Michela got a taste of the musical theatre world when she started training in the arts at the tender age of four. Even amidst her pursuit of a commerce degree, Michela’s heart remained tethered to the stage as she starred in local musicals, notably as Scaramouche in We Will Rock You.

Right after completing her commerce degree in Malta, Michela embarked on a transformative journey to London, overcoming the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic to pursue her dreams in London.

Michela’s leap of faith bore fruit as she secured her inaugural professional contract with Disney, which saw her working and living for three and a half months in Saudi Arabia.

 

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There, she found herself immersed in the enchanting world of ‘Disney: The Castle,’ a new musical event produced by international creative powerhouses Balich Wonder Studio, Propeller Live, and Tim Lawson, in association with Disney Concerts. It premiered on 22nd November and enjoyed a 12-week run as an integral part of Riyadh Season 2023.

“I loved it!” Michela told Lovin Malta, reflecting on her time in Saudi. “Such experiences do not come by often, so I truly did make the most of it.”

Although at the start, Michela was “pretty sceptical and afraid of what [her] life would look like,” she would soon be “proven wrong” by her lived experience. “I would not change it for the world,” she said.

“Together with my colleagues and fellow performers, I was living in an international compound where we were able to carry on life as we would normally anywhere else.”

“The fact that our life was not affected by the stereotypical idea of Saudi enriched my experience further,” she explained.

She went on to say that “once [they] exited the compound, [they] had to abide by Saudi law”.

“Nevertheless, the internet definitely does a disservice to what Saudi life is really like! People there are some of the most generous people I have ever met, and it will be the next entertainment and tourist hub in the very near future,” she explained.

When asked about the dress code in the country, she admitted that it is “rather strict”. In fact, whenever she went beyond the compound gates, she wore “loose clothing and maxi dresses”, but was “not required to cover [her] hair.”

“The initial adjustment felt peculiar!” she admitted, especially since “public displays of affection and physical contact in any form are strictly prohibited in Saudi Arabia, which posed a challenge for someone like [her], who thrives on tactile interaction.”

“Interestingly, I observed that many young locals didn’t strictly adhere to these customs, especially those involved in our production, which eventually made me feel more at ease in my workplace”.

“Thankfully, the situation for women in Saudi Arabia has improved over the past five years, particularly with the lifting of the ban on women driving. However, societal norms still dictate different behaviour for women compared to Western countries, resulting in frequent stares,” Michela recalled.

She went on to say that since alcohol is illegal in the country, she did miss “the occasional glass of wine.”

Now that Michela has returned to London, she has resumed her journey of auditions, eagerly anticipating future projects.

We wish Michela the best of luck for future endeavours! Tag someone who needs to see this