Fem Belling (born 6 December 1978) is an South African Born, Australian

Jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a majo ...

vocalist and violinist with a dual career in stage musicals and jazz singing. Fem was raised in

Johannesburg Johannesburg ( , , ; Zulu language, Zulu and xh, eGoli ), colloquially known as Jozi, Joburg, or "The City of Gold", is the largest city in South Africa, classified as a Megacity#List of megacities, megacity, and is List of urban areas by p ...

and later moved to

Cape Town Cape Town ( af, Kaapstad; , xh, iKapa) is one of South Africa's three capital cities, serving as the seat of the Parliament of South Africa. It is the legislative capital of the country, the oldest city in the country, and the second larges ...

to establish a career in musical theatre before moving to London as a leading lady in the West End. Lead roles include ''

Hairspray Hairspray may refer to: * Hair spray, a personal grooming product that keeps hair protected from humidity and wind * ''Hairspray'' (1988 film), a film by John Waters ** ''Hairspray'' (1988 soundtrack), the film's soundtrack album ** ''Hairspray ...

'', ''Fame'', '' Footloose'', ''

Cats The cat (''Felis catus'') is a domestic species of small carnivorous mammal. It is the only domesticated species in the family Felidae and is commonly referred to as the domestic cat or house cat to distinguish it from the wild members of ...

'' (original South African cast) &

Liza Minnelli Liza May Minnelli ( ; born March 12, 1946) is an American actress, singer, dancer, and choreographer. Known for her commanding stage presence and powerful alto singing voice, Minnelli is among a rare group of performers awarded an Emmy, Grammy ...

in the 2011 production of ''

The Boy from Oz ''The Boy from Oz'' is a Australian jukebox musical based on the life of singer and songwriter Peter Allen, featuring songs written by him. The book commissioned for the musical is by Nick Enright, based on Stephen MacLean's 1996 biography of ...

'' starring

Todd McKenney Todd McKenney (born 31 May 1965) is an Australian dancer, theatre performer and TV personality. He is best known as a judge on Australian television talent show ''Dancing with the Stars''. As a theatre performer, he has appeared in numerous pro ...

. Fem claims 5 Vita awards, a Green Room Award nomination for Best Leading Actress in the Musical ''Genesis to Broadway''” and shares an ARIA nomination from her involvement in The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra.

Theatre career

as Jennyanydots / Bombalina, Footloose as Rusty / Elanor, Austentatious as Emily,

as Shelly / Tracey Turnblad ( Original West End cast ), Fame,

Debbie Does Dallas ''Debbie Does Dallas'' is a 1978 pornographic film starring Bambi Woods. The plot of the film focuses on a team of cheerleaders attempting to earn enough money to send the title character to Dallas, Texas to try out for the famous "Texas Cowgir ...

as Donna ( original UK and South African cast ), Annie Get Your Gun as Gigi / Dolly ( National UK tour ), Joseph And The Amazing Technecolour Dreamcoat as the Narrator,

Jesus Christ Superstar ''Jesus Christ Superstar'' is a sung-through rock opera with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. Loosely based on the Gospels' accounts of the Passion, the work interprets the psychology of Jesus and other characters, with ...

as Soul Girl,

Little Shop of Horrors Little Shop of Horrors may refer to: * '' The Little Shop of Horrors'', a 1960 film directed by Roger Corman ** ''Little Shop of Horrors'' (musical), a 1982 musical based on the 1960 film ** ''Little Shop of Horrors'' (film), a 1986 film adaptat ...

as Audrey, Nunsense Jamboree as Sister Mary Leo, Oklahoma as Ensemble, Summer Holiday as Alma / Barbera, Rocky Horror Show 25th Jubilee Tour as Phantom / Columbia / Janet, 2011

The Boy From Oz ''The Boy from Oz'' is a Australian jukebox musical based on the life of singer and songwriter Peter Allen, featuring songs written by him. The book commissioned for the musical is by Nick Enright, based on Stephen MacLean's 1996 biography of ...

, 2013 Genesis To Broadway as Fem Belling, 2013 Dear Blossom as

Blossom Dearie Margrethe Blossom Dearie (April 28, 1924 – February 7, 2009) was an American jazz singer and pianist. She had a recognizably light and girlish voice.Profile at AllMusic/ref> Dearie performed regular engagements in London and New York City ov ...

, 2015 Sexercise the musical as Rhonda

Television career

Dora (Fem Belling) is a henchwoman/helicopter pilot in the 2001 comedy film ''Mr. Bones''.

Music career

In 2007 Fem moved to

Melbourne Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/ Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a me ...

Australia to be with family and pursue her passion for

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a majo ...

. In 2014 she auditioned for

The Voice (Australia season 4) The fourth season of ''The Voice'' premiered on 28 June 2015. Ricky Martin and Joel Madden returned as coaches for the fourth season, with Madden pairing up with his brother, Benji Madden as a duo. In January 2015, it was announced that Jessie ...

and reached the Super Battle round.

Discography

Studio albums

Awards and nominations

Australian Women in Music Awards

The Australian Women in Music Awards is an annual event that celebrates outstanding women in the

Australian Music Industry Australian(s) may refer to: Australia * Australia, a country * Australians, citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia ** European Australians ** Anglo-Celtic Australians, Australians descended principally from British colonists ** Aboriginal ...

who have made significant and lasting contributions in their chosen field. They commenced in 2018. , - ,

2018 File:2018 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: The 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in PyeongChang, South Korea; Protests erupt following the Assassination of Jamal Khashoggi; March for Our Lives protests take place across the United ...

, Fem Billing , Musical Excellence Award ,

References

External links

Official web site
{{DEFAULTSORT:Belling, Fem 1978 births Living people Australian violinists 21st-century violinists