icWales has reported that South Wales record producer Danny Chang has teamed up with X Factor contestants The Unconventionals to produce their first single.
Danny contacted The Unconventionals who were the first act to be voted off in the public voting, after seeing them on the show.
The track, Strawberry Sunshine, was recorded at Danny’s studio in Penarth last week. And will be released in May of this year.
Two weeks into my vow to lead an X-Factor-free life and it hasn’t started well.
Let me begin my saying, sometimes there is a reason some acts aren’t already selling albums like Cowell buys teeth; namely, The Unconventionals. Personally I’m glad to see the back-end of them.. That reminds me; didn’t they have the look of a nudist club about them.
4sure will feel hard done by to be knocked out on week two, not least by seeing the sickening grins of the MacDonald brothers next week. But to be fair, they weren’t in the best of voice.
For me, Ben and Ashley flopped like dead fish on week one despite my high-hopes. And in honesty a week later and Ashley still seems a touch lazy in his performance. Ben on the other hand had fully mastered the art of looking a plonk, launching himself onto a piano only to wonder why.
Leona and Dionne are the voices of the year, but right now, both seem far too sure of themselves to gain any likeability from me. Saying that, Dionne was as good as publicly laughed-at standing beside the (thankfully fully-clothed) Unconventionals last Saturday.
And whilst I am the first to call myself passionate of music, never before has it made me sick to the stomach. That is until now. The Macdonald brothers simply take the piss. Never in my days have I seen 2 grown men dragged onto TV in such a humiliating way. They looked like the new islanders to hit “Ballamory” and sounded like two high-school lads putting in a half-hearted rendition of the Music teacher’s favourite song.
Like Ashley, Nikkita still needs her batteries a-rumbled, Eton Road must avoid being Louis-ised (i.e. all stand on key-change) and if Ray gets any cheesier he’ll be more laughing cow than Robbie Williams.
Elsewhere, Kerry isn’t doing it for me; vocally she is a million miles behind the rest and while I’ll be told by the bucket load I’m wrong, I believe sympathy is playing its wicked part. Lastly, but none less passionately, Frank “Robert” Bruno is for some as-yet unknown reason, really grating on me.
It’s the ultimate in loveable trashy-telly!
let me know what you think via my website.
This article was written by Carl, one of our Unreality TV contributors. Check out Carl’s own site at foundthatsoul.co.nr
After my interview with Lucy Newton from The Unconventionals last week, I had a lot of enquiries about whether they were getting an official website and how people could keep up to date with them.
Lucy came back to say that although there’s no official website as yet (not until X Factor ends), there’s a fansite and a discussion forum dedicated to The Unconventionals.
The band confirmed that they’ll be doing at least one of the shows on the X Factor tour. When the dates are confirmed, we’ll let you all know.
If we’re very very lucky, we might be organising a chat with The Unconventionals over on the forum sometime soon. I’ll have more details of this soon.
Leona Lewis singing First Cut Is the Deepest.
Simon “she looks like a star and acts like one but we have a shyness issue with Leona that she needs to get over. But I would rather work with someone shy and sweet than someone who is arrogant and cocky backstage.”
Rod admits to Leona that even he suffers from his nerves, “I couldn?t sing in front of three or four people and I still get nervous today when I go out and perform.”
The MacDonald Brother singing Sailing
The MacDonald Brothers said “We got a battering form the judges last week and it was quite hard to take, we are used to doing small clubs and weddings and we’ve never felt that pressure to perform. Meeting Rod brings it home and this week we are going to show everyone what we are made of, and it is the quiet ones you have to look out for”
Judges Comments:
Louis - You don’t look like the same 2 guys who were on stage last week, you had a mountain to climb but you did it.
Sharon – first time I have ever seen anyone play a guitar with a sporran. Definitely better than last week and I think Rod is right, concentrate on your voices and the rest will come.
