that it deserves,” a rep for the estate said in a statement toDeadline.
source: people.com
