Marisa Abela On The Daunting Task Of Portraying Amy Winehouse In “Back To Black”

[@mjpb1992]

Saw the film yesterday. Marisa was STUNNING as Amy, I found myself forgetting it wasn't actually her. I think we are gonna see great things from this young woman.

[@JusticeConstantine]

How amazing of Marisa Abela to still stick to being in this role even though she didn't know she would be singing Amy Winehouse's songs in the film. Great interview Stephen.

[@jennifers17]

She did sing, but being just like Amy Winehouse was amazing! I saw another interview that said she did sing and took drama in school, this she had to practice daily to get that voice down. She took the entire persona! AmazingAmazing

[@jennifers17]

She said she went went to Guildhall school of music and acting. Pretty famous people out of there. She trained for this. Amazing actor

[@forestdukes7545]

#SAVECINDY❤ #OSCARS2026❤✨🏆✨

[@jeffsheppard1236]

Wow I see now why Marisa was so incredible to me in the way she portrayed Amy…she’s clearly a wonderful human being

[@donnaparks5815]

Amy really had some magic and it feels right for Marisa to phrase it, “capture Amy’s magic.”

[@medelinejs1173]

She is so beautiful and I felt Amy’s pain and glee in the movie. Thank you for bring her back to life for a bit~

[@adrianreyes8135]

Just saw the film and she really knocked it out of the park!!! Beautiful movie and performance

[@dodgers1401]

Just saw it. She did really great! I hope she gets nominated for an Oscar. You could tell she worked hard to nail this role.

[@DrownSodaMejia]

Just saw the movie and thought she did a GREAT JOB❤❤❤, in some scenes she looked and captured the essence of Amy

[@DuffyChy]

She did amazing! Kudos for you girl, you killed it ✨✨

[@JanMorsø]

The *World of The Arts,* is truly where souls can flourish. Great work, Marisa. So sad Amy left, so soon.

[@mendozaartstudio]

The film really needs to be recognized for the acting from the entire cast.

[@mariosanchezgumiel7757]

Agreed!

[@luisrtorres513]

Agreed. Despite how people feel about the movie, I found the acting to be incredible. Marisa’s portrayal as Amy was amazing. The mannerisms and accent was so on point!

[@AthanImmortal]

I liked the movie clip, however terrified she was initially she nailed it.

[@MarkoTiano]

I just seen the film and i think the film was great and Marisa was superb. I was very surprised how well she imitated Amy's singing voice, definitely a great actress and a great singer. RIP A. Winehouse.

[@laissacosta4267]

I saw this filme today, Marisa was amazing perfoming Amy. Her voice, her head movements, her walking... I lived the Amy's atmosphere again. I still loves the artist that she was. ♥

[@zamb323]

Have seen this film Twice and it’s a wonderful Tribute to Amy.

[@cinderellaasmr]

This movie was AMAZING! ❤she and the rest of the cast really made me feel what they were feeling. The way she interpreted Amy and her voice was perfection.

[@jjjb4501]

The performance was simply epic and authentic and Oscar worthy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@petejames415]

You don’t see these comments coming up on Madame Web do you? They’re paying for these ludicrous fake comments. How can this person loose the Razzie to Dakota Johnson.

[@warwicks2780]

Came for the Amy, stayed for the Marisa.

[@444madziia]

LITERALLY

[@tamaramontgomery631]

Loved Amy Winehouse !!❤😢

[@Sisteryoda1440]

Just saw this movie; blown away. Was unfamiliar with Amy’s music but I want to look into it after seeing this.

[@thesisuteam]

I miss Amy! Great talent 👍👏😅

[@s_.777]

she would’ve hated this.

[@pam0626]

I love her in Industry. Can’t wait to see this film.

[@beadsy-dl5up]

She is a BRILLIANT singer in this movie

[@ninami2024]

Singer yes actrice for this role no . Sorry

[@beadsy-dl5up]

@@ninami2024 She is NOT an actrice whatever that is

[@RM-Shared]

@@ninami2024you meant actress? Firstly learn how to write lol! She’s a great actress! Why didn’t you go to do it lol

[@evelynmenil1794]

This made me emotional idk why. It's touching how dedicated she was for her role as Amy❤.

[@BatmanHQYT]

I absolutely love her in Industry.

[@nataliejademermaid]

Cannot wait to see this! Marisa, you are beautiful, talented, and brave!

[@Tormund_Giantsbrain]

I'm in love with her.

[@darnitthelma4247]

I thought she did an amazing job! Saw it last night wow! Jack who played Blake was phenomenal too!

[@josefshopovich7584]

She's very nice. I'm happy to hear the movie will be available digitally starting on May 27

[@lto11159]

I watch industry and I like Marisa as yasmin. For Back to Black I think because we put amy on such high pedestal I feel like we think there’s no one can perfectly capture her as a person but Marisa did her best and we shouldnt be too cruel towards her. I personally looking forward to see more of her acting / movie projects.