Simon – Guys, I think you are 2 really nice kids, but I thought it was terrible, I hope Rod was watching with the volume down. It was verging on the insane, all the key changes, the guitar and the dress. After a performance like that there is not a cat in hells chance of you boys winning this competition. Even the boo?s in the studio are low.
Ashley McKenzie singing I’d Rather Go Blind
Ashley, “Last week it was Motown which I loved but this week it is Rod Stewart which is really not my thing and if I had been asked to sing this song two months ago they would have kicked me out the competition because I wouldn’t have done it, but tonight I hope I don’t let anyone down.”
Judges Comments:
Louis - That was a classy and very polished performance, thank be to god you are in this competition. You are different
Sharon – You know how to work it kid, you have everything going for you. You know how to milk those notes and I have to hand it too you. And I can tell you are going to be a right handful, you have a right attitude but you’re a great performer.
Simon – I thought you did really well, it’s not a well known song and it did take me some time to pick the song for you this week, but you made it your own and we are very lucky to have you, you are original and it was a mesmorising performance.
Dionne Mitchell singing Tonight’s The Night
Dionne “Last week I was devastated and my confidence was knocked quite heavily and it has made me doubt myself”
Rod on Dionne “She could be wonderful, she has such a powerful voice but it is in the lap of the gods”
Judges comments:
Louis – Last week I said you were my favourite and I could not understand why you were there, you deserve to be on that stage 100% you are like Tina Turner.
Sharon – You owned that stage tonight you so deserve to be there, I love the inclination in your voice, you got it going girl.
Simon – I was very surprised to see you in the bottom two last week. There is no question of doubt you are a very very good dinger, but there are a tonne of backing singers who are as good as you, and if you stay in this week you need to spend a week in front of the mirror practising your performance
4Sure singing You’re In My Heart
Rod Stewart “For your style I know this is not your thing, and last week you had your shot with the Motown thing so you just have to give it your best this week”
Judges comments:
Louis – I know this song was out of your comfort zone, but that is show-biz, Jermaine you were great on leads and I think you did well.
Sharon – It was a very good arrangement, and I agree with Louis but you did very welll with it and you all look great
Simon – I like you guy’s but I didn’t like the arrangement
Nikitta Angus singing Bring It Home To Me
Nikitta “Last week I felt comfortable on stage and I knew my Mum was with me, as whenever I have performed in the past when my Mum has been there I always felt comfortable on stage, and that is how I felt last week. This is the best thing to ever happen to my and I have never been more happy in my life”
Judges comments:
Louis – You know I like you, but last week I didn?t like your song and this week is the same, I am not blaming you but I am blaming Simon, why the silly song Simon?
Sharon – You are a very talented young girl but Simon is very wrong tonight with both the song and the styling, it looks like you are wearing OJ Simpson’s glove. It is a shame you are not in our group as we would look after you
Simon – Louis, was Nikitta in the bottom 2 last week and Louis what do you know about fashion?
Louis – More than you I don?t wear my trousers up here!
Simon – You’re not exactly Giorgio Armani! Nikitta I know we have made some changes to the song and you were nervous before you came on tonight but you did yourself proud.
Robert Allen singing Try a Little Tenderness
Robert “last week being the first to perform was nerve wracking but I just went out there and gave it my best. I got great comments from the judges but I am not going to let it get to my head and I will keep myself grounded”
Rod Stewart “I love energy and he has tonnes of it”
Judges comments:
Louis – What can I say! You have everything, soul, emotion, great singer great performer best of the night so far!
Sharon – You have to stop being so shy! You were running around like a bat and you do have to be careful because of your tuning as you fell out of key but your performance made up for it.
Simon – You need to listen to Sharon, the audience love you but you have to be careful your performances don’t get too clownish, it was like a Chippendales performance, which Louis would know!
Eton Road singing This Old Heart of Mine
Eton Road “Appearing on the stage on Saturday was fantastic, the buzz we got off each other was amazing.? Anthony, ?I am hoping that being different is good and meeting Rod proved that being odd can result in success.”
