The Daily Dot
"I can see you recording": Hamilton actor calls out the sudden rise of bootleg …
"If you have not seen the show live, I don't want to see a single negative comment."
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Broadway Star Jisel Soleil Ayon Blasts "Epidemic of Bootlegs" and Unfair Online Criticism
Broadway Performer Jisel Soleil Ayon Addresses Bootlegs and Online CriticismNew York, NY – Broadway actress Jisel Soleil Ayon, currently starring as Angelica in "Hamilton," has publicly expressed her concerns regarding the increasing prevalence of unauthorized recordings, known as "bootlegs," and the subsequent online criticism directed at live theatre performances.Ayon highlighted the disparity between live shows and meticulously produced versions like Disney+'s "Hamilton." She stated, "You have watched it a million times at home, you've got it practically memorized, and that is what you're comparing our performance to." She clarified that the filmed version "literally used all of the best parts," contrasting it with the raw, unedited nature of live theatre.The actress criticized judging performers based on "a clip on TikTok filmed on someone's phone with the brightness, with the moving, with all of the things," arguing it is "not enough to judge someone's whole performance." Ayon underscored that "experiencing it live is never gonna be the same as experiencing it on a phone."She urged viewers to consider the human element, reminding them that performers "are real people with real feelings." Ayon advised against public criticism if one has not seen the live show, advocating for respect for the current cast's unique interpretations. The video has sparked significant discussion within the theatre community.
