Rocking the lead role in this month's Jem and the Holograms, 21-year-old Aubrey Peeples holds center stage as a tap dancer, too. Here, she talks about her new movie, making her stage debut, and throws out her dream acting part to the universe.
On learning how iconic her latest project is: "I was a '90s kid, so I missed Jem and the Holograms. But once I delved into the whole world of it, I realized it's iconic. There's incredible dancing in the movie, too."
On when she knew she wanted to be a performer: "When I was 4, my parents took me to see a musical and I was like, "I want to do that!" I started doing all sorts of musical camps and a lot of professional theater. I took dance classes for 10 years, too—I was never the most amazing kid in the other classes, but tap stuck with me for some reason."
On her stage debut: "My first role was in the George Gershwin musical Crazy for You at the Orlando Repertory Theatre when I was 11—I grew up in Florida—and I wasn't old enough to be in it, but they let me anyway. I was just this little shrimp in a leotard."
On why she loves to tap dance: "I love the rhythm of tap dancing. It's sharp and quick. Plus, the sound is very appealing."
On the secret behind tapping: "The complicated moves are mostly composed of easy steps, so you just put them all together and the next thing you know … I mean, I'm not Nigel Lythgoe [from] or anything."
On tapping's old-fashioned aesthetic appeal: "I have always wanted black-and-white wing-tip oxford tap shoes. But they stopped making them! One day, I'm determined to find a pair."
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
On her dream role: "I still tap whenever I can. I'm always that person, tap-dancing down the aisle in the grocery store. ENCORE! I really, really hope they bring back Heathers: The Musical—I'd love to play Veronica. Just throwing that out there, universe!"
This article appears in the October 2015 issue of Marie Claire, on newsstands now.
Follow Marie Claire on Instagram for the latest celeb news, pretty pics, funny stuff, and an insider POV.
-
Meryl Streep Reveals That Skinnydipping at 5 O'Clock In the Morning Is Something Her ‘Big Little Lies’ Co-Star Nicole Kidman Apparently Enjoys
Streep presented Kidman with a lifetime achievement award on Saturday, and said it was “impossible not to be in awe of her" (referring more to her work than her early morning dips in the Pacific).
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Katie Holmes Finds the Least Basic White Button-Down
Hers has a playful illustrated twist.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
There’s A Poignant Reason Why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Upcoming Visit to Nigeria Will Be Especially Meaningful to Them
The couple will travel there next month, following a stop for Harry in the U.K. to mark the Invictus Games’ 10-year anniversary on May 8.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
The Best Bollywood Movies of 2023 (So Far)
Including one that just might fill the Riverdale-shaped hole in your heart.
By Andrea Park Published
-
‘Bachelor in Paradise’ 2023: Everything We Know
Cue up Mike Reno and Ann Wilson’s “Almost Paradise."
By Andrea Park Last updated
-
Who Is Gerry Turner, the ‘Golden Bachelor’?
The Indiana native is the first senior citizen to join Bachelor Nation.
By Andrea Park Last updated
-
‘Virgin River’ Season 6: Everything We Know
Here's everything we know on the upcoming episodes.
By Andrea Park Last updated
-
The 60 Best Musical Movies of All Time
All the dance numbers! All the show tunes!
By Amanda Mitchell Last updated
-
'Ginny & Georgia' Season 2: Everything We Know
Netflix owes us answers after that ending.
By Zoe Guy Last updated
-
35 Nude Movies With Porn-Level Nudity
Lots of steamy nudity ahead.
By Kayleigh Roberts Last updated
-
The Cast of 'The Crown' Season 5: Your Guide
The Mountbatten-Windsors have been recast—again.
By Andrea Park Published