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I’m in Covent Garden with my fiancé, Thom Evans, near the theatres, which is super convenient for work. Everything’s on your doorstep here — every kind of food, little shops, boutiques. It’s got a lot of character. It’s perfect for my family, who are coming a long way to stay. I turned on the Christmas lights for Covent Garden, which was really exciting. I’ve been in London a lot in the past, for Cats, for The X Factor, so I’m used to it.
Where do you stay in London?
I really love the Rosewood. I’ve spent a lot of time there. I’m also close to the NoMad; I’ve had a lovely Sunday roast there, it’s beautiful. I love the decorations.
Where do you recommend for a first date?
I love The Maine Mayfair. You’ve got the music, it’s got a vibe: not too big, not too small. It’s got music and entertainment on certain nights. And beautiful food —whether you like seafood or steak. I actually had my cast party there, I like it so much. I do like to try and carve out time for dates; I try to go for dinner at least once a month. I’m trying some new places out: Bacchanalia was really cool, The Twenty Two is lovely and I really like Milos because I love seafood and oysters. I’m a foodie! I would like to go out more, but I do seven shows a week.
“If you have a Japanese toilet, then you are living the good life!”
Which shops do you rely on?
I visited Space NK recently and they had everything in one go. Me and my fiancé love Waitrose, I get a lot of their soups and we buy most of our groceries from there. I did a podcast with Jessie Ware and her mum, and I loved the cheesecake they had — she said that was from Waitrose. I love All Saints because they pad me out with the coolest stuff, and Selfridges and Dover Street Market.
If you could buy any building and live there, which would it be?
The Savoy — I love it. It has a theatre, I would keep art alive and give people opportunities for new plays, new musicals, new works to happen. I would house people and it has a gorgeous view. It all feels very English to me.
What would you do if you were Mayor for the day?
Two things come to mind. First: the kindness rule. You have to be kind and considerate to others. The other one is, I am a really strong advocate for anti-human trafficking. I’d like to educate people more on that, especially with children.
Who is the most iconic Londoner in history?
I think Queen Elizabeth II. Oscar Wilde as well, and then for the modern day, Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Where do you go to let your hair down?
If I want to go to the club and dance, I’ll go to Tape. We went there after my opening cast party at The Maine, we just walked over to it.
What’s your biggest extravagance?
If you have a Japanese toilet, then you are living the good life. I have one at home [in London], thankfully it came with it, but I had to put them in at my house in LA. And I do love some Cartier and Bulgari.
What are you up to at the moment for work?
I am performing in Sunset Boulevard. It’s great, but the hardest work of my life. Theatre is very intense, very demanding. Especially this role, but I feel like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be and I’m getting to utilise every single facet of me and my talent. When Jessica Chastain and James McAvoy came, they said it was one of the best things they’d ever seen — that was mind blowing. Neil Patrick Harris came, my friends Macy Gray and Gary Barlow came to support. That meant a lot.
Who’s your hero?
My professional hero was Prince. I feel like he’s still here with me. I went to him for everything.
