![First-look: Debbie Kurup as Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada, as she covers for Vanessa Williams [Updated]](https://www.westendtheatre.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/The-Devil-Wears-Prada-Debbie-Kurup-as-Miranda-Priestly.jpg "First-look: Debbie Kurup as Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada, as she covers for Vanessa Williams [Updated]")
Smash-hit West End musical The Devil Wears Prada has announced that Vanessa Williams, who plays fashion magazine editor Miranda Priestly, will step away from the show for a week in January.
She will be replaced by her official standby, West End actor Debbie Kurup (Fangirls, The Cher Show).
Vanessa Williams (Ugly Betty) is taking time away from the production due to the recent death of her mother.
First-look Video: Debbie Kurup in The Devil Wears Prada
The production issued a statement on social media, saying: “Due to a sudden loss in her family, Vanessa Williams will not be appearing from Wednesday 8th to Wednesday 15th January. During this time the role of Miranda Priestly will be played by Debbie Kurup. Vanessa will return to The Devil Wears Prada from Thursday 16th January.”
First-look Photo: Debbie Kurup in The Devil Wears Prada
Williams said in a statement on social media, “Helen Louise Williams (Tinch), a vocal music educator for over 40 years in the Ossining and Manhattanville School Districts, Professor at Manhattanville College, and proud mother of actress/singer Vanessa Williams and actor Chris Williams peacefully passed away December 28th, 6:50 a.m., at The London Clinic due to complications of acute liver failure. She had recently traveled to London for opening night of The Devil Wears Prada in the West End, and to celebrate her 85th birthday party surrounded by 150 of her family and friends. During her visit she suffered a major decline in health which ended her life.”
The show also stars Matt Henry (Kinky Boots) as Nigel, Georgie Buckland (Shrek the Musical) as Andy, Amy Di Bartolomeo (Six The Musical) as Emily, James Darch (Mamma Mia!) as Christian, Rhys Whitfield (The Phantom of the Opera) as Nate, and Debbie Kurup (The Cher Show) as Standby Miranda.
The show’s creative team includes music by Oscar and Grammy Award winner Elton John, Tony Award-winning director Jerry Mitchell (Legally Blonde, Pretty Woman, Kinky Boots), lyrics by Shaina Taub, and book by Kate Wetherhead based on the movie and Lauren Weisberger’s best-selling book.
The Devil Wears Prada The Musical is booking at the Dominion Theatre to 18 October 2025.
Book tickets to The Devil Wears Prada The Musical at the Dominion Theatre London
UPDATES: First published 3 January 2025 with news of Debbie Kurup performing as Miranda Priestly; Updated 7 January 2025 with a first-look photo; Updated 9 January 2025 with a first-look video
Dominion Theatre, London
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