News | Entertainment
13 Jan 2026 20:04
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Jessie Buckley "wasn't well" during her stint on Andrew Lloyd Webber's "bonkers" TV talent show I'd Do Anything

    The 36-year-old actress/singer launched her career in 2008 as a contestant on the reality show which was a competition to win the role of Nancy in a West End production of hit musical Oliver! and she finished in second place behind winner Jodie Prenger - and Jessie has now admitted she struggled during her time on TV.


    She told Vogue magazine: "It's bonkers, in hindsight. I was just likeL 'Oh my God. I get to peek behind this curtain already. I get to sing. I get to be part of this industry that I really was hoping I could be part of.'

    "And I look back at it and I feel like: 'God, you're so brave.' I don't know if I'd have that courage now. And I don't know if that was kind of innocence or ignorance."

    However, her mental health was suffering behind-the-scenes. She added: "[I] was not well fully. I was depressed and I - just wasn't well.

    "There was a lot that was really messed up."

    Jessie went on to reveal she particularly suffered from "a lot of body shaming" adding: "And bringing me to femininity school. And I was growing into my body.

    "I was 17. I was in a moment of discovery. As women, it's such unfair objectification ... Back then, I was just trying to move into a space of myself.

    "I really hope that a 15, 17, whatever-age woman never has to be brutalised quite like what happened on that show. But I didn't recognise it fully at the time. I just felt it, which was difficult."

    After coming second in the competition, she was offered the chance to be Prenger's understudy in Oliver! - and Jessie admits she turned the job down by walking into the office of famed theatre producer Cameron Mackintosh.

    She explained: "I walked to his office, rang the bell and saidL 'Is Cameron Mackintosh here? Thank you, but I won't be taking that job'."

    Jessie went on to book plenty of theatre work and later moved into TV and movies making her film debut in 2017 thriller Beast.

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     13 Jan: Richard Dreyfuss says the USA "can't afford to have a Donald Trump type person in the presidency" because his time in the White house is having a damaging effect on American society
     13 Jan: Chris Pratt's father-in-law Arnold Schwarzenegger gifted him a giant portrait painting of himself dressed as Santa Claus with his three grandchildren
     13 Jan: Cary Elwes was pleased to immerse himself in acting work after losing his home in the California wildfires
     13 Jan: Demi Moore is determined to make others "proud" with her red carpet appearances
     13 Jan: Catherine, Princess of Wales says "nature has helped me heal" in a video to mark her 44th birthday
     13 Jan: Mel C travels around London on Lime bikes
     13 Jan: Jack Osbourne learned from Ozzy Osbourne's "mistakes" as there were times when the late Black Sabbath star "wasn't the greatest parent"
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    The Pittsburgh Steelers are counting on their 42-year-old off-season acquisition to pay dividends in their home NFL playoff wildcard matchup against Houston More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Concern persistent tough economic conditions are impacting young people's employment opportunities More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Richard Dreyfuss says the USA "can't afford to have a Donald Trump type person in the presidency" because his time in the White house is having a damaging effect on American society 19:53

    Entertainment:
    Chris Pratt's father-in-law Arnold Schwarzenegger gifted him a giant portrait painting of himself dressed as Santa Claus with his three grandchildren 19:23

    Rugby:
    The Pittsburgh Steelers are counting on their 42-year-old off-season acquisition to pay dividends in their home NFL playoff wildcard matchup against Houston 18:57

    Entertainment:
    Cary Elwes was pleased to immerse himself in acting work after losing his home in the California wildfires 18:53

    Accident and Emergency:
    Several people have been injured in a two car crash in Rotorua's Hamurana this evening 18:37

    Entertainment:
    Demi Moore is determined to make others "proud" with her red carpet appearances 18:23

    Business:
    Concern persistent tough economic conditions are impacting young people's employment opportunities 18:07

    Cricket:
    23 unanswered points in the final quarter has given the Houston Texans a 30-6 win over Pittsburgh in the final NFL wildcard playoff game 17:57

    Rugby:
    Miracle Faiilagi has outlined the kind of leader he wants to be as Moana Pasifika captain this Super Rugby season 17:57

    Entertainment:
    Catherine, Princess of Wales says "nature has helped me heal" in a video to mark her 44th birthday 17:53


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd