I got a chance this afternoon to talk to the one and only Ashley McKenzie after his ejection from X Factor on Saturday. Ashley was yet another of the contestants to fall foul of a fickle public and the warring judges Mssrs Cowell and Walsh.
Ashley comes across as a laid back but genuine guy. When I spoke to him, he was gracious about his X Factor defeat and hopeful for the future. Oh….and he’s single ladies…. 
Brad: Hi Ashley, thanks for taking the time to talk to Unreality TV. You left X Factor on Saturday night after singing The Winner Takes It All by Abba. What happened after the show?
Ashley: Well, I did a bit for the Xtra Factor Aftermath show, saw my family, went to see Simon, and that was it really - just went back to the house. Oh and got absolutely drunk, coz I didn’t have to get up the next day.
Brad: How was Simon Cowell after the show?
Ashley: He was pretty gutted really. He felt that he’d lost a good act and that I hadn’t shone enough on the show. He just said that’s the way it goes sometimes, like Maria Lawson for instance and some of his acts in America that got kicked out early on and they were the best in the show! I’m not saying I was the best in the show, but he was just comparing me to them.
Brad: Even from the first week, we could see your potential in the show. Despite the fact that your song that week wasn’t great, there was a spark that we were hoping to see develop over the competition. We’re a bit shocked that you went out so early - how are you taking it?
Ashley: You know what, I am over the moon. I’m really happy and people are asking me why and I’m saying “Look, there’s people in much worse situations: kids going into war and people dying because they’ve got no food. I’ve gained experience and I’ve loved every part of it and I’m still loving it. I’m really really privileged that I got a chance to do what I love doing.
Brad: We know you’ve done a bit of modelling in the past, but have you done anything musically before X Factor?
Ashley: No, nothing. I did one show for a friend, but it weren’t nothing big. X Factor was the first thing and the biggest thing that I’ve done.
Brad: So, joining X Factor was a big culture shock for you?
Ashley: Yeah, I was thrown straight in at the deep end - no experience, no vocal training, nothing. It’s just like raw talent for me, just going up and giving it all I’ve got. To be honest, I’m glad it went like that because that’s just me right there.
Brad: Is performing on X Factor different to modelling work you’ve done?
Ashley: Definitely! I’m not saying modelling’s not good, but all you do is just sit there and all you are is a pretty face, you’re not really a personality or anything like that. To be honest, I don’t like judging people by their appearance, it’s what’s inside that counts. I mean, materialistic things can get burnt in a fire, but all you’ve got at the end of the day is your soul. I like to talk, to say what’s on my mind, y’know?
Being a model’s just a picture, it doesn’t compare to singing at all.
Brad: Do you write songs or play any instruments at all?
Ashley: Yeah, I write songs, but my voice is my instrument [laughs], but I want to learn to play guitar though.
Brad: What made you decide to audition for X Factor?
Ashley: I went to Spain, after working in TopShop for about three years and just started reflecting on my life. I decided that singing was my passion. My aunt was the one that sat me down and had a talk with me and discussed auditioning and it went from there basically.
Brad: How did you feel getting through the X Factor auditions and discovering that Simon Cowell was going to be your mentor?
Ashley: I was over the moon. I prayed I would get Simon, because I just think he’s the most professional one, the best person to have on my side. I was really really happy about that.
Brad: When you were at Simon’s house, there were reports in the tabloids that you had a vicious argument with Simon over song choices. However, when the episode aired it didn’t look nearly as bad! What’s the real story?
Ashley: No, the papers always, always exaggerate. There were people saying that I was being a complete diva, but I was just speaking my mind. I wasn’t happy with the song and that’s all I said. Simon said you need to learn to adapt to songs and sing what’s chosen, but I said that I didn’t appreciate him judging me - he’d said that he didn’t think I wanted to win X Factor badly enough.
I said to him, “People judge you all the time, but when they get to know you they see you differently.” And that’s all it was, it was just two human beings speaking their minds. There was no bust up. I read in the papers I was spitting blood, bodyguards had to restrain me and I was a hot-headed ex-model and all this rubbish. Simon and have never had a tiff or anything like that.
Brad: The other rumour that we picked up on was about the Love Triangle between you, Nikitta and Jermaine from 4sure. Any truth in those rumours?
Ashley: There is no story, we just got on really well and just because I had my hand on Nikitta’s lap in a couple of interviews…I’m quite tactile, so when I’m close to someone, that’s all it was. There was no love triangle at all, that’s just silly!
Brad: And what about you, are you single at the moment?
