Ferocious critics of former The X Factor contestants beware. Anyone who considers participants of the show to be one-hit wonders should really reconsider, as Blackburn born Diana Vickers, 21, has proven some five years after appearing on the show, she is still going strong.
“It seems like such a long time ago now,” Diana tells Andy Howells, “It was really tough, but was a great platform, particularly for the things I did later.”
Diana followed her X Factor experience with a chart-topping single, Once and an album, Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree, “It was a big surprise, but it was more of a shock when my album got to number one. It was a really big thing that people had bought into me and my music, incredible.”
Diana’s chart topping album also coincided with her first professional acting appearance in The Rise and Fall of Little Voice in London’s West End, “It was an amazing four months doing that role and a real challenge because I got to do so many impersonations,"she says.
Diana says that she has always had a passion for acting since her schooldays and frequently appeared in school plays alongside her sister, “I’d love to concentrate more on acting,” she continues, “I've just finished filming a comedy series in Manchester for Sky called Give Out Girls which goes out early next year. It’s a great script with lots of belly laughs. I play a character called Gemma who I absolutely adore, even though she’s a bit ditsy.”
Diana is also back with a new album Music to Make Boys Cry and will be performing songs from it at Westonbirt Arboretum when she supports Olly Murs this weekend.
Co-written with Xenomania's Miranda Cooper and produced by Ant Whiting whose credentials included the debut Rizzle Kicks release, Music To Make Boys Cry will display a heavier sound to Diana’s repertoire.
“The albums taken around two years to put together," Diana continues, “it’s been a long process but well worth it. We've took the inspiration from Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Blondie and lots of 80s artists. I’m particularly proud of the first single from the album Cinderella.”
So what of the future? “I want to get the album out and dive into the music," Diana concludes, "I’ll be doing a small tour with the new album as well as a radio tour and will be visiting Wales at some point”
- Diana Vickers supports Olly Murs at Westonbirt Arboretum; Gloucester this weekend, her single, Cinderella is out on July 21, 2013.
- A version of this interview with Diana Vickers appeared in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide during June 2013.