Judges comments:
Louis- You have improved 100% you are already looking like a slick sophisticated boyband. Fantastic, I hope you get the votes
Sharon – Just when you think boy bands are done to death, and then come you guys, you are so unique and you know I love you Anthony, I adore you, and you know Kelly has already proposed to Anthony today!
Simon – There were some tuning problems, but it didn?t matter because something is starting to work for you guys. You are young you have energy and are really enthusiastic and the only decent group Louis has got is the one he didn?t put through!
Raymond Quinn singing What a Wonderful World
Ray “I don?t want to go home tonight, I am loving being in this competition I am just so excited.”
Judges comments:
Louis – Much better vocals than last week and if this was a smiling competition you would win it. But the song was a bit boring but the Mum’s will vote for you
Sharon – You are in a tough category and I feel you are in the wrong time zone compared to all the cutting edge acts in your group.
Simon – the first time you walked in the audition room you sang a Dean Martin song the other two wanted you in their category. What I disagree with what Sharon says is that although there are a million kids out there who could sing what you did tonight, you have the charm and style they would all lack.
Ben Mills singing Maggie May
Ben “I loved it last week, the crowd went wild and that is why I am here. Last week the judges compared me to Rod Stewart so this week is going to be a challenge. I don?t want people to see me as a Rod Stewart sound-a-like”
Rod “He has got a very powerful voice but he just needs to channel it.”
Judges comments:
Louis – What can I say, you owned that stage, you are brilliant, you are not just a great singer but you are also a great performer, you are going to give Robert a run for his money. I am going to predict that you make the final, with one of my acts!
Sharon - I would never be biased but I loved the arrangement, it was fantastic
Simon – You are in a very difficult position tonight as you have been compared to Rod Stewart and you performed one of his biggest hits. But you have an amazing voice and you have showed a different side to yourself tonight and I agree with Louis you should be in the final.
The Unconventionals were the most individual act to make it through to this year’s X Factor finals. In a shocking twist, they were evicted during the first live show of the season by Simon Cowell.
I caught up with Lucy Newton today to find out how The Unconventionals felt about their sudden exit from the X Factor and what the future holds for the group.
How did The Unconventionals come together?
Well, Drew was really the lynchpin of the band – he knew most of us already and a couple of us had worked together in the past. Drew came up with the idea of putting a group together for the X Factor, so he contacted us and we started rehearsing for the show.
We got together about three months before the show started.
How did you come to be called The Unconventionals?
Well, it was Drew’s idea initially, although in hindsight having such a long name might have cost us text votes! We were sort of hoping that the producers would allow us to change the name down the line – I think they did that in the first series with G4. Sadly it doesn’t matter now!
The Unconventionals seem to have a very distinctive sound for such a short time together. How did that come about?
Well, there are six people in the band who can sing in their own right. Liz (Ewing) is a very rocky singer. I’ve got quite a high pitched, youthful voice, being the youngest in the group and Drew has a poppy style. Mark Hudson [Sharon's vocal coach] compared us to The Beach Boys. They had a distinctive sound…when you heard those vocal harmonies you knew who you were listening to.
I think that was the idea behind The Unconventionals, to have a unique sound.
Your X Factor profile says your musical influences include Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, and 50 Cent. That’s pretty diverse. I didn’t have you down as a gangsta rapper!
[Laughs] I quite like R&B music, their studio voice is the real thing. What you hear on the record is what you’ll hear on stage.
Tell me more about your career before The Unconventionals and X Factor.
When I was 17, I played the second cover for Eponine in Les Miserables. I did 5 performances of that show, and although I was nervous, it was such great experience.
After that, I had roles in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Footloose the musical and Taboo which is where I met Drew. I also did Fame in Holland.
How did you feel getting through auditions, boot camp and through to the live show?
