Ryan Tubridy: ‘I love a good comeback story'

Extra.ie​

2 days ago

I love a good comeback story, and so it was with great happiness that I'm watching one writ large here in London, and at the centre of the tale is a 24-year-old Hollywood star who is the talk of the town.
Just a few short months ago, Rachel Zegler was subjected to the most unmerciful pile-on (mostly by critics) for her part in the movie Snow White. She seemed to bother all sorts of people for a plethora of reasons from the get-go: She was the wrong colour; she supported the 'wrong' side in the Gaza conflict; she was too mouthy, etc. And yet she kept on going.
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She was harassed and harangued from all quarters as the film tanked in the box office. A lot of people are involved in the making of a movie, and usually, the director or stars take the hit if the punters don't like it, but in this case, it wasn't her co-star, Gal Gadot, but rather Zegler herself. It was horrible to watch, and yet it's part of the modern narrative. Build them up, shoot 'em down. Now that we're all journalists, photographers and critics, the heat is intense.
Rachel Zegler. Pic:)
Which all brings us to the balcony outside London's esteemed Palladium Theatre, where a modern revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Evita is wowing audiences and receiving five-star reviews.
At one point during the show, Zegler (as Evita) leaves the stage and makes her way onto a balcony where she sings the show's big number, Don't Cry For Me Argentina, to the general public outside! At first, the stunned passers-by had no idea what was happening, but since word got out, hundreds of people gather every night at around 9pm to witness this magnificent moment in musical history.
While it has the feel of a stunt (it's got everyone talking), there is also a bit of a historical point to it as Eva Peron wants to leave the aristocracy behind and talk to the 'people', so in a way, it works. There's been some chatter as to how the ticket-payers inside feel about missing the key tune, but apparently, she sings it twice so nobody misses out.
Rachel Zegler. Pic: James Veysey/Shutterstock (15383298w)
The good news for Rachel Zegler is that she is being hailed, praised, lauded – whatever you want to call it, and while she has been shining for a few years already, there's a real sense that a star is born. It's a glorious comeback for a talented young woman. She's a survivor and a lesson to us all.
As a postscript, some years ago, I came across Sinead O'Connor's version of 'Don't Cry for Me, Argentina' and played it on the radio, where it really struck a chord with listeners. It's a ghostly and ethereal interpretation of the song and one that the song's lyricist, Tim Rice, said was his favourite. Treat yourself to a listen; it's even more moving given that Sinead is no longer with us.
Another bunch of young lads working hard in the music industry were busy last weekend. Inhaler are on the move, and God only knows what pressure Elijah Hewson, below, and the band must've felt when they heard that Paul McCartney was watching from the wings (no pun) at their Glastonbury turn.
Elijah Hewson of Inhaler. Pic: Anthony Devlin/Hogan Media/Shutterstock (15369920da)
But there he was, on the side of the stage as they did their thing. I can only assume he enjoyed it as he stayed for the whole set. The breakthrough Irish act appears to have been CMAT who is gaining serious traction over here. I heard her on BBC saying that it's taken years and years of hard graft to get here, and God loves a grafter, so good luck to her.
Kneecap continues to attract headlines, but their Glastonbury set, while wildly successful, was pipped for controversy by Bob Vylan, whose comments and chants gobbled up all the media attention.
Kudos to The Script for a reflective, emotional performance and Orla Gartland, whose star is on the rise here too.
Ryan Tubridy and fiancée Clare. Pic: Michael Chester
I was back in Dublin for my pal Joe Duffy's going-away party in The Duke pub, just off Grafton Street and while I've seen Joe and some great pals I used to work with many times in the past couple of years, I hadn't seen lots of my old comrades since my less than discreet departure from Montrose.
Suffice to say that it was a warm and fun welcome with lots of hugs received and offered and old war stories retold over a few decent pints of Guinness. Everyone was so gracious and thoughtful around Clare, and it reminded me of why I enjoyed my time there and how much fun I had working with some wonderful programme-makers whom I thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting with.
There was plenty of chatter about what Joe might do next, but to divulge those conversations here would not be appropriate!
Ryan Tubridy and Vittorio Angelone. Pic: File
I had a most enjoyable chat with Belfast comedian Vittorio Angelone, below, last week. I was aware that he was doing well in the UK and hoped to have him on the radio show, which duly happened. He's a smart, witty guy with an astute eye for the absurd.
We got talking about the peace process and how his generation (Gen Z) has been given the moniker 'Peace Babies', to which he responded that he was born in 1996 and the Good Friday Agreement was signed in 1998, so for two years, he was 'involved' – brilliant.
The conversation covered a multitude, and I'm a fan. He has a tour coming in the autumn, so be sure to check him out.