Singer-songwriter Janice Robinson is a familiar face – and that’s because she burst onto our telly screens back in 2018 when she appeared on The X Factor.
Shooting to fame four years ago, this wasn’t Janice’s first rodeo in the industry.
Janice was initially known as a member of hit-making Italian Eurodance group Livin’ Joy in the 90s before she embarked on a solo career.
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With hits like Dreamer, Janice has stormed the charts and grown a dedicated fan base.
Dialling in to speak exclusively to Daily Star from Sicily, Janice spoke to us about how she has made a huge career U-turn, what it was like to tour with Tina Turner, and her plans for releasing her first ever ballad later this year.
Touring with Tina Turner
In 2000 Janice toured with Tina Turner – opening up for her each night.
“It was like it was like getting a PhD in performing,” she told us, while divulging what it was like to tour with her idol.
Aside from Tina being the most “gracious” person, Janice revealed that despite touring with her for months on end, she never mingled with the superstar backstage.
When asked if she ever went for a meal with the star she told us: “Oh no, I knew my position, my position was to open up for her and it was to learn from her.
“I wasn’t out there, trying to have a cup of tea. I was out there to do a job. And you know, when she spoke to me, she spoke into me.
“She spoke her life into me, things that I should remember and making sure that I make time for a private life was one of the biggest things that she taught me.”
Approached for X Factor stint
(Image: Thames/Syco)
In 2018 Janice appeared on The X Factor when she wowed fans with her incredible voice when she belted out her floor-filler Dreamer.
But unlike most of the hopefuls we see star on the ITV programme, Janice didn’t need to apply – instead she was approached.
“I was invited by Thames TV,” she tells us while she sits on a bus travelling through Italy.
“I’m a mother, a single mother with two daughters. You think I was thinking about talent TV competitions? No, I was minding my business and then I get this DM in my Instagram,” she explained.
With the message still in her inbox, Janice says that she will never forget the moment it happened.
“It was May 24th. I’ll never forget. 2018.”
Career U-turn and being a mum
Janice is a mum to two daughters, Amaya and Kura – and it was after being a great mum that she stepped into the world of teaching.
Telling us how she teaches in a “melodic way”, Janice revealed that she is a very “sought after” substitute teacher in the US – specialising in language arts.
“They [the kids she teaches] are my audience,” she swoons, “and just like how I can have an audience singing every word, remembering every word. I can get kids to remember everything that I’m teaching them. So, it’s really, it’s my secret weapon.”
Years after her hit Dreamer stormed the charts, Janice became a mum.
Recalling what her mum said to her, Janice explained how she said: “You know, Janice, you can always work.
“Work while your child is in school. Become a substitute teacher, you can that you have weekends off, you get the holidays off and you get the summer off.”
She added: “And I listened to my mum, you know, and I did what she said. So I got my certificate in substitute teaching. And here I am nine years later. I’ve been teaching kids for nine years.”
Releasing her first ballad
Although Janice is known widely as a dance music icon, she’s gearing up to segue into a different genre.
“I’m working with a dear friend, OMG collective, and we have the most incredible ballad coming out called Just A Little Love.
“I’m taking notes right out of Tina Turner’s life. She came out with the ballad What’s Love Got To Do With It and things changed in her career, and I’m hoping to do the same.”
Janice went on: “I’m hoping to release Just A Little Love and show people a different part of my voice, a different part of my musical expression. And then from there, I plan on singing some Italian ballads, singing in Italian, that’s a big goal for me. And I plan on continue touring with the Ministry of Sound orchestra.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
