The Banter

Interview
Diana Vickers

It's been a while since Diana Vickers was on the small screen as a contestant on the X-Factor, with unique performances making her the bookmakers' favourite and often polarizing viewers.

Since her appearances on the X-Factor in 2008 however, she's gained the attention and praise of theatre goers in the starring role of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice on the West End stage. Some people, on the other hand, still recognize the 18 year old now but can't quite remember how.

“You get asked questions like “Do I know you from work?”, she laughed.

“Either from X-Factor or Little Voice, I'll still get recognised. It's strange, as it's been a while but people still remember and sometimes can't remember where from.”

While many hopefuls from the reality competition have a brief opportunity in the limelight following the show, it is only now that Diana enters the chart battles. Possibly, bound for success similar to that she has earned in theatre having won the award for London Newcomer of the Year at the Theatregoer's Choice Awards.

On the offer to star in the show, extended by its own creator Jim Cartwright, Diana said: “I was taken aback by it, and was thinking about the album but eventually I knew it was something I couldn't turn down.”

“The West End was something I wanted to do eventually anyway, and there was no rush for the album” added Diana, from Accrington, Lancashire.

Cartwright told The London Paper last year that as soon as Vickers read for the part, “it was magic”. She took a break from working on her album to begin performing as Little Voice in October last year.

Quickly becoming a star on the British equivalent of Broadway was unexpected, but gave Diana an opportunity to experience another facet of the entertainment world quite different to being on screen.

“Theatre was intense, singing on stage every day. I preferred the theatre and getting to play a character that I got to know very well and loved playing it every night. The audiences were great and supportive. TV was great, being live every week too.”

Working on the album, Diana collaborated with Guy Sigsworth, who has previously produced tracks by Madonna, Britney and the Sugababes. In addition to the experience from Sigsworth – also one half of Frou Frou with Imogen Heap – the album features contributions from diverse young talent such as Lightspeed Champion, and Ellie Goulding.

She said: “it was so good. I have so many great memories, it was a privilege to work with them, lots of fun. Guy helped me a lot. And when working with Lightspeed Champion, it was really nice to have a different approach, the stuff sounds different to the rest on there. Ellie was great, she just won at the Brit Awards too.”

“My own influences are Cyndi Lauper, Kings of Leon, Queen and Judy Garland but obviously the album sounds nothing like them. I'm a fan of Frou Frou's sound though, and I think that comes through” Diana added.

As already noted, a fair length of time has passed since her shock elimination on live television. Others eliminated have come and gone, dropped by Simon Cowell such as Steve Brookstein, Same Difference and Leon Jackson. Eschewing the Cowell conveyor belt, the record has not been rushed. Discussing her new album, Diana described what to expect.

“I would describe the songs to people as fun and original. There's a lot of variety on there and with it being in my own words, there's a lot of meaning. Some tracks on there that are really upbeat and you can let off steam to.”

Just prior to speaking with The Banter, Diana had held auditions for the new band that will accompany her on tour. “We've found everybody, it's a great set of guys who are lovely and I can't wait to rehearse with them for the tour” she said.