Jeremy Allen White, widely acclaimed for his Emmy-winning role in The Bear, is taking on a new kind of challenge: embodying rock icon Bruce "The Boss" Springsteen in the upcoming biopic, Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere.
While the actor's intense commitment to his roles is well-known, he recently revealed that this particular part was especially "daunting" for a very specific reason.
In a candid conversation with actor Marc Maron on the WTF podcast, White explained the unexpected source of his anxiety.
"I had not had a lot of experience, or any experience, singing or playing guitar," he admitted.
The musical aspect of the role, a core part of Springsteen's identity, was a significant "gamble."
This echoed a previous interview with the Associated Press, where he described the undertaking as "a leap of faith" for both himself and the film's director, Scott Cooper.
The film, which focuses on the creation of Springsteen's 1982 album Nebraska, required White to not only capture the star's physical presence and emotional depth but also to perform his music.
For this, he turned to celebrity vocal coach Eric Vetro, who has helped other actors transform into musical legends, including Austin Butler for Elvis and Timothée Chalamet for his upcoming Bob Dylan film.
White explained that while he initially got "worked up" trying to mimic Springsteen exactly, a breakthrough came when he received encouragement from The Boss himself.
According to a Yahoo News UK report, White recalled a moment when Springsteen heard one of his pre-recorded tracks and said, "You sound like me, but you're singing the song, you're making the song your own. You've got your connection to the song."
This moment, White said, was a turning point that "released me a little bit from the anxiety" and gave him the permission to find his own truth in the character.
The initial reactions to White's performance have been overwhelmingly positive. At the film's world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival, critics praised his portrayal as "utterly convincing."
Reviews from sources like Deadline and The Wrap noted that White's "hangdog charisma is just right" and that his performance is "steeped in a truth so natural and unforced that by the end of the film you almost forget that he's playing someone else."
Even Springsteen himself has expressed his approval, telling People.com that White was "very, very tolerant" of his presence on set and praising the actor's dedication.
This deep dive into Springsteen's creative process during a pivotal and intensely personal period in his life has already resonated with audiences and critics.
With the film now premiering at festivals and generating significant buzz, it seems that White's anxiety-inducing leap of faith has paid off.
What do you think is the biggest challenge for an actor playing a real-life music icon? Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments below!
While the actor's intense commitment to his roles is well-known, he recently revealed that this particular part was especially "daunting" for a very specific reason.
In a candid conversation with actor Marc Maron on the WTF podcast, White explained the unexpected source of his anxiety.
"I had not had a lot of experience, or any experience, singing or playing guitar," he admitted.
The musical aspect of the role, a core part of Springsteen's identity, was a significant "gamble."
This echoed a previous interview with the Associated Press, where he described the undertaking as "a leap of faith" for both himself and the film's director, Scott Cooper.
The film, which focuses on the creation of Springsteen's 1982 album Nebraska, required White to not only capture the star's physical presence and emotional depth but also to perform his music.
For this, he turned to celebrity vocal coach Eric Vetro, who has helped other actors transform into musical legends, including Austin Butler for Elvis and Timothée Chalamet for his upcoming Bob Dylan film.
White explained that while he initially got "worked up" trying to mimic Springsteen exactly, a breakthrough came when he received encouragement from The Boss himself.
According to a Yahoo News UK report, White recalled a moment when Springsteen heard one of his pre-recorded tracks and said, "You sound like me, but you're singing the song, you're making the song your own. You've got your connection to the song."
This moment, White said, was a turning point that "released me a little bit from the anxiety" and gave him the permission to find his own truth in the character.
The initial reactions to White's performance have been overwhelmingly positive. At the film's world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival, critics praised his portrayal as "utterly convincing."
Reviews from sources like Deadline and The Wrap noted that White's "hangdog charisma is just right" and that his performance is "steeped in a truth so natural and unforced that by the end of the film you almost forget that he's playing someone else."
Even Springsteen himself has expressed his approval, telling People.com that White was "very, very tolerant" of his presence on set and praising the actor's dedication.
This deep dive into Springsteen's creative process during a pivotal and intensely personal period in his life has already resonated with audiences and critics.
With the film now premiering at festivals and generating significant buzz, it seems that White's anxiety-inducing leap of faith has paid off.
What do you think is the biggest challenge for an actor playing a real-life music icon? Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments below!
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