Jesus Christ Superstar || Stellar Perry

The Fame Reporter interviewed incredible performer, Stellar Perry. She is starring in the spectacular musical Jesus Christ Superstar playing at Lyric Theatre, QPAC from 29 June. Stellar is a Soul Singer and part of the ensemble in the show.

Stellar auditioned for Australian Idol and made it to the top 14, which she subsequently bettered with The X Factor making it to the top 9. She auditioned for The Voice and true to form, brought her honesty, heart and individuality and formed a very obvious bond with her coach Delta Goodrem. Stellar made it to the grand finale and won a new legion of fans.

2022 marked a change in direction for Stellar Perry successfully auditioning for the role of Oberon in The Lovers, directed by Shaun Rennie and produced by Bell Shakespeare at The Sydney Opera House. This new direction culminated with Stellar being cast as Magenta in the 50th anniversary Rocky Horror Show which toured nationally in 2023/24.

We had the exciting opportunity to sit down with Stellar and talk about her incredible music career, international touring stories, her role in Jesus Christ Superstar, and more.

Stellar, you’ve been performing from a very young age, with a diverse range of experiences from touring internationally to appearing on The Voice. What initially sparked your love for music, and how did your early years shape your approach to your career?
I’ve loved music and singing since I can remember. I loved writing songs and often wrote stage management directions from when I was 8. It’s just the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do.

You’ve had an impressive journey from Star Struck to X Factor and The Voice. How did each of these platforms shape your growth as an artist, and what did you learn from each experience?
I didn’t learn much from the shows themselves, rather from the people you meet along the way. Susie Ahern was the vocal coach in star stuck and became somewhat of a mentor in later years.

Having performed internationally in places like Germany, England, and Japan at such a young age, how did these cultural experiences influence your sound and artistic development?
As much as I love travelling and experiencing different cultures, I’m much more influenced by current affairs and relationships with people. I’m mostly inspired by matters of the heart.

You’ve been involved in dance and electronic music with producers like Jus Jack and Jolyon Petch. How does your experience in those genres complement your role in musical theatre, particularly in Jesus Christ Superstar?
Performing in a musical and toplining for a producer are worlds apart. Night and day. In theatre it’s all about consistency and trying to deliver the same show 8 times a week.

When you’re writing in a recording studio you’re trying to come up with as many different hooks until you find the one that grabs you, and go from there.

Having as much experience as possible in any part of the music industry helps.

You’re currently part of the ensemble in Jesus Christ Superstar at QPAC. What drew you to this particular production, and how does your experience as a Soul Singer tie into the musical’s themes?
I was working with the same production company (crossroads) and had been told I should audition, I knew a few of the people id be working with so jumped at the chance. During rehearsals was when I actually fell in love with the show and material.

The soul singers to me are the backing vocalist of the band. Mary, Jesus, Judas and Simon are the lead singers and tell the story. The soul singers bring the VIBE.

Jesus Christ Superstar has been a beloved production for decades. How do you interpret your role in the ensemble, and what’s been the most exciting or challenging part of being involved in this iconic show?
We worked hard in the rehearsal room to approach each song with the right intention. If you’re telling a story with your heart, your tone often matches

In Jesus Christ Superstar, you’ll be sharing the stage with many talented performers. How does collaborating with such a diverse and experienced cast influence your own performance?
Every cast member inspires me to do and be my best on a daily basis by being professional, caring and talented. They’re all so hard working that it’s impossible to not be positively affected by that.

Your recent roles, including Oberon in The Lovers and Magenta in The Rocky Horror Show, reflect a shift toward more theatrical performances. How has your acting experience influenced your music and vice versa?
I’ve been very lucky to get every role as they’ve all given me the chance to grow as an actor and as a performer. I’m not sure either have an influence on each other. I wear one hat for one, and another hat for the other.

How do you balance your passion for musical theatre with your personal music projects? Are there any future plans for new releases or performances outside of your theatre work?
In the past, not very well! I have found the musical theatre world to be all consuming. Now that I’m in the ensemble, I have more time, energy and headspace. I just released a single on the 20th of Jan. It’s called The Scorpion.

What’s the most memorable moment from your international touring days, and how does that experience compare to your life on stage now in Australia?
It’s times like this I WISH I had a better memory! In all honesty, there’s isn’t one special moment. Every moment on stage connecting with people or being afforded the luxury of taking someone’s mind off of this crazy world we live in, for 2 minutes or 2 hours.

I relish every single moment in the moment but rarely reflect once they’ve passed.

What is the most rewarding aspect of performing in a production like Jesus Christ Superstar, and how does it compare to your previous musical projects in terms of personal fulfillment and artistic expression?
There’s something wonderful about being in the show and telling arguably one of the oldest stories and known around the world. It’s deep, heavy, relevant still and evokes emotions. I’m enjoying how different it is to Rocky Horror.