Jessica Alexander
{{good article}}
{{Short description|English actress (born 1999)}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Jessica Alexander
| image = jessica alexander 2022 1.png
| caption = Alexander in 2022
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1999|6|19}}
| birth_place = Westminster, London, England
| occupation = Actress
| years_active = 2013–present
}}
Jessica Caroline Alexander (born 19 June 1999) is an English actress. She began her career in short films and garnered recognition for her role in the BBC iPlayer series Get Even (2020), and made her feature film debut in Glasshouse and A Banquet (both 2021). She gained further prominence in Disney's live-action musical fantasy The Little Mermaid (2023) as Vanessa.
Early life
Jessica Caroline Alexander was born on 19 June 1999 in Westminster, London, England.{{cite web |last1=Wiseskamin |first1=Kankawin |title=รู้จัก 'Jessica Alexander' เจ้าของบทเออร์ซูล่าร่างแปลงใน The Little Mermaid |url=https://vogue.co.th/beauty/celebrity-jessica-alexander |trans-title=Get to Know 'Jessica Alexander', Who Plays Ursula's Transformation in The Little Mermaid |website=Vogue Thailand |access-date=7 June 2023 |language=th |date=3 June 2023 |archive-date=7 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607081122/https://vogue.co.th/beauty/celebrity-jessica-alexander |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=¿Quién es Jessica Alexander? La actriz que interpreta a Vanessa en La Sirenita |url=https://elle.mx/celebridades/2023/06/01/quien-es-jessica-alexander-la-actriz-que-interpreta-a-vanessa-en-la-sirenita |website=Elle |access-date=7 June 2023 |trans-title=Who is Jessica Alexander? The Actress Who Plays Vanessa in The Little Mermaid |language=es |date=1 June 2023 |archive-date=5 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605155820/https://elle.mx/celebridades/2023/06/01/quien-es-jessica-alexander-la-actriz-que-interpreta-a-vanessa-en-la-sirenita |url-status=live }} She began acting at a church hall near home at age five and subsequently decided to pursue an acting career.{{cite web |last1=Kandangwa |first1=Sumnima |title=Meet Jessica Alexander, The Little Mermaid{{'s}} Breakout Star: the Bisexual Gen Z Actress Plays Ursula's Human Incarnate for 6 Minutes in the Disney Film, and Sticks Up for Co-star Halle Bailey |url=https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3222725/meet-jessica-alexander-little-mermaids-breakout-star-bisexual-gen-z-actress-plays-ursulas-human |website=South China Morning Post |access-date=7 June 2023 |language=en |date=2 June 2023 |archive-date=8 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608153253/https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3222725/meet-jessica-alexander-little-mermaids-breakout-star-bisexual-gen-z-actress-plays-ursulas-human |url-status=live }}
Career
Alexander began auditioning for films at 14 years old. She made her debut in the Yorgos Lanthimos-directed short film Necktie (2013).{{cite web |last1=Migliaccio |first1=Christina |trans-title=The Little Mermaid: All About Jessica Alexander, the Actress Who Plays Vanessa |title=La Sirenetta: tutto su Jessica Alexander, l'attrice che interpreta Vanessa |url=https://www.comingsoon.it/cinema/news/la-sirenetta-tutto-su-jessica-alexander-l-attrice-che-interpreta-vanessa/n160023 |website=ComingSoon.net |access-date=3 October 2023 |language=it |date=26 May 2023 |archive-date=26 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230526173721/https://www.comingsoon.it/cinema/news/la-sirenetta-tutto-su-jessica-alexander-l-attrice-che-interpreta-vanessa/n160023/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Jessica Alexander |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/jessica_alexander |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=3 October 2023 |language=en |archive-date=16 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016174721/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/jessica_alexander |url-status=live }} In 2016, she appeared in another short film, titled Truck. She made her television debut in the 2018 Italian Disney Channel teen dramedy Penny on M.A.R.S. as Lucy Carpenter, the antagonist of the first two series. That same year, she was scouted by Select Model Management.{{Cite journal|url=https://spindlemagazine.com/in-photos-with-jess-alexander|title=In photos with Jess Alexander|journal=Spindle|date=20 November 2018|accessdate=12 June 2021}} She later signed with Next,{{Cite web|url=https://www.nextmanagement.com/london/profile/jessica-alexander|title=London / Jessica Alexander|website=Next Models|accessdate=17 November 2021}} where she was a model in product and clothing advertisements. Alexander starred in the BBC iPlayer teen thriller series Get Even (2020), which had an international release on Netflix. Alexander played Olivia Hayes, a popular teenager who pretends to be wealthy and straight.