Part 3

An Awakening

to Gift a World

It Captivated Millions

Songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul were hired for the film The Greatest Showman in 2013. The first song they submitted was "A Million Dreams." Their final song submitted was the most difficult, and it was the last of five or six that were written for the Jenny Lind debut scene. Loren had been the reference track singer, performing the demo recordings for all the female roles. When asked if she felt she could belt the reference track for this final song, she answered that she could. Thus, following her demo, "Never Enough" was approved for the scene below. The result was a viewing and listening experience to rival any in musical film history, one such rival actually being another song within the same film. It's only fitting that we revisit the film's modernized version of Jenny Lind's actual New York debut in 1850, with Rebecca Ferguson in the role of Lind. I remember the chills and surge of emotion I felt as I watched it. I later shared it with a theatrical client/friend, and I saw the same reaction in him.

Lind's Debut

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The Invisible Reveal

In a musical world, the whole story would've been known and talked about by all. But that's not the world most of us live in. When I watched this scene, seeing the film for the first time, my swell of emotion left me thinking... "who would've imagined"? What I mean is...having seen Rebecca Ferguson in numerous films, I knew a bit of her history, and assumed she could sing. But this was on another level! I saw the movie several months after its box office debut, around the time of the soundtrack release. What I witnessed left me in awe, joining most other viewers in marveling at how Rebecca had performed that vocal, albeit with several takes, a bit of auto-tuning, and the usual soundboard adjustments.

There are reasons why I pay little attention to the annual awards shows, and 2018 was no exception. The Greatest Showman was shunned by several shows for reasons unrelated to production quality or box office success. In the two award shows that acknowledged it, only "This is Me" received song recognition. Now, I live in the islands, so I'm a big supporter of local girl, Keala Settle, and I loved the song, especially when it builds to include the entire supporting cast. But I was still stunned to find no recognition given to "Never Enough", made all the more puzzling by the soundtrack album's early success. When I finally read the soundtrack credits, I instantly understood, and my jaw dropped! Loren was not just the reference track singer for "Never Enough"....it was her voice that we had heard in the movie. It suddenly all made sense! I replayed the DVR and, with that knowledge, was awed even more. The reactions of the producers and songwriters who attended her demo recording will attest that there was no need for auto-turning or vocal enhancement that day.

nov, 2019

When Pasek and Paul handed that final music sheet to Loren and asked if she felt she could sing it, several thoughts must've entered her mind. Despite the massive range and the continuing ramp-up of belting, she answered that she could and was probably excited about how she might sing it. But she has admitted wondering 'which actress would be able to sing this.' During her demo session for the song, Pasek and Paul said that it 'raised the hair on everyone's arms'! It would be refined to have Loren match Rebecca's (and Lind's) accent, and have Rebecca match Loren's movements. All respect to Rebecca, who, after listening to the demo, possessed the humility and sincerity to confess that Loren's reference track was simply a level beyond, and suggested that they keep Loren's voice and allow her to lip sync to it. Thankfully, the producers chose to do exactly that. Loren had found her niche...or rather, it had found her ... " it" being a starring role that was off the stage and out of the spotlight!

The year-long delay in releasing the film may have felt like déjà vu to Loren, reminiscent of the disappointments and broken promises she experienced during her recording industry days. But surely there were reassurances that a project of this magnitude would not be cancelled or shelved for any reason! Looking back at those final two clips in Part 2, I can almost sense, in her, the deep state of satisfaction that comes from having done something well and achieved more than she had envisioned. The clips I refer to are the duet with Natalie Weiss, and especially the session with Michael Mott that followed the completion of The Greatest Showman. It's just one of those shared moments or feelings that I mentioned earlier and also spoke of on the site's homepage. Many of you will have experienced something similar ... please indulge my attempt to explain.

