Irish popstar Ronan Keating is used to globe-trotting to perform. But even by the singer’s own standards his trip to Cannes to support the market debut of Australian-set musical comedy Goddess in the Marche du Film of his acting debut shows impressive commitment.
The Irish musician, currently a judge on the X-Factor in Australia, jumped on a plane after finishing up the auditions shows, flying via Singapore and London overnight, to get to Cannes to help create a song and dance for buyers.
But Keating, who has never been to Cannes before, is keen to add more film turns to his showbiz career and hopes that is inaugural screen performance will give him an in for more.
“Music is my love and life and I will never stop that,” Keating told THR between planes. “But this film is my foot in the door and I can’t wait to get there [Cannes] and support this film.”
Keating, who has had numerous hits and recorded a version of “When You Say Nothing At All” for the Julia Roberts starrer Notting Hill which hit the U.K. number one spot, is passionate about moving into the movies. But he doesn’t know what to expect from the film industry. “I imagine it is quite like the music industry,” Keating wonders.
The movie’s lead, Broadway star Laura Michelle Kelly is also traveling the French Riviera for the first time.
She told THR she is looking forward to the “fun and hard work” she is anticipating.
The musical theater star, whose resume boasts Tim Burton‘s Sweeney Todd and Mary Poppins, is also hoping that more movie roles will be a part of her future plans.
“To be honest I’ve got the film bug now,” Kelly said. “I found doing a movie so different to doing Broadway or a West End [London] show. Making a film was really challenging and I can honestly say it was the hardest thing I have ever done. There was a lot of pressure but I had so much fun.”
Directed by Mark Lamprell, Goddess is based on a screenplay by Lamprell and Joanna Weinberg with Judy Morris (co-director of Happy Feet) as musical director. It details the story of a young housewife¹s unexpected path to stardom and fortune who ends up facing a very difficult choice between fame or family.
Sales and finance banner Ealing Metro International is selling the movie that also features Magda Szubanski (TV’s cult comedy Kath & Kim). The project’s executive producers Village Roadshow will distribute the film in both Australia and New Zealand.