Tom was always the positive one in the group and every audition he’d say “we’re getting through”. The worst was in Louis Walsh’s house, we thought we weren’t going to get through.
We’d been practicing late into the night and Drew decided to stay up and practice in the bathroom, but it just wouldn’t go in. In the end, he kept forgetting the words. That audition was just destined to be a disaster! That was the boot camp audition where we had the fluff-up with the Queen song.
The first day at Louis’ house where we sang Push The Button and Everybody Hurts was great. The production crew loved it and everybody was asking us to record it as their ringtone. On the second day we sang Dedicated To The One I Love by The Mamas and The Papas.
What was Louis Walsh’s Boot Camp like?
The experience was good and we started to bond with the other contestants like 4Sure and the McDonald Brothers. We were at Louis’ house for quite a while, which meant we got to know some of the other groups.
What was it like living in the X Factor house?
Well, we spent 3 weeks in the X Factor house. 24 people living under one roof was always going to be testing, tensions could be raised. You’d be sitting in a room and someone would come in, switch on the stereo and then walk out again. Even things like washing up caused quite a few house meetings!
What did you think of your performance on last Saturday’s show?
We didn’t feel we performed to the best of our abilities on the night. We thought Simon was a bit harsh saying we were diabolical. That pantomime between Simon and Louis took over and we weren’t even given time to respond to his criticism.
I appreciate there has to be a certain amount of pantomime in order to play to the audience. But Simon Cowell knows how powerful he is. People listen to what he says, and he knew what he was doing when he said we were diabolical.
If you could do it again, what would you have done differently?
We’d probably – that’s a hard question – until we got on the stage we didn’t realise anything was wrong. If I had it to do again, I’d make the backing track simpler so that the vocals could work better.
Did the band expect to be leaving so early in the series?
We hoped we’d get a couple of weeks of performances. The majority of the voting public are teen girls who are likely to vote for the good looking boys, so we didn’t ever think we’d win.
Will The Unconventionals be staying together? Some of the visitors on our forum have been asking me if you’re likely to be releasing an album. Is there a record deal in the pipeline?
We’ve had a lot of positive feedback from the show. We’ve had offers for gigs and appearances.
The future is we’re going to start recording and hopefully release an album next year. We’ve had some interest from record companies.
Presumably you’ll be doing the X Factor tour when the show ends?
Yes, although we’re not sure of dates yet. We may end up appearing at a handful of the dates.
What are your opinions of the judges?
Well, I think what Simon said about us was very harsh. Having said that, he met us in the corridor afterward and shook our hands and said “you guys are brilliant but your song let you down”. Simon’s very intelligent and he really knows what he’s talking about, but the rivalry with Louis got on top of him.
I’m full of praise for Louis. He’s been supportive of us all along and he’s still being supportive even now, giving us advice. He’s as disgusted as we are about being ejected. I think Louis is very intelligent and loyal, but he’s sometimes overshadowed by Simon. He’s lovely though.
We didn’t see much of Sharon throughout the competition, so I couldn’t really comment. We appeared on her chat show yesterday and she came across as very loyal too.
Who’s your favourite act from those remaining? Who are you rooting for to win?
My personal favourite is 4Sure. The remind me of Boyz II Men [we had a bit of a debate as to whether that was a good of bad thing]. They’re really talented boys and they’re really focussed. While they were rehearsing last Friday, Simon told them to start from scratch and re-do their song. The day before the live show! Yet they worked hard on improving their act. They’ve got clever harmonies, they’re talened and focussed.
Having said that, I think Leona will win it. Simon speaks very highly of her and people are influenced by his opinion. What did he say about her? “There’s never been a performer of your calibre in the UK before” or something like that.
We are currently running a poll over on our forum on whether Simon made the right decision about sending The Unconventionals home on Saturday. Do you think he did the right thing, or would you rather have seen Dionne Mitchell go?
