Jenny Ryan: ‘Singing to Simon was terrifying!’
Celebrity X Factor’s Jenny Ryan talks stage fright, being a ‘genius’ and that incredible voice of hers…
If you’re a fan of The
Chase – the hit game show hosted by Bradley Walsh, which sees five ‘quizzers’ challenge members of the public – then you’ll know exactly who Jenny Ryan, aka The Vixen, is. If not, you’ll recognise her as that woman with the red hair and the powerhouse voice on TheXFactor: Celebrity, who was cut from the live shows, only to be reinstated by the judges after a huge public backlash! Here, the ‘Bolton brainiac’, 37, talks about losing it as she performed in front of Simon, falling in love with Malibu, and more…
Jenny, you had an amazing reaction on The X Factor: Celebrity…
It’s been pretty overwhelming! I knew there’d be a bit of reaction, but comments from people have been incredible. It’s not just from fans of The Chase, who might have tuned in to see someone from their favourite show. A lot of people weren’t aware of me at all before – and are now fans.
Where did that incredible voice come from?
I’ve always enjoyed singing. I sang soprano in the Gilbert & Sullivan Society, but on this show I’ve unlocked a whole new vocal range! I’m technically still soprano but I can sing very low, too. It’s quite unusual. I’m not Mariah Carey, I can’t go as high as she can, but the team have said I have an ‘astonishing range’!
What’s scariest – being on The Chase or facing Simon Cowell? The Chase has become a comfort zone for me. You’ve got to feel a bit of adrenalin, to try to win every time – but I know I’m in control of that situation, and what’s expected of me. But, The X Factor, especially facing Simon Cowell, was pretty terrifying! There was a moment during my LA audition. I was fine, I could have been singing to anybody – then I made eye contact with Simon for a micro-second, and what was happening all hit me.
So, what happened to you?
Everything wobbled a bit, I got vertigo – but I overcame it quickly, with a psychological technique I’ve learned as part of getting my confidence up on The Chase, from the book The Chimp Paradox by Steve Peters, which I live by. This professor discovered we have a primeval part, sensitive to threat and danger. That bit overreacts. The ‘chimp’ will jump out at the worst moment, try to panic you! It’s natural, but not helpful when answering quiz questions or singing in front of several million viewers. It’s about putting the chimp back in its box!
What was Simon’s house in Malibu like?
Everything I imagined and more. Beautiful, glamorous and in a wonderful location. I’d never been to LA before,
so I wasn’t sure I was going to like it, I thought it might be too hot – but Malibu is absolute heaven! Simon has a sea view – it was the first time I’d ever seen the Pacific Ocean! It was the perfect spot for that garden party, all the contestants performing for the first time.
Did you get up to anything naughty there?
No, but we were speculating as to whether Simon was a bath or a shower man. I thought the view was perfect for a big bath. And, sure enough, he did have a bath with a breathtaking view. I would have liked to pop a bath bomb in and have a go, but I didn’t get the chance…
Tell us about you – what was it like, growing up as a bit of a child genius?
It was quite difficult. You’re talking 30 years ago now. It was easier for people to pigeonhole you as a ‘nerd’. Today, there’s a lot more acceptance at school of the different tribes you can belong to. You can be an ‘emo’ kid, a ‘nerdy’ kid, or a ‘ brainy’ kid who’s also sporty. My little group all bonded at secondary school. All we had in common was that we didn’t want to hang out in the big playground. The kids there weren’t the kind who enjoyed our company.
We know you’re brainy, but have you ever had your IQ tested?
Yes, when I was 13 or 14. It came out at 160, like, Einstein level. I think 100 is average, and over 130 you’re a genuine genius. I haven’t done a test as an adult, though! I don’t know how valuable IQ is as a measure. Everybody’s intelligent in different ways.
You’re known as The Vixen on The Chase. Tell us more…
She’s a persona that makes me feel more in control. I have that extra bit of armour – the war paint, the hairdo, the outfit - giving me the licence to be bossy and extra-confident. If you plucked me off the street and put me on the show, it might be different. It’s nice to introduce aspects of her into my everyday life…
Which aspects of The Vixen have you taken on?
Well, she doesn’t have ‘impostor syndrome’, which a lot of women I think struggle with, so I try to channel that. She doesn’t feel like she doesn’t belong, she’s always where she’s meant to be. That’s the dream state for everyone, isn’t it?!
The X Factor: Celebrity continues on Saturdays at 8.30pm on ITV.
I made eye contact with Simon Cowell for a micro-second, and what was happening hit me!