Bella: ‘I actually do get a kick out of being nervous’
Life is good for X Factor contestant Bella Penfold. From being mentored by Simon Cowell and spending time with Robbie Williams (her biggest inspiration) to the forthcoming X Factor UK tour, she tells all to
HAVING got through the notorious X Factor six-chair challenge and made the final eight, Bella Penfold says that life is amazing. “I sometimes sit there and think to myself ‘wow, what have I just done’.”
Here’s what the recipient of Simon Cowell’s golden buzzer has to say.
Just what was it like being mentored by the man himself, Simon Cowell?
It was so good; Simon is such a lovely bloke. I remember being a kid watching The X Factor, thinking “oh my god, Simon Cowell is a bit scary” but in reality he is such a down to earth kind of guy. You will never believe this but he is really, really nice ... he is good at making people be the best version of themselves.
Did you get the chance to spend some time with Robbie Williams?
Yes, I did but to be fair we all got to spend quite a lot of time with all of the judges. They all interacted with us. Robbie is so lovely; such a joker.
Were you disappointed not to have made it through to the final?
I never even expected to get through the first rounds of auditions so I was never going to be disappointed. Obviously, you get a little bummed when you are standing there on the stage being told in front of everyone that you are not going to make it through. But with regards to where I came I really was super-chuffed because I honestly never even thought that I would make it through to the live shows.
My dad said to me “If someone had rang you up and said that you could be a backing singer on The X Factor for one song you would have jumped at the opportunity. You would have been over the moon and telling everyone that you were going to be a backing singer on The X Factor. So how the hell can you feel disappointed when you have actually appeared on the show as an artist and you will be representing yourself on the tour?”
Were you all pleased to see Dalton (Harris) win the competition?
We were all so happy for Dalton but to be honest with you I would have been equally happy for whoever had won. I really do think that he deserved it. He has got the most incredible voice.
What was your highlight of the time that
spent on the show? Probably the time I spent at judges’ houses. It was such an incredible experience, spending time in Los Angeles mingling with all of the celebrities. That really was so cool.
Whenever you are about to step out on to the stage, how do you control your nerves?
I think that I actually do it for the nerves, if that makes any sense at all. I have always fancied doing an adrenaline-based job, or perhaps become a thrill-seeker, like a scuba diver, or a paramedic.
For me it is all about that nervous energy. I actually do get a kick out of being nervous. I try to take those nerves and turn them into something good by saying “I love this so let’s go”.
What made you enter the X Factor?
Well my family were always telling me that they wanted me to get an education first but to be honest with you I really was hungry for it, plus I wanted to prove my dad wrong. I worked hard and got myself some good grades which I slapped down on the table in front of him and said: “There you go, there are the good grades that you wanted, now I am off to do music”.
By the time that I was 19 I hadn’t really done anything music-based, I hadn’t performed in any big shows or had any breaks and all of that made me really hungry for success. I decided to go for it and not let it go. I was so excited and I had so much energy, so I entered The X Factor.
What experience do you think the X Factor has given you?
I have learned so much. If anything I feel like I have found my singing voice a little more since being on the show. I think that being surrounded by singers all of the time I have now learnth how to use my voice properly, and I think for me that was a great experience. Janice [Robinson] was there who sang Dreamer and it was like “wow what an amazing experience being able to meet her”. The whole thing was an experience which I could never describe to people. It was all simply amazing.
For anyone thinking of auditioning for X Factor what advice would you give to them?
Just go for it even if you think that you will never get through. I didn’t think that I would ever get through but then look where I ended up. You have just got to run with it but make sure that you run fast. Don’t go into it half-hearted, you have got to either go for it totally or don’t go for it at all. Let your energy and your passion carry you through ... be prepared to fight for it like you have never fought for anything before and see where it takes you. It could actually take you all of the way.
Whenever you have any downtime who do you listen to?
Everything from Ella Fitzgerald to Stormzy.
Who has inspired you?
That would have to be my little brother because he looks up to me. So for me to do something really good and amazing with my life means that he will be looking up to me and hopefully he will be striving to do something similar to what I do.
What was the first record you bought?
Most probably something by Michael Jackson.
Who did you first see performing live?
Please don’t laugh, that was Justin Bieber. Apparently, he had fallen down the stairs so we all listened to the DJ for four hours.
What was the last song or piece of music that made you cry?
Blimey. Let me think ... oh I know that would have been when they played Loren Allred’s Never Enough to me on the X Factor. That really did bring a tear to my eye.
Where would you like to see yourself in five years’ time?
I really would like to see myself releasing an album and touring. I know that it is going to take a hell of a lot of hard work and it may not be five years.
In fact, it could be 10 years but you never know. I am only 19 so hopefully I have still got a few years left in me to try to really breakthrough and perhaps even make it big, who knows.
Have you made any friendships on the show that you can see lasting forever?
Oh yes, everyone, absolutely everyone. The beauty of being on the show is knowing that our paths will cross time and time again. We are all staying in contact a lot already as there are a few of us who don’t live that far away from each other. It’s great.
The X Factor tour starts in Nottingham at the Motorpoint Arena on Friday, February 15. When do you start rehearsals?
Oh my god, that will be sometime in January... I am so excited. We will be coming to you first. You really do have to start with the best. ■■ X Factor Live Tour 2019 tickets are on sale now for the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham on February 15 and 16 at motorpointarenanottingham.com. Prices: £27.22-£111.78 (including fees).