We’d love to hear what you think so pop on over and place your vote!
Louis Walsh has hit out once more at fellow X Factor judge Simon Cowell for voting The Unconventionals out of the competition.
Louis told TV Biz he was furious Simon branded his act “diabolicalâ€? and dumped them in favour of Dionne Mitchell. He said: “I couldn’t believe what he did. He was being so smug.
“Losing these guys so early on is just plain wrong. They’re perfect for the show because they’re different.�
The band also got in on the act blaming song choice, bad stylists and a lack of airtime on their depature.
Drew Jaymson commented:
He said: “You put your trust in people in the business who are supposed to make the right choices but this didn’t work for us. If we’d sung a cappella like people are used to hearing us we may still be in it.�
Drew added: “All I’ll be known for is crying and wearing dodgy knitwear.�
Bandmate Liz Ewing, 37, claimed they got less time on screen building up a ‘back story’. She said: “We’re out because we didn’t rely on our tragedies. We’ve got some, believe me.�
You’ve gotta feel sorry for these guys, they really are talented.
Well, the first show has come and gone, and I’m left feeling incredibly frustrated at the Great British Public.
Brad has done a great job of detailing each act – if you want to see my view on each of them, its all listed in my Blog here: Live Show no 1.. TheNovaView
What on EARTH was Dionne doing in the bottom two? I can understand The Unconventionals being there – Louis should be hanging his head in shame at his mentoring of this group – but Dionne was absolutely brilliant last night. She had style, she had panache, she looked absolutely fantastic, and she owned that song.. but she had to go to the Song Off to stay in. Simon blamed it on her lack of personality, as her vocals were amazing – but I can’t really see that. She shone on the stage.
I hope the MacDonald Brothers are heaving very large sighs of relief. Pretty much every review I’ve seen of them had them firmly in the bottom two. Perhaps the teenagegirly syndrome is already kicking in, and they (and Ray) have managed to stay here. They’re going to need to raise their game much higher if they want to carry on performing in the X Factor.
Next week should be really interesting: the theme is Rod Stewart (so I’m assuming that he’ll be the guest star) and that will suit Ben’s vocals down to the ground. We’ve already seen him perform Maggie May at Bootcamp, so I have high hopes of him. Perhaps Louis will do a better job of song selection, as he’s getting first choice of the songlist, followed by Sharon and then Simon – I just hope he stops messing it up for his acts. And Sharon love.. try and pick better songs too, you did an abysmal job last night, the only one you got spot on was Dionne’s.. and look how the public repaid you.
I could cry.
Last year we did a chart after each episode of X Factor with our take on the performers and what we thought. So, welcome to the very first X Factor chart for 2006!
Now, bear in mind I don’t have Tabby here tonight to talk me down, so I may be wrong. I’ve you’ve got better suggestions for the chart, leave them in the comments or jump to the forum for X-tra chat!
So, that’s my opinion. I’m staring at the wrong end of a bottle of red wine, so forgive any inconsistencies in my post!
The Unconventionals have become the first act to leave the X Factor competition.
In a vote that saw a Louis Walsh act up against a Sharon Osbourne act, Simon Cowell has the deciding vote. On the strength of tonight’s performance, he chose to reject The Unconventionals.
Personally, I thought The Unconventionals were a great act with real potential to follow along the line of G4 from two years ago, but tonight’s performance was awful. There was just far too much going on all at once. It was anarchy.
Saved from eviction was Dionne Mitchell, who was in my top three performances tonight. I still can’t understand how she ended up in the bottom two.
As I write this, Kate Thornton has been talking to Ben Shepherd on Xtra Factor. She seemed distracted and confused by the decision to eject The Unconventionals and said that you can never second-guess the general public in a competition like this!
So, goodbye to The Unconventionals and good luck to Dionne for the rest of the competition!
Dionne kicked off part four clad in a figure hugging red dress, looking a million dollars. She came across as confident and I was surprised at her singing which was fantastic.
