Stephanie Fearon

{{Short description|British stage and television actress}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}} {{Use British English|date=March 2015}} {{Infobox person | name = Stephanie Fearon | image = Fearonstephanie.JPG | caption = Stephanie Fearon | birth_name = Stephanie Leanne Fearon | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|2|8|df=y}} | birth_place = London, England | years_active = 1993–present | alma_mater = Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts | website = {{URL|www.stephaniefearon.com|StephanieFearon.com}} }}

'''Stephanie Leanne Fearon''' (sometimes credited as '''Steph Fearon'''; born 8 February 1989) is a British stage and television actress most noted for her TV appearances in the CITV show ''My Parents Are Aliens'' and the BBC talent-search ''Over the Rainbow''.<ref name="IMDb-STEPHANIE-FEARON">{{cite news | title = IMDb – Stephanie Fearon | publisher = IMDb.com | date =1990–2010 | url =https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1725391/ | accessdate =29 April 2010 }}</ref>

==Background== Fearon, who grew up in Kingsbury, north west London, was born into a musical family.<ref>{{cite news|title= Steph Fearon kicked off BBC's Over The Rainbow|publisher= The Daily Telegraph|date= 17 May 2010|url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/7730935/Steph-Fearon-kicked-off-BBCs-Over-The-Rainbow.html|accessdate= 3 June 2010}}</ref> Her mother, Dorothy ("Dee") Fearon, is the singer with Baby D, who had a Number 1 hit in 1994 with "Let Me Be Your Fantasy". Her father, Phil Fearon, was in 1980s band ''Galaxy''. Fearon attended the Sharon Harris Drama school in Wembley<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.harrowobserver.co.uk/west-london-news/local-harrow-news/2010/05/20/steph-fearon-s-heart-still-set-on-stardom-116451-26479597/|title=Steph Fearon's heart still set on stardom|publisher=Harrow Observer|first=Tara|last=Brady|date=20 May 2010|accessdate=8 November 2010}}</ref> and St Gregory's Catholic Science College in Harrow<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stgregorys.harrow.sch.uk/sgsmain/Easter%20Newsletter%2020101.pdf|title=St Gregory's Catholic Science College Easter 2010 Newsletter|access-date=3 June 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306181748/http://www.stgregorys.harrow.sch.uk/sgsmain/Easter%20Newsletter%2020101.pdf|archive-date=6 March 2012}}</ref> before training at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts from the age of 17. Fearon graduated with a diploma in professional musical theatre in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|publisher= Wise Monkey Theatre School|url= http://www.wisemonkeytheatreschool.com/stephanie_fearon.html|title= About STEPHANIE FEARON|access-date= 3 June 2010|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100423155450/http://www.wisemonkeytheatreschool.com/stephanie_fearon.html|archive-date= 23 April 2010|df= dmy-all}}</ref> Fearon has two sisters and a brother. She is half Jamaican and half Maltese.<ref name="BBC details">{{cite web|publisher= BBC|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/dorothy/dorothys/stephfearon.shtml|title= BBC – Over The Rainbow – Dorothy: Steph Fearon|access-date= 3 June 2010}}</ref>

Fearon lived in London, where she shared a flat with fellow ''Over the Rainbow'' top-20 finalists Sophie Evans and Tegan Edwards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.twitter.com/stephfearon82/status/23094819632 |title=Twitter / Stephanie Fearon: @BlaineyC thank you soo mu |publisher=Twitter.com |date= |accessdate=11 September 2010}}</ref>

==Career==

Fearon appeared in a sing-a-long video for children at the age of four, ''A Day Full Of Songs'', which was produced by Abbey Home Media in 1993.<ref>{{cite web|publisher= CITV|url= http://www.citv.co.uk/static/aliens8/meetcast_harry.html|title= Meet the Cassr: Harry|accessdate= 3 June 2010}}</ref> Her biggest TV break, however, was replacing Danielle McCormack in Series 7 of ''My Parents Are Aliens'' in 2005, after McCormack left to concentrate on her music career. Fearon played newcomer Harriet ("Harry"), appearing in 20 episodes and the series finale.<ref>{{cite web|publisher= CITV|url= http://www.citv.co.uk/page.asp?partid=53|title= My Parents Are Aliens|accessdate= 3 June 2010}}</ref>

