The X-Factor star Amelia Lily has revealed that it took nearly one year of auditions before she even made it to the televised rounds of the popular ITV show.
Amelia, who wowed the judges on the 2011 series of The X-Factor, is currently hosting BBC podcast The Talent Factory: Inside The Music Machine, which sees former contestants reveal their stories and experiences of taking part in reality TV shows that transformed the music industry for two decades.
Speaking exclusively to Daily Star, Amelia has now shared her own experiences of taking part in The X-Factor – and revealed that despite appearing on the television audition rounds, it took multiple auditions to even get to that stage.
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“The whole audition process I think everyone is kind of aware of it now, but I never really spoke about what happened to me,” said Amelia.
(Image: PA)
“I went to Cardiff Stadium to audition, as everybody does, waited there for eight hours and I didn’t actually get through.
“Not many people know this, but a couple of weeks later, I saw an advert in the paper saying ‘last chance to audition. Send a video of yourself auditioning to this specific email.’ At this point I’d started my own YouTube channel and my brother had sent in a video of me singing Price Tag by Jessie J.
She continued: “I got a phone two days before my school prom saying ‘Can you come to Talk Talk Thames Offices in London’ and that’s how my story started.
(Image: Ken McKay / Rex Features)
“I did two rounds with Talk Talk. I then got a call three weeks later to say I was through to the televised round in front of the judges.
“It was long. It took up nearly a whole year of my life, being on the show. I think it started in the spring time and ended in the September.”
Speaking about her memorable audition in front of judges including Kelly Rowland and Tulisa, Amelia said: “My whole life changed over night and my life has never been the same since.”
After forming close bonds with judges including Tulisa Constostavlos and Kelly Rowland, who she described as “incredible,” Amelia has enjoyed success both on TV and on the stage, appearing in productions such as the Green Day musical American Idiot.
(Image: ITV)
However, Amelia has now reflected on her own experiences of The X-Factor and spoke to former contestants from both the series and its predecessor Pop Idol, to explore the stark realities of these shows.
While some have reached new heights of fame, including Leona Lewis and Harry Styles, the podcast also explores the stories of contestants whose experience was not as positive.
Featuring stories from past contestants including Pop Idol’s Nikki Sanderson and The X-Factor’s Joe McElderry, the podcast takes listeners on a journey through their own experiences – including the introduction of ’emotional backstories’ to the shows and the impact their portrayal sometimes had on contestants behind the scenes, as well as the contestants own experiences of rising to fame so quickly.
The podcast also looks at what the legacy of shows like The X-Factor is, along with the famous battle for Christmas number one with Rage Against The Machine and Joe McElderry.
(Image: Ken McKay)
Reflecting on the stories she heard from past contestants, Amelia said: “The whole me being a part of this project, was quite beneficial, to share my journey on the show.
“There obviously is, as you do hear in the episodes, that some people’s journeys were better than others. Some people had a positive impact on the show, some people didn’t.”
Speaking about what she wants listeners to take away from the podcast, she added: “I think for the viewers and the listeners, I want people to kind of be kind of aware that these TV shows, these TV talent shows, can really have a massive impact on your life.
“I’ve had an amazing career, and have an amazing career, because of The X-Factor.
(Image: Instagram/Amelia Lily)
“For other people, it’s not been the best for, and I think what I want people to take away from this podcast is that, there’s so much more than what goes on, behind the camera.”
With rumours circulating that The X-Factor could return, what does Amelia think the show should look like if it were to air again in the future?
“Everybody loves The X Factor and I’m one of those people, I’m a huge fan of the show,” said Amelia.
“I think if it came back, it would have to be a brand-new format, brand new judges.
“I think the whole thing would have to just be new and make people interested again, in what used to be a huge show.”
She also added that she hopes there would be another change to the show’s format if it were to return: “I think the whole mental health thing, it’s such a big topic that we all talk about, and hopefully, if X-Factor did come back, I hope people are a bit kinder to one another and they don’t say as harsh comments, lets say.”
ALL EPISODES OF THE TALENT FACTORY: INSIDE THE MUSIC MACHINE ARE AVAILABLE TO LISTEN TO ON BBC SOUNDS NOW.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