Louis also thought she was fantastic, saying “the best performance so far tonight”. Sharon was very proud of her, although Simon said she looked a little stiff and nervous but that “vocally, you are incredible…if you’d been born in America you wouldn’t have had to enter this competition”.
My verdict: Kudos to the stylists! Dionne looked beautiful tonight, sang soooo well and really rose to the material she’d been given. Nerves? What nerves?
Without a doubt, the quirkiest group in the competition, The Unconventionals pulled off a rousing version of Dancing In The Street – the whole audience was on their feet! However, it was quite a conventional take on the song.
Louis “great wall of sound…I’m really glad I picked ye”. Sharon said “it was all a bit too much…I got quite confused…I just don’t think this is the right thing for you”. Simon’s take was that it was “a complete and utter mess…five of you shouldn’t be singing lead vocals”. He also managed to criticise the group’s dress sense for the night!
My verdict: Another example of Louis blandifying (I made that word up) a band. I agree with Simon that they shouldn’t all sing lead. Hope they recover and get their individuality back if they return next week.
16 – 24’s
Ashley – Easy – Lionel Richie
Ray – Ben – Michael Jackson
Leona – I’ll Be There – Jackson 5
Nikitta – Heaven Must Of Sent You – The Elgins
Over 24’s
Ben – Tracks Of My Tears – Smokey Robinson
Dionne - I’m Gonna Make You Love Me – Diana Ross & The Supremes
Kerry – You Are The Sunshine Of My Life – Stevie Wonder
Rob – All Night Long – Lionel Richie
Groups
4Sure – What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted – Jimmy Ruffin
The Unconventionals – Dancing In The Streets -Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
MacDonald Brothers – Three Times A Lady – Lionel Ritchie and the Commodores
Eton Road – My Girl – The Temptations
This article was written by Jan, our newest contributor at Unreality TV. Check out Jan’s own X Factor journal here.
The Unconventionals
The Story So Far…
* The Unconventionals auditioned in London singing The Carpenters’ classic ‘On Top Of The World’
* All the Judges loved them, with Simon saying they made everyone smile. Sharon said that they made her day and Louis said that Drew had a great voice.
* On the first day of Bootcamp they sang ‘Push the Button’ by The Sugababes and ‘Everybody Hurts’ by REM.
* On the second day of Bootcamp, The Unconventionals rehearsed and performed the Queen favourite ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’. Louis and his panel all agreed that they weren’t as good as the previous day. However the judges agreed it was a “no brainer, they were great, with real passion� and they were put through to the Judges Houses stage.
* At the Judges Houses stage they sang “Dedicated To The One I Love� by The Mamas and Papas.
History
* The Unconventionals have only been together for 2 months after Drew decided to form a group that sounded great, but didn’t visibly conform to what every other group looks like.
* Drew and Andrew have known each other since 1990 when they both performed at a charity gig. They now both work together at the London Palladium, Drew is an usher and Andrew works in front of house sales.
* Liz was brought into the group after working with Drew on the musical Grease where they played boyfriend and girlfriend.
* Nicola and Lucy met Drew from their time working on the Boy George musical Taboo.
* Tom is the only member that was unknown to most of the group. He is Nicola’s boyfriend.
* They have only had one performance of note, a charity performance at the night club Too 2 Much.
* The group have all dreamed of making it in the music/musical theatre industry but it has never quite happened. They see The X Factor as being an opportunity to fulfill that dream.
* They know they’re a mismatch of people and not the usual ‘pop’ act but they hope that The X Factor can give them their chance.
Name: Nicola Dawn
Age: 33
Occupation: Promotions
From: Cheshire
History
* Nicola was born and raised in Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire. She currently lives with boyfriend and fellow band member Tom Newman.
* She has been singing for twenty years, and has vocal training. She is also a dancer and has been trained in ballet, tap and jazz.
