The movie Better Man portrays Robbie Williams’ journey from his humble beginnings to the world of showbiz. It explores his turbulent life, including his rise to fame as a member of Take That, his struggles with addiction(s), and the heartbreaks that shaped the style of his music. With a bold creative choice, the film reimagines young Robbie as a CGI monkey.
What many viewers don’t know (and might not even notice) is that the singing voice of the CGI monkey portraying Robbie belongs to Adam Tucker from King’s Lynn, Norfolk, UK. Re-recording Robbie Williams’ songs took roughly 200 hours over a year long production, and Adam also mastered Robbie Williams’ distinctive accent. For several days into the new year, the film’s soundtrack – featuring songs sung by Adam – topped the Official Album Downloads Chart.
Want to know more about The Better Man: Robbie Williams? Read our full review and find out why we gave it ⭐⭐⭐⭐!
Onside Media reached out to Adam to discuss his professional journey, aiming to inspire other talented young musicians. Just as Better Man offers a glimpse of a young Robbie yearning for fame, we asked Adam to reflect on his own dreams and the path that led him to this remarkable role.
In the movie, we see young Robbie dreaming of fame from an early age. Tell me about you as a kid, was it always your dream to become a singer, musician?
Adam: “As a kid, I was always a performer whether it was for my family, a school play, or just any opportunity to get that feeling of being on stage. When my parents bought me my first guitar at around five years old, I was hooked, and everything changed. From that moment, I knew I wanted to be a musician and singer. Growing up, I performed anywhere I could in my local town whether with bands, solo, or wherever there was a chance to play. So yes, I’ve always had the dream of performing, and whether it was for one person or a hundred, it felt like my calling.”
How did the opportunity to work on this project come about? Can you share the story of how you landed the role?
Adam: “The opportunity came about through one of my best friends, who I grew up with. We played in a band together, and he would always comment that I sounded like Robbie whenever we performed one of his songs. A few years later, he moved to London and became friends with his next-door neighbour, Ben from Dynamic Vocals (who runs a vocal contracting company). One evening, over a pint at a pub (very British, I know!), Ben mentioned that he was looking for someone who sounded like a younger Robbie for the new Robbie Williams biopic to sing in the film. Ben got in touch with me, and I went through several rounds of auditions, both online and in person. In May 2023, I got the part!”
What’s it like to be the voice of Robbie Williams, knowing that most viewers don’t realize know? Watching a CGI monkey dancing through Regent Street and thinking, ‘Yeah, that’s me singing’ – how does that feel?
Adam: “It’s surreal! I grew up with Robbie Williams as a big inspiration. I still remember sitting in my living room, playing “Angels” on the tape machine and singing along. It was such an honour to sing some of his biggest hits – it really felt like things had come full circle. The first time I saw the film, it hit me how incredible the experience was and the scale of what I’d achieved. It’s a wild feeling!”
Working on such a high-profile project must have had its challenges. How did you manage to stay grounded and maintain your motivation throughout the process?
Adam: “It was definitely a lot of work, and most people wouldn’t realise just how much time and dedication went into the project. Michael Gracey and his team were unbelievable to work with. Their passion and vision for the film were so inspiring, and that really kept me motivated because I could see it was going to be something special. As for staying grounded, I’ve always made an effort not to get too caught up in the whirlwind of it all. Having a solid support system and staying focused on my craft helped a lot. My friends and family would never let me get too ahead of myself.”
If you could go back and give advice to your younger self before starting this journey, what would you say?
Adam: “Keep singing those Robbie songs – it’ll pay off (haha!). But seriously, I’d tell my younger self to collaborate with as many people as possible, write that song you’ve been thinking about, play that gig that feels a little scary, and just put yourself out there. You never know where those opportunities might lead.”
What exciting projects do you have lined up for the future? Is there anything your fans can look forward to?
Adam: “First off – new music! I’ve got some tracks that I’ve been working on for a while, and I’m planning to release them in the next month or so. Now that I have a platform to share them, I’m excited to hear what people think. There are also a couple of other exciting projects in the works that I hope to share more about soon!”
As Adam Tucker continues to make his mark in the music industry, his story serves as an inspiration to aspiring artists, showing that opportunities can literally be just around the corner. Don’t miss Better Man, now playing in cinemas, to experience Adam Tucker’s vocals and the remarkable story of Robbie Williams like never before!
Follow Adam Tucker’s journey and stay updated on his latest projects by connecting with him on Instagram and TikTok!
Image Source: Adam Tucker Archive
Maria Rostecka, Content Specialist, The Onside Media, Canada
Based in Toronto, Ontario. Hi! I’m Maria Rostecka, a Content Specialist at The Onside Media, Canada, with a focus on arts and entertainment, business, tech and culinary. If you have a compelling story to share, don’t hesitate to reach out at maria.rostecka@theonside.com.
