Amber Davies Forced to Pull Out of Legally Blonde Performance Mid-Show After Health Crisis: Understudy Takes Over Amid Backstage Tension
Amber Davies, known for her roles in Love Island and Strictly Come Dancing, was forced to step down during a live performance of Legally Blonde the Musical after falling ill mid-show. The 29-year-old actress, who plays the iconic role of Elle Woods, admitted to struggling with burnout and health issues, leading her to depart the stage. Understudy Hannah Lowther, who normally plays Elle’s friend Margot, quickly stepped into the leading role.
Lowther, a rising star with 1.3 million followers on TikTok, has already been gaining attention for her performances. Sources indicate there is growing backstage tension, with some members of the cast reportedly believing that Lowther is “a million times better” in the role of Elle. This follows a report by Daily Mail+’s Olivia Kemp, which highlighted simmering tensions between Lowther and Davies.
After the performance, Amber took to Instagram to update her fans on her health. In a raw, honest post, she shared that the pressure of juggling multiple performances—her roles in The Great Gatsby, Strictly, and Legally Blonde—had taken a toll on her body. She confessed to struggling with a lingering illness and explained that she had been on antibiotics, but her recovery had been slow.
In her post, Amber wrote: “I’ve been working on this lingering illness for a month now so I’ll be off again from my beautiful Elle Woods… This is the last thing I want but there’s no other way. If I keep ‘pushing through,’ I will be battling with this for longer than I need to be. I can’t wait to be back on stage and feel like me again!!! Thank you – Amber x.”
She also took a moment to reflect on her demanding schedule, writing: “I went from Gatsby to a last-minute Strictly call-up, then straight into Legally Blonde—my body is evidently fighting for its life… We are human, and sometimes it’s okay to be poorly.”
Fans expressed their support for both Amber and Hannah, with many lauding Lowther’s quick adaptability. TikTok exploded with praise for Lowther’s impromptu switch from Margot to Elle, with one audience member sharing a clip and writing: “Hannah Lowther went from Margot to Elle mid-show in Act 1 this afternoon! She’s a superhero!!!”
However, Amber’s absence and her reported tensions with Lowther are becoming hot topics among fans. Insiders revealed to Mail+ that the backstage atmosphere has grown increasingly strained, especially as Lowther continues to garner praise for her performances.
An anonymous source said, “Everyone backstage is professional, but it’s hard to ignore when one person gets so much praise online. It’s become a talking point.”
This isn’t the first time Amber has been under scrutiny. Last month, after another bout of illness, she was seen in a viral clip during a performance where she appeared to lose track of the choreography, glancing at Lowther for guidance. Amber later addressed the mishap in a TikTok video, calling it “embarrassing” and acknowledging the mistake.
As Amber continues her recovery, all eyes are on Legally Blonde, where the ongoing drama between the two actresses unfolds both onstage and behind the scenes.
