Lauren Samuels
Background[edit]
Samuels married David Alvarado in 2021, her maiden name is Lauren Bonner but she adopted the stage name Lauren Samuels for her elder brother, Samuel.[2] She started ballet lessons at age two, began private tutorials at the Hinckley Speech and Drama Studio at seven and started singing lessons at thirteen.[3] She studied Performing Arts at Stratford-upon-Avon College,[4] was a member of Youth Music Theatre UK in 2005 [5] and also studied at the Guildford School of Acting, graduating in 2009.[6]
Discography[edit]
Samuels, along with the other two finalists of Over the Rainbow, recorded a version of "Over the Rainbow" with the intention of the eventual winner's song being made available for purchase shortly after the finale. Hope's recording was originally the only version released, but both Evans' and Samuels' versions of the song were ultimately made available for download on 6 June 2010. She also appeared with the other contestants in a Wizard of Oz medley featured as a b-side on the CD single of Hope's "Over the Rainbow."[15]
Samuels also recorded "Someone You'd Be Proud Of" for the concept album of "The In-Between". The album was released in early 2012.[16]
In 2017 she recorded two songs for the album Wit & Whimsy - Songs by Alexander S. Bermange (one solo and one featuring all of the album's 23 artists), which reached No. 1 in the iTunes comedy album chart.
In 2021, Samuels, alongside former Over the Rainbow finalist Sophie Evans, recorded and released a joint album entitled 'Chasing Rainbows, Finding Judy', which is dedicated to celebrating the life of Judy Garland.
In 2022, Samuels began hosting her own podcast entitled 'A Brit in LA', which sees her interviewing successful people throughout the Hollywood entertainment industry.