While Ana de Armas captured the spotlight in "No Time to Die" (2021), she wasn't the only Cuban talent to leave a mark on the film. Jenn All, the stage name for Jennifer Almeida Vidal, also graced the screen during the iconic scene set in Cuba. Dressed in red, she performed as the singer for the band enlivening the Spectre party scene, set in Santiago de Cuba. Moreover, her voice is featured in the remix of the song "¿Dónde estabas tú?"
The tale of how Jenn All landed this role, which she recounted in a Facebook video marking the film's fifth anniversary, is a blend of urgency, chance, and a firm refusal that nearly cost her the part.
The Journey to the Role
As the production filmed its final pending scene, they found themselves "on the edge of the budget," according to Jenn All. The need for a live Cuban band arose, yet finding a Cuban singer in London proved challenging. Frank Chino Mayea, a musician who had previously performed with Jenn All, provided her contact. The band's musical director, René Álvarez, was adamant that the singer had to be authentically Cuban, not just any Latina.
"They called me without revealing the film's title. It was the most urgent video casting of my life, and at one point, they asked if I would allow my voice to be dubbed by someone else," she recounted.
Her response was unequivocal. "I insisted on knowing which film it was, and when they said James Bond, it was a huge opportunity. I apologized, but no one was going to dub my voice. I thanked them sincerely for the chance, hung up, and felt at peace," she shared.
A Surprising Turn of Events
The peace didn't last long. Shortly after, they called her back to confirm that not only would she record her voice, but she would also appear on screen. "Is that me? The one in the red dress?" she asked in the video, showing the scene.
Her vocals were recorded at the renowned Abbey Road Studios—where The Beatles laid down much of their work—and the scene was shot at Pinewood Studios in the UK, where Santiago de Cuba was recreated on set. Some exterior shots were filmed in Jamaica, specifically in Port Antonio and Kingston Harbour.
From Recording to Cinema
The original music for the film was composed by Dan Romer, who recorded with Jenn All in October 2019 before departing the project due to creative differences. Hans Zimmer, who succeeded him, took the original recording and remixed it for the final theatrical version. "Zimmer did the remix using our recording produced by Dan Romer. Thank you, Dan, for your kind words about my voice," the singer expressed.
Born in Havana on June 21, 1987, Jenn All studied at Cuba's Higher Institute of Art. She moved to Spain in 2014, where she reignited her career. Before her international breakthrough, she worked as an actress and presenter on Cuban television. Her involvement in the 25th installment of the Bond series added another Cuban presence to the production alongside Ana de Armas, even though her contribution has largely gone unnoticed over the past five years.
"The song is a remix of '¿Dónde estabas tú?' And the voice you hear in the background is mine. Jenn All," she concluded, affirming her role in the movie.
Insights into Jenn All's Role in "No Time to Die"
Who is Jenn All?
Jenn All, whose real name is Jennifer Almeida Vidal, is a Cuban singer who appeared in the James Bond film "No Time to Die" as a vocalist during the scene set in Cuba. She also provided the voice for the song "¿Dónde estabas tú?"
How did Jenn All get involved with "No Time to Die"?
Jenn All was contacted for an urgent video casting when the production needed a Cuban singer for a scene. After initially refusing to have her voice dubbed, she was called back and confirmed to both record her voice and appear on screen.
Where was Jenn All's scene in "No Time to Die" filmed?
Jenn All's scene was filmed at Pinewood Studios in the UK, where Santiago de Cuba was recreated. Some exterior shots were taken in Jamaica.