Words: Tina Edward Gunawardhana
Photography: Laure Stefanini, Salam Zaied
Stylist: Evie Nairne
Makeup artist: Aurelie Ormeno, Shani Mushington
Assistant: Ketki Mahabaleshwarkar
Hair stylist: Partners in Crime
Of mixed Sri Lankan and Filipina heritage, Vicky Pasion is a singer, songwriter and performer from London. Vicky integrates confessional lyricism and heart-strung melodies to create a classic fusion of R&B, Soul and Pop music. Her debut EP ‘Valley of the Ashes’ was released in 2020, followed by ‘Soul Star’ in 2022. This led to Vicky becoming a MOBO (Musicians of Black Origin) supported artiste. Vicky has captivated audiences across international stages from London’s O2 Academy to the West End as Young Nala in ‘The Lion King’ and Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller Live’ in Munich. 2023 sees the release of her latest single ‘Body Takeover’ with Sony’s AWAL. Currently working in LA Vicky looks set for stardom.
What motivated you to pursue a career in the arts?
I was quite shy growing up. My mum noticed that I loved to sing, and encouraged me to go to a performing arts school every Saturday, as well as join the Filipino community events in London. I auditioned and got a scholarship to Sylvia Young Theatre school, and loved expressing myself through singing, dancing and acting. It was a privilege to have opportunities to audition for various roles on the West End - the more I performed, the more I knew that I had found the thing that I wanted to pursue as a career.
Your father is Sri Lankan. In what ways has Sri Lankan culture influenced you as an artiste?
In 2018, I visited Sri Lanka for the first time. It was an incredible experience, where I travelled from Colombo, and went by train to the hills in Ella, down to Unawatuna and visited Mirissa, Weligama, and Galle. I also had the privilege of going to a safari park to see some elephants!
I grounded myself at Sri Yoga Shala, and had just come back from an intensive 10 day meditation camp, so it was a beautiful, heightened time where I could travel and immerse myself in a part of my culture. I was born in London, but didn’t grow up with my dad (who’s Sri Lankan), so this experience was the beginning of me accepting my roots and bringing this sense of wholeness to my art.
What was your experience like during your trip to Sri Lanka, and what valuable insights or lessons did you gain from that journey?
It was a beautiful, solo journey. I met incredible people along the way who showed me compassion, and this ease connected me to a side of my identity that
I wasn’t ready to face growing up. I grew braver. I learnt to navigate an unfamiliar place - and mostly learnt that my search for ‘home’ was within me all along. I learnt that the beauty of nature was within me too, and that I will always be a student of life. I learnt about riding waves of forgiveness, I gained perspective, and I grew more appreciative of all I’ve overcome and was ready to make the most of my life back in London.
You started your career performing on the stages of London theaters in musicals like Disney’s ‘Lion King’ and Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller Live’. How did those experiences shape you as an artiste and contribute to your passion for music?
Musical theater gives me permission to be my fullest self. I can tell stories, channel different characters, wear costumes and transport an audience to a different world. I love collaboration and theater is just that - a co-creation. From a young age, I’ve been on West End stages and these opportunities have shaped me into the artiste I am today. I know what it feels like to sit way up with the gods of the auditorium, and that experience influences how I want my music to touch even those sitting furthest away from the stage, or those who can’t afford to be at live performances.
