Impressionist Jess Robinson nearly quit acting before landing the Spitting Image role
AN award-winning impressionist has revealed she considered quitting acting during the pandemic before landing her dream role.
Jess Robinson is a voice artist on Spitting Image, having voiced the likes of Adele, Kim Kardashian, Taylor Swift, Ivanka Trump and more.
But the performer, who lives in Hove, told The Argus Podcast she was about to throw in the towel on her acting career before getting the job during lockdown.
“I had a big meltdown,” she said. “I think a lot of people looked at their life during lockdown and thought, ‘what am I doing, who am I?’
“Acting is very stressful sometimes, so when that stress is gone, you think it’s maybe quite nice to have to stress or worry about having to put on a new show or worry about the sale of tickets.”
The 39-year-old said landing a role in the satirical puppet show Spitting Image was a dream come true.
“It’s the pinnacle of an impressionist career,” she says.
“I felt so desperate to be seen for it and I worked so hard on all the voices and auditions. Every fiber of me really wanted it, so to get it was amazing.
“The best part was being in the studio and seeing the puppets and how the puppeteers bring these crazy latex puppets to life.”
Impressionist Jess Robinson
Jess also revealed that Spitting Image will take to the stage in the West End in 2023.
“I always wanted to be in the West End so ultimately I won’t be, but my voice will be,” she added.
The performer, who also hosts the award-winning Stars In Your Ears podcast, said moving to Hove during lockdown was another saving grace.
“I wouldn’t have wanted to be stuck anywhere else except maybe the Bahamas,” she said.
“I find it so different living in London. Everyone is friendly and I feel like I could literally walk down the street dressed as a clown and no one would look twice. Everyone is so accepting.
Jess, who reached the Britain’s Got Talent semi-final in 2017, is set to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival later this year, and has even hinted at some shows closer to home.
“I may be doing a few previews of a brand new show, which I haven’t quite written yet, at the Brighton Festival – so watch this space,” she said.
The full episode of The Argus Podcast featuring Jess is now available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.