AMY MANFORD

Currently playing Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera, the Australian-American soprano honours three women who have inspired and supported her

JULIE ANDREWS

The first person who influenced my career would have to be Julie Andrews. She is, of course, an icon - not just because she's the queen of Genovia but because we all grew up watching her films. I saw The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins over and over as a child. Her roles in those films are what initially inspired me to study classically.

What I find really cool about Julie is that she's managed to stay relevant throughout her entire career, but still stay true to who she is as an artist and as a person. It's so admirable and inspirational that even after losing her voice she found a way to refocus and develop her career.

I've never met Julie but if I did I would give her a bow and say, "Thanks for being the best queen of Genovia." No, but seriously I would tell her how much I admire the way she presents herself as a performer and has so much love for music. Julie seems like such a genuine, lovely person. I imagine she would bring so much light into a room.

SALLIE MANFORD