Ashley: Yeah, I am single, but at the moment I’m trying to concentrate on my career. If something happens, then good.
[At this point, I mentioned to Ashley about all the comments we've received from his fans - he said thanks very much, he appreciates them all!]
Brad: On Saturday night, you sang The Winner Takes It All. Was it a good choice of song?
Ashley: I thought it was, because the lyrics were deep and the tune itself was nice and I thought the audience could relate to it. I thought it was good, but other people have said they thought it was a bad song choice. They’re entitled to their opinion, but I thought Simon did me well, it was just bad luck.
Brad: I’ve heard a lot of people complaining about the themes each week and how they’ve affected the acts. What’s your opinion?
Ashley: When I was in Miami with Simon, he told me that to become a great artist, you need to learn to adapt, to connect with the song and make it your own. So, from my point of view, they could have given me a Tellytubbies song or a Cheeky Girls song and I’d still have done my best with it. Personally, the themes were fine by me. It’s a challenge.
If we could have picked songs we were comfortable with, it would have been easy, but with the themes, you have to rise to it and learn to adapt.
Brad: If you could have chosen your own songs, what type of music would you like to sing?
Ashley: I really like R&B, soul and a little bit of classical. I love Amy Winehouse, Little Mo, Beyonce, Stevie Wonder, artists who talk about real things in life.
Brad: Beyonce?
Ashley: Do you know what I like about Beyonce? How she gets up there and her performance is just sky-high, she dances like there’s no tomorrow and sings her heart out. That’s one thing that attracts me to that lady.
Brad: On X Factor, what were your opinions of the judges? Did you have a favourite?
Ashley: Oh, Simon all the way! I wouldn’t change him for the world. The Sharon and then Louis. No disrespect for Louis, but that’s just how I felt from the beginning.
Brad: And how do you feel toward Louis after getting ejected on Saturday?
Ashley: I feel the same toward him. He didn’t say anything disrespectful towards me. He’s just very professional, he’s a great man and he’s had a lot of success in his life, which I admire. I’ve got a lot of respect for him.
Brad: I was actually surprised a fortnight ago, you were in the bottom two and Louis had the casting vote. I thought he’d tactically vote you out to get a Simon, but he didn’t.
Ashley: Like I say, he’s a professional man, he’s not a sour bitch. He was doing what he felt was right. That night, it really got a bit bitchy among the judges. I think partly he was taking it out on Simon, but I was just in the middle of it. I don’t really mind, though because it is a competition between the judges too.
Brad: Who do you think is going to eventually win this year’s X Factor?
Ashley: Umm…I think Raymond to be honest with you, because he’s got the quirkiness and the whole package. I would love Nikitta to win because she’s strong and I really feel that she deserves it. Leona I’m not even worried about, because she’s beautiful inside and out and she’s got a voice of an angel. I’d like to see Robert win it, because he’s got his baby on the way. Any of those four I’d love to see win.
Brad: I was talking to Kerry about her songwriting the other day, and how it would be to perform her own songs in the X Factor. Do you think it would be a good idea to showcase your songwriting talent?
Ashley: Yeah, I do. Kerry’s very talented when it comes to writing, because she’s very deep and very spiritual and I think she’s got a lot to give to the world. Look at Stevie Wonder - he’s blind, but he still managed to become a multi-million selling artist. I’m sure Kerry can do the same.
Brad: Now that X Factor’s over for you Ashley, what are your plans for the future?
Ashley: Well, for now I just want to rest, because I feel a bit battered emotionally. But I’m going to carry on singing because that’s my passion. Singing all the way…hopefully doors will start opening for me now.
Brad: And what about the X Factor tour, will you be performing?
Ashley: Yeah, I’m going to be performing on the tour. I’ll be there on all the dates. It’s going to be big, so I’ll definitely have to get prepared for that.
Brad: Judging from the comments on our blog, you’re building up quite a following. Have you got a message for your fans?
Ashley: Yes, everyone’s support is really appreciated. Tell them I said Hi and if they want to sing or whatever, just keep going for their dreams, because if you’re determined, you’ll achieve those goals eventually!
The MacDonald Brothers: Tonight the MacDonald Brothers sang ‘Fernando’ and I think Louis did them a HUGE disservice by giving them this song! It is a boring song and this week we needed to see a bit of MacDonald soul, we didn’t. They were in tune and sang nicely, but it wasn’t enough to make me want to vote for them.
In tonight’s X Factor double eviction Kerry McGregor was the second act to leave. Kerry, Dionne and Ashley were all in the bottom three acts with 
