Sofia Escobar has captivated audiences the world over in the iconic roles of Maria in West Side Story and Christine in The Phantom of the Opera. In an exclusive interview, Sofia tells of her journey from Guimarães, in the municipality of Braga, to London’s West End, and of her next exciting venture – performing as Sofia Escobar.
Watching Sofia perform is captivating. With her wonderful soprano voice and stage presence, she makes it look natural. However, it’s easy to lose sight of the hard work, sacrifice, and dedication needed to reach (and maintain) her position as one of the world’s most popular stage performers.
“Music was always part of me,” she said. “I believe some things are born with us and develop over time. I was lucky enough to grow up in an environment that allowed it to blossom, but, at an early age, I didn’t necessarily think I could make a living out of performing.” Sofia’s teenage years were filled with singing and acting lessons and school performances, where she demonstrated an unmistakable talent and love for the stage. She trained at the Conservatório de Música do Porto and caught the eye of television executives when she won the role of teacher Olívia Matos in the award-winning TV series Morangos com Açúcar. Sofia featured in over 40 episodes of the long-running teen drama.
At just 19 years of age, Sofia made the brave move of relocating to London to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. They were fulfilling but challenging times, with her studying hard and working as a waitress to help pay her way. Sofia told me how “incredibly supportive” her parents were, even going to the point of remortgaging their house so they could support her financially. It was while she was studying that she spotted an advertisement in The Stage offering open auditions for one of the most beloved musicals of all time, The Phantom of the Opera.
The audition process took many months and involved almost a dozen callbacks. “I wasn’t nervous at the start because I didn’t think I’d be cast,” said Sofia. “As things progressed and the calls came for yet another audition, I knew I had a chance.” In 2007, Sofia was cast as the lead understudy for the iconic lead role of Christine. It was a major step in her career and an important one, as finances were running low. “I’m not sure how much longer I could have lasted if I hadn’t secured that work,” said Sofia.
Sofia spent two years as the lead understudy. It was hard work, having to be ready to step into the star role at “five minutes notice”. In 2010, she became the lead actress in her own right and went on to play the role for three years. London audiences and critics alike were captivated by Sofia’s emotive delivery and crystal-clear vocals.
Sofia looks back on her nine years in London with affection. She lived in Notting Hill and St. John’s Wood, and still misses the vibrancy of the city. It was the place she met her future husband – a huge fan of Phantom – who introduced himself after one of her performances. They’ve now been married for 11 years and have a young son.
More success followed after Phantom, with Sofia taking on the role of Maria in West Side Story. Sofia’s dedication to the role earned her numerous awards and nominations. She won the ‘Best Actress in a Musical’ award at the Whatsonstage Theatregoers Choice Awards and was nominated in the ‘Best Actress Category’ for the 2009 Laurence Olivier Awards. A world tour ensued.
Whenever she had a chance, Sofia would return to Portugal and was a frequent presence on our television screens as a supportive mentor for several seasons on the prime-time show Portugals Got Talent. She subsequently featured as a member of the main cast in the popular soap opera Ouro Verde.
Throughout all of her success, Sofia has been a loving mum and has always prioritised her home life. She currently lives in Madrid with her actor husband, Gonzalo Ramos. Sofia often participates in charity performances and collaborates with organisations dedicated to the arts, supporting young artists and encouraging the next generation of talent. She’s a passionate advocate of the Ron McDonald Foundation, which cares for and supports families with children who are undergoing hospital treatment (see link at the end of the article).
In 2022, Sofia released her debut album, the critically acclaimed Tanto Mais (All The More). It was a marked departure for Sofia because she was once again performing as herself – Sofia Escobar – rather than a fictional character. “It’s lovely to be myself and not a character,” said Sofia. “Albeit, I’m eternally grateful for all the opportunities those roles gave me.”
While Sofia certainly doesn’t rule out a return to television, she told me, “Theatre is the place for me. It’s where I feel most comfortable.” She’s currently touring and working on a second album of original songs in collaboration with other artists. It will be out late 2025. In the meantime, check out Sofia’s first album or, if you have a chance to see her in concert, take the opportunity to see her performing as the real Sofia Escobar.