* She has appeared in a number of stage productions including ‘Cirque De Soleil’.
* When she was 10 she sang as part of Barry Manilow’s choir for his song ‘One Voice’.
Name: Andrew Newey
Age: 38
Occupation: Usher
From: Hull
History:
* He was born in Lincoln and raised in Hull and Hornsea.
* Andrew has two children Jordan (7) and Millie (5). He has one brother and one sister.
* He currently works alongside Drew at the London Palladium.
* Andrew has been singing for 31 years.
* Between the years of 1985-88 he had group vocal training at the Italia Conti stage school, as well as some basic dance lessons.
Name: Lucy Newton
Age: 25
Occupation: Promotions Assistant
From: Sussex
History
* Lucy was born in Shoreham-by-Sea.
* She lives with her Mum, Dad and cat Suki.
* She has two sisters.
* She has been singing for 14 years, and has had classical vocal lessons through the associated board exams.
* She has appeared in a number of television adverts for companies including Asda and British Gas.
* She has also appeared on stage in a number of musicals, including Footloose, Les Miserables, Joseph, Fame and Taboo (where she met Drew).
* She lists her musical influences as Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, and 50cent.
Name: Tom Newman
Age: 39
Occupation: Builder
From: Kent
History
* Tom was born and raised in Sittingbourne, Kent and currently lives with his girlfriend and fellow band member Nicola Dawn in Tunbridge Wells.
* Tom and Nicola have been dating for 6 years since they met while working in Belfast.
* He has been singing for about 30 years, and has played with a couple of rock bands, although in an unprofessional capacity.
* He is able to play the drums.
* Tom has appeared in the a number television commercials including a Ryder Cup promo, an Observer newspaper advert as well as on stage appearing in the musical The Blues Brothers.
* Toms claim to fame is that he decorated Ricky Gervais’ flat in London!
Name: Elizabeth Ewing
Age: 37
Occupation: Waitress
From: Scotland
History
* She was born in Scotland and currently lives with her partner of 17 years Abdellah, and her daughter Jasmin.
* She has three sisters and one brother.
* She has been singing for twenty years but has only had vocal coaching while she was attending drama school.
* She and Drew have been best friends for over 10 years.
* She has appeared on stage in productions of Grease and Les Miserables, as well as on various television shows including Taggart, Bob Martin and Gentleman’s Relish.
Name: Drew Jaymson
Age: 41
Occupation: Usher
From: Oxford
History
* Drew currently works as an usher at the London Palladium which he has been doing for 2 years.
* He has appeared in a number of musical productions including Grease, Mamma Mia and Taboo.
* He has had some training in tap although he admits he’s not great.
* Drew has always wanted to record records and believes The X Factor is his only chance of achieving his dream.
* His musical influences are Stevie Wonder and Eddie Reader.
* At the age of 41 now he feels like it’s his last chance to make it big.
What would winning The X Factor mean to you?
Andrew, says, “I came to London in 1988 with a dream of being a successful recording artist and almost 20 years later, being here would mean that all the hard work and rejection was worth it.� Drew agrees. “I’ve reached a point where my career is at a crossroads and not going so well, so this could bring a way of earning a decent living and doing what I love to do.� Liz sums it up, “It’s hard to put into words. It could potentially mean a massive change, so is really scary in one respect but working and singing is everything that I’ve always wanted.�
What do your friends and family think about your X Factor success?
Liz is most excited about working with the other Unconventionals but says she will miss her partner and her daughter. “My partner is very realistic and cautious so isn’t over excited but is happy for me and very supportive.� The group has been surprised at the reaction of friends and family as to their success. Andrew says “They’re absolutely thrilled. There has been a unanimous positive response at every round we’ve got through. I’ve done lots of auditions but this one has brought out the hysteria in everyone.� Drew adds “They’re all finding it so frustrating because they can’t talk about it.� Lucy adds “at the beginning Mum blanked it out as she was so frightened there would be a rejection somewhere along the line. Dad is still in shock!�
What is the worst job that you’ve ever done?
