What We Know About The Stars Of Girls5eva
"Girls5eva," Peacock's brand new series, follows a girl group from the '90s as they reunite and make a last-gasp attempt at pop stardom. And while the characters on the show might be has-beens, the actresses playing them certainly are not. Created by "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" alum Meredith Scardino, "Girls5eva" stars Renèe Elise Goldsberry, Busy Philipps, Paula Pell, and Sara Bareilles, all of whom you've probably seen before — if not on TV then on Broadway (via NPR).
Remember "Hamilton"? Well, Renèe Elise Goldsberry (who portrays Wickie in "Girls5eva") was a central part of the "Hamilton" hysteria, starring in the Broadway production and originating the role of Angelica Schuyler. Goldsberry took home the 2016 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical, earning one of the many accolades "Hamilton" would take home that evening (via Broadway). Prior to "Hamilton", Goldsberry could be seen in Broadway shows like "The Color Purple," "The Lion King," and "RENT" (via Playbill). As for her TV credits, Goldsberry has had recurring roles on shows like "Ally McBeal," "Law and Order: SVU," "The Good Wife," and "Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist" (via IMDb).
If you recognize actress Busy Philipps — aka Summer on "Girls5eva" — it may very well be from her massive Instagram presence, which boasts over 2 million followers, or from her portrayal as Kim Kelly in the cult favorite "Freaks and Geeks." From there, Phillips went on to appear in the shows "Dawson's Creek" and "Cougar Town," and in films like "He's Just Not That Into You" and "I Feel Pretty" (via IMDb).
The stars of Girls5eva bring musical and comedy chops to the show
Singer Sara Bareilles brings some serious music credibility to the cast of "Girls5eva," starring in the show as Dawn. Bareilles is best known for her work as a musician, with her songs "Brave," "Love Song," "King of Anything," and "Uncharted" reaching the top of the Billboard charts. What viewers might not realize, however, is that this isn't Bareilles' first brush with acting. Bareilles was part of the creative team responsible for bringing the film "Waitress" to the Broadway stage, writing the show's music and lyrics (via BBC). Bareilles' involvement with the show then went one step further when she took up the mantle of portraying the show's lead, Jenna, following actress Jessie Mueller's departure.
As for Gloria, portrayed by Paula Pell, audiences are more likely to be familiar with the actress' writing than with her previous performances. Pell spent nearly 20 years writing for "Saturday Night Live," co-creating memorable characters like The Spartan Cheerleaders and Debbie Downer (via Vulture). Pell also penned the Tina Fey and Amy Poehler comedy "Sisters" and has lent her comedy chops to award shows like the Oscars and Golden Globes (via IndieWire). In the last few years, Pell has increased her onscreen appearances, showing up in "30 Rock" and the Poehler-directed "Wine Country".
If viewers didn't know these actresses before, the debut of "Girls5eva" is the perfect chance to get to know these stars a little better.