Marlena Kelli is one of the Leeds scene’s most known faces. She regularly performs at Blayds Bar and appeared live on stage at Leeds Pride 2011. Here, Gayleeds.com catches up with Marlena and has a chat about what the future holds for her.

How did you get in to the entertainment business?

My mother was dancer and I grew up performing. I went to Central Drama School for 3 years and was in a show there. I had to come back from London to look after my Mum who had terminal cancer. I became a full time career for my mum and then Carla Jackson put together an act along with Chris Bellamy and Anja Bark. It was there to be creative and it also allowed me to have an outlet whilst I was caring for mum.

Did you have a vocal coach?

No, it’s a natural ability. I could sing before I could talk and that’s what got me in to Drama School. I had 12 hours of singing, dancing and drama a day while I was at Drama School. But while I was there I had a part time job at Jongleurs Comedy club. (Now Highlights Comedy Club).

How do you feel about performing for the gay community?

I absolutely love it. I tend not to think of it as this is a gay venue or this is a gay venue. I choose my songs based on the audience and those songs relate to everyone. I don’t like divides, there are bigots out there, when I approach it I don’t this this is gay/straight. I’m a resident singer at Blayds and the audience there is always warm and friendly. There are friends there as well as people.

What was it like to perform at Pride?

It was amazing. If I can open pride this year I want a live band and do “Let’s Get Loud” with a live band with horns. My highlights of Pride were performing on the main stage and at Blayds.

How do you feel about performing at the Owlies?

I can’t wait. It is such a big honour. It’s awarding some amazing members of the community.

There is going to be a lot of media attention around the Owlies, do you think it is attracting a big status?

Yes and so it should. It is honouring amazingly talented people. The Drag acts, bars are all fantastic. And it is always a treat to work with Kira I admire her.

Do you attract a lot of female attention?

No! It happens occasionally but not really, very rarely. In straight venues you get loads of horny blokes.

So you are singing ‘I am what I am’ to close the award ceremony, what made you come up with this particular song?

It’s just a fantastic song and it is applicable to everyone there.

Can you tell us what you will be wearing on the night?

Not decided yet. Something to cover my fat arse which is shrinking by the day!

What are your ambitions for the future?

Well I am an actress as well as a singer and my agent is going to push me for some shows. What will be will be I just want to keep working. I would love to have 2 kids and be in the West End acting in musicals in the next 10 years. But I am happy just singing to 1 person, I just love singing.

How do you feel when you sing?

I feel on fire. I convey the emotion and feeling of the song. It is lovely to see people’s faces and I enjoy it. If I’m singing a love song, I think of someone I love and then put all that emotion in to it. ‘Let’s Get Loud’ has the lyric “Life’s a party, make no excuses” and it gets the audience going.

What potential do you think the Gay scene has? Where do you see it going?

That is something that is open for discussion it’s not really a question it is more of a discussion. If it grew I think it could lose the family feeling. It would be lovely to live in a world where something isn’t questioned.

Who are your musical influences?

John Barrowman and Nina Simone. I am also heavily influenced by the Drag Queens.

What kind of music are you in to?

Jazz, Musical, Theatre and Latin.

What do you think of X Factor?

I don’t rate it. It is a well-known fact in the industry that it is fixed. A lot of the acts on there are planted. I’m not against it but I’m not for it.

What song would you sing if you auditioned?

I would write one called ‘Simon Cowell’s a C**t’! I would only go for the show that Andrew Lloyd Webber does and sing one of his songs.

Interview by Amelia Bradbourne

A great big thank you to Marlena for taking the time to do the interview