Liz’s worst job was working for a bus company doing promotions. “I had to dress up as a granny and jump on and off buses and sing ‘Hello Shoppers’ to the tune of Hello Dolly.� Andrew has a similar experience. His was a promotions job in Twickenham hading out newspapers in the rain. But Tom has to take the prize for the most unusual job ever, “My worse job was my first ever – making penises for a medical research company!�
Do you come from a musical family?
Andrew comes from a musical family. “My whole family love music. My Grandfather was in a male voice choir and my mum was in lots of shows.� Drew goes one better. “‘My Dad was in a harmony group with his brothers and sisters called The Smart Family. He also formed a duo after he left the RAF and they entered Opportunity Knocks in 1969.� Nicola’s parents persuaded her to join the business. Her mum is a pianist and her father is a singer.
What are your musical influences?
The group have all appeared in West End musicals including Taboo, Les Miserables and Grease but have very differing musical tastes. Andrew’s favourite single is Tina Turner’s ‘Private Dancer’, Drew’s influences include Billy Joel, Take 6, Eddie Reader and Barbra Streisand. Lucy cites Barry Manilow as her musical legend and ‘Living On A Prayer’ by Bon Jovi as her favourite single.
When did you realise you could sing?
Andrew says “at primary school in the Christmas Nativity. I was one of the shepherds and I sang a solo. I had a stutter when I spoke so I wasn’t used to people listening to me but the audience response was really amazing and I really enjoyed it.� Liz had a similar experience. “‘A teacher told me when I was seven that I had a nice voice. I used to put little singing groups together. I did lots of acting and I loved entertaining.� Tom says “I went in for school shows and plays and from then on it has always been an ambition to perform and entertain. I have pursued other careers but only to pay the mortgage!�
We are almost there! The live shows kick off next week and tonight our 12 X Factor finalists were revealed!
They are as follows:
SIMON’S SINGERS: 16-24
Nikitta Angus
AGE 17: Fulfilled mum’s dying wish to go on show. Simon said: “Your voice is fantastic… your mum would be proud.�
Leona Lewis
AGE 21: Wrote first song at 12 and debut album is out already. Went to prestigious Brit drama school, now works as receptionist.
Raymond Quinn
AGE 18: Awardwinning ex-Brookside actor, broke down as Simon rejected him, then tracked him down and asked him to return and take a place in his final 8 acts.
Ashley McKenzie
AGE 16:student and ex-male model. He told Simon: “Singing is my life… without it, it’s a dead end.�
SHARON’S SINGERS: 25+
Kerry McGregor
AGE 31: Mother to 16 month old Joshua, Kerry broke her back falling from a tree in her teens – singing career is her lifelong ambition.
Dionne Mitchell
AGE 26: Dionne, a Londoner, wowed judges with a soulful take on Aretha Franklin’s You Make Me Feel (Like A Natural Woman).
Ben Mills
AGE 26: Long-haired rocker Ben has a huge ambition to make it as a singer. He currently runs a business renting out marquees.
Robert Allen
AGE 27: Robert is a hospital worker whose pregnant girlfriend is due to give birth in December.
LOUIS’S GROUPS
The Unconventionals: Three boys, three girls… longtime pals Drew, Andrew, Tom, Nicola, Lucy and Liz. Can they score a Hear’Saystyle victory? The group thought they had sang themselves out of a place in the final as Drew forgot his lyrics in their final audition, but Louis loved them anyway.
Eton Road: This quartet are James, Anthony, David and Daniel – pals with an unusual style.
McDonald Brothers: These Glaswegian brothers are Brian and Craig MacDonald. Handsome boys, I’d love to meet their dad!
4Sure: Four boys… Donovan, Andrew, Chris and Jermaine.
Latest TV News Latest Music News
Loading ...
