Marisha Wallace (born September 29, 1985) is an American-born British actress and singer, best known for her work in musical theatre.
Life and career Wallace grew up on a hog farm in Goldsboro, North Carolina.
Wallace appeared in the original Broadway casts of Aladdin (2014) and Something Rotten! (2015) as a member of the ensemble and understudy. In January 2017 she became an alternate Effie White in the West End production of Dreamgirls. Following the departure of Amber Riley from the production, Wallace took over the role, sharing with Karen Mav and Moya Angela. In 2017, she released a Christmas album called Soul Holiday.
In 2019, she joined the original London cast of Waitress as Becky. In Summer 2021 she starred in the London Coliseum production of Hairspray as Motormouth Maybelle opposite Michael Ball. For this role she was nominated for the 2021 Black British Theatre Awards as Best Female Actress in a Musical.
In 2022, she played Ado Annie in Oklahoma! at the Young Vic, a performance for which she received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical.
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.
In March 2024, Wallace entered the Celebrity Big Brother house to compete in the twenty-third series. She was the fifth housemate evicted, leaving on Day 16 in a double eviction.
In August 2024, she appeared in a concert staging of Something Rotten! at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.
In September 2024, she made a special guest appearance during concerts by Alex Newell at Cadogan Hall. 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. The production was cut short, with the last show date in September 2025.
On 11 March 2025, she played a solo concert at the Adelphi Theatre in London. A recording of this concert was eventually released as the album Live in London which released on 15 August 2025.
On 24 April 2025, she received her British citizenship.
Stage Year Title Role Notes2010RentMaureen JohnsonPalace Theatre2011Joanne JeffersonBroadway Palm Theatre2012The Book of MormonEnsembleUS Tour2014–2015AladdinEnsembleu/s BabkakNew Amsterdam Theatre, Broadway2015Something Rotten!Ensembleu/s BeaSt. James Theatre, Broadway2016 Dreamgirls Effie White Savoy Theatre, West End 2019 Waitress Becky Adelphi Theatre, West End 2021 Hairspray Motormouth Maybelle London Coliseum, West End2022Oklahoma!Ado AnnieYoung Vic Theatre, London2023–2024Guys and DollsMiss AdelaideBridge Theatre, London2024Something Rotten! in Concert BeaTheatre Royal Drury Lane, West EndRobin HoodSheriff of NottinghamLondon Palladium, West End2025CabaretSally BowlesPlayhouse Theatre, West EndAugust Wilson Theatre, Broadway2026 Once On This Island in ConcertErzulieTheatre Royal, Drury Lane, West EndMidnightHappySadler's Wells East, LondonSomething Rotten!BeaManchester Opera House, ManchesterTable 17JadaKiln Theatre, London
Filmography + Film Year Title Role 2019AladdinBusybody Woman
+ As herself Year Title Role 2021Feel GoodMarsha; season 2 (2 episodes) 2024 Celebrity Big Brother Housemate; series 23
Discography Albums + List of albums, with selected details and chart positions Title Details Peak chart positions UK 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 —
Singles Title Year Album "Fight Like a Woman (Slay)" 2019 rowspan="2" "The Beginning" 2020 "Tomorrow" Tomorrow "Maybe This Time (Live Edit)" 2025 Live in London "And I Am Telling You (Live)" “Cabaret (Live)"
Awards and nominations YearWorkAwardCategoryResultRef.2020WaitressWhatsOnStage AwardBest Supporting Actress in a Musical2023Oklahoma!Olivier AwardsBest Actress in a Supporting Role in a MusicalWhatsOnStage AwardBest Supporting Performer in a Musical2024Guys and DollsWhatsOnStage AwardBest Performer in a MusicalOlivier AwardsBest Actress in a Musical
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