[@richardjones4080]

Marisa and her fellow cast members were absolutely spectacular

[@trepabeard]

I’m watching this movie right now. She is amazing!! I didn’t know she was singing the songs too! She definitely needs an award for this movie.

[@flaviacohim1562]

god, she's GORGEOUS.

[@ScottLulu]

She was amazing in this role and her season 3 performance in Industry will surely get her an Emmy nomination if not win. Industry season 3 was great

[@sw_fit50s]

She was unreal in the role, she was just so good ❤

[@isabellaimports-iprofumidi7062]

She's amazing in Industry and should have been nominated for an Emmy

[@sparkesman1980]

Saw the film yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed it,, voice was spot on...... cannot understand why so many people have criticized it so much......get a life for God sake

[@thejoker.nation]

marisa abela did everything she could for this role and she did such a good job

[@morgenthaler]

She's delightful. And she looks like a beautiful mix between Madonna and Julia Louis-Dreyfus

[@bryanergau6682]

You just dated yourself HARD.

[@bryanergau6682]

You're right though.

[@boathousejoed1126]

yes, I was getting JLD vibes from her. Shes charming.

[@effdonahue6595]

@@bryanergau6682you said hard, heheh he, Beavis

[@melanies.6030]

​@@bryanergau6682So did you.

[@robertashton8942]

I am so much in love with Marisa, and not because of her role as Amy Winehouse but rather her role as Jasmine in Industry. She is one of the sexiest girls on TV. She drives me crazy. I watch Industry on HBO just for her alone. She is stunningly beautiful.

[@HelenAlcover-xy6gh]

I watched the film and I was impressed. People are really being hard on her and the film. She is really good.

[@rena7123]

I loved her in the movie🖤

[@sophieyang3781]

What a beautiful actress and I'm glad to know her from the movie. Does anyone else feel that she looks like Rachel Weisz from some angles

[@alejor255]

Her hard work showed off !

[@WheresReis]

Absolutely amazing performance. Felt like Amy!!!

[@roncarp]

Amazing interview.... Such an art

[@Mexicanita1904]

This movie was really good. Marisa became Amy. Her singing was amazing!

[@mariosanchezgumiel7757]

I didn't know who she was until I saw her in the movie. Her performance is simply superb.

[@anastasiabeaverhausen8220]

That was a sweet and charming interview of someone you just met, Stephen. Well done.

[@lavatr8322]

I would shy away even if she looks at me. ᴵᵐ ²⁷ ʸʳ ᵒˡᵈ ᵐᵃⁿ ᵇᵗʷ

[@davehoward22]

Thats his job.

[@siulumlion]

My friend was in London trying to find the Shaftsbury Arms hotel, and someone mentioned it was on Gower St., and he said "Ongowa street, like in Tarzan?"

[@Magensrael2024]

she did a good job i dont know how her real life was behind the scene but from what i seen of her life on the camera and her voice was craaazy she sounded kinda just like her she was a blast in the movie big ups!!!

[@Tormund_Giantsbrain]

I have the biggest crush on both her and Harry lawtey.

[@dielaughing73]

Movie was great and she was spellbinding. I didn't know her story so i can't comment on that side of it but it was very enjoyable

[@alexandermatthewsmusic]

Marisa was great in Amy's film... I cried a bit at the opening few scenes seeing Amy so happy in her parents house and I know there was criticism for glancing over a few issues of Amy's life but I'm glad I didn't have to cry again in that movie I never liked those tough times... Undeniable but I like to remember her happy... So unsure sitting down to that film but I guess thanks to all involved I think they went about it the right way... I think Marissa said Amy's death was a trauma? For the country and god knows there's no need for another one at this point.... For me at least ha thanks Marisa 🥰

[@viktoriyapapayani4165]

This girl is brilliant.

[@cinne2135]

Great interview, Stephen.

[@nowthenzen]

Taking on an icon and cautionary tale like this is really quite something.

[@NuovaLex-hb5zf]

Great actress!!!!!!

[@MakapoluEsq]

She did a great job. The movie was very well done.

[@NusretTaras-kp9mv]

Great Interview

[@xyPERSON]

Most of the reviews I read for this film commended Marisa Abela for her performance as Amy Winehouse but criticized the film overall because it focused far too much on her toxic marriage to her husband and not nearly enough on her artistic talent. Also, there was an issue with how her father was portrayed in the film as caring and loving when in reality he used her fame and notoriety to benefit himself.

[@radamschannel6883]

Loved it

[@davidthomas-ot4cl]

Marisa is amazing in the film! She sings nearly as good as Amy. It's an enjoyable film, go see it! You'll come out singing all of the songs!

