Legally Blonde Understudy Hannah Lowther Breaks Silence on Amber Davies 'Feud' Rumours
Hannah Lowther, the understudy for Amber Davies in the touring production of Legally Blonde, has publicly addressed swirling rumours of a backstage feud between the two actresses. This comes after Davies, a former Strictly Come Dancing finalist, stepped away from the show due to illness, with Lowther taking over the lead role of Elle Woods indefinitely.
Mid-Show Takeover Sparks Speculation
On Wednesday night, Hannah Lowther, 28, replaced Amber Davies mid-performance, a move that later fuelled reports of tension behind the scenes. Insiders claimed to the Daily Mail that audiences were responding more positively to Lowther's portrayal, with one source stating, "When Hannah goes on, the energy is completely different. She gives it ten times more energy than Amber ever has, and just has that sparkle that Amber lacks."
The source added that while backstage interactions remained professional, "the atmosphere between the two girls can be a bit tense at times." Davies had been playing Elle Woods full-time for just four weeks before her departure.
Social Media Statements from Both Actresses
On Friday, Hannah Lowther took to social media to share a video of herself preparing for the stage, captioning it, "Exhausting actually…please be kind." In her Story, she wrote, "nothing but love for our leading lady @amb_d," and added a poignant message: "One day I hope that we will be able to live in a world where women aren't pit against each other and compared ALL the time, a world where we can all succeed, thrive or just simply exist without other people trying to tear us down."
The clip featured Billie Eilish's song What Was I Made For from the Barbie soundtrack. Amber Davies responded in the comments, writing, "We’ve got each other always." Earlier, Davies had posted a personal message to Lowther on Instagram, praising her: "An extra special appreciate message to @hannahlowther who has given me all the grace and space to be poorly and recover. The show is in safe hands ALWAYS."
Background and Professional Respect
Hannah Lowther, who normally plays the role of Margot in the musical, had previously auditioned for the part of Elle. In an interview with The Mirror, she expressed admiration for Davies, saying, "Amber is just the sweetest, loveliest human being in the world." She also praised Davies' performance on Strictly Come Dancing, noting the challenges of different dance styles.
The situation highlights the pressures in live theatre, where understudies must step in seamlessly, often amid public scrutiny. Both actresses have emphasised mutual support, countering narratives of rivalry with messages of solidarity and professionalism.
