Ramin Karimloo Reveals Inspiration Behind His LES MISERABLES Body

Anyone who has yet made it to the Imperial Theatre to see the new revival of Les Miserables is well aware of Ramin Karimloo's killer body. In a recent interview with the NY Post, Karimloo revealed the work that went behind achieving his Valjean physique.

He told NYP: "Hugo says Jean Valjean was a man of medium height, broad-shouldered, robust and in the prime of his life. Whatever he did to keep himself fit and strong - and I'm sure he wasn't doing yoga in prison! - he had the wherewithal. So I thought, 'I'll start getting in shape.'"

Karimloo also revealed that seeing the film Valjean in action, Hugh Jackman, motivated him to dead-lift up to 415 pounds. He added, "Hugh inspired me to push on."

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The cast of the new LES MIZ features Ramin Karimloo (West End and Toronto star of Les Miserables, and The Phantom of the Opera and Love Never Dies in London) as Jean Valjean; Will Swenson (Tony Award-nominated star of Broadway's Hair and Priscilla Queen of the Desert) as Javert; Caissie Levy(West End and Broadway star of Ghost and Hair and Elphaba in Broadway's Wicked) as Fantine; Nikki M. James (Tony Award winner for The Book of Mormon) as Eponine; Andy Mientus (who captured the hearts of TV viewers with his portrayal of Kyle Bishop on the NBC series "Smash") as Marius;Samantha Hill (Christine in The Phantom of the Opera) as Cosette; acclaimed Canadian actor Cliff Saunders (The 39 Steps) as Thenardier; Tony Award-nominee Keala Settle (Hands on a Hardbody) as Madame Thenardier and Kyle Scatliffe, (the West End production of The Scottsboro Boys) as the revolutionary Enjolras.

The new production is directed by Laurence Connor and James Powell, with set and image design by Matt Kinleyinspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo, costumes by Andreane Neofitou and Christine Rowland, lighting by Paule Constable, sound by Mick Potter and projections realized by Fifty-Nine Productions. Musical staging is by Michael Ashcroft and Geoffrey Garratt. Musical supervision is by Stephen Brooker and musical direction by James Lowe.

Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy