Embargoed until 7.45pm Saturday 11 th October 2014

Transcription

1 THE X FACTOR WILD CARDS PRESS PACK 2014

2 THE X FACTOR WILD CARDS After having their dreams dashed and missing out on a place in the live finals, Jack Walton, Overload Generation, Lola Saunders and Stevi Ritchie have all been thrown a second chance as they have been picked at this year s Wild Card contestants. For the first time in X Factor history the other Judges have chosen the Wild Cards for each other. Yes, each other! And as the judges have chosen for each other it has meant that they could pick anyone who got a chair at boot camp. Simon chose for Jack for Mel s category; Mel chose Overload Generation for Louis category; Louis chose Lola for Cheryl s category; and Cheryl chose Stevi for Simon s category. For further information please xfactorpress@thames.tv or contact: Rick Behari - Rick.behari@thames.tv For the girls and the groups: Justin Jeffreys - Justin.jeffreys@itv.com Daisy Greenhead - Daisy.Greenhead@thames.tv For the boys: Jenni Pain Jenni.pain@thames.tv For the overs: Hannah Lamden - Hannah.lamden@sycoentertainment.com For images log onto: or Corbis Contact: Shane Chapman / shane.chapman@itv.com

3 Lola Saunders Age: 20 From: Southshields Lola is a fishmonger by day, gutting fish two days a week She gigs locally with a guitarist Her grandparents are her biggest fans Secured four yeses in her room audition and made Cheryl cry Cried before she performed at arena auditions Was the first girl to secure a seat during Boot Camp chair challenge How does it feel to be back in the show? I feel dead lucky and really fortunate. I got on so well with Kerrianne and Emily, and I was shocked that they didn t through. When I came home from Judges Houses I thought that was it. I d heard things about there being a wild card, but I didn t want to pin all of my hopes on it. I'm really lucky to get this opportunity. I was at my grandparent s house, Mary and Brian, with my mum, Dad and aunty. It was actually my mum s birthday, so we were supposed to be going out in Newcastle for a birthday meal. I d also just started a new part time job and it was my first day, but when I was called by production and told that they needed to do some extra pickup filming, I had to get the day off! I was so glad I was able to. During the filming the bell rang, and I thought it was just some more of the X Factor team. I went downstairs and Louis was stood there at my grandparent s door. What has it been like keeping the secret? That was hard. I told my closest family members. My boyfriend knew, but everyone was sworn to secrecy. All my mates were texting me asking me to go out, but I couldn t! It was top secret. On her dream duet I hate getting ahead of myself. I take everything step by step. But since I ve always dreamed of being here, I ve been watching it since I was 10, it would be Sam Smith or Alicia Keys. I don t want to get ahead of myself though. That s just a dream at the moment.

4 Jack Walton Age 18 From: Townville Realised he had a talent for singing when his mum convinced him to go up and sing in a karaoke competition aged 8 Currently gigging everywhere and anywhere Loves hitting the gym, going up to 6 times a week Secured four yeses in his room and arena auditions Simon said about him - I like you and your voice, you're very cool. I think you could do very well in the competition. Louis called him A real talent How does it feel to be back in the show? It feels absolutely amazing! I felt bad when I went out, I was kicking myself. It s given me a bit more confidence that they ve believed in me and seen enough potential to offer me a place. I was in my flat in Leeds. I got a phone call with a no caller ID and it was Simon Cowell! He was talking about how I could maybe go for the show next year and I just thought it was one of those phone calls to say unlucky, try again next year. But then he said that he didn t want me to try next year, and that I'd been nominated as a wild card and he wanted to take me through to live shows. I was with my mum, Dad, my family and my mates, they all went mad! What has it been like keeping the secret? It s been really hard. People have been trying to guess as I haven t been at home. But it s such a big secret! The hardest thing was not telling close friends. I had to keep telling them that I was still waiting to find out. But it was kind of nice having that secret! On his dream duet I d most like to duet with Arianna Grande. I think she s got a really good voice. I ve downloaded her album and it s brilliant!

5 Stevi Ritchie Age: 34 From: Essex Stevi is a natural performer and used to work as a Bluecoat at Pontins Stevi works in a call centre and has to work night shifts which he doesn t enjoy. He has always dreamed of performing for a living but doesn t think anyone would take him seriously. At his room audition, Stevi performed Olly Murs Dance With Me Tonight and forgot the words but still managed to entertain the judges with his dance moves. At the arena audition Stevi won over the crowd with his performance and had them singing along. In the six chair challenge Stevi was an instant hit with the audience How does it feel to be back in show? It is absolutely amazing, I am now living the dream and having a ball. I never wanted to leave the show after Judges Houses. I m really happy to be back! I was at a hotel doing some last minute Xtra Factor filming and I expected to see Sarah Jane walk in but Cheryl came through the door and I wondered what was going on. I had to look twice and rub my eyes, I was shaking I was so shocked. She told me she had chosen me to go back into Simon s category and I thought she was winding me up. she had to tell me 10 times before I actually believed her. I need to buy her some flowers to say thank you. What has it been like keeping it a secret? It has been a nightmare keeping it a secret. My daughter is the only person who knows, and she was so excited when I told her. Who would you most like to duet with? I am going to have to go with my heart and say Olly Murs, he has supported me throughout the show so far and I sang his song on my first audition so I would love that. It would be a dream come true.

6 Overload Generation Age: From: OLLIE-BRISTOL, JOEY-WALES, JORDI & RYAN-ESSEX, ANDY- MANCHESTER The band describe themselves as being like 5 brothers, we re so tight The boys say Jordi s the best with the ladies and Cheryl described him as a stud muffin during the auditions After sailing through their room audition, the boys impressed in their arena audition singing one of their own songs. Mel said as a group you are everything a boy band should be. After securing a seat during the six chair challenge at boot camp, they dramatically lost out on a final place at Judges Houses How does it feel to be back in show? We re buzzing to be back on the show, its amazing. It s a surreal experience. We were at Andy s house, up in Manchester. The show told us they wanted to Skype us talking to a fan and we turned it on and it was Mel B who popped up and told us we were the wild card. We were so were happy and confused at the same time, it was a total shock. What has it been like keeping it a secret? It has been so hard keeping it a secret from our friends and our fans. We have had 2 weeks now of just brewing inside and wanting to shout it from the rooftops, we are trying to play it cool until we can tell everyone. Who would you most like to duet with? Jordi always says he wants us to duet with Justin Timberlake but the rest of us want to duet with Katy Perry. We all fancy her and we think she has a killer voice and we would have a fun time.