Rachelle Ann Go leaving ‘Saigon’ but not London

CHILDHOOD memories came rushing back, said Rachelle Ann Go, when she recorded her “Cinderella” song.

“I’M NOT looking for my Prince Charming at this time.”

Before landing the role of jaded bar girl Gigi in the West End revival of “Miss Saigon,” Rachelle Ann Go didn’t see herself as an actress. After almost a year of performing in the musical, and winning best featured actress at the 2014 Broadway UK/West End Awards, the 28-year-old has started to embrace the notion.

“That award inspired me and made me realize that what I’m doing has a purpose,” Rachelle Ann told reporters at a recent press conference. “I didn’t expect this. I’m just chasing my dreams, doing what I love—being recognized is just a bonus.”

Rachelle Ann is “grateful and amazed” that a lot of Filipino artists continue to prove their mettle on the world stage. She couldn’t be prouder for her costar Jon Jon Briones—who plays The Engineer—for receiving a best actor nod from the prestigious Olivier Awards.

“He’s an inspiration,” she told the Inquirer about Jon Jon. “When I’m tired, he comes up and talks to me. He’s like my mentor. Once he said that actors don’t save lives, but we have the ability to touch people. Making someone laugh or cry means so much to us.”

“Miss Saigon” is on extended run at the Prince Edward Theatre until the end of the year, but Rachelle Ann said she was not prolonging her stint. Her last show is on May 9. However, she may stay in London to try out for other West End musicals. “If I don’t get into another production, I may come back home and explore other options.”

Project offers

“Miss Saigon” certainly helped put Rachelle Ann’s name out there. The former singing tilt champion continues to receive project offers outside of her regular work. She was recently tapped by Walt Disney Studios Southeast Asia to star in the music video of “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes”—one of the songs in the live-action “Cinderella” film.

She related: “Walt Disney Southeast Asia flew to London, and we recorded the song and shot the video on my day off. It was a full production. I felt like I was in Hollywood!” The “Miss Saigon” company was fully supportive of the gig, she added. “It’s great because, prior to ‘Saigon,’ I did ‘Little Mermaid’ and ‘Tarzan’ on stage.”

Memorable

The recording and video shoot was also memorable, Rachelle Ann said, because, “They flew my mom in as a ‘gift.’ She turned up at the recording studio. I was so happy; it felt like I was floating.” Childhood memories came rushing back, she said, as she worked on the song and video.

The music video premiered on Disney Channel and Disney Channel Asia YouTube Channel on March 7. The movie, which stars Lily James, Richard Madden and Cate Blanchett, opened in local cinemas on March 12.

Favorite princess

Cinderella has always been Rachelle Ann’s favorite Disney princess, and not just because she wanted to wear glass slippers. She explained: “I can relate to her story. Like Cinderella, I’m a dreamer who had to deal with naysayers pulling me down and telling me I couldn’t do it. But I didn’t let those people affect me; I just kept dreaming and working hard.”

But unlike Cinderella, Rachelle Ann has yet to find her Prince Charming. “But I’m not looking for love right now. My career is taking up all of my time. Or maybe I should first find glass slippers to wear,” she quipped.

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