Carly Rae Jepsen signs on as Frenchy in Fox's 'Grease: Live' - Los Angeles Times
Advertisement

Carly Rae Jepsen signs on as Frenchy in Fox’s ‘Grease: Live’

Carly Rae Jepsen, shown performing at the MTV World Stage Live concert in Malaysia on Sept. 12, 2015., will play Frenchy in Fox's "Grease: Live."

Carly Rae Jepsen, shown performing at the MTV World Stage Live concert in Malaysia on Sept. 12, 2015., will play Frenchy in Fox’s “Grease: Live.”

(Joshua Paul / Associated Press)
Share via

No maybe about it: Fox has called Carly Rae Jepsen for its upcoming live reboot of the musical “Grease.”

The Canadian singer behind the 2012 pop smash “Call Me Maybe” has signed on as Frenchy, a member of the Pink Ladies gang at fictional 1950s Rydell High.

“Grease: Live” is set to air in a live three-hour block on Fox on Jan. 31, with Julianne Hough of “Dancing With the Stars” fame as Sandy, the nice girl who falls in love with bad-boy gang leader Danny (Aaron Tveit). The part of Rizzo, Sandy’s tough-girl nemesis, will be played by former teen queen Vanessa Hudgens.

Advertisement

SIGN UP for the free Classic Hollywood newsletter >>

The 1978 movie version of “Grease” — itself an adaptation of the Broadway musical — starred John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John as Danny and Sandy. Didi Conn played the part of Frenchy, the “beauty school dropout” trying to find her way in life.

Jepsen, 29, has released three studio albums, including this year’s “Emotion.” But by far her biggest hit is “Call Me Maybe,” a catchy dance pop tune that became a worldwide smash.

Advertisement

Fox also announced that British pop queen Jessie J will sing a cover of “Grease,” the Frankie Valli song that Barry Gibb wrote for the 1978 movie.

What do you think of Jepsen and “Grease: Live”? Is there room for another go-round with this musical?

Twitter: @scottcollinsLAT

Advertisement
Advertisement