[@davidthomas-ot4cl]

@hairiseverything compared to her later years Marisa actually sings better.

[@studio500]

The movie was GREAT!!! 👏👏👏👏👏❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️

[@eclectickimmer]

It sounds weird to write this, but it's STILL too soon for me. Amy moved me so deeply that I have no interest in someone playing her.

[@SJC49]

They are honouring her memory! Why in the world is it too soon for YOU? How long would you like them to wait - 20, 30 years?

[@linamarie84]

People who are true Amy Winehouse fans know that Marissa did not do her Justice in the film. You are entitled to like it and then there are others of us who are entitled not to like it. End of story

[@linamarie84]

They did not honor her memory whatsoever. The movie dropped off in the middle of nowhere and focused solely on her drug & alcohol use nothing else. That's my opinion which is obvious but I'll just say that so that it's not repeat it as if it's not. Oh and lastly there's a difference between dislike and hate just FYI

[@EuphratesGermaine]

Yeah you should check out the documentary titled "Amy"

[@lindaward3156]

can't wait, I really liked Amy Winehouse, she brought a new kind of music in this boomer's life and that was unusual for me. I was disheartened when i found out the news, a loss for all of us

[@mkhtarhosiny9291]

❤ cuteeeeeee boy

[@britturk123]

She was Amy, and did it very well.

[@mummatinx]

I was nervous to watch this movie because Amy was so unique and powerful but omg. She played the part superbly. Can't wait to start watching it again. My only criticism is the portrayal of Amy's dad as loving and nurturing, when in reality, he was a money grabbing sad excuse of how a dad should be. Otherwise, all the actors were phenomenal 👏

[@virginia5618]

Moving story. Amazing acting and Marissa deserves an Oscar! ❤

[@leejones8582]

She is pretty

[@jimmyog]

I never expected her to do the role with justice, but she was uncanny

[@rabnori4836]

WoW! ❤

[@eitafilmes4959]

Amooooooooo

[@speakoutsmith2072]

Her impression of an American accent is spot on!

[@lavatr8322]

Where is it , put the timestamp

[@speakoutsmith2072]

@@lavatr8322 um... I thought she's an American who impersonated an English person (Amy Winehouse)

[@hoover728]

What? You seem a bit confused.

[@gabifgt]

watched the movie two nights ago, and was surprised by how much i loved her performance. didn't feel like a skit, and there were times she looked exactly like amy. she's also a fantastic singer. i just hated the script, it wasn't truthful at all.

[@dale4039]

Marisa Abela is #wifegoals she's a goddess she's painfully gorgeous her smile is killer

[@ChloeH369]

i think she did AMAZING in her role. but i do think the costume team/director maybe fell short with the costume for amy. amy was soooo real and raw imperfectly perfect in her way.

[@Mgh-r]

Be careful dear stivie 😂😂😂😂❤❤❤ guess what for 😂😂❤

[@leagarner3675]

Somehow that doesn't ring true for me that she didn't know that she would be singing Amy. Or that she didn't know she could do it. C'mon, its iconic and she was oblivious? Doubt it.

[@linamarie84]

I agree completely. Also in another interview she doesn't even know what she's talking about and rambles on about how she had to really hone in to y Amy Winehouse or eyeliner and things like that because maybe she was hiding behind a mask and was just trying to make something profound other nothing. She talks about not singing in public but then auditioning for a role where she's playing a singer but then says that she didn't know she was going to sing and then goes on to say how they could have used Amy but then she wanted to sing.. People are very strange sometimes.

[@hoover728]

In many musician biopics they just lip sync to the original recordings. Not sure why y’all are turning this into a big conspiracy.

[@leagarner3675]

Ignore the Troll. The only one triggered is hoover.

[@hoover728]

@@leagarner3675 Triggered? Troll? Lol. Just a voice of reason.

[@jennifers17]

She was in another interview. She was in Guildhall school for music and acting. That's public singing. She certainly wasn't just singing a few karaoke songs. It was more than that. It's amazing! She took that persona ! Great singing & acting

[@LauraSkellington21]

RADA is one of the best schools a really great school so many people been in there including the great legend/icon Alan rickman but the American was anne hathaway paul rudd and many more do im still trying to decide for the American one or the royal one in london

[@samsong24]

She was great. The film was ho-hum, but her performance was committed and strong.

[@drstevenrey]

Oh she is so much prettier than the original.