Fearon's other acting credits include college productions of ''Rent'' and ''A Midsummer Night's Dream,'' and professional productions of ''Whistle Down the Wind'', ''The Wind in the Willows'' and ''Little Shop of Horrors''. She also appeared in Channel 4's teen drama ''As If'' in 2001, BBC1's ''Casualty'' in 2004 and 2006, has worked on several BBC Radio 4 dramas and appeared as a pit dancer at the 2007 ''BRIT Awards'' on ITV.<ref name="BBC details"/><ref>{{cite web|publisher= StarNow.co.uk|url= http://www.starnow.co.uk/stephaniefearon|title= Stephanie Fearon|accessdate= 3 June 2010}}</ref>

===''Over the Rainbow''=== Fearon was part of the 2010 BBC TV talent hunt ''Over the Rainbow'', in which Andrew Lloyd Webber searched for an actress to play Dorothy in a West End musical adaptation of ''The Wonderful Wizard of Oz''. The competition was a reality TV show with a similar format to its predecessors ''I'd Do Anything'', ''Any Dream Will Do'' and ''How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?.'' Fearon was credited as 'Steph' on the show, as there was another contestant with the same first name (Stephanie Davis), and finished fourth overall.

Viewers' votes placed Fearon in the bottom two contestants three times; in week one, week five and the semi-final. She was twice saved by Lloyd Webber but, in the semi-final sing-off on 16 May 2010, lost out to Lauren Samuels after the pair performed "Another Suitcase in Another Hall" from ''Evita''. Lloyd Webber said: "I feel dreadful that I have to take a decision on who is best for Dorothy. I'm going to save Lauren." On being placed fourth in the contest, Fearon told the audience: "I had the best time of my life. I've made friends for life. I've learnt so much. Thanks to everyone backstage – you're all complete stars."<ref>{{cite web|last= Millar|first= Paul|title= Steph Fearon voted off 'Over The Rainbow'|publisher= Digital Spy|date= 16 May 2010|url= http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s90/over-the-rainbow/news/a220130/steph-fearon-voted-off-over-the-rainbow.html|accessdate= 3 June 2010}}</ref>

====Solo performances==== {| class="wikitable" |- ! style="background:gold;"| ! style="background:gold;"| Solo Song |- !Week one (03/04/10) |"I Just Can't Stop Loving You" (Michael Jackson)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrRpNWEaspw |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/QrRpNWEaspw |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live|title=Steph's Performance – Over the Rainbow – Episode 3 – BBC One |publisher=YouTube |date=3 April 2010 |accessdate=11 September 2010}}{{cbignore}}</ref> |- !Week two (10/04/10) |"It's Oh So Quiet" (Björk)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0Yw6EYoIYs |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/S0Yw6EYoIYs |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live|title=Steph's Performance – Over the Rainbow – Episode 5 – BBC One |publisher=YouTube |date=10 April 2010 |accessdate=11 September 2010}}{{cbignore}}</ref> |- !Week three (17/04/10) |"Out Here On My Own" (from ''Fame'')<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTakBvqP59c |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/XTakBvqP59c |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live|title=Steph's Performance – Over the Rainbow – Episode 7 – BBC One |publisher=YouTube |date=17 April 2010 |accessdate=11 September 2010}}{{cbignore}}</ref> |- !Week four (24/04/10) |"Use Somebody" (Kings of Leon)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XN2Lp_Lbd1Q |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/XN2Lp_Lbd1Q |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live|title=Steph's Performance – Over The Rainbow – Episode 9 – BBC One |publisher=YouTube |date=24 April 2010 |accessdate=11 September 2010}}{{cbignore}}</ref> |- !Week five (01/05/10) |"Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend" (from ''Gentlemen Prefer Blondes'')<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO1RSQVuExw |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/zO1RSQVuExw |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live|title=Steph: Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend – Over The Rainbow – Episode 11 – BBC One |publisher=YouTube |date= |accessdate=11 September 2010}}{{cbignore}}</ref> |- !Week six (08/05/10) |"Somewhere" (from ''West Side Story'')<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh6PojUYqv4 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/sh6PojUYqv4 |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live|title=Steph's Performance – Over The Rainbow – Episode 13 – BBC One |publisher=YouTube |date= |accessdate=11 September 2010}}{{cbignore}}</ref> |- !Week seven (semi-final) (15/05/10) |"Rule the World" (Take That)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQWdIRgepgQ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/TQWdIRgepgQ |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live|title=Steph's Performance – Over the Rainbow – Episode 15 – BBC One |publisher=YouTube |date= |accessdate=11 September 2010}}{{cbignore}}</ref> |}

