Youngest performer chooses Miley

For 15-year-old Carolie Andrew, stepping into Miley Cyrus’s shoes is more than just a performance—it’s a full-circle moment in her musical journey.

With theatre experience under her belt, including roles in recent Combined Colleges productions Footloose as Rusty and Legally Blonde as Paulette, Carolie is now taking on the challenge of impersonating Miley’s early career in Stars in Your Eyes on October 11.

“I chose Miley because she started at a young age, so I really connect with that and want to impersonate kind of the younger version of Miley when she just started, like 2009 to 2010”, she explains.

“Her voice suits mine, the style of her younger songs is quite popular for a lot of people, and I’ve been working on capturing how she moves and owns the stage.”

Off the theatre stage, Carolie’s musical background is just as strong – being in grade six for both violin and piano.

However, the Stars in your Eyes bug must be infectious, as Carolie was inspired to take part this year by her mum Nat, who competed last year as Duffy.

Despite being the youngest competitor, Carolie’s quiet confidence has her feeling confident and happy as her date with the ASB Theatre stage grows nearer. “It’s feeling pretty good, and it’s nice to have some familiar faces from past productions”, she says.

“I’m not too nervous at the moment, but I’m sure I will be.” Her chosen cause is close to home, having been where she found her love of performing and where she hopes to instil that same love.

“I’ve chosen Rise Academy, as when it was the Marlborough Academy of Music they would run a summer intensive theatre programme and that’s what got me into loving theatre in the first place.

“They are just such an uplifting and encouraging environment and provide so many opportunities for a lot of age groups.”