The amazing life of Nicola Adams features in Prime Video's Lioness: The Nicola Adams Story. It follows her upbringing in Leeds to become an Olympic boxing champion in 2012 and 2016, then on to the media personality she is today —including being part of the first LGBTQ+ couple on Strictly Come Dancing in 2020.
The no-holds-barred biopic,— named after Nicola’s nickname, 'Lioness', in the ring — is coming to Prime Video and Nicola was involved in every step of the process.
Martin Backlund, Head of Content for UK Prime Video said: "Nicola is a trailblazer and her story is one that will inspire audiences of all backgrounds. Lioness: The Nicola Adams Story examines Nicola’s life spent fighting fierce competitors, prejudice, and adversity and her determination to never give up. We couldn’t be happier to share her story, and her boundless resilience and optimism, with Amazon Prime Video customers."
So here’s everything you need to know about Prime Video's one-off documentary Lioness: The Nicola Adams Story and what Nicola revealed to us in a very candid interview...
Prime Video's 'Lioness: The Nicola Adams Story' release date
The one-off documentary Lioness: The Nicola Adams Story is released worldwide on Prime Video on Friday Nov. 12 2021.
Is there a trailer for 'Lioness: The Nicola Adams Story'?
Yes, there's now a trailer for Lioness: The Nicola Adams Story, which shows what we can expect to learn about the life of Olympic champion boxer Nicola Adams and the struggles she faced to get there.
Who is 'Lioness' Nicola Adams?
Now retired from the sport, Nicola won gold in London 2012, the first time women were allowed to compete at boxing in the Olympic Games, and then did the same in Rio four years later. She also became the first openly LGBT person to win an Olympic boxing gold. Last year, she became part of the first same-sex pairing on Strictly Come Dancing with dancer Katya Jones and she and her partner Ella Baig are also powerful advocates for the LGBTQ+ community.
Nicola Adams told us: "I knew that my story would inspire someone. When I was younger, I decided to keep the footage from my first fight away from media as I knew I was going to put it into a film one day…filming felt like therapy, I was reliving my childhood and everything it took to get me where I am. “I hope that when people watch this, they feel inspired and encouraged to pursue their dreams, as you only have one life. I went from breaking my back to winning a gold medal at the 2012 Olympics, all in the space of two years.”
Nicola reveals what 'Lioness: The Nicola Adams Story' is about
Lioness: The Nicola Adams Story charts Nicola’s tough upbringing in Leeds, UK, and the moment she fought (and won) her first bout at the age of 13 to her becoming an Olympic boxing champion, as well as a notably rare LGBT sports figure. The film is also set to feature Nicola herself giving a unique and intimate take on her successes and struggles in and out of the boxing.
Nicola Adams told us: "I wanted to inspire the next generation and make them believe in themselves. I came from a council estate in Leeds, from a single-parent household. I want to show kids they can achieve anything if they work hard and that nothing is impossible. You only live once, so take that first step and go for it. Don’t let anything hold you back.
"I thought it was going to be easy opening up on camera, but then, when I started talking about everything, it brought up all the emotions and old memories I’d forgotten about. You’re reliving everything you went through to get to where you are today. It was like going through therapy.
"Growing up with my family and also having my back injury [Nicola broke a vertebra in 2009 after falling down the stairs]. It was the hardest point in my career. I was bed-bound for three months. All you can do is lie there and that was hard, physically and mentally.
"Boxing gave me the chance to travel the world, see different places and cultures. It opened my eyes and opened new doors. But things could have been really different, especially where I grew up. I could have been involved in crime. I was happy when I found boxing but I feel like I’ve got the determination and drive that whatever I’d done, I’d have wanted to be the very best. I’d still have succeeded. My mantra is, ‘Tell me I can’t, and that’s why I will!
"The London 2012 Olympics was my proudest achievement. To win a gold medal and create history in your home country, that’s something every athlete dreams about. It was unreal."
Nicola Adams reveals her movie star ambitions and talks Strictly...
Nicola Adams told us: "My acting career is next for me! I’m working on that now and having coaching. Acting was always one of my passions alongside boxing but when I won my Olympic gold medal, boxing took over. Now that I’ve retired, I can focus on acting. I’m excited about the future and being able to push my boundaries and experience new things. I’d love to be an action hero and do stunts! I love Marvel movies and I’d love to be in [Prime Video fantasy drama] American Gods. The characters look like normal human beings but they’ve got special powers. It’s really cool and well done.
"I haven’t really kept up the dancing, I’ve been too busy! But I’ve watched a bit of Strictly. Johannes Radebe and John Whaite with their Pirates of the Caribbean dance were fantastic!"
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