She sang in the Mamma Mia sequel – and could hold a tune better than most men.
And now Lily James is lined up to embark on a solo music career, with producer Naughty Boy admitting he was “amazed by her performance skills.”
The songwriter, real name Shahid Khan, 42, recently worked with the actress in the studio for her latest movie, What’s Love Got To Do With It?.
Speaking to The Daily Mail’s Richard Eden, he talked about his experience working with Lily, 33, on the song she recorded for the new romantic comedy.
Naughty Boy said, “Lily James can really sing. I was amazed at how comfortable she was in the studio during the performance.’
New project? Lily James, 33, is lining up to launch a solo music career, with producer Naughty Boy admitting he was ‘amazed by her performance skills’
‘Amazed’: The songwriter, real name Shahid Khan, 42, recently worked with the actress in the studio for her latest film, What’s Love Got To Do With It?
He continued, “People will be very receptive to her as a singer, and she’s not averse to it. I’d let her choose which sound she wants to go for.’
“Between us, I think there’s a Lily James and Naughty Boy project in the works.”
Lily, who plays lead actress Zoe in the movie, also has a guest vocal role on a new song in the new movie.
The actress recently gushed that it was “an absolute pleasure” when she entered the recording studio with record producer Naughty Boy.
The song Mahi Sona (The Wedding Song), written especially for the film by producer and actress Preeya Kalidas, will be available in three versions available now.
The first features Lily alongside legendary Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Indian superstar Kanika Kapoor and rapper Billy Khan. Another with Brit Award nominee Joy Crookes and the third with no features.
Lily, who plays Zoe in the film, said: ‘It’s been an absolute pleasure working in the studio with both (composer) Nitin (Sawhney) and Naughty Boy. Music plays a big part in the movie and I’m thrilled to be contributing to this great single alongside some incredible artists.
Lily has showcased her impressive vocals in the past in Mama Mia 2: Here We Go Again and Cinderella.
Comments: Naughty Boy said, ‘Lily James can really sing. I was amazed at how comfortable she was in the studio while performing” (pictured together at the film’s premiere last week)
The film follows her character, a documentary filmmaker named Zoe, who navigates the modern dating scene with little success, much to the dismay of her mother Cath (Oscar winner Emma Thompson).
Meanwhile, Kazim (Shazad Latif), Zoe’s childhood friend and neighbour, decides to follow in his parents’ footsteps and enter into an arranged marriage with a beautiful and savvy bride from Pakistan.
As Zoe documents Kazim’s journey from London to Lahore to marry a stranger chosen by his parents, she begins to wonder if the traditional approach to finding love might have something to offer.
Love: The film follows her character, Zoe, who struggles with the dating scene, much to the dismay of her mother Cath (Emma Thompson) (pictured in the film starring Shazad Latif as Kaz Khan)
Speaking about his involvement in the project, Naughty Boy said, ‘My parents are Pakistani, I was born here, I spent much of my teenage years thinking about choosing an arranged marriage’.
“Being from the same background as Kaz, I wanted to do justice to the track. The film has this fusion of Pakistani and English culture, which was exciting.”
What Does Love Have To Do With It? is written and produced by British filmmaker Jemima Khan and is largely inspired by her life and experiences in Pakistan, where she lived for ten years with her then husband, cricketing legend and former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan.
The film is directed by Shekhar Kapur, a fellow Pakistani filmmaker, known for the epic Elizabeth and its sequel.