The Transformation of Jeremy Allen White into Bruce Springsteen
Jeremy Allen White, an Emmy-winning actor, took on a challenging role in the biopic Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere, where he portrays the legendary rock icon Bruce Springsteen. The film premiered in theaters on October 24 and follows Springsteen as he records and releases his emotional 1982 album, Nebraska. Despite having no prior singing experience, White was chosen for the lead role by director Scott Cooper, who believed that White could bring depth and physicality to the character.
Initial Hesitations and the Approval of Bruce Springsteen
White admitted that he was initially hesitant to take on the role due to his lack of musical background. He shared with The New York Times that he questioned whether he was the right fit for such a music-heavy project. However, after being told by Cooper that Springsteen himself wanted him for the role, White decided to commit.
"I think they thought that I could tell a complex story with quiet moments, and with physicality," White said. "I remember telling Scott, 'Look, I’d love to do this with you. I love Bruce. Are you sure you don’t want a guy that knows how to do these things already?' And then, at some point, Scott shared that Bruce wanted me to do it. And at that point I went, 'OK, I’m not going to stand in this man’s way.'"
Singing in the Biopic
One of the most pressing questions about the film is whether White actually sings in it. According to The New York Times, White's vocals are featured during on-camera performances, while recordings of Springsteen are used in other scenes. White also spoke about his approach to singing Springsteen's music, stating, "My first thing was, can I perform these songs with a little bit of honesty? Can I do justice to the lyrics?"
He continued, "Hopefully if there's enough truth in this music, whether it sounds exactly like Bruce or not, [the audience] will connect with it." Springsteen himself gave his approval of White's performance, saying, "He sings very well."
No Prior Singing Background
Before preparing for the role, White had no formal singing background and had never really held a guitar. He described his first guitar lesson as a humbling experience, saying, "I felt like I was like an alien." He added, "I didn't understand where my fingers [go], how my fingers were supposed to behave. It was a very humbling start."
Training for the Role
White spent nearly seven months training for the role, studying guitar and taking daily vocal lessons with Eric Vetro, who has worked with actors like Austin Butler and Timothée Chalamet. White also prepared by repeatedly singing Springsteen's songs, which he described as a grueling process.
"Bringing myself to it," White said, referencing Springsteen's approval of his performance. "That gave me permission, not just in recording the music, but making a film where I could tell his story but not be afraid to bring myself to it."
Challenges and Insights
During his preparation, White faced challenges, particularly with songs like "Born in the U.S.A." which required him to shout and left him voiceless for days. He also spoke about the importance of understanding the meaning behind the songs, something his vocal coach helped him with.
"I was so focused on just sounding like Bruce," White recalled. "But my coach asked, 'What are you singing about? What’s the story? Where’s Bruce coming from? Is he singing from his perspective? Is it about his childhood? Is he playing a character?'"
He added, "All these questions that, for an actor, should be right at the front of mind. Because I was so anxious about sounding like him, I found myself blocked by the real thing, which was: How can I just sing the song as honestly as possible?"
Favorite Song and Personal Connection
White also shared that his favorite song to sing was "My Father's House." He described it as a warning to himself, highlighting the regret in the lyrics. "There’s regret in it," he said. "What I heard is a song about a young man not wanting to regret that he didn’t reach out for his father, who he had a love and connection with earlier."
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