Isabella Henao and The Rehearsal: Preparing for the Performance of a Lifetime

Warning: This interview and article involve spoilers for the series The Rehearsal. Reader discretion is advised.

The illusion of reality television is a discussion that is frequently brought up; how much of what we are seeing is truly real? Numerous visionaries have prodded at this hypothesis time and time again, and one such noteworthy example of late is Nathan Fielder: the Canadian comedian — and pilot — behind HBO’s ambitious documentary series, The Rehearsal, whose second season left us floored. Fielder had a six-episode-long mission: to shed light on the lack of proper training that airline pilots receive when it comes to dealing with proper forms of communication and eliminating power dynamics. Fielder focused on how enough airplane crashes were caused by a lack of transparency between a cockpit’s first officer and captain, creating a domino effect of mishaps that ultimately lead up to the potential of a fatal accident. For instance, should a first officer not want to bring up a mistake a captain has made, maybe this would lead to the captain becoming more comfortable and — as a result — lackadaisical. Fielder argues that pilots should be doing the opposite: opening up more than ever. Unfortunately, pilots are made to feel forced to hide their feelings and concerns. This is due to how quickly a pilot’s license can be revoked if they are deemed unfit (should they be diagnosed with a mental illness or condition, for instance).

Fielder supports his argument with numerous large-scaled experiments, from rebuilding portions of the George Bush Intercontinental Airport (as to stage rehearsals with pilots within this space), to reliving pilot Sully Sullenberger’s life (Fielder even acted as a newborn Sullenberger, which, you can imagine, is absurd). The season finale, “My Controls,” saw the biggest gamble Fielder has taken on yet: learning how to fly a Boeing 737 filled with passengers (well, actors performing as passengers, but they’re still human beings on the flight) over the Mojave Desert. The experiment took Fielder over two years to pull off, and the end result is a breathtaking exercise in perseverance. This second season saw the extent of many other concepts; Fielder was ultimately shut out of gaining access to Congress to discuss airline protocol and training; Fielder is given the results of his own potential diagnosis for autism, and he chooses to ignore the voicemail and not lose the ability to keep flying planes; Fielder reintroduces a roleplaying activity involving a brutally honest individual (First Officer “Blunt”) and a receptive partner (Captain “Allears”) in his Mojave flight, resulting in a vulnerable moment of success and openness. All in all, The Rehearsal was equal parts triumphant and unorthodox.

This all leads to one question that we had in the backs of our minds throughout “My Controls,” and we’re sure that you had the same thought: “Who the hell won Wings of Voice?” If you haven’t watched the show, clearly don’t mind spoilers (if you have made it this far past the warning above), and aren’t sure what we are talking about, Wings of Voice was a show-within-a-show: a singing competition used as a means to get pilots to become more upfront and capable of delivering uncomfortable information to others. Since Fielder was once a junior producer on Canadian Idol around twenty years ago, he figured that one of the most difficult challenges of the show was when producers had to tell contestants that they wouldn’t make it to the next round. As a result, Fielder and HBO created Wings of Voice, where actual pilots (who were working with Fielder on other projects found within The Rehearsal) judged singing hopefuls. The show takes place in the airport set made for The Rehearsal, which only adds to the niche nature of it all. We don’t see much, but we do have an entire episode devoted to auditions (“Star Potential”) and the occasional revisitation throughout the season.

One of the very last things we see in “My Controls” is the crowning of the winner of Wings of Voice, and it’s up and coming vocalist Isabella Henao. She is given the floor to perform and conclude not just her own show but The Rehearsal as well, and she delivers her take on Evanescence’s “Bring Me to Life”: a song that Fielder theorizes was one that pilot Sullenberger was listening to during his crash landing on the Hudson River (perhaps believing that he may not have a chance to hear one of his favourite songs ever again). Henao’s performance not only brings things full circle — the idea that the efforts of The Rehearsal will hopefully help many pilots, crew members, and passengers live to see another day — it makes good on The Rehearsal’s promise. This Wings of Voice performance makes the whole singing competition project feel genuine and well intentioned, and makes for the punctuation point on an already brilliant season finale (when a performance caps off Fielder literally flying a plane, you can’t help but feel good for that story line).

