Luke Evans hints at personal stories behind song choices for covers album

Luke Evans has revealed how his debut album track choices are "connected to moments in [his] life", adding that he isn't concerned about the speculation from fans that could follow.

The Beauty and the Beast actor is preparing for the release of At Last, an eclectic collection of covers of modern and classic songs, personally curated by Evans himself.

Throughout his successful acting career, the 40-year-old star has kept his private life out of the spotlight and declined to discuss relationships in interviews.

As he prepares to make his musical debut, Evans told Standard Online that he isn't worried about the album affecting his ability to maintain his privacy.

“Songs are emotional landmarks for good moments and bad moments, and these songs definitely have a key to the landmark moments of my life," the Welsh star said. "There are songs connected to moments in my life and that’s why songs stay with you.

"Like the song you danced to at your wedding or the song you play when you first get your heartbroken.”

When asked if he is concerned that people will try to cross boundaries when it comes to his personal life, he said: "It’ll be very fun if they do. I’m not worried about [it]."

The Beauty and the Beast star, who gave a fans a taste of his vocals when he performed on Strictly Come Dancing earlier this month, also shared details of the emotional moment when his grandmother first heard his album.

He explained: “Music is a very powerful thing to people who have dementia and to my grandmother, who still remembers me very much when I sing, she is massively in the room.

"Once she heard the whole album, she turned to my mother and said: ‘He is angel that decided to not go back to heaven.’

“I thought my job is done now and I’ve given the album to them [his family]."

At Last will feature Evans' versions Maria McKee’s '90’s power ballad Show Me Heaven and Cher’s If I Could Turn Back Time, along with a cover of the Etta James hit which lends the album its title.

Evans also explained why he chose to cover songs mainly by women, specifically black female artists.

Name-checking ​Jennifer Holliday and Jennifer Hudson, Evans said: “There is something about - I’ve always said this and always will - there is something about a black women’s voice."

“They sing from this depth and purity that you only hear from a black woman. I don’t know what it is.”

Adding that many of the tracks are "so powerful and brilliant" and "haven’t been covered by a man," Evans said: “I thought it’ll be interesting to take very well-known songs, that are very well-known songs by very famous female artists, and get me to sing them.”

At Last is a solo album of 12 show-stopping covers and will be released on Friday, November 22.