{{Cite web|last=Singh-Kurtz|first=Sangeeta|date=4 August 2020|title=Get Even Is a Glossy British Murder Mystery|url=https://www.thecut.com/2020/08/netflixs-get-even-is-a-glossy-prep-school-murder-mystery.html|access-date=30 April 2021|website=The Cut|language=en-us|archive-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430234659/https://www.thecut.com/2020/08/netflixs-get-even-is-a-glossy-prep-school-murder-mystery.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Paz |first1=Maggie Dela |title=The Little Mermaid: Jessica Alexander Joins Disney's New Live-Action Film |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1165175-the-little-mermaid-jessica-alexander-disney |website=ComingSoon.net |access-date=7 June 2023 |date=2 March 2021 |archive-date=8 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608153253/https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1165175-the-little-mermaid-jessica-alexander-disney |url-status=live }} She drew parallels between the character and herself at age 16, in that they were both incredibly determined despite not fully understanding themselves yet.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/get-even/jessica|title=Jessica Alexander is Olivia Hayes: The Actress|website=BBC Media Centre|date=5 February 2020|accessdate=12 June 2021|archive-date=9 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109083430/https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/get-even/jessica/|url-status=live}}
In 2021, Alexander starred as Bee in the South African dystopian thriller Glasshouse, directed by Kelsey Egan, whom Alexander had met through a previous project. Egan initially wanted a South African actress to play the role, but found none who suited the character. In October 2020, she sent the script to Alexander, who enjoyed it and auditioned a few months later.{{Cite interview|url=https://flipscreened.com/2021/08/21/fantasia-2021-interview-glasshouse-jessica-alexander/|title=Fantasia 2021 Interview: Glasshouse – Jessica Alexander|journal=Flip Screen|interviewer=Hayley Paskevich|first=Jessica|last=Alexander|date=21 August 2021|accessdate=9 June 2023|archive-date=28 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528034344/https://flipscreened.com/2021/08/21/fantasia-2021-interview-glasshouse-jessica-alexander/|url-status=live}} The film was generally well received, with particular praise for its cast.{{cite Rotten Tomatoes|title=Glasshouse|type=m|id=glasshouse|publisher_hide=yes|access-date=7 June 2023}} Alexander's second release of the year, the British horror film A Banquet, received more lukewarm reviews from critics.{{Cite web|last1=Wiseman|first1=Andreas|date=3 September 2020|title=HanWay, Tea Shop & Riverstone Team On Genre Pic 'A Banquet' With 'Resident Evil' Actress Sienna Guillory|url=https://deadline.com/2020/09/resident-evil-sienna-guillory-genre-film-banquet-hanway-teashop-riverstone-1234569757/|access-date=30 April 2021|website=Deadline Hollywood|archive-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501000159/https://deadline.com/2020/09/resident-evil-sienna-guillory-genre-film-banquet-hanway-teashop-riverstone-1234569757/|url-status=live}}{{cite Rotten Tomatoes|title=A Banquet|id=a_banquet|type=m|publisher_hide=yes|access-date=7 June 2023}} Alexander's performance was lauded, however;{{cite web |last1=Thompson |first1=Avery |title=Who Plays Vanessa in The Little Mermaid? Everything to Know About Jessica Alexander |url=https://hollywoodlife.com/feature/who-plays-vanessa-the-little-mermaid-jessica-alexander-5106893 |website=Hollywood Life |access-date=7 June 2023 |date=25 May 2023 |archive-date=8 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608173604/https://hollywoodlife.com/feature/who-plays-vanessa-the-little-mermaid-jessica-alexander-5106893/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=DeFore |first1=John |title=A Banquet: Film Review {{!}} TIFF 2021 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/a-banquet-tiff-2021-1235011374/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=7 June 2023 |date=11 September 2021 |archive-date=8 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608153253/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/a-banquet-tiff-2021-1235011374/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Erbland |first1=Kate |title=A Banquet Review: Overstuffed and Underfed, This Chilling Debut Bites Off More Than It Can Chew |url=https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/a-banquet-review-ruth-paxton-1234661113 |website=IndieWire |access-date=7 June 2023 |date=11 September 2021 |archive-date=9 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609134403/https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/a-banquet-review-ruth-paxton-1234661113/ |url-status=live }} The Times{{'s}} Kevin Maher dubbed her a "rising star",{{cite web |last1=Maher |first1=Kevin |title=A Banquet Review — Disturbing Horror Leaves a Lingering Taste |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/a-banquet-review-disturbing-horror-leaves-a-lingering-taste-jjddql2qk |website=The Times |access-date=7 June 2023 |language=en |date=11 March 2022 |archive-date=8 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608153253/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/a-banquet-review-disturbing-horror-leaves-a-lingering-taste-jjddql2qk |url-status=live }} while The New York Times{{'s}} Lena Wilson favourably commented that her and co-star Ruby Stokes's performances were "wrenching".