Paulini Curuenavuli has less than a month to get ‘show fit’ ahead of show: ‘This is a massive thing’

SINGER Paulini Curuenavuli has her vocals down pat but when it comes to dancing and acting, she’s got her work cut out for her ahead of making her musical theatre debut in The Body Guard.

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PAULINI Curuenavuli has 25 days to get herself “show fit”.

The singer has her vocals down pat but when it comes to dancing and acting, she’s got her work cut out for her ahead of making her musical theatre debut in The Bodyguard.

“You have to be vocally, physically and mentally ready for it,” the singer told The Daily Telegraph.

“The singing is great because I know all of the songs but then there’s acting and dancing, so I am doing everything I can to be show fit and ready.”

Former Australian Idol contestant Paulini Curuenavuli is getting “show fit” as she stars as Whitney Houston in the musical. Picture: Carly Earl

The cast, including Curuenavuli, Kip Gamblin and Prinnie Stevens, are rehearsing six days a week in the lead-up to the first preview performance at the Lyric Theatre on April 21 and opening night on April 27.

Curuenavuli will be seen on stage in the role made famous by the late Whitney Houston in the 1992 Hollywood film, belting out 14 numbers in the two-and-a-half hour show including I Will Always Love You, I Have Nothing and Run To You.

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Young actors who will all star as Fletcher in the new musical The Bodyguard pictured with Paulini. L to R, Rome Champion, Tyrese Medina, Paulini Curuenavuli, Chetachi Nwaogazi and Joshua Scott. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“It still hasn’t quite sunk in that I’ve got the role,” she said. “What an amazing debut into musical theatre.

“For me personally, this is such a massive thing and it really has encouraged me in so many ways. I have done a lot but this to me is good for the soul.”

She will be rehearsing up to six times a day in the lead up to the first show. Picture: Carly Earl

Curuenavuli has to be fit as well to ensure she’s able to keep up with the high pace of eight shows a week. “I run a lot and am doing a lot of interval training for my breathing,” she said.