Team Cafe
Trained in ballet and musical theatre, Julie Nevada brings decades of experience, electrifying vocals and stamina to Tina Live, honouring Tina Turner’s legacy. Direct from London, Tina Live is presented by Herald Group as part of its 125th anniversary celebrations, in association with United Artist Entertainment, London, and Melwyn Camara and will be performed in Goa on February 11 at Kala Academy, Panjim, and on February 12 at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao.
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Julie is extremely excited to be in Goa, especially as this marks her first-ever performance in India. Having visited Goa back in 2006 and witnessed the remarkable talent of local bands, she had always hoped to perform here one day. When promoter Melwyn Camara offered her an India tour, she did not hesitate to say yes.
Julie got into show business early and was dancing from the age of three. She started her career as a child star performing in London’s West End in ‘The Sound of Music’ (Louisa), ‘Annie’ (Kate) and ‘Bugsy Malone’ (Telula) and was also at The Royal Ballet School performing in ‘The Nutcracker’ at Sadlers Wells and ‘Swan Lake’ at The Royal Opera House Covent Garden. Her early dream was to one day become a prima ballerina and after passing an audition to become a junior associate of the Royal Ballet it seemed that the path to her dream had begun. “Upon the realization that I would not be tall enough to become the prima ballerina, I left the Royal Ballet to attend The Urdang Academy of Ballet and Performing Arts. It was at The Urdang Academy that I was spotted by Michael Jackson’s choreographer and he suggested I should concentrate on a singing career as he thought my voice was so outstanding. My solo show has proven very popular worldwide too. In addition, I was also performing as the principle lead in Tina Live theatre show since 2015. With my incredible energy, stage presence and vocal, I have the ability to capture any audience, taking them on a journey through all the hits of Tina Turner’s career,” says Julie.
Tina Live is a complete theatre style concert with a live band and sizzling dancers and Julie plays a high octane version of Tina Turner. She has been performing as Tina Turner for nearly 25 years and as the principal lead in Tina Live since 2015, touring globally to sold-out theatres. “I have been performing in Tina Live show for the past 11 years to sold-out audiences in a very highly competitive UK theatre scene. Being a Tina Turner fan myself, I sing all of her big hits from ‘What’s love got to do with it’, ‘Proud Mary,’ ‘Simply The Best’ to name a few,” she explains, while mentioning that her favourite Tina Tunrer songs are ‘Proud Mary,’ ‘We don’t need another hero’ and ‘Help’.
Julie chose Tina Turner as her range and voice suits her music and also she’s the ultimate test of a performer. Her music requires strength, stamina, and fearlessness. Tina didn’t just sing songs, she owned the stage and told a story of survival and triumph. That is the power that Julie connects to, and that’s what she want audiences to feel when she performs.
On a level of 1 to 10 how exhausting is it to do such a high energy show? “Eleven. It’s really exhausting as I sing and dance nonstop for nearly two hours and it’s not easy as you have to keep on reminding yourself that you are Julie Nevada but Tina Turner and people have paid to come watch the show. Believe me, it’s not easy being some else for such a long period of time,” says Julie.
Julie went to see Tina a few times in concert. What impresses her most about Tina Turner’s performances is her total command of the stage. She says, “The moment she walked out, she owned the stage, no holding back. She sang with raw power, danced nonstop in heels, and still delivered every lyric with emotion and control. That level of stamina was unreal.”
Tina Turner’s passing in 2023 deeply affected her, making her tribute performances even more meaningful. “When I heard Tina Turner had passed, I felt heartbroken but very grateful. We lost a legend, but her strength, music, and spirit will live on forever. Honouring her on stage now feels more meaningful than ever.”
One of her most touching moments was when an elderly fan told her the performance felt like watching the real Tina Turner again.
For Goan audiences, Julie promises a night of high-energy music.
“We are going to dedicate ‘Simply the Best’ as I’m sure the audiences here in Goa are going to be just that. Also I would like to thank our promoter Melwyn Camara and his team for giving us this amazing opportunity. We are extremely grateful,” she says with excitement.
She has a special message to Tina Turner fans in Goa too, “We can guarantee you that this will be simply be your best night out. Tina Live is a party with of a lot of sing-along songs and ‘dancing in the aisles’ is a given at all of my shows,” concludes Julie.
