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As we roll into 2025, yet another music legend’s life is hitting the big screen. This time, it’s Bruce Springsteen’s turn in the spotlight with the biopic “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere.” Inevitably, the question on everyone’s mind is: did the actor perform the singing parts himself? It’s always impressive when the actor’s voice makes the final cut. However, sometimes the reality is more complex. For instance, Rami Malek’s vocals in “Bohemian Rhapsody” were a blend of his own, Freddie Mercury’s, and another singer, creating a seamless but inauthentic sound. So, did Jeremy Allen White lend his voice to the Springsteen biopic?
20th Century Studios
Indeed, he did. White confirmed that he performed all of the singing throughout the film. In an interview with GQ, he shared how he immersed himself in Springsteen’s world by watching countless videos to perfect the musician’s speech patterns. “It’s fascinating to dive into a YouTube rabbit hole and see him at various stages of his life, listening to both his speaking and singing voice,” White revealed. “The key was just absorbing as much of him as possible.”
White’s vocals feature prominently in the movie’s soundtrack, covering many of Springsteen’s iconic songs. However, tackling “Born in the U.S.A.” proved particularly challenging. The intensity of the performance left White voiceless for several days afterward. This dedication mirrors the rigorous training he underwent for “The Bear,” showcasing his commitment to fully embodying his roles.
Playing a living legend in a biopic brings its own unique pressure. Having the real person available for insight is an advantage, yet it doesn’t guarantee their approval of the portrayal. Numerous celebrities have expressed their disdain for biopics about their lives, as noted by SlashFilm. Thankfully, Springsteen had no such issues with Jeremy Allen White’s portrayal.
In an interview with The Guardian, Springsteen discussed the surreal experience of seeing his life unfold on set. He frequently visited to observe the filming process, but at one point, White requested some space to develop his interpretation. As White recounted to Interview magazine, “I asked for a bit of distance to find my rhythm. Bruce was understanding, saying, ‘No problem at all.’ He gave me two days, then returned and jokingly asked, ‘How was that space?’”
Jeremy Allen White won praise from the Boss
Maya Dehlin Spach/Getty Images
There’s certainly an extra layer of pressure when portraying someone in a biopic who’s still alive. Of course, when that’s the case, the actor usually has the advantage of being able to ask the subject questions about their life and understand them personally. But there’s still the lingering question as to whether the subject will actually enjoy the finished project: There are plenty of celebrities who hate biopics based on them. Fortunately, Springsteen had full confidence in Jeremy Allen White.
Springsteen spoke with The Guardian about what it was like going to set and seeing his life play out in front of him. He would often stop by to see how filming was going, although there was a point where Jeremy Allen White asked for some distance. The actor told Interview magazine: “I was like, ‘If I could just have a little bit of space to try and find my footing.’ He was like, ‘I totally understand. Not a problem.’ I think he was gone for two days, and then he came back and he was like, ‘How was that space?’”
One thing that Springsteen has made clear is that White had his full backing. Having seen him in “The Bear,” he knew that White was talented. Beyond that, Springsteen appreciated how White wasn’t doing an impression of him. “His performance was totally from the inside out, not just picking elements and wearing them like clothes,” Springsteen explained. “It’s a non-imitative performance, but somehow it greatly relates to my story and myself.” Looper’s review of “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere” may have skewed negative, but at least Springsteen is happy with how he was portrayed.
