Why Taylor Swift’s Casting in ‘Les Miserables’ was Such a Big Deal

On Tuesday, January 31, it was announced that Taylor Swift had been overlooked for the part of Eponine in the upcoming film adaptation of “Les Miserables”. Instead, the role is going to Samantha Barks, who played Eponine in both London’s West End production of “Les Miserables” and the “Les Miserables 25th Anniversary Concert”.

Only a month ago, it was widely reported that Taylor Swift had initially been offered the part. General public reaction to this news was largely negative, with many Les Miz fans expressing dismay over the country-pop singer being cast as the iconic Eponine.

Why was the mere consideration of casting Taylor Swift such a big deal? For those who are less familiar with the world of Broadway, the role of Eponine has long been considered a classic role, a character as tragic and haunting as “West Side Story’s” Maria and Shakespeare’s Juliet. The indulgently woeful character of Eponine and the powerful mezzo-soprano vocals showcased in Eponine’s signature song “On My Own” make for an internationally known character who has become a favorite especially among female Broadway enthusiasts. It is the kind of role aspiring Broadway actresses have likely played out in their own bedrooms singing into a hairbrush microphone – a role most people could only dream of performing one day.

Taylor Swift’s own international fame and success is undeniable: Swift has sold over twenty million records worldwide; all three of Swift’s major albums have multi-platinum certification; Swift has won several armfuls of music awards, including 4 Grammys, 10 American Music Awards, and 6 CMA Music Awards. Still, Taylor Swift is not most famous because of any vocal prowess, but is better known for her highly autobiographical writing which has successfully won over her young female fan base. Swift’s soft, twangy voice certainly well suits her country-pop style. Still, you would be hard-pressed to find within her discography a song that displays her vocal skills at a level comparable to the vocal demands of Les Miserables. Simply put, how can Les Miz fans trust that a newcomer to the Broadway arena, someone who has not presented a piece of work that showcases a set of irrefutably strong vocals, could take on this major role?

Also, one can’t help but view Taylor Swift as a more suitable Cosette. In Les Miz, Cosette is portrayed as the ingénue. She is the girl who is hidden away by her protective father. At a mere first glance, her quiet beauty has already captured the heart of a boy who then battles seemingly impossible obstacles to be with her. It’s a classic scenario we all have heard before. Cosette, innocent and virginal, acts as the very foil to Eponine. Swift has often portrayed herself in the same light, her songs containing recurring themes of fantasy fairytales wherein she plays the damsel in distress longing for the love of a boy. Her work evokes images of princes and princesses, white horses, and even Taylor Swift’s own long-flowing, Rapunzel-like hair. How could someone who has built her personal brand on likening herself to a fairytale princess – the very idea upon which the character of Cosette was built and the idea which is meant to be everything Eponine is not – be considered for the opposing role?

After Tuesday’s announcement by producer Cameron Mackintosh at the Manchester Palace, where Samantha Barks is currently playing Nancy in the UK revival of “Oliver!,” one could almost hear the audible sigh of relief as Les Miz fans took to the internet to express their excitement about Eponine’s re-casting. Even Lea Salonga, who starred as Eponine in the 1993 “Les Miserables” Broadway Cast and the “Les Miserables 10th Anniversary Concert”, took to Twitter, congratulating Samantha Barks and thanking the “casting gods.” Did the gods in fact hear the echoing cries of Les Miz fans? One does have to wonder how much the negative public reaction actually played into the film producers’ decision to re-cast the role.

Sources:

broadwayworld.com Amanda Seyfriend & Taylor Swift Complete Les Miserables Film Cast

broadwayworld.com Breaking News: Samantha Barks to Play Eponine in Les Miserables Movie
RIAA.com
nbcchicago.com Beyonce, Taylor Swift Make Grammy History
bigmachinemusic.com Taylor Swift Dominates 2011 American Music Award, Wins “Artist of the Year”
cmt.com Taylor Swift Biography


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