A Willy Wonka Event Ended in Disaster. From Its Ashes Rose a Budding Star.

On one chilly night in March, after the solar had set and when most school-aged kids have been begrudgingly beginning their homework, Felicia Dawkins, 16, enthusiastically hopped on the cellphone from Scotland to share that her life had modified — for the higher.

She launched herself with the form of bubbly power and giddiness that solely an adolescent can radiate. It is identical power that drew tens of millions of viewers to her TikTok account, the place she unveiled herself as a key participant in a Willy Wonka-themed occasion that had gone so poorly that its memes briefly took over massive parts of the web and worldwide news protection went on for days.

That occasion, in Glasgow in late February, did not create the dazzling expertise it promised. The fallout — in true web vogue — was swift and brutal. Organizers shortly shut down the occasion and promised full refunds to disgruntled households.

In the aftermath, the web latched on to one of many occasion’s extra inexplicable characters, identified solely as “The Unknown,” performed by Felicia. Footage of her efficiency as an evil chocolate maker who lives within the partitions of the manufacturing facility, which included rising from behind a mirror to the cries of kids, unfold broadly on-line, kicking off {the teenager}’s quarter-hour of fame.

She’s capitalizing now, taking her scaring skills south for a visitor look on the London Dungeon, a theatrical thrill attraction within the shadow of town’s London Eye, this weekend. The firm reached out to Felicia shortly after her viral second to ask her to coach with the efficiency group and seem within the attraction. “We could see she has a real passion and talent, for theater and interactions with guests,” Richard Quincey, the top of efficiency at London Dungeon and South Bank Attractions, stated in a press release.

Felicia’s mom, Janet Dawkins, stated she had blended feelings concerning the Wonka occasion failing so miserably, and so publicly. “Everything led to her getting all of this, all these opportunities,” Ms. Dawkins stated. “So, I can’t really say that I’m mad about anything that went down, if I’m honest.”

Ms. Dawkins stated she was “very, very proud” of Felicia and that her household had been carefully concerned in serving to the younger actress discover her footing amid all the eye.

Felicia spoke with The Times about her temporary time at Willy’s Chocolate Experience, her love of all issues horrifying and her performing ambitions. The following is an edited and condensed model of that dialog.

What was your life like earlier than Willy’s Chocolate Experience?

I used to be simply attending college as regular. I used to be getting ready for my highers at college, which is principally simply exams. And my favourite topic at school — I actually love drama, which could be very cliché. I like P.E., as properly. I’m fairly bodily. I’m a Scout as properly, in my free time.

What sorts of issues do you do in Scouts? I wish to see if it’s comparable or completely different to the Scouts within the United States.

Some weeks we’ll simply do video games, some weeks we’ll study badges, after which we go on camps very often as properly, which is basically enjoyable. I really obtained chosen to go to Norway this yr from Scouts, which is why I took the Willy Wonka Experience job as properly, to pay for that.

How did you land the chance to take part within the Willy Wonka expertise?

Basically, simply somebody from House of Illuminati [the organizer of the Wonka event] was speaking to a household pal about this large Wonka expertise. And then my title got here up in dialog that I’d make a great Wonka as a result of I like performing in actual life. And they’ve seen me earlier than, as a result of I am going to theater college right here as properly.

Were you paid for the Wonka expertise?

I used to be paid, yeah. I wasn’t paid the total quantity, however I obtained paid 250 kilos [about $315].

And how a lot have been you promised?

£500 [about $630].

Take us again to the day of the occasion. What was going by way of your thoughts, and did you assume the occasion was going properly or did you assume it was disastrous?

When I first obtained there and I seen the set, I assumed, “Oh, this is going to be a disaster.” But when individuals began to return in — like the primary, I’d say, 45 minutes went comparatively properly — like, individuals appeared to be having fun with it. But then after that, it simply misplaced all of the group, after which it simply went fully downhill from there. And I simply thought, “Oh my gosh!”

As an actor, whenever you’re in that scenario and also you’re given a script that it’s important to study straight away, what kinds of feelings come up?

I used to be so, so nervous about it as a result of I’ve carried out, like, exhibits earlier than. I’m fairly good at studying traces. But seeing that, I used to be like, there’s no manner I can study this in, like, an evening. And as a result of the script was A.I. generated, most of it didn’t even make sense. So it was tougher for me to study, so I simply needed to improvise it.

Why did you resolve to reveal your self on TikTok after the expertise shut down?

Nobody knew, actually, that I used to be The Unknown. I instructed a few my shut pals, however when individuals on TikTok began to return ahead and say that they have been The Unknown, I used to be like, “No you’re not, because I’m The Unknown.” And an increasing number of individuals began doing it, they usually have been getting a great deal of the likes, and a great deal of clout, and a great deal of cash from it. So I used to be like, I simply have to return out and present that I used to be the 16-year-old lady that did that.

Some of your TikTok movies have acquired tens of millions of views. How are you dealing with your newfound fame?

It’s a whole wild one, however I’ve to say my household — they’ve been so supportive throughout this. They’ve been serving to me by way of all of that. They’ve been managing my TikTok, like, searching for new alternatives for me to do. I’ve to say, it’s like my household, they’re serving to me by way of all of it.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by it, or are you having fun with the limelight?

I’m undoubtedly overwhelmed by it, however I nonetheless prefer it as a result of I put a smile on individuals’s faces. Like, I make individuals snicker. That makes me actually comfortable.

What have been a few of the highlights?

I’ve been getting despatched a great deal of fan artwork and a great deal of merch. That needs to be just like the primary factor — that individuals are taking day trip of their day to make stuff for me and sending it to me.

I’ve learn that you just wish to be a full-time actress. Tell me extra about that objective, and what could be your dream job?

After I did “Elf” the musical [a production she starred in a few years ago and played the lead character, Buddy], I stated to my mother, like, “I really want to take this further.” And she obtained me into an performing college. So that helped me get into a lot extra, like, productions and stuff. So I feel simply attempting to get extra alternatives. That could be the most effective factor for me as a result of it’s simply a lot enjoyable.

You’re heading to London to be a visitor performer on the London Dungeon on April 7. If you’ll be able to inform me, are you aware what your position can be?

Yeah! I’m so, so excited. I feel I’m simply going to be The Unknown on the occasion. I’m not fairly certain, although, however I feel that’s who I’m.

How are you getting ready for it?

Watching plenty of horror films.

Which ones are you watching?

“The Grudge.”

Are you simply scared? I assume you’ll be able to’t be when you’re into horror, proper?

I was scared once I was youthful. But now that, like, I find it irresistible, I’m not likely scared anymore.

Would it’s correct to say you take pleasure in haunting and scaring individuals?

I like giving individuals very sturdy feelings. Like at school and final yr, we had, like, this Halloween occasion and also you have been performing and my character was, like, a deranged physician and scaring all of the little S1 and S2s, which is like 12 and 13 yr olds. And that was actually, actually enjoyable.

Where do you see your self in 10 years?

Hopefully, on the stage in the future.