Ayr lass Jennifer set for the big time

Dec 4 2009 by Lisa Boyle, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

FROM Whitletts to the West End – and now Jennifer Leung has her sights set on LA.

The talented dancer has already appeared alongside Pierce Brosnan and Meryl Streep in Mamma Mia.

And the 25-year-old Ayr lass is set for her acting debut in the first ever British 3D film.

Her life of mingling with stars and attending glitzy bashes is a far cry from her childhood in Lochside.

Jennifer was born and bred in Lochside’s Gould Street and attended Braehead Primary.

After discovering her flair for dancing at Dansarena, Jennifer decided to follow her dream.

She headed to Glasgow where she attended Knightswood Dance School of Scotland.

Six years later, Jennifer moved to London where she secured a scholarship.

Jennifer said: “I was in the process of applying for my Visa to move to LA, but things are really starting to take off for me here in the UK so I’ve shelved that plan for the moment.

“I was a dancer in Mamma Mia and I’ve just finished filming Streetdance. It stars Flawless, Diversity and George Samson.

“I play Bex – a ballet dancer who trains to compete in the Streetdance competition.”

Jennifer will appear on the big screen again in December. She had a dancing part in the movie Nine, starring Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz, Judi Dench and Daniel Day Lewis.

Although her career is going from strength to strength, Jennifer has never forgotten her roots.

She said: “Although I’m living in London, I come home four or five times a year.

“When Mamma Mia came out, my mum, brother Andrew and I went to see it at Ayr Odeon.

“My brother kept telling strangers at the cinema that ‘my sister’s in this film, my sister’s in this film.’ But of course nobody knew what he was talking about.

“It was a really proud moment for me to watch the film with my mum and brother. My family have always been really encouraging.”

With her bulging portfolio, Jennifer is well on her way to the big time – and to putting her home town on the map.