{{cite web |last1=Wilson |first1=Lena |title=A Banquet Review: Starving for a Higher Purpose |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/17/movies/a-banquet-review.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=7 June 2023 |date=17 February 2022 |archive-date=8 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608153253/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/17/movies/a-banquet-review.html |url-status=live }} In July 2022, she appeared in the Kate Cox-directed thriller film Into the Deep alongside Matthew Daddario and Ella-Rae Smith.{{Cite journal|url=https://deadline.com/2021/09/ella-rae-smith-jessica-alexander-matthew-daddario-board-thriller-into-the-deep-for-signature-films-tea-shop-productions-1234845812/|title=Ella-Rae Smith, Jessica Alexander & Matthew Daddario Board Thriller Into The Deep for Signature Films & Tea Shop Productions|journal=Deadline Hollywood|first=Tom|last=Grater|date=28 September 2021|accessdate=4 October 2021|archive-date=3 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211003202448/https://deadline.com/2021/09/ella-rae-smith-jessica-alexander-matthew-daddario-board-thriller-into-the-deep-for-signature-films-tea-shop-productions-1234845812/|url-status=live}} Screen Rant writer Rachel Labonte opined that despite the acting being "hindered by their characters being under-written, ... Alexander does the best job at considering what was left unsaid about Lexie".{{cite web |last1=Labonte |first1=Rachel |title=Into the Deep Review: Early Promise Peters Out into a Disappointing Ride |url=https://screenrant.com/into-the-deep-2022-movie-reviews |website=Screen Rant |access-date=7 June 2023 |language=en |date=25 August 2022 |archive-date=8 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608153256/https://screenrant.com/into-the-deep-2022-movie-reviews/ |url-status=live }}
Alexander portrayed Vanessa, the human alter-ego of Ursula (Melissa McCarthy), in the musical fantasy film The Little Mermaid (2023), a live-action adaptation of Disney's 1989 film of the same name.{{Cite web|last1=Kroll|first1=Justin|date=1 March 2021|title=Jessica Alexander Joins Disney's Live-Action Little Mermaid Pic|url=https://deadline.com/2021/03/jessica-alexander-disneys-little-mermaid-pic-1234704206/|access-date=30 April 2021|website=Deadline Hollywood|language=en-US|archive-date=13 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313185614/https://deadline.com/2021/03/jessica-alexander-disneys-little-mermaid-pic-1234704206/|url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Brajer |first1=Jessica |title=The Little Mermaid (2023) Cast and Character Guide |url=https://movieweb.com/the-little-mermaid-2023-cast-characters |website=MovieWeb |access-date=7 June 2023 |language=en |date=26 May 2023 |archive-date=12 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230612090439/https://movieweb.com/the-little-mermaid-2023-cast-characters/ |url-status=live }} Of her casting, director Rob Marshall stated it was a conscious decision to cast a relatively unknown actress as Vanessa since McCarthy was already portraying Ursula. He also said: "She's just a beautiful, beautiful actress, and she went there. It's sort of rare for someone that beautiful and charismatic to be able to then turn into the sea witch literally in front of you and just lose it. It was exciting to see that change."{{cite magazine |last1=Russell |first1=Shania |title=Who Plays Ursula's Alter-ego Vanessa in The Little Mermaid? Director Rob Marshall on Casting Jessica Alexander |url=https://ew.com/movies/the-little-mermaid-vanessa-actress-jessica-alexander |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=7 June 2023 |language=en |date=27 May 2023 |archive-date=3 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603162250/https://ew.com/movies/the-little-mermaid-vanessa-actress-jessica-alexander/ |url-status=live }} Alexander enjoyed playing the role, commenting that she "love[s] being demonic, and just going crazy on screen, so this was a perfect opportunity for that". The Little Mermaid, and its performances, received generally positive reviews from critics.