Whether it’s a standing ovation from Simon Cowell or reinventing a classic theatrical role, Seann Miley Moore’s star continues to rise. Currently, it’s through Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
Tell us about your childhood. Were you a performer then?
Seann Miley Moore: As a child, I was thrown into everything. I was an athlete before I began singing. I was Serena Williams on the tennis court and Michael Phelps in the pool (Laughs). I was also part of the high school choir, and that’s when I started getting into musical theatre. At the ripe old age of fourteen, I got my breakout role as Tony in West Side Story. That sparked my love for people like Leonard Bernstein and shows such as Les Misérables. Now I’m in a show that Rolling Stone magazine hails as the best rock and roll musical ever! What a journey.
What was it like growing up queer in Jakarta, Indonesia?
Well, growing queer as an outsider, I mean as Hedwig says in the show, “The misfits and losers”. We’ve always felt like that as an outsider growing up in the world, but I think in current times, it’s important to celebrate queerness, queer stories and queer pioneers on mainstream stages. It’s important to bring Hedwig to the stages of Australia, to have our stories and identities as LGBT people seen and not be erased, especially in the current climate we’re living in.
Hedwig And The Angry Inch Costumes by Nicol and Ford Seann Miley Moore and Adam Noviello
Did being in the theatre help with coming out?
Of course. There’s a power in theatre for a queer kid. A couple of years back, I was lucky enough to play Angel in RENT at the Sydney Opera House, but I also played the role at the Rockdale Musical Society, way back when I wasn’t comfortable with my queerness. But just like with Hedwig, the resilience of these queer characters within musical theatre only gave me a vitality to live life to the fullest. To be the best version of myself and to live life apologetically. Through my career with the X Factor and The Voice, I pioneered that non-binary spirit where you can wear anything you want – like singing Freddie Mercury in high heels, and I’ve continued that through all my stage roles. Now it’s intensified within the electric queer radical blondness that is Hedwig!
“It’s important to celebrate queerness, queer stories and queer pioneers on mainstream stages.”
From the X-Factor UK to The Voice Australia, you’ve achieved a lot over ten years.
Wow, yes! And at this very moment I’m writing a show called Tired Ass Showgirls for the Adelaide Cabaret Festival. I received a commission, which is so exciting, but looking back on my past ten years in the business, I see the inspired tired ass showgirl full of hope and life. I guess through all the shows and tours, it feels a bit like returning home, when the younger Seann had a kick in her step!
Playing The Engineer in Miss Saigon was also groundbreaking, as you pioneered the ‘Engine Queer’.
All these moments, from the Engine Queer to the strong Hedwig, are about change and celebration. To be up there and to pioneer the queerness in a role that’s been done a certain way for thirty years is changing the game. I was able to go through Asia and Australia, including Singapore and Manila and have young queer and Asian kids come up and say, “Wow! I’ve never seen it this way but thank you because I see myself on that stage”. That is my purpose as an artist, and I’m always serving the big Slaysian energy. I’m up there for myself, but I channel my community and all my beautiful friends. Hedwig is reclaiming her story, and we’re in a time where they’re trying to erase us, but this is why we have Hedwig, and this is why we have theatre. Our stories deserve main stages where we will not be silenced.
Seann Miley Moore as Hedwig
Is there a particular part of the show you like the best?
This has been the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through as an actor, but it’s a milestone in my career. It’s such a transformation vocally and physically. I connect a lot to the last song, Midnight Radio. In that moment, I’m completely stripped with no wig or makeup. It’s just me, naked and singing from the heart – my real voice. Hedwig has gone through the most horrific things. Political, family and spiritual trauma, but she’s a survivor. I take that resilience to the end of the show, but at that point, Hedwig doesn’t need all the persona, but sings from the heart. That always gets me.
What has been your biggest pinch-yourself career highlight?
Last year when I performed the Engine Queer in Manila, which is my mom’s motherland. Especially as that role is so iconic to the Philippines and what it’s done for Filipino talent, such as with Lea Salonga. That show put us on the map, and performing in the motherland connected me with my roots. That was empowering. I’m also excited to continue the Hedwig season. We had such a stellar run in Adelaide, and I recently fell in love with an Adelaide boy! I always sing about love, and now I’ve got it!
“Queer characters within musical theatre only gave me a vitality to live life to the fullest.”
What about receiving a standing ovation from the notoriously hard-to-please Simon Cowell?
Oh yes! That was a huge moment. Singing Freddie Mercury and having Simon Cowell say, “This kid is a star!”
Any dream projects?
I want to do my own Christmas spectacular where I sing all the fabulous classics in Christmas outfits. Christmas with Seann Miley Moore! That is my dream role! Big band, strings and orchestra. Camp as Christmas! Boys in leotards holding candy canes. Wouldn’t that be fabulous!
Seann Miley Moore as Hedwig
What about a dream role?
I know Cabaret will return, and I want to be the next Sally Bowles! (sings)” Maybe this time, I’ll be lucky….”
Who has been your biggest influence in the industry?
I’ve always looked up to the fabulous Elaine Stritch, who sings Ladies Who Lunch. She’s bold, brassy and has something to say. Then there’s my Filipino icon, Lea Salonga and the fabulous local UK drag queen, Gingzilla. I love going to East London to see what community drag and queerness bring out. It’s always a sweaty and unapologetic performance.
“Young queer and Asian kids say, “Wow! I’ve never seen it this way, but thank you because I see myself”.
Who are your music divas?
I’m such a little girly pop-bitch (Laughs). I love the gorgeous BRIT Award-winning Raye, who’s kind of jazz electro, and also Loreen from Eurovision with that dark techno. Also, Rufus Du Sol is brilliant. I go back to those chill techno Afro-beat vibes – and I love Miley Cyrus and her Endless Summer Vacation album.
What words of support can you offer to readers outside of this country, particularly in the USA, where diversity, identity and inclusion rights have gone backwards?
I know it’s a few steps back, but the fight will only bring us twenty steps forward. It’s so shattering for our community, but we’re always resilient and always fighters. As Hedwig says, “We’re a couple of survivors,” and as a community, we’ve always survived. Let’s walk that gorgeous rainbow runway!
Hedwig And The Angry Inch Costumes by Nicol and Ford Seann Miley Moore and Adam Noviello
You once said, “I love love, and in musical theatre, you can fall in love in the space of a three-minute song”. That’s such a true and beautiful quote.
It is so true, and it’s the reason I love musical theatre. It’s like when Tony and Maria meet on the balcony in West Side Story. It’s so pure, and it’s like when I had my first kiss – with a girl! I was like Tony, and I kissed her on the balcony.
For more: hedwig.com.au
Follow Seann on Instagram @seannmileymoore
Seann Miley Moore as Hedwig