[@forestdukes7545]

#SAVECINDY❤ #OSCARS2026❤✨🏆✨

[@RUNLONG88]

She’s got that Austin Butler Elvis thing still going on with her voice lol

[@asynchronicity]

Tough, tough shoes to fill😮

[@forestdukes7545]

The Princess is in her sabbatical, we need to get her out❤️❤️❤️🎤 #SaveCindy❤️

[@Mgh-r]

❤❤❤❤❤❤😂😂

[@lavatr8322]

If a woman with that accent and such modest clothing came towards me ... I'm done, I I gonna be weak ..... my heart would gush out

[@guitartoneSA]

She was brilliant. 👋👋👋 And of course Amy, fuck, 😓, why did so many musical legends pass on at age 27. No doubt Amy and Jimi Hendrix are jamming right now.

[@jennifers17]

So, she did get up and sing. Guildhall school wouldn't give weekly lessens to someone who was tone deaf. Was she in the Barbie movie... they did ask people to try out. So she sang just needed to learn Amy and her style. She looks and sounds much like her already! She did public singing, I saw her say it on another interview

[@KirillPopov-d2m]

Хорошенькая Дама 👍❤️🚩

[@LanceHall-m3n]

The movie got a lot of negative press, but I have to say that Marisa absolutely captured the essence of Amy Winehouse. Not easy shoes (or should I say f$&@ me pumps) to fill.

[@petejames415]

It’s called a slipper hun and her big ass foot couldn’t even get a toe in! And the Oscar goes to….. Amy Amy Amy🎉

[@petra-c6p]

This film feels like a cheap telenovela that revolves solely around one aspect of Amy's life - her love for Blake Fielder-Civil. However, I expect a musician biopic to tell me the development of the artist and their music. Amy Winehouse was funny, highly intelligent, brutally honest and, especially at an early age, a self-confident young woman who developed her own style and musical style. With Back to Black she achieved the fame she never wanted, and which was later responsible for her death, among other things. As a fan, you were horrified to see how her bulimia, the press, her drug and alcohol addiction and an environment that did not protect her but continued to exploit her (Mitch, her father, Raye Cosbert, her manager, Blake Fielder-Civil, her (Ex )-husband), drove her to her death. Amy Winehouse had a complicated personality that the film doesn't do justice to. Here Amy is shown as a self-absorbed and aggressive woman who doesn't evoke any sympathy from me. All of the characters are extremely one-dimensional; most of them don't even have any external resemblance to the living people. Except Mitch Winehouse, who in the film, unlike in real life, is always at her side. Marisa really tries to make the most of the role, but at no point did I buy Amy from her. Her vocal performance is also passable, it's a good thing Amy's music wasn't used, it would have been sacrilege. Important stages in Amy's life are simply left out (the recordings with Mark Ronson in New York of Back to Black - after all, the title of the film) or the Dap-Kings (her backing band in the USA). When she receives the Grammys, her acceptance speech simply omits her words: for my Blake, who is in jail. And so it goes on, it's twisted, times are changed, important events are misrepresented, e.g. it wasn't Blake who brought her to the girl groups, but Amy discovered her on her own, as did the iconic Beehive that came from her, and not, as in Portrayed in the film by her grandmother Cynthia. Blake's arrest took place in a different apartment, etc. Add to that the countless mistakes in the clothing and shoes, it all just seems cheap. The biggest outrage occurs at the end of the film: Amy had written Back to Black about Blake when he left her and she slipped into depression. Here it is presented as if the song had to do with her grandmother's death! The entire film shows how little respect or knowledge the producers have for Amy and her music. I can only recommend Asif Kapadia's film: Amy - The Girl behind the Name to everyone, which showed Amy as she was. There are also many good concerts of hers on KZbin such as the North Sea Jazz Festival (2004) or Dingle (2006).

[@scratchydemus]

Wow. I was wondering when the Mark Ronson part was coming. They left that out. Marisa didn't manage to capture Amy's essence initially but did so in the middle of the film when she got the beehive hair style. Her accent was questionable at times but she did a decent job playing Amy Winehouse 👏

[@RUNLONG88]

Amy would have HATED this lol

[@StewChicken42]

Mf'er look like a young Rachel Weisz... I'm in love 😍

[@melanies.6030]

Really? That why you called her a "Mf'er"?

[@StewChicken42]

@@melanies.6030 lol, you misunderstand me (but that's understandable). I didn't mean it in any other way than "DAAAAAMN!", but that didn't come across well. 🤷🏽‍♂

[@juliaellman3273]

This film is really bad. Look at AMY instead, that is a gem!

[@ratsarehot0]

they did good lmfao

[@petejames415]

I recently learned that Marisa Abela’s agent is Saskia Mulder who apparently turned down Amy Dawson for representation on her first job in the West End…..

[@forestdukes7545]

#YOURFOOTS2BIGDRIZELLA❤ #YOUSHALLGOTOTHEBALLCINDY❤❤❤❤❤❤🏆🎤🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤

[@delivrex]

who else knows her from Five Dates?