{{cite Rotten Tomatoes|id=the_little_mermaid_2023|type=m|title=The Little Mermaid|publisher_hide=yes|access-date=7 June 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Day |first1=Debbie |title=The Little Mermaid First Reviews: Star Halle Bailey Animates This Live-Action Remake |url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/the-little-mermaid-2023-first-reviews |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=7 June 2023 |date=22 May 2023 |archive-date=8 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608153255/https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/the-little-mermaid-2023-first-reviews |url-status=live }} Jordan Iacobucci of Comic Book Resources wrote that "Alexander's Vanessa is callous and conniving ... [she] takes the opportunity to go all-out, unleashing her villainous side in her final scene."{{cite web |last1=Iacobucci |first1=Jordan |title=10 Best Performances in The Little Mermaid Live-Action Remake |url=https://www.cbr.com/little-mermaid-live-action-remake-best-performances/ |website=Comic Book Resources |access-date=7 June 2023 |language=en |date=27 May 2023 |archive-date=8 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608153253/https://www.cbr.com/little-mermaid-live-action-remake-best-performances/ |url-status=live }} Her performance was also praised by fans and went viral on the video-sharing app TikTok.{{cite web |last1=Koh |first1=Reena |title=Scenes of Jessica Alexander Playing Ursula's Human alter-ego in The Little Mermaid Are Going Viral on TikTok. The Actress Loves 'Being Demonic, and Just Going Crazy on Screen.' |url=https://www.insider.com/jessica-alexander-viral-tiktok-little-mermaid-vanessa-ursula-melissa-mccarthy-2023-6 |website=Insider |access-date=7 June 2023 |date=1 June 2023 |archive-date=12 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230912044607/https://www.insider.com/jessica-alexander-viral-tiktok-little-mermaid-vanessa-ursula-melissa-mccarthy-2023-6 |url-status=live }}
Alexander has an upcoming role in the Globoplay series Fallen, which is based on the eponymous novel series by Lauren Kate.{{Cite journal|url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/global/alexander-siddig-fallen-globoplay-1235365859/|title=Alexander Siddig Headlines Supernatural Series Fallen (Exclusive)|journal=Variety|first=Manori|last=Ravindran|date=9 September 2022|accessdate=12 September 2022|archive-date=11 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220911214527/https://variety.com/2022/tv/global/alexander-siddig-fallen-globoplay-1235365859/|url-status=live}} The show follows Luce (Alexander), a young woman who is sent to a cult-like rehabilitation centre for a crime she has no memory of committing.{{cite web |title=Fallen (2023) |url=https://www.avclub.com/tv/reviews/fallen-2023 |website=The A.V. Club |access-date=8 June 2023 |language=en |archive-date=8 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608153253/https://www.avclub.com/tv/reviews/fallen-2023 |url-status=live }} She is also set to appear as Katerina in Amadeus, a drama miniseries revolving around the composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, as well as in Paramount's upcoming film Primate in an undisclosed role.
Personal life and media image
Alexander is openly bisexual.{{cite web |last1=Iftikhar |first1=Asyia |title=Bisexual Star Jessica Alexander Gags Fans in The Little Mermaid: 'A Bad B***h' |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/05/29/the-little-mermaid-jessica-alexander-vanessa-reactions |website=PinkNews |access-date=7 June 2023 |date=29 May 2023 |archive-date=5 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605130021/https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/05/29/the-little-mermaid-jessica-alexander-vanessa-reactions/ |url-status=live }} She is an advocate for the LGBTQ community and has been referred to as a queer icon. She uses her Instagram to spread awareness about LGBTQ-related issues. In March 2023, Alexander was included in the "Bright Young Things Class of 2023", a list by Tatler that names "the next generation of glam, gifted actors to watch".{{Cite journal|url=https://www.tatler.com/bright-young-things-class-of-2023|title=Bright Young Things Class of 2023: Tatler Crowns the Next Generation of Glam, Gifted Actors to Watch in the April Issue|journal=Tatler|first=Lola|last=Hanover|date=2 March 2023|accessdate=3 March 2023|archive-date=10 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230310054046/https://www.tatler.com/bright-young-things-class-of-2023|url-status=live}}
Filmography
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|7987534}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Alexander, Jessica}}
Category:21st-century English actresses
Category:Actresses from London
Category:English child actresses
Category:English film actresses
Category:English television actresses
Category:LGBTQ people from London
Category:Next Management models
Category:Select Model Management models
Category:21st-century English LGBTQ people