It has been — understandably — a whirlwind couple of weeks for Henao, seeing as the star has made waves overnight; she has even performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live when Fielder was featured as a guest (performing — what else but — “Bring Me to Life”). Films Fatale has had the fortune to talk with Henao to discuss what made her want to become a singer, what being on The Rehearsal was like for her, and what music inspires her the most. We wanted to learn more about Henao as a person and not just the newly discovered winner of Wings of Voice. On that note, seeing as a major draw with The Rehearsal is the blurred line between fiction and reality, and knowing that HBO has some of the most concrete nondisclosure agreements out there, we didn’t ask Henao anything that would ruin the experience of the show or go against any contracts (we also don’t believe in any clickbait-inducing provocation).

You can learn more about Isabella Henao over at her official website, and follow her on Instagram and TikTok. The Rehearsal is available on Crave in Canada via the HBO package.


Films Fatale: What is your music background? What inspired you to sing?

Isabella Henao: My family says I was born singing. I’ve always been a singer and music has been such a big part of my life growing up! I have always done choir, and in high school I found a love for jazz music, and that’s when I began taking music and singing more seriously. Following high school, I got into musical theater, and, more recently, rock singing. Singing has always been an outlet for me and a way to relax and process emotions in a therapeutic way. So I guess it’s just always been with me.

FF: What drew you to auditioning for Wings of Voice?

IH: I didn’t get cast in anything over the summer [when I was] in Utah! I had nothing going on, so I was like, “why not?” You kind of have to audition for everything you can get, especially as a college student looking to work in the industry. My mom had gotten the notice [about Wings of Voice holding auditions], we verified its authenticity and then I auditioned and the rest is history. 

FF: “My Controls” is a breathtaking season finale, and your performance is used to tie up the entire season. What was your initial takeaway seeing your version of “Bring Me to Life” come to fruition?

IH: It was genuinely so insane. I was literally on the edge of my seat the whole time, and when I appeared… I don’t know! Overall, the episode was a masterpiece and so well done. It was beautiful. My role in it was also so masterfully done; it wasn’t handled like a joke, despite the context, and I got kind of emotional. It didn’t feel real at all and I was so honored to have played such a major role in it. It still doesn’t feel real at all.

FF: In an AMA on Reddit, you've discussed becoming familiar with Nathan Fielder's The Rehearsal after you were on it. What is your usual taste in television? Where does The Rehearsal fall within your taste? Is it different from what you usually watch, or is in line with your favourites?

IH: Ironically, I love social experiments and comedy. I like shows with complex characters and deep story lines where you know everyone is flawed, you know? The “good guys” are corrupt, and the “bad guys” are doing it because they got lost in doing right. Some of my favorites right now are The Penguin, Invincible and, of course, The Rehearsal. It isn’t too far off what I like to watch but it’s more similar to what I watch on YouTube compared to television. 

FF: One major point of this season is the integral part music can play in someone's life (like the pilot Sully Sullenberger). What part has it played in yours?

IH: So much. Like I mentioned earlier, it really has helped me through hard times and it really has changed my life. It’s always been an outlet for me and I always find peace in listening to music. Most everything I do is around music, and it’s just a part of me now. 

FF: What are some of your musical inspirations and/or favourite songs/albums?

IH: Michael Jackson is probably the biggest influence. I grew up listening to his music and watching his recorded performances. I know he’s controversial, but his voice and stage presence are things I inspire to have. He just owned the stage, I don’t think anyone can ever match that.

I have a pretty big music taste, but some of my favorite songs [include]:

• “Neon Medusa” - The Midnight
• “A Little Taste of Heaven” - Leach
• “Frankenstein” - Rina Sawayama
• “St. Chroma” - Tyler, the Creator

For albums:

Horror Show E.P. - The Midnight
Igor - Tyler, the Creator

FF: Is there anything else you'd like to know about yourself or your part in The Rehearsal?

IH: I love Subway, and I ate all the Pirate’s Booty on set (sorry). 


We thank Isabella Henao for the time! Learn more about her over at her official website, and be sure to follow her on Instagram and TikTok.

The Rehearsal is available on Crave in Canada through the HBO package. All episodes of Season 2 are now available.


Andreas Babiolakis has a Masters degree in Film and Photography Preservation and Collections Management from Toronto Metropolitan University, as well as a Bachelors degree in Cinema Studies from York University. His favourite times of year are the Criterion Collection flash sales and the annual Toronto International Film Festival.