Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Ryan’s exit can be new beginning
Coatbridge singer looks to future after being voted off
Coatbridge singer Ryan Lawrie’s X Factor dream may be over, but he says he leaves the competition with his head held high.
The 20- year-old was controversially kicked out the competition by the judges on Sunday, after a sing- off against much-maligned Honey G.
Ryan’s rendition of Ed Sheeran’s Lego House wasn’t enough to convince Simon Cowell and cojudges he deserved to take his place in the show’s quarter-final.
And while he’s disappointed the curtain has come down on his X Factor journey, he’s looking ahead to an exciting future.
Ryan told the Advertiser: “It’s been a crazy ride.
“I’m very grateful and proud that I was able to stay in the competition until now and want to say a big thank you to everyone who supported and voted for me.
“I worked really hard and now I can’t wait to see what the future holds.
“I aim to focus on my songwriting – it’s my first love.
“I’d love to release my own stuff but I’ll also explore writing for other singers too.
“There’s a much higher chance I can get somewhere with that now with the contacts I’ve met through X Factor.”
Ryan accepts the result of his singoff on Saturday, but didn’t mince his words regarding his rapping opponent Honey G.
He continued: “I was disappointed as it’s a singing competition but she doesn’t get put through for her voice.
“She’s an entertainment act. They always have one whether its Jedward or Wagner and so on.
“Honey G is someone whom the audience can watch and have a laugh at.
“I think the judges kept her in for another week as they wanted her in the quarter-final, but I think her time on the show is running out.”
Loved-up Ryan also revealed he is confident his girlfriend and fellow contestant, Emily Middlemas, will go on to win the show.
He said: “She is more than capable of doing so.
“She’s got a great career ahead of her with the type of music she wants to make. I just hope she stands up for herself on the show in terms of song choices.
“I’m going back down to support her on Saturday before a nightclub gig I have in London.
“Before that I’ll just spend some time relaxing at home as X Factor has been pretty stressful. You wake up with a camera in your face and it’s there all day.
“Even after being eliminated I was interviewed on various TV shows like This Morning and Lorraine.
“It has been weird coming home as my house is tiny compared to the X Factor digs!
“It would be nice to go back to Coatbridge High School to show people that if you put your mind to something you can go far.”
Ryan’s sister Samantha added: “The family are all so proud Ryan made it to the final six.
“This is just the beginning for him. He will come back bigger and even better!”