Two years after presenting my father a national title just months before his passing, I returned to the U.S. Outdoor Nationals, again seeking to validate my work & study. I had often imagined myself winning two national titles, and perhaps a medal in a third, but I didn't seriously expect such an outcome. However, when the time arrived, the events played out just as I had imagined, and after exiting the final awards stand, I rushed straight from the stadium to the airport, barely making the last boarding call for my flight. Gazing out the window as the plane lifted off the runway, I sighed with relief, amazed that there were no major glitches along the way. Upon landing, I rented a car to drive the final hundred miles to my sister's place before flying back home to the islands. That's when it fully hit me...I can still recall the onset of that sublime, peaceful feeling the moment I left the maze of airport exits and entered the highway. The setting sun was off to my right, and this warm, soothing sensation slowly descended from the top of my head to the soles of my feet, like being immersed in a warm bath. It was more than a state of mind; it was the deepest feeling of satisfaction and fulfillment, having achieved what had seemed only a fantasy just months earlier, including a world ranking. But it was about so much more than titles or rankings, it was about having managed it all on my own, the logistics and the myriad of things to navigate from start to finish, without team sponsorship or management.. That twilight journey along the interstate was a time of utter contentment...even the ordinary meal I stopped for, along the way, was far tastier than it should've been. Maybe it's just my imagination, but looking back at Loren's performances during those interim months, particularly in "Single City", I feel I can sense in her that same blissful feeling of accomplishment. Although the crowning moment of that achievement was still two months away, with the film's debut, the work was finished, and she was now performing in the warmth and glow of having accomplished something beyond her wildest dreams. It was surely one of those moments in life that takes some time to fully process.

A sincere nod to Rebecca Ferguson for skipping the non-disclosure agreement. But in reality, it was almost irrelevant, given the anonymity that followed. Many of the annual award shows had completely ignored the film, which meant the press did as well. Even the shows that awarded recognition did so very selectively. Without the attention that normally accompanies nominations, the details and credits aren't brought to light, even if a stand-in voice is noted. So in the real world, Loren was invisible beyond her fan base, something that would eventually begin to eat away at her inside. But it was the lack of awareness within the music industry itself that I found the hardest to understand. Jonathan Gealt, however, was not among the unaware, having worked closely with Loren in the past. In the fall of 2018, less than a year after the movie's release, he had her sing his deeply moving original song, "Ordinary Day," which she conveyed in an extraordinarily connected fashion. The combined effect of the lyrics, her emotions, and her vocal skill makes this song resonate powerfully with viewers ... so much so that I can't imagine its impact on someone actually mourning such a loss.

Oct, 2018

Two prominent industry figures who soon tracked down the voice behind "Never Enough" were Michael Bublé and David Foster. Together, they were producing Michael's new "Love" album that would include a duet of "Help Me Make It Through The Night." The voice he wanted was the one he had heard while watching The Greatest Showman. I could link the actual duet from the album, but I'll stray a bit here, simply because this story is about growth and transformation, and it's more informative to both see and hear whenever possible. Secondly, this behind-the-scenes look contains some interesting and revealing moments. Despite the success that Loren is currently enjoying, many of those achievements have not yet produced financial reward, nor have they erased all the feelings and emotions from past events. She was still bartending at the time, and according to Loren, she was sitting in a cold room with a broken heater (remember it's winter in NY). She was surely stunned beyond words when she answered the phone and heard Michael Bublé and David Foster speak of discovering her and ask if she could be on a plane the next day. It had been a lifelong dream to sing a song for David Foster someday. In the studio's control room, Michael addresses Loren, who's in the sound booth. Notice the way she's shifting her stance and grasping her thumb when she replies. When he says, "I don't want to embarrass you", she shifts her stance again, squeezing her thumb, and replies, "Okay" in almost a whimper, as if cautiously awaiting what he's about to say. I would describe it as delightful vulnerability. Michael then pays her the nicest of compliments, and you see the honest and genuine appreciation Loren offers in return, expressed equally with words and emotion. That humble trait, in my opinion, helps account for who she is today, and it's increasingly rare to see those qualities in high-profile public figures. Lastly, the person to Michael's left, who tells him, "Well, you don't sing that well," is David Foster, an iconic figure in the music world, having produced shows and written songs for so many legendary artists, Streisand, Whitney, and Celine being among them. Documented inference suggests this was the first meeting between Loren and Foster, but it would not be the last. She would soon find herself onstage for his concert, being taped for a special TV event that would prove especially meaningful to Loren and link the two continuously thereafter. Thanks to Michael Buble for this delightful upload, and for having taken the time to search for the voice behind "Never Enough."

