Introducing: Simona Armstrong

From: Romania. Lived in Glasgow and now in Greenford, London.
Age: 28
Occupation: Actress / receptionist
Family: Two sisters - one older and one younger, and Scottish husband Ian.
Experience: Vocal training at Bucharest Academy. Acting roles in Romania and the UK.

Born and raised in Romania, Simona is a passionate woman who puts her all into every performance. She is trying to make a career as a full time actress and has had some small TV roles.

Simona has had two years of Romanian Pop and Classical vocal training at the Bucharest Academy, an extremely prestigious performing arts school. She completed two years of a four year course before moving to the UK.

She is from a very musical background - her mother and sister sing, and her grandmother was an actress. Simona's family are still in Romania and she misses them a lot. Simona is married to Ian, a personal trainer, who is "her greatest support" - she met him whilst living in Glasgow - a city she holds very dear to her heart.

Simona finds casting in England difficult because of her accent but this is something she is working on. She loves a bit of karaoke and Abba songs but her favourite music genres are soul and jazz as they are full of passion. She also loves playing volleyball with the neighbourhood kids.

Other than performing, her other ambition would be to work as a lawyer or journalist.

When did you first realise you had a talent for singing?
When I was in kindergarten, I had to do lots of shows that included singing and performing... I got a very positive response (I was quite surprised!), all the kindergarten teachers wanted me to be in their performances as well, even if I wasn't in their class!

What is your favourite musical?
Little Shop of Horrors.

Who is your favourite character in a musical and why?
Audrey from Little Shop of Horrors because she never gives up her dream and she always follows her path. That's very important for me.

What qualities do you have similar to those of Maria?
Her vulnerability, her confidence, her spirit and most of all, her honesty inside.

Why should you be the next Maria?
Because I really do love everything about this musical... it is so much me... it's a dream, it's a love story, it's also working with children which is a big satisfaction for me.