Interview - Laura White

[By Bethan Hill - First published in ForgePress 21 November]

It’s a rare thing when a reality TV contestant really causes a stir. But the departure of Laura White from The X Factor has done just that.

The former favourite being voted off has provoked complaints to Ofcom and plans to boycott the show. She has even been mentioned in Parliament.

So it was with great excitement that I went to meet her before she performed at Population on Monday night. I’ve never seen a Union club night quite so excited.

People were trying to sneak back stage and sweet talk the bouncers into giving them information. This is no reality show reject.

I was ushered back stage, past the jealous looks of her fans to meet the girl herself.
There was just one stipulation: don’t mention Louis Walsh...

So, how are you and how are things going since you left The X Factor?

It’s been absolutely amazing since I’ve left the house. My first initial reaction when I left was that I was distraught. But since then it’s been crazy! It’s been endless gigs, three gigs a day, every day.

You must be tired!

I’m so tired, my vocals are tired, and you can hear it. I’ve been doing interviews and photo shoots and then hopefully I’ll just continue with my writing and look to release something next year.

How has it been having your departure from the show mentioned in Parliament?
It’s so, so strange for me because, you know, I was just a girl from Bolton and it’s caused so much controversy. But at the same time I was so, so excited that it caused so much uproar and people believed in me. It gave me a really big confidence boost.

People were even threatening to boycott the show...

I know! I’m just hoping they’ll follow me now with my music.

How do you feel about Daniel leaving on Saturday?

Daniel was definitely one of my closest friends in the house. I’ve spoken to him since, and I’ll support Daniel whichever way he goes with his music and as a friend.
I’m going to meet up with him the second that he’s free, but I’m sure he’ll be busy now for a long time.
But he’s done amazing, he lasted a long time on the show and I’m sure that he’ll go onto really, really big things.

Now, I’m going to ask about some of your fellow contestants. Give me the first word that pops into your head.

Eoghan: So, so sweet.
Diana: Crazy.
JLS: Ladies.
Rachel: People think she’s a tiger, but really she’s a pussycat.
Ruth: Latino! There’s nothing more!

Who do you think is going to win The X Factor?

This year I’m hoping there’ll be a change because the show’s been so different musically. In terms of winning, I think I’d like JLS to win, just because it’d be a change, but you know there’s so much talent I’m just really not sure who’s going to do it.

I’ve got to ask you about the woman of the moment: Cheryl. What’s she like?

Cheryl is absolutely amazing. In terms of my music, she really understood me and we worked fantastically together, and on a personal level we were such good friends.
She was there for me through it all and I couldn’t have asked for more.

Are you still in touch with her?

I am yeah, she’s lovely, she is.

And what about Simon?

Well me and Simon were never in touch over the phone or anything because he wasn’t my mentor, but I respect him in so, so, so many ways. He’s achieved so much and I’m hoping he will advise me in my career and whichever way I go with my music.

How do you feel about his criticism of your image?

Honestly, I completely understand, he was working on me as an artist not as a person. He’s looking for me as a product and I understand that. Any advice he gave me I learnt from and that’s fine.

How long have you been singing for?

Obviously I’ve really, really loved music since a very young age. I started playing the piano at seven, so music has been my life.
I started professionally singing, doing jazz and things, when I was fifteen. That’s when I first started taking it really seriously. I started songwriting only 12 months ago.
My writing has made me as much as my singing. I think next year I just want to develop myself as an artist as much as I can, and as a writer as well. I definitely want to release an album of my own writing.

How does it feel to be number one in the charts?

Our dream was to be number one and we achieved that. I hope people continue to buy the single, it’s for a fantastic cause. You know, my own songs have also gone to number one in the download chart. It’s so surreal, it’s absolutely fantastic. I’m just glad to get my voice and my music out there more than anything.

‘Hero’ is keeping everything off the number one spot. It knocked Cheryl off...

It knocked Cheryl off! I was so embarrassed. I was like, don’t mention number one! We’re still going strong though.

I see you drinking the student staple there, a nice cup of tea...

Yeah, I drink tea, I drank tea when I was at university. I was at Bolton Uni studying creative writing. I left to go into The X Factor.

And finally then, what do you sing in the shower?

Ooh... I always sing ‘I Will Always Love You’ in the shower. I don’t know why, but I always sing it. Probably because of its good acoustics!