KEY POINTS

  • Lily James made her first TV guesting after her public scandal with Dominic West
  • James canceled several scheduled appearances this week before she appeared on Jimmy Fallon's show
  • James and West's wife were "horrified" after the kissing photos of the co-stars leaked

Lily James is back on TV after canceling several scheduled appearances following her public scandal with married co-star Dominic West.

James canceled a series of interviews earlier this week, including her appearance on "Today" on Monday. But she appeared on "The Tonight Show" and spoke with Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday to promote her film "Rebecca" and also talked about her quarantine project, which was teaching a Broadway class over Zoom.

"It's great because, you know, when these performers can't perform because of lockdown they're getting to share their skills," she was quoted by Hello! as saying.

"People at home can be creative and learn and try and have some fun. I was teaching audition technique which is insane because I am terrible at auditions."

Aside from sharing what kept her busy during the lockdown, she also recounted her audition for "Mamma Mia!"

"I auditioned for ‘Mamma Mia!’ during Glastonbury weekend. I knew I had to sing in this audition, I was desperate for this part," James shared.

"It was due to be scheduled at the end of Glastonbury. I knew for sure that after screaming in a field for five days there was no way I would be able to sing, so I did it on the way in the car," James shared.

"I had the car parked and filled to the brim with wellies. I went to Glasto. My phone ran out of battery. It wasn't until on the way home, I plugged my phone in and my agent called me. I was like, 'Hello!' She said, 'You got the job!' I said, 'Please say it doesn't start soon."

When asked if there's a third movie in the works, James didn't confirm anything. But she said she was down to doing more movies for the franchise.

James’ appearance on Fallon’s show came after her photos kissing West leaked. An insider told Us Weekly that both James and West’s wife, Catherine FitzGerald, were “horrified by the pictures.” But the married couple wanted to put a united front after the scandal.

West and FitzGerald held a press conference outside their home in England and handed the media a piece of paper with a message that read, "I just want to say our marriage is strong and we are very much still together." The note contained both of their signatures.

Downton Abbey Lily James
Rose (Lily James) will return to England for the "Downton Abbey" series finale. Nick Briggs/Carnival Film & Television Limited 2015 for Masterpiece