Nov, 2018

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First Live Performance

Loren's first live performance of "Never Enough" took place several months after the movie's release, in a church venue arranged to simulate a drive-in theater, although a seated audience was viewable behind. There were some background lighting effects, but the stage strangely appeared to have footprints everywhere ... perhaps chalk dust from a previous act, or maybe it was just from the lights above. I'm merely suggesting that, to this observer, a live debut of this artist singing this song would have been better served by a different setting. The debut scene in the film takes place in an opera house, with P. T. Barnum (Hugh Jackman) standing on a grand stage wearing a tuxedo. But in this debut of the actual singer, we have a drive-in theater, an untidy stage floor, and a host dressed as a circus ringmaster, all contrasting with the beauty and elegance of the song, the original setting, and the singer. In other words, it was the exact opposite of what Barnum had wanted to present to his audience that night in New York, and what the film sought to recreate in that scene. I mean no disrespect to the live event itself or the attendees, as I'm sure it was a memorable occasion for all. Perhaps her appearance was just one of several circus-themed acts, and was thus more of a first-time outing for Loren. I admit smiling when I saw her lift her foot off the floor a few times, in gospel-like fashion...maybe the church venue inspired early memories (just kidding). This may also have been one of the events that Michael Bublé found when searching online for live performances, in the hope of securing the singer for a duet to include on his upcoming album.

April, 2018

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A Different Debut

In late fall of 2019, I returned to the islands and the comfort of my home for a few months. I was not completely aware of what I was about to watch on TV this final weekend in November, but I had seen the promo ads for the PBS special with David Foster and guests and made sure to mark the date. I think it's safe to say that this performance was where many people first discovered Loren Allred. Not long after her first live performance at the Church by the Glades in April 2018, Loren had met with David Foster and Michael Bublé to record the duet for Michael's new album. As touched on earlier, it would lead to Foster inviting her to join his May 2019 concert at the Encore Theater in Las Vegas, which was being taped for this November 30th PBS special that we're about to see. In the weeks following her TV appearance, Loren would perform live on several select dates as a guest on Andrea Bocelli's U.S. tour. But as with the gala/benefit and small-venue events earlier in 2019, only those who attended the events, or were sharing social media posts about them, would see or hear her. Thus, this delayed live PBS appearance and the ensuing YouTube uploads in the months that followed would be seen by many, myself included, as her first meaningful live debut, at least as far as exposure to a wide audience was concerned. She sang on a grand stage with an orchestra, a live theater audience, and now a live TV audience. Granted, PBS has nowhere near the viewership of the mainstream networks and premium channels, but with the event soon appearing on YouTube, she would be seen and heard by viewers around the world. A large backdrop image of the movie scene enhanced the setting. For many fans and viewers, this remains a favorite performance of "Never Enough", and in terms of delivering a live version of what people saw and heard in the movie, I wouldn't disagree. It retained the classical splendor and atmosphere of that performance, yet evolved majestically into something more, with nuances and runs that only added to the song's emotional impact. David and Loren had obviously rehearsed the performance a number of times, but I think his response afterward clearly shows how an actual live performance can far surpass anything seen and heard during rehearsals. Loren had finally introduced herself to a world that had only known her voice, and her reaction to the applause is easy to interpret. It had to be a very special moment for her, as well as for many who had anxiously waited to see and hear the actual artist behind the song in the movie, and I'm sure it remains one of her most treasured memories.

I have no idea what could have kept people in their seats after this performance ... maybe a request of some kind? I've seen this question posed by a number of reviewers, and I'd like to think there was a reason for it because otherwise it was a bit rude. In partial defense, it's important to remember that "This is Me" is still the song with all the awards, which, quite ironically, Loren provided the demo for. However, "Never Enough" has now gained traction and is fast becoming the iconic song known throughout the world. It was being covered by artists of all nationalities and auditioned by talent show contestants of all ages. I told my theatrical friend that I felt this performance would launch her to stardom, and I truly believed that. At the very least, performing live regularly as a tour member, alongside colleagues and friends, would have taken her far toward that end. But unfortunately, that wasn't what the world had in store for her, nor any other live performer for that matter.

An Ominous Foe

Dreams were crushed, businesses and careers were dismantled, and lives were put on hold. Adding to the hardship and uncertainty for Loren was the sorrow of a breakup on the first day of quarantine. One minute, you're atop the world, traveling and performing; the next minute, you are alone in your apartment with only the gray of winter outside and the news that your city now accounts for 24% of the national death toll. I've known and worked with a number of celebrities over the years, several of whom were performing artists, and I'm always curious why so many in the general public view them as void of the same feelings and emotions the rest of us possess. I can assure you that's not the case. When the spotlights, cameras, and microphones are turned off, they go wherever, and they experience all the same feelings and emotions as the rest of us. Their public image impacts their career, so you can't blame them for wanting to keep that part of their life private.

