I have to say, with theater and a lot of the shows on Broadway right now that there are lots of quick costume changes during the show. This might be just for musical theater actors reading this. Can you tell us about how playing Young Nala helped you prepare for the starring role as Annie? This is not your first time in a musical. One of my favorite songs from Annie Live!, one that I don’t sing is “Easy Street.” My favorite song that I get to sing as Annie is “I Don’t Need Anything But You.” I’m very into this song because it gives very much 80’s pop and it’s a really different sound. My favorite song right now is “The Only Heartbreaker” by Mitski.
You are a talented singer and have to do a lot of singing in this role. I’d say my favorite was the 2014 version, mainly because it was the one most in my era and the one I grew up with. I had never seen the 1982 version, so I had to make sure I had the character and personality down. I watched all three of them to study for the role.
I learned it really does take time and patience none of this happens overnight.ĭid you watch any of the Annie movies? Which was your favorite? This was a process I’d never experienced before it was like an auction every two weeks until I got the role. All I was thinking about was Annie Live! between each audition. It was an emotional rollercoaster for me. The audition for Annie Live! audition process was one of the longest audition processes I’ve ever been on. There was a nationwide search to find the next Annie. Never in a million years did I think I’d be playing Annie. I’ve never shared this, but when my mom asked if I wanted to do the audition, I was watching Hidden Figures, so I said ‘yeah.’ I knew I should audition. Even when I got the news that I got an audition, I was bouncing off the walls. Playing Annie was not what I was expecting at all. as Daddy Warbucks, Nicole Scherzinger as Grace, and Tituss Burgess as Rooster.ĮBONY caught up with the young actress and chatted with her about playing the role of a lifetime.ĮBONY: Did you ever think you’d play Annie?Ĭelina Smith: Not really. Henson as Miss Hannigan, Harry Connick Jr. Now, she’s starring as the title role in the NBC’s Annie Live!, alongside a star-studded ensemble: Taraji P. The Atlanta native got her acting start as Young Nala in the national touring company of The Lion King and currently plays Rebecca on Tyler Perry’s Young Dylan series. At the age of 12, Celina Smith is already an award-nominated multi-hyphenate talent.