===After ''Over the Rainbow''=== Fearon landed a role in a revival of the Tony Award-winning production of ''Smokey Joe's Cafe'' less than a month after being voted off ''Over the Rainbow''. The musical revue, which showcases 39 pop standards, was performed at the Landor Theatre, a pub theatre in Clapham, from 13 July until 4 September 2010. Mykal Rand directed the production, which also starred Kym Mazelle.<ref>{{cite web|publisher= DigitalSpy.co.uk|url= http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/s90/over-the-rainbow/news/a224419/rainbow-fearon-lands-west-end-role.html|title= 'Rainbow' Fearon lands West End role|accessdate= 10 June 2010|date= 2010-06-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://s268148492.websitehome.co.uk/landor/show.php?ID=141|title=Smokey Joe's Cafe|access-date=8 August 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110826131758/http://s268148492.websitehome.co.uk/landor/show.php?ID=141|archive-date=26 August 2011}}</ref> She also appeared in a production of the musical ''The Wiz'' at the Milton Keynes Theatre, which ran for a week in September 2010,<ref>{{cite web|title=The Wiz|publisher=ambassadortickets.com|url = http://www.ambassadortickets.com/2005/657/Milton-Keynes/Milton-Keynes-Theatre/The-Wiz|accessdate= 3 July 2010}}</ref> and performed in a Christmas pantomime production of ''Aladdin'' at the Buxton Opera House, playing Princess Jasmine, in December 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk/whats-on/aladdin|title=Aladdin|access-date=30 October 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101112205957/http://www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk/whats-on/aladdin/|archive-date=12 November 2010}}</ref>

Fearon appears with the other ''Over the Rainbow'' contestants in a ''Wizard of Oz'' medley featured as a b-side on the CD single of Danielle Hope's "Over the Rainbow." Fearon released her own album of showtunes and covers called ''My Parade'' in 2010.

Fearon appeared in April 2011 as Dorothy, alongside Sarah-Jane Honeywell as Glinda and Ben Hanson as the Scarecrow, in a touring production of ''The Wizard of Oz.''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thebroadwaytheatre.co.uk/programs/39/Wizard%20of%20 Oz|title=Wizard of Oz – The Broadway Theatre – A StageLive Venue}}{{Dead link|date=June 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allgigs.co.uk/view/event/360054/Wizard_Of_Oz_The_Broadway_Theatre_Peterborough_24_April_2011.html|title=Wizard of Oz at The Broadway Theatre (Peterborough) on 24 April 2011}}</ref> The production, directed by Rob Forknall, was not related to the Lloyd Webber London production.<ref>[http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/outthere/latest/8881972.The_Wizard_Of_Oz_Is_Coming_To_Portsmouth_Guildhall_/ "The Wizard of Oz Is Coming to Portsmouth Guildhall"]. ''Daily Echo'', 1 March 2011</ref> She also played Diana Morales in a Tel-Aviv production of the musical ''A Chorus Line'' in October 2011,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.stephaniefearon.com/news.htm|title=A CHORUS LINE|access-date=6 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716134603/http://www.stephaniefearon.com/news.htm|archive-date=16 July 2011}}</ref> and during the 2011 Christmas pantomime season appeared as Cinderella at the Sands Centre, Carlisle.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thesandscentre.co.uk/index2.php?option=com_events&task=view_cat&sec=&catid=48&fb=1&limitstart=0&day=0&mth=12|title=Cinderella|access-date=6 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930093009/http://www.thesandscentre.co.uk/index2.php?option=com_events&task=view_cat&sec=&catid=48&fb=1&limitstart=0&day=0&mth=12|archive-date=30 September 2011}}</ref> In February 2012 Fearon worked with Judy Craymer and Jennifer Saunders on a workshop for Viva Forever, the new Spice Girls musical, and in the summer of 2012 she took part in the musical Run at the Polka Theatre in Wimbledon, London.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.stephaniefearon.com/career.htm|title=Stephanie Fearon official website|access-date=7 July 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120827021411/http://www.stephaniefearon.com/career.htm|archive-date=27 August 2012}}</ref>

Fearon appeared as Mimi Márquez in RENT the musical in 2012 in the Greenwich Greenwich Theatre, London. She also played the role of Diamond in the workshop of production of Viva Forever. Fearon is currently playing Lisa in the West End production of Mamma Mia! at the Novello Theatre.

==References== {{Reflist|2}}

==External links== *{{Official website|www.stephaniefearon.com}} *{{IMDb name|id=1725391|name=Stephanie Fearon}} *[https://www.bbc.co.uk/dorothy/dorothys/stephfearon.shtml BBC ''Over the Rainbow'' biography]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fearon, Stephanie}} Category:Living people Category:1989 births Category:British child actresses Category:English stage actresses Category:English people of Jamaican descent Category:English people of Maltese descent Category:English television actresses Category:Alumni of the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts Category:People from Kingsbury, London Category:Actresses from London Category:Actors from the London Borough of Brent