Lauren Drew

Lauren Drew (born 17 February 1993) is a Welsh actress and singer. Known for her work in musical theatre, she won a WhatsOnStage Award and received a Laurence Olivier Award nomination.

Early life Drew was born in Port Talbot and grew up in a working class family. Drew pursued a BTEC National Diploma in Musical Theatre at Neath Port Talbot College before earning a full scholarship to the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, graduating in 2016. That year, Drew was a finalist in the Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year competition alongside Courtney Bowman.

Career Upon graduating from Mountview in 2016, Drew made her professional stage debut in the ensemble of the UK tour of Ghost. This was followed by her West End debut the next year in Kinky Boots at the Adelphi Theatre, and a role in Heathers at The Other Palace in 2018.

Drew played Suzanne in Sweet Charity at the Donmar Warehouse and was the understudy for Eva Perón in Evita at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre in 2019. Drew portrayed Catherine of Aragon on the 2019 UK tour of Six. She would later reprise her role on the 2021 tour of the production as well.

Also in 2021, Drew competed in the tenth series of The Voice UK, auditioning with Jessie J's "Mama Knows Best" to four yeses. She was initially in Anne-Marie's team before being "stolen" by will.i.am. Drew was eliminated in the semi-finals.

Drew returned to Regent's Park Open Air Theatre in 2022 when she played Brooke Wyndham in Legally Blonde. For her performance, Drew was awarded the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Supporting Performer in a Musical. She also played Fantine on the UK tour of Les Misérables. The following year, Drew originated the titular character of the new musical Lizzie, which ran at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester, Southwark Playhouse in London, and had a tour. In 2024, Drew portrayed Céline Dion in the jukebox musical Titanique at the Criterion Theatre.

Theatre Year Title Role Notes 2016 Ghost Ensemble / Molly Jensen (understudy) UK tour 2017 Kinky Boots Ensemble / Nicola Marsden (understudy) Adelphi Theatre, London 2018 Heathers New Wave Girl / Heather Chandler (understudy) / Dance Captain The Other Palace, London 2019 Sweet Charity Suzanne Donmar Warehouse, London Evita Ensemble / Eva Perón (understudy) Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, London 2019–2021 Six Catherine of Aragon UK tour 2022 Legally Blonde Brooke Wyndham Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, London Les Misérables Fantine UK tour 2023 Lizzie Lizzie Borden Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester / UK tour / Southwark Playhouse, London 2024 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Jolene Oaks Concert, London Palladium 2024–2025 Titanique Céline Dion Criterion Theatre, London

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work Result Ref. 2023 WhatsOnStage Awards Best Supporting Performer in a Musical Legally Blonde 2023 BWW UK Awards Best Leading Performer in a New Production of a Musical Lizzie 2025Laurence Olivier AwardsBest Actress in a MusicalTitanique