Samantha Jade’s X Factor

Chanteuse Samantha Jade is one of the stars coming to The Wickham for Big Gay Day. She shared some of her thoughts about life, fame and winning X Factor 2012 with QP’s Andrew Shaw...

Samantha, you’ve been part of the music business since you were a teenager, what attracted you to music?
I have always loved music, it's always been in my life... It is the best and most important part of my life; it is one of the most expressive parts of community.

When did you begin to think that you would have a career in music?
About 15 – I got signed in the States and it has been my dream ever since then.

You’ve hung out with some US music industry heavyweights. Would you care to share any celebrity stories?
Justin Timberlake – he was so find and super charming... He was in the recording studio recording with Timberland and he came into listen to some of his new stuff!

You once reached a point where you weren’t sure if you were going to continue with your career in music. When was that and what did you learn about yourself from that experience?
It was right at the end of 2011 – I had just had enough of the rejective industry – I was working so hard and not getting anything back; I learnt that dedication and not forgetting my dream would finally pay off! And sure enough X Factor was right around the corner.

By the time you got to X Factor you were already very experienced. Was it strange to be auditioning with people who were amateurs, people just giving it a go?
I had been out of the music industry for a while so I felt the same as them, just like I was starting out. A lot of the other acts were not beginners either, as a lot of them have been through my situation and were "giving it another go".

Was there a point in X Factor where you realised you had a real chance of winning?
No, never! 100 per cent I felt like I was going ever week and was singing my heart out each week - to stay!

Do all the professional singers, people like Guy Sebastian, Britney, etc, have something in common?
Hard Work! Working non-stop and putting in the hours of dedication is the key!

Who do you idolise as a singer?
Beyonce: she is an all rounder, a very smart business-woman and also is one of the hardest working women in the industry.

Your single ‘What You’ve Done To Me’ is doing really well, how would describe its sound and how did you find it, who wrote it?
The sound is super pop, which I love – fresh, fun pop! We found it through DNA and Tania Doko from Bachelor Girl and they gave it to me to sing.

Like ‘Scream’ it’s a very danceable song – is that something you look for in a song?
Absolutely - I love to dance and this song had everything!

Are people now (re)discovering your earlier work like ‘Step Up’ and will you be performing that at Big Gay Day?
Yes, people are finding the track on things like YouTube and iTunes. I love that song. I am still working on the set list, I'm hoping to get to do some of the new stuff I have been working on.

Catch Samantha Jade at Big Gay Day at The Wickham, March 10, 2013.