The unexpected advice Olivier nominees still live by
Olivier winners, nominees and special guests share guidance that has stuck with them
The Female Lead attended the Olivier Awards with Cunard Green carpet on Sunday, 12th April, and while there was plenty of talk about performances and nominations, we were more interested in something else - advice that actually works.
We asked nominees, winners, and guests about the best piece of advice they’ve ever received from a woman - the kind that’s guided their careers and helped get them to where they are today. Their answers were thoughtful, unexpected, and far too good not to share.
Rachel Zegler (Best Actress in a musical Nominee and Winner)
Before picking up the Olivier award for Best Actress in a Musical, first-time nominee Rachel Zegler told us about some truly special advice she had received from Dame Helen Mirren.
“Helen Mirren has given me all of the best advice. So has Lucy Liu, who is an angel… they’re both my angels sent from above. And it really is to just stay true to yourself. And the noise doesn’t matter, it just doesn’t matter. They’re going to tear down a woman for anything. They’ve also been through it the way that I have, so I have learned so much from them. And I just love them madly.”
Corbin Bleu (Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical nominee)
“I went to Debbie Allen Academy when I was a young boy, when she first opened the academy. And, I don’t know if it’s a specific piece of advice as much as the value of discipline. That was truly the groundwork, I think that was built at that academy. And to this day, I mean, if it’s time to buckle down, it’s in my blood.
Adjoa Andoh (presenting awards for Best Actress and Best Lighting)
Adjoa Andoh took it right back to her very first experience on camera.
“The first film director I worked with was a woman called Jackie Duckworth. And, we made a drama documentary about what it is to have multiple sclerosis. Jackie came to my house - I’d never done camera work before, I didn’t go to drama school - and she brought her video recorder, because it was those days. She said, ‘Sit on the sofa.’”
“I sat on the sofa, and she just filmed me talking. Then she put the tape into my recorder and played it back.”
“It was horrific.” At this point, she flaps her arms and twists her face to show just how bad it was.
“Anyway, she said, never do that in front of the camera. I’m sure I have on occasion. But I try to remember not to.”
It’s hard to imagine someone so calm and commanding on screen ever feeling that unsure in front of a camera - which makes her honesty all the more brilliant.
Elaine Paige (honoured for the Special Award)
For someone so synonymous with the stage, Elaine Paige’s advice might surprise you.
“A good friend of mine, Diana Riggs, the late, great Diana Riggs, towards the end of her career, sort of where I’m at now, said to me, “You have to realise that as marvellous as acting and this industry is, there are more things to life than just this. Don’t let [work] take over your whole life so that you don’t enjoy other things.”
“And, and it’s sort of where I’m at at the moment in my life. I’m going to travel, and I’m going to see my friends and go out for dinner and play tennis and all the things that I wasn’t able to do when I was devoted to the theater for so many years.”
An important reminder that even the most dedicated careers shouldn’t come at the cost of everything else.
Arlene Phillips
“The piece of advice my mother gave to me, who passed away when I was quite young, said to me, “Always be kind and when someone’s upset, put your arms around them.”
“It’s helped me as a mother - I remember thinking, how am I going to grow up without my mum giving me hugs? So with my children, with my grandchildren, I just feel a hug can make anything better.”
We couldn’t agree more.
Hayley Squires (Best Actress in a supporting role nominee):
Rather than specific advice, Hayley picked up on a feeling.
“I’ve just worked with Marianne Jean-Baptiste on All My Sons, and that woman is full of wisdom. And the way that she looks at life is inspiring. I can’t even nail it down to one thing, but as a woman, she’s incredible.”
Matt Henry (Devil Wears Prada, guest of Cunard):
Matt shared the kind of advice that feels especially necessary right now, but will ALWAYS hold true.
“My mum taught me so much about respect, respecting women, respecting yourself. You need to be able to respect yourself before you can respect anybody else. And I think I carry that through in so many of my working relationships with women and with men.”
Sue Perkins:
“The best piece of advice is one I’ve learned, which is to make mistakes. And don’t be frightened of making mistakes. Everybody great has made a mistake or two, and it’s a learning tool. It’s your attitude towards the mistake. Mistakes are inevitable, but the attitude that you view them with determines whether you can really surmount them or not. And I think being creative and trying to live a life that’s more irregular is going to be fraught. So just enjoy the ride.”
It’s a refreshing antidote to perfectionism, and something that we all need to remember from time to time. Getting it wrong can be essential in getting there altogether.
Vanessa Williams (Presenting award for Best Actor/Actress in a Musical)
For a second time, Helen Mirren got a shout-out. And for good reason.
“I worked with Helen Mirren, and she said Follow your skill set. What are you good at? Start from there.’”
“And I remember when my youngest was trying to figure out what she should do about college, and I said, ‘You have been videoing every play date that you’ve had since you were seven years old.’ She’d set up the shot, she’d edit it, sync the music. You’re a filmmaker. I said to major in filmmaking for now, and that’ll be a start, and you can do whatever. You know that can offshoot from that. But like, you’re good at it, and you love it and follow your skill set.”
Not only advice Vanessa has held onto, but something she’s passed on to her own children, too - which suggests it’s worth paying attention to.
Different voices and very different advice - but all of it offering something to hold onto. Whether it’s discipline, kindness, resilience or learning to let go, hopefully there’s something in here that will stay with you.