COVID-19 first appeared in the United States on January 19, 2020. While the first confirmed case in NYC was on March 3, researchers later estimated that over 10,000 had been infected at that point. By the end of March, the city's COVID-19 infection rate was five times the national rate, and 672 people had died. The World Health Organization had declared it a pandemic, and cities across the U.S. went into lockdown, including Brooklyn, New York.

This may sound harsh, but sometimes periods of desolation and somber reflection on one's life can provide fertile ground for creation and innovation. Those same somber moments can also spawn introspection and change within. There is everything to suggest that Loren was visited by all those moments and experienced all of those processes during this period, or at least a similar representation of each. There is also everything to suggest that it was all to her benefit in multiple ways and thus, to ours as well.

A Soul Set Free

If you have any doubt about what's taking place at this point, then listen to the lyrics in each original song. As much as I marvel at what comes later, these moments are among my favorites in this story of transformation and growth. Aside from the raw talent on display, there's so much to like in these outpourings of heart and soul. While the polished full studio productions are great, these less formal, personalized uploads are so authentic and meaningful, and each song seems to highlight a moment of growth and awareness, not to mention health and well-being. Moreover, viewed as performance artistry, they reveal more than just songwriting and vocal skills. They show us what could be if the camera were secretly replaced by a live audience, allowing her to continue with the same confidence and uninhibited expression that was offered so freely to only the camera ... let's call it "candid stage presence". I'm loosely referencing what will soon be a decisive moment in her life, but it will not be candid or without her knowledge...quite the opposite, in fact. Here, however, she's still within her comfort zone, and in this video version of "Your Girl," we're seeing and hearing someone convey their realizations and honest desires in simple, unfettered lyrics, free of any pretense. The runs and riffs at the end left me wishing they had started sooner and continued longer. "Your Girl" was written by Loren and Michel Heyaca for her "Late Bloomer" EP.

Dec, 2020

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See Part 4 in Stories

I would love to highlight what one voice and a single acoustic guitar can accomplish by including the covers of "Faithfully" and "Anyone", but I'll stick to her original songs just to stay on point. "This Summer", written by Loren and Michel for her "Late Bloomer" EP, was a splendid example of overcoming the somber moments I spoke of earlier. The nostalgia of past summers and the optimistic hope to live them anew were beautifully displayed in this joyful and well-crafted production. I absolutely could listen to this song anytime and feel better immediately. I've often said that I felt this song marked a turning point in her life. There's a sense of freedom about it that almost seems to foretell her future. The lyrical phrase, "pretend, for a while, the world's not on fire..." refers to the pandemic. It's a wonderful display of personal conviction and positive outlook during a time of doubts and fears, and it remains one of my favorite compositions, revealing her growth and development as both individual and artist. Turning point or not, this production conveys such simplicity and complexity side-by-side and emits "feel-good" vibes from the first note to the last. Managing to create that effect, when life is handing you everything but, is like sunlight bursting out of a bottle, which is why this video is loved by so many, including me.

june, 2021

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A Moment of Reflection

During that same time period in 2018, when Loren flew to meet and record with Michael Bublé and David Foster, I had flown from the islands to Santa Fe, NM, to begin a four-year work-study program. It's safe to say it was a pivotal point for each, respectively, and would set each on a course toward a personal paradigm shift. Although unknown to me at that point, Loren would soon be living out of suitcases much of the time, and I would be in a strange place far from home for months at a time. It was likely a wondrous and exciting time for her, with multiple gala/benefit and corporate-sponsored events in the U.S. and London, as well as small-venue personal appearances, all related to the breakout success of the soundtrack, particularly the song "Never Enough."

As for me, those years would be adventuresome, but far outside of my comfort zone. I'm reasonably sure that most belonging to my generation would have found it highly unsettling, and it was. In late 2019, Loren would join Andrea Bocelli's USA and European tours. I won't presume to know her mindset, but I would guess that the shift she was experiencing was somewhat softened by having most of the logistics handled by others and by being among colleagues and friends. Regardless, a course change had occurred for each of us, and in her case, it would take her toward new horizons and open up new worlds to explore.