Australian born, London-based Alison Jiear is a hugely popular concert and cabaret artist and musical theatre diva. Many Brand g guests have been lucky enough to have seen Alison’s phenomenal performances on some of our cruises. She is as at home fronting a world famous orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall as she is performing in small intimate jazz venues such as Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club.
Alison moved to London as an original a member of Motown girl group, The Fabulous Singlettes, starring in their own West End show, and supporting Tom Jones and Shirley Bassey.
Alison has a long list of theatre credits to her name and originated the pole-dancing role of Shawntel in Jerry Springer: The Opera (Royal National Theatre and Cambridge Theatre) for which she received a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical and created the global dance hit ‘I Just Wanna F*****g Dance’.
As a soloist, Alison has appeared with the Hallé Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, London Concert Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Concert Orchestra and Big Band. Alison was the opening act for the 2009 Sydney Mardi Gras.
Alison featured in the motion picture Being Julia alongside Annette Bening and appeared in the 2012 Les Misérables film. As a session singer, Alison has sung on countless television themes, commercials and film soundtracks such as Shrek 2, Lion King 3 and Mission Impossible, to name a few.
Having known Alison for a great many years, I know that she is quite fussy as to who can peer into her porthole. Thankfully, Alison loosened up after a couple of glasses of champagne and I was given an ALL ACCESS pass. So, come with me as I explore the depths of this divaliscious artist.
Let’s begin before she changes her mind !
What’s your favorite part of your job?
Getting to work all over the world and being creative with a wide range of musicians, from jazz quartets to orchestras. Nothing beats the thrill of standing beside talented musicians and making music.
What was your most embarrassing performance moment?
Jerry Springer the Opera in London, 2004 – I’d been to the dentist at 4pm to have a crown done. Fine … the anesthetic will wear off by show time, right? Not so. I walked out onstage to sing I JUST WANNA F**KING DANCE at 7:45pm and my lips were still so numb, that every time I tried to sing the F word, my lips just vibrated uncontrollably … the ensemble were in stitches, I was in stitches, which made it even MORE difficult to sing. It was an epic fail!!!! Note to self – don’t go to the dentist on a show day!
What is your favorite travel destination?
Sitges, Paris, Australia of course, and anywhere with Brand g Vacations…
What’s your favorite song/music/character to perform?
Song – You’ll Never Walk Alone because it connects me to my late father.
Music – anything by Ella Fitzgerald
Character – Shawntel in Jerry Springer the Opera
Who was most influential in your career?
My secondary school headmistress said to me “You’ll never make it as a singer, Jiear”. My music teacher Miss Seto disagreed … she prepped me for an audition at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music. I got in, and the rest, as they say, is history. It just takes ONE person to believe in you, to guide the way for you to succeed.
Where in the world would you like to live if you moved?
If I could take my children with me, Currumbin Australia.
What do you most love about Brand g Vacation guests?
What’s not to love? I like that the cruises are more intimate than a large cruise, so you get to know the guests a lot more easily. Everyone’s so up for having a good time, but the clientele are somewhat more refined than on the larger cruises. I love that the guests come from such a wide range of backgrounds, and live such interesting lives. Brand g guests also appreciate the entertainment that’s brought to them, which makes it such an enjoyable experience as a performer.
What is the most embarrassing job you ever had?
Do you really think I get embarrassed? I’ve sung on everything from a Tampax commercial to being the voice of “Cheese Strings” (Mmmmm, Healthy….) but the award must go to a commercial I starred in for Burger King. I was straddling a cannon with a BK flag coming out of my ‘hoop’. Well a girl has to eat….
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What would you be if you could be anything? I’d simply be me.
What is your greatest extravagance?
My closet full of evening gowns and accessories. 🙂 Though I still have room in my ample closets for a few more dresses, and of course, more diamonds would not go amiss. I do love dressing up.
What one thing would you want people to know about you?
Whilst I have always used my voice to connect with people as a singer, I also use my voice as a Civil Celebrant officiating all types of ceremonies; weddings, funerals and everything in between. I love doing this just as much as my singing. It’s such a great vocation.
So, if any of you want to get hitched on or off the trip or are planning a proposal, she can be reached at her Civil Celebrant Website
Alison, how does it feel to be one of an elite group of actors to be nominated for an Olivier award?
Being nominated for your craft is simply amazing. It took years and years of study and practice to hone my performance skills, and that never stops. The list of Olivier nominated actors is impressive, and I am truly honored and humbled to be part of that group. It must be said, though, that I cannot believe that it took for me to be wearing a black leather dress, split to the crotch, swinging around a pole and singing my tits off to get nominated for an Olivier. My grandmother would have been so proud.
But seriously, it is such a privilege, and it’s also great to have an excuse to buy a new frock for the ceremony…
Lastly, you are known for your global dance hit “ I just wanna “F*****G Dance” that is an anthem for the LGBT+ community. How does this make feel?
I am proud to have a song that introduced me to a community that I not only belong to but simply adore. That song has taken me around the world and back and I have met the most extraordinary people because of it.
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If you want more……
You can see Alison Perform LIVE when you sail with Brand g Vacations in 2021. Alison will be a signature entertainer in September on our Bucharest to Budapest Danube River Cruise accompanied by her musical director, Clive Dunstall. You can also see Alison perform on our on our Panama Canal Royal Clipper Sailing. in November.
Alison has recorded four albums; Simply Alison Jiear; Forgiveness’ Embrace; and In Your Eyes: Live at Pizza on the Park and her most recent, Inspirational with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Her singles In addition, she has 3 singles, her latest “Bless the Lord” from the recent London Cast Recording of Godspell, her tribute to Xanadu, as a follow up to her cult club hit, ‘I Just Wanna F*****G Dance’.
All available on iTunes; to Download Alison’s music HERE
