Hailey Kilgore, 19, landed her big break after being chosen in a nationwide talent search to play the starring role in the Broadway revival of Once on This Island, which opened last December.

Adopted at birth and raised by her parents in the small town of Happy Valley, Oregon, the teen revealed she was destined for the role of Ti Moune - the orphan girl sent on a journey by the gods to test the powers of love - saying she originally auditioned for the part while in junior school because she 'could really relate to the character’s story'. In addition to receiving critical acclaim, Kilgore is set to attend this year’s Tony Awards, where she is nominated in the Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical category.