Producers John Frost, Michael Harrison and David Ian today announced that one of Australia’s finest vocalists and performers, Paulini, will play the leading role of Rachel Marron in the Australian Premiere of the international award-winning hit musical THE BODYGUARD. The 2017 Australian tour of THE BODYGUARD will commence at the Sydney Lyric Theatre on 22 April 2017, before playing at the Lyric Theatre, QPAC, Brisbane from July and the Regent Theatre, Melbourne from August. Tickets for the Sydney season are on sale from 31 October from Ticketmaster.

Australia first fell in love with Paulini and her impressive five octave range during the inaugural series of Australian Idol. One of her childhood idols was Whitney Houston, and Paulini won the National Star Search Competition in her teens with her rendition of Whitney’s timeless classic When You Believe. The Fijian-born singer songwriter went on to release three highly acclaimed albums, and has travelled the globe from New York to Los Angeles, Paris and London, collaborating with some of the world’s best music producers. With her incredible voice, stunning looks and engaging personality, Paulini is one of Australia’s most uniquely talented performers. 

“We are thrilled to give the extraordinary Paulini her first musical theatre role as Rachel Marron in THE BODYGUARD,” said John Frost on behalf of his co-producers. “When Paulini came into the audition room and sang those Whitney Houston hits, we knew she was born to be our leading lady. THE BODYGUARD has been a huge hit everywhere it has played since its 2012 world premiere in London - I have no doubt Australia will fall in love with this iconic story and those soaring ballads all over again, especially with the beautiful Paulini leading the cast. I’m also looking forward to auditioning to find our leading man, our ‘Bodyguard’”.

Based on the smash-hit Warner Bros 1992 film starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner and written by the acclaimed, Oscar-nominated screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan (Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Big Chill, The Empire Strikes Back), THE BODYGUARD features a book by Oscar winner Alexander Dinelaris (Birdman).

Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard Frank Farmer is hired to protect superstar singer Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge – what they don’t expect is to fall in love.

A ‘BRILLIANT!’ (The Times), breathtakingly romantic thriller, THE BODYGUARD includes a whole host of Whitney Houston's greatest hits including Queen of the Night, So Emotional, One Moment in Time, Saving All My Love, Run to You, I Have Nothing, Greatest Love Of All, Million Dollar Bill, I Wanna Dance With Somebody and one of the greatest hit songs of all time – I Will Always Love You.