Amy Winehouse actress Marisa Abela nominated for EE Rising Star award after controversial Back To Black biopic
AMY Winehouse actress Marisa Abela has bagged herself an EE Bafta Rising Star nomination after her portrayal of the singer in the controversial biopic about her life.
She played the Rehab singer in Sam Taylor Johnson’s directed Back To Black alongside former Skins actor Jack O’Connell who played her boyfriend Blake Fielder-Civil.
Speaking at The Savoy in London, Marisa said: “Amy was a once in a lifetime talent and I knew that this would be a once in a lifetime job.
“Once I got the role I researched so much,I felt like I connected with Amy’s lifeblood, her breath and her tenacity and what I felt she wanted from the world. I felt there was a deep longing to belong, and to prove, and to be loved.”
Admitting she was terrified to take on the role of the British music icon, Marisa said: “I was most nervous about the live performances.
“The first one we did was at what we imagined was Shepherd’s Bush Empire. There were about 200 extras. I felt I had to nail it in one – it was the most nervous I was on set.”
Amy tragically died in 2011 aged just 27 after battling a high profile addiction to drink and drugs.
Marisa, who plays Yasmin Yazdani in hit BBC’s series Industry, will go up against her former co-star’s Nabhaan Rizwann and David Jonsson.
Jharell Jerome and Mikey Madison have also been nominated in the only public voted category of the Baftas.
Marisa’s Back to Black co-star Jack O’Connell was joined by Radio 1’s Ali Plumbs to make the announcement on Tuesday morning.
Jack, 34, won the EE Rising Star award back in 2015 after impressing with the lead role in Angelina Jolie’s hit film Unbroken.
The 2025 EE Baftas will take place on Sunday February 16 at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall in London.
Once again Scottish Dr Who actor David Tennant will host the swanky ceremony.
Voting for the EE Rising Star Award is open now – previous winners include Tom Holland, Kristen Stewart, Tom Hardy and James McAvoy.
To vote for the EE Rising Star 2025 click here