Paulini Curuenavuli hits bigtime with lead role in The Bodyguard musical

PAULINI Curuenavuli has shot straight to the top with her first musical theatre role, landing the dream gig of playing Rachael Marron in The Bodyguard.

PAULINI Curuenavuli has shot straight to the top with her first musical theatre role, landing the dream gig of playing Rachael Marron in The Bodyguard.

The 33-year-old singer has idolised the late Whitney Houston since she first saw her play the lead in the Hollywood film of the same name back in 1992.

Paulini Curuenavuli’s first musical theatre role is a big one after landing the role of Rachael Marron in The Bodyguard. Picture: Richard Dobson

“I can’t believe it, it is sinking in slowly,” Curuenavuli told Confidential.

“Whitney and Mariah (Carey) were my biggest influences growing up. I would watch them all the time. It wasn’t about anything happening around them, they demanded attention when they would get up on stage and that is what I have always wanted when I get up and perform.”

She added: “It is only going to make me a better performer. People might be shocked but it isn’t too far from what I do already. I love Whitney and sing her songs in my set so it makes sense.”

The Bodyguard will have its Australian stage premiere at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre on April 22.

The show will be the first time acting on stage for Curuenavuli who is much more used to the singing part of the role. Picture: Veronica Sagredo

Producer John Frost is still casting the lead male, Secret Agent Frank Farmer, which was played by Kevin Costner in the film version.

The stageshow features Houston’s hits, Queen of the Night, So Emotional, One Momen In Time, Saving All My Love, Run to You, I Have Nothing, Greatest Love Of All, I Wanna Dance With Somebody and I Will Always Love You.

The show debuted in London’s West End in December 2012 and has since toured the UK and Irelands, the Netherlands, Cologne, the US and also heads to Canada next year.

While she’s got the singing down, the job marks Curuenavuli’s first time on stage acting.

“It is very different from what I do but I am ready for it,” she said.

“I am nervous and I know it is going to be a challenge but I am absolutely up for it. I am going to be doing a lot of acting classes, working with a few people who are already working on The Bodyguard. And just try and immerse myself with the material.”

Motion Picture, The Bodyguard starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner on which the stage show is based.