Timothée Chalamet’s Wonka Vocal Coach Says He’s ‘Naturally Musical’ and ‘Mesmerizing’ in the Role (Exclusive)

Timothée Chalamet took on the real challenge of following in Gene Wilder’s footsteps as the latest actor to belt out iconic songs like “Pure Imagination” as Willy Wonka, but according to his vocal coach, he nailed it.

Eric Vetro, who has worked with superstars from Ariana Grande to the cast La la countrytrained Chalamet for his title role in Wonkawhich hit theaters on Friday, and admired his vocal talents throughout the process.

“The thing about him is that he’s very, very naturally musical. He has a lot of music in him,” Vetro, 67, tells PEOPLE. “But what’s really special about him, he’s such a brilliant actor that he brings that side of his talent to the singing. So he really sings the character and brings those songs to life.”

Eric Vetro.

Courtesy of Eric Vetro

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Viewers got to know Chalamet (27) through his roles in popular films such as Call me by your name, Lady Bird, Little woman and Dunebut he also starred in musicals like Cabaret and Sweet Charity while attending the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music, Art and Performing Arts in New York City.

“Someone can sound very good while singing. Someone can act a song very well. But he puts it together very, very well,” says Vetro about the actor’s performance in Wonka. “It almost becomes mesmerizing, because you forget it’s Timothée Chalamet, and you just start to relate to him as a character. I think that’s what’s going to really, really impress people.”

In a recent interview with Rolling stonedirector Paul King said he chose to cast Chalamet as the iconic character, who originated from writer Roald Dahl’s 1964 novel. Charlie and the Chocolate Factoryno audition after watching online videos of his high school musical performances.

Timothée Chalamet was offered the role of ‘Wonka’ after a director saw his high school music videos online

“It was a pure offer because he’s great and he was the only person who could do it,” King said. “But because he’s Timothée Chalamet and his life is so absurd, his high school musical performances are on YouTube and have hundreds of thousands of views.”

“So I knew when I was working for Timmy Chalamet that he could sing and dance very well,” he said. Paddington added the director. “And I knew it was in his arsenal, but I didn’t know how good he was. When I talked to him, he was pretty enthusiastic. He was tap dancing in high school and he said, ‘I’d really like to show people that I can do it.’ ”

Vetro recalls working with Chalamet on Wonka as “an awesome experience” — so great that they went on to work together for the actor’s portrayal of Bob Dylan in an upcoming biopic Complete unknown.

Timothée Chalamet; Bob Dylan. Getty (2) Timothée Chalamet to sing solo in upcoming Bob Dylan biopic, director says

“It’s a bit surprising because going from Wonka character for Bob Dylan, it’s a completely different character, a completely different voice, everything — and he does it,” the vocal coach describes. “You could pay a dime. He is so talented that he can switch to one role or another very quickly.”

In that time Complete unknown was first announced in 2020, it was announced that the film will focus on Dylan’s controversial switch to the electric guitar in the 60s and his journey to becoming a folk music legend. Earlier this year, director James Mangold revealed to Collider that Chalamet would sing himself as Dylan.

Timothée Chalamet.

Alan Chapman/Dave Bennett/WireImage

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“When that movie finally comes out, people will be shocked because you’ll think you’re hearing Bob Dylan singing,” says Vetro. “Once again, he just has this uncanny ability to not act, but to really breathe life into him. He embodies Bob Dylan and what he was at that age.”

“It’s like what Renée Zellweger did with Judy Garland,” quips the music professional who worked with Zellweger on the 2019 album. Judy and received cheers during her acceptance speech after winning the 2020 Best Actress Oscar for the role.

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Source: HIS Education