Lauren Alvarado (born 26 March 1988) is an English singer and actress who performs under the stage name "Lauren Samuels". She became well known to the British public as a contestant on the 2010 BBC UK TV series Over the Rainbow. Since appearing on the show, she has gone on to appear in West End theatre, including playing the lead role of Sandy in Grease.
Background Samuels married David Alvarado in 2021. Her maiden name is Lauren Bonner, but she adopted the stage name Lauren Samuels for her elder brother, Samuel. She started ballet lessons at age two, began private tutorials at the Hinckley Speech and Drama Studio at seven and started singing lessons at thirteen. She studied Performing Arts at Stratford-upon-Avon College, was a member of Youth Music Theatre UK in 2005 and also studied at the Guildford School of Acting, graduating in 2009.
Over the Rainbow
Samuels was a contestant on the 2010 BBC show Over the Rainbow: a talent contest to find an actress to play Dorothy in a West End revival of The Wizard of Oz. Samuels made it through to the final eleven girls who would compete for the public vote through individual performances. Despite coming in the bottom two for votes on three occasions, Samuels made it through to the final, where she ultimately came third to runner-up Sophie Evans and winner Danielle Hope.
Solo performances Solo SongWeek one (03/04/10)"Run" (Snow Patrol)Week two (10/04/10)"I'll Never Fall in Love Again" (from Promises, Promises)Week three (17/04/10)"Sway" (Dean Martin)Week four (24/04/10)"Nobody Knows" (Pink)Week five (01/05/10)"The Man that Got Away" (from A Star Is Born)Week six (08/05/10)"Being Alive" (from Company)Week seven (semi-final) (15 May 2010)"Heaven" (Bryan Adams)Week eight (final) (22 May 2010)"I Could Have Danced All Night" (from My Fair Lady)
Discography Samuels, along with the other two finalists of Over the Rainbow, recorded a version of "Over the Rainbow" with the intention of the eventual winner's song being made available for purchase shortly after the finale. Hope's recording was originally the only version released, but both Evans' and Samuels' versions of the song were ultimately made available for download on 6 June 2010. She also appeared with the other contestants in a Wizard of Oz medley featured as a b-side on the CD single of Hope's "Over the Rainbow." Samuels also recorded "Someone You'd Be Proud Of" for the concept album of "The In-Between". The album was released in early 2012. In 2017 she recorded two songs for the album Wit & Whimsy - Songs by Alexander S. Bermange (one solo and one featuring all of the album's 23 artists), which reached No. 1 in the iTunes comedy album chart.
In 2021, Samuels, alongside former Over the Rainbow finalist Sophie Evans, recorded and released a joint album entitled 'Chasing Rainbows, Finding Judy', which is dedicated to celebrating the life of Judy Garland.
In 2022, Samuels began hosting her own podcast entitled 'A Brit in LA', which sees her interviewing successful people throughout the Hollywood entertainment industry.
Stage Samuels' first major stage role was playing Wendy in a 2009-2010 production of Peter Pan at the Curve, Leicester.
On 26 July 2010, she made her West End debut as Sandy in the London production of Grease, replacing Siobhan Dillon. She played Cathy in a production of the two-character musical The Last Five Years, which ran at the Tabard Theatre, Chiswick from 9 February to 5 March 2011.
Samuels played the role of Scaramouche in We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre in London from late 2011. Following this she starred as the title character in Vampirette the Musical at the Manchester Opera House in May 2012. She reprised her role in We Will Rock You for its 10th anniversary tour, which commenced on 25 February 2012.
In June 2015, Samuels played the role of Jules, in the new West End musical Bend It Like Beckham.
In May 2024, Samuels played Elphaba on the US National Tour of Wicked.
In 2026, Samuels played Meg on the 2026 World Tour of The Last Ship.
Stage Credits Year(s)ProductionRoleTheatreLocation 2009-10 Peter Pan Wendy Curve Leicester 2010-11 Grease Sandy Piccadilly Theatre West End 2011 The Last Five Years Cathy Tabard Theatre Chiswick 2011-13 We Will Rock You Scaramouche Dominion Theatre West End 2012 Vampirette the Musical The Vampirette Manchester Opera House Manchester 2013 The Wizard of Oz Dorothy Gale Pantheon Theatre Cyprus 2014 The Water Babies Ellie Curve Leicester 2014 Love Story Jenny Cavilleri Octagon Theatre Bolton 2014-15 The Busker's Opera Polly Peachum Park Theatre London 2015-16 Bend It Like Beckham Jules Phoenix Theatre West End 2016 Children of Eden Eve Prince of Wales Theatre West End 2017 La Ronde Various The Bunker Southwark 2017-18 Romantics Anonymous Mimi / Young Woman Sam Wanamaker Playhouse London 2018 A Hundred Words For Snow Rory Arcola Theatre Off-West End 2018 The Big Corner Jenny The Octagon Theatre Bolton 2019 Henry V Katharine Barn Theatre Cirencester 2019-20 Cinderella Cinderella Lyric Hammersmith London 2021-22 Groan Ups Katie Mischief Theatre UK Tour2024-25 WickedElphabaNorth American Tour 2026The Last ShipMeg2026 World TourAmsterdam, Paris, Brisbane, New York City, West End
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