Marisha Wallace

American actress and singer (born 1985) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Marisha Wallace (born September 29, 1985) is an American-born British actress and singer, best known for her work in musical theatre.

Born (1985-09-29) September 29, 1985 (age 40)
Citizenship
  • United States
  • United Kingdom (from 2025)
Occupations
  • Actress
  • singer
Yearsactive2014–present
Quick facts Born, Citizenship ...
Marisha Wallace
Wallace in 2025
Born (1985-09-29) September 29, 1985 (age 40)
Citizenship
  • United States
  • United Kingdom (from 2025)
Occupations
  • Actress
  • singer
Years active2014–present
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Life and career

Wallace grew up on a hog farm in Goldsboro, North Carolina.[1]

Wallace appeared in the original Broadway casts of Aladdin (2014) and Something Rotten! (2015) as a member of the ensemble and understudy.[2] In January 2017 she became an alternate Effie White in the West End production of Dreamgirls.[3] Following the departure of Amber Riley from the production, Wallace took over the role, sharing with Karen Mav and Moya Angela.[citation needed] In 2017, she released a Christmas album called Soul Holiday.[4]

In 2019, she joined the original London cast of Waitress as Becky.[5] In Summer 2021 she starred in the London Coliseum production of Hairspray as Motormouth Maybelle opposite Michael Ball.[6] For this role she was nominated for the 2021 Black British Theatre Awards as Best Female Actress in a Musical.[7]

In 2022, she played Ado Annie in Oklahoma! at the Young Vic,[citation needed] a performance for which she received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical.[8]

Wallace is the singing voice of Ms Johnston in Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey on Netflix.

In March 2023, she began playing Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls at the Bridge Theatre for which she was nominated for her second Olivier Award Nomination for Best Actress in a Musical. She left the production in February 2024.[9]

In March 2024, Wallace entered the Celebrity Big Brother house to compete in the twenty-third series.[10] She was the fifth housemate evicted, leaving on Day 16 in a double eviction.[11]

In August 2024, she appeared in a concert staging of Something Rotten! at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.[12]

In September 2024, she made a special guest appearance during concerts by Alex Newell at Cadogan Hall. [13] In December 2024, she made her debut in pantomime as the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood at the London Palladium.

Between January and May 2025, she starred in Cabaret at the Playhouse Theatre as Sally Bowles, alongside Billy Porter as The Emcee. From July to October 2025, she was set to reprise her role opposite Porter in the final cast of the Broadway revival of Cabaret at the August Wilson Theatre.[14] The production was cut short, with the last show date in September 2025.[15]

On 11 March 2025, she played a solo concert at the Adelphi Theatre in London.[16] A recording of this concert was eventually released as the album Live in London which released on 15 August 2025. [17]

On 24 April 2025, she received her British citizenship.[18]

Stage

More information Year, Title ...
Year Title Role Notes
2010 Rent Maureen Johnson Palace Theatre
2011 Joanne Jefferson Broadway Palm Theatre
2012 The Book of Mormon Ensemble US Tour
2014-2015 Aladdin Ensemble
u/s Babkak
New Amsterdam Theatre, Broadway
2015 Something Rotten! Ensemble
u/s Bea
St. James Theatre, Broadway
2016 Dreamgirls Effie White Savoy Theatre, West End
2019 Waitress Becky Adelphi Theatre, West End
2021 Hairspray Motormouth Maybelle London Coliseum, West End
2022 Oklahoma! Ado Annie Young Vic Theatre, London
2023-2024 Guys and Dolls Miss Adelaide Bridge Theatre, London
2024 Something Rotten! in Concert Bea Theatre Royal Drury Lane, West End
Robin Hood Sheriff of Nottingham London Palladium, West End
2025 Cabaret Sally Bowles Playhouse Theatre, West End
August Wilson Theatre, Broadway
2026 Once On This Island in Concert Erzulie Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, West End
Midnight Happy Sadler's Wells East, London
Something Rotten Bea Manchester Opera House, Manchester
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Filmography

More information Year, Title ...
Film
Year Title Role Ref.
2019 Aladdin Busybody Woman
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More information Year, Title ...
As herself
Year Title Role Ref.
2021 Feel Good Marsha; season 2 (2 episodes)
2024 Celebrity Big Brother Housemate; series 23 [19]
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Discography

Albums

More information Title, Details ...
List of albums, with selected details and chart positions
Title Details Peak chart positions
UK
[20]
Soul Holiday
  • Released: October 26, 2017
  • Labels: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download
TOMORROW
  • Released: November 27, 2020
  • Labels: Decca
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
69
Live in London
  • Released: August 15, 2025
  • Labels: Westway Music
  • Format: Digital download, streaming, CD
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Singles

More information Title, Year ...
Title Year Album
"Fight Like a Woman (Slay)" 2019 Non-album singles
"The Beginning" 2020
"Tomorrow" Tomorrow
"Maybe This Time (Live Edit)" 2025 Live in London
"And I Am Telling You (Live)"
Cabaret (Live)"
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Awards and nominations

More information Year, Work ...
Year Work Award Category Result Ref.
2020 Waitress WhatsOnStage Award Best Supporting Actress in a Musical Nominated [21]
2023 Oklahoma! Olivier Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical Nominated [22]
WhatsOnStage Award Best Supporting Performer in a Musical Nominated [23]
2024 Guys and Dolls WhatsOnStage Award Best Performer in a Musical Nominated [24]
Olivier Awards Best Actress in a Musical Nominated [25]
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References

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