There is nothing more refreshing than meeting a star that still has their feet firmly placed on the ground. People who are appreciative of opportunities that come their way are often hard to pinpoint nowadays in a world where instant gratification reigns supreme. One artist who really has worked and networked and worked some more is the Wirral’s very own Laura Critchely. With her new CD on shelves today in stores here in the UK, Laura had got the seal of approval from a vast array of entertainments most credible and respected. Talking about chilling out with Take That’s bad boy, Jamie Foxx stopping his show for her and why hair color has so much to do with a certain shows acceptance, femalefirst.co.uk gives you an exclusive with Laura Critchely.

You auditioned for the X Factor but you never got through due to something to do with your hair color, is that really true?
Yeah that was one audition. I went in for lots of competitions, you know X Factor, Fame Academy, Pop Idol, but that was just one of them and it is funny how society sees things today. I got to the fourth round and was told that I was going to see the judges, but on the day they decided to add an extra round in. I walked into the room and there was two young girls sitting down and to be honest you have no idea who these people are; you just sing to them. I sang my song and they told me I wasn’t going to be asked to the next round. So I asked them because I was making music a career, you know and it wasn’t going to stop here for me, could they give me some feedback. They told me I had a brilliant voice, the song was fine and so I was wondering what it was. It was then that they told me they had let a lot of female blonde singers through. I was amazed at how they deciphered what went through.

That must have really opened your eyes?

Yeah. But you know what it is one of the best industries to be in but it is also one of the harshest and cruelest. It can be dark somewhere.

That obviously sparked you to go harder though.

Exactly. I mean I have been rejected before from all things. I got down to the last 50 on Fame Academy. They got us all into a room and picked the 12 for the house and I wasn’t one of the 12. I was only young then and that quickly hardened me up to how it was going to be.

I remember traveling back on the train going to Liverpool and I was with three other contestants that were considerably older than me and they were crying. I remember thinking that you shouldn’t cry as this really isn’t the end; you know you just have to keep on going.

It’s good that you have a positive outlook. Is this your upbringing?

I have a very real Mum and Dad who brought me up saying I was never going to have a career in the music industry and I thought they were right. But I never stopped trying.

You hooked up with Robbie Williams out in America and got yourself on his next project, how did all that come about?

When I got signed I did a photo shoot in LA for the album inlay. I had already written all the songs and knew who I was going to work with so all they had to do was get the product out. The photos were taken by Simon Niblett who is also Robbie’s photographer. Robbie had just finished a tour and that was how Simon was free.

We shot on Venice Beach and that night we went out for a drink and he asked Robbie if he wanted to come out. But he was going out with his mates to the cinema and there was a chance he might come out after. Anyhow he walked in as we were talking about the day.

He was asking about what I was over here for and we just got on, we had a lot in common. He invited us to go around to his house the next day, as we weren’t leaving until the Friday to take some photos. It was so nice, we stayed for dinner and to be honest I don’t think I have ever got over meeting Robbie Williams, it felt like a dream. I met his dogs and his manager and even though he is a mega star it was all just so normal.

We kept in contact and I was out in LA just over a month ago now as I had meetings with Sony BMG and I texted Rob to let him know I was there and it was the last day of my trip and he called me. He was asking if I wanted to go around and record some vocals for his new album as he had three tracks that were just dying for female vocals.

I mean it was like a dream come true. After that I said to my manager as we were leaving the studio, ‘if it all stops today I would be so happy.’ When do you ever get to sing on your idols album.

But you have attracted the attention of some big names, including Jamie Foxx, one of my faves. Now how did that come about?

That was before I was signed. I entered a competition on the radio to go to the BAFTA’s. I had to sing and I won. Me and my best mate Sarah went to London the next day for the BAFTAS and after the show we decided to go to China White. We wanted to see what it looked like as we couldn’t go in there as we had no money.

But these guys who wanted to get in and needed females to get in offered to pay for us to get in and we had a 20 pound drink, sipping it. So after a couple of hours we decided to leave, just as Jamie Foxx and his entourage was walking in. Sarah said it wasn’t but as we were walking out I asked the bouncer if it was actually Jamie Foxx and he said it was.

I stayed and he was there to promote his CD and I got chatting with his bodyguard and told him what I was about and would it be possible to hand Jamie one of my demos as I carry them with me everywhere. So the bodyguard arranged for Jamie to come over and have a word with me.

He asked me to stick around and then the barman brought over a Mic and I was like ‘oh no he isn’t going to make me sing is he’ and I was there warming up my voice in the nightclub as I didn’t know what to expect.

He sang a few tracks from his album and then he introduced me, telling everyone I had a single coming out that people had to go and buy, it wasn’t even in the shops. I was gob smacked.

You must have Lady Luck shining down on you?

I think it is because I am not scared of talking.

How did your meetings go last month while you were in America?

They went really well and I am going out to Nashville soon.

The song writing capital of the world
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Yeah it is so intimidating.

Well it shouldn’t be for you, the confidence you exhume. You have your album coming out today, even though I thought it was already out?

Yeah Radio 2 came on board and we had to change the release dates which has caused mayhem with Amazon and I Tunes as it was supposed to come out already.

Are you promoting?

Yeah I am out doing a few shows and radio interviews. The single is getting played on 15 regional radio stations at the minute. It is on Radio 2 play list and it is not doing too badly for a first proper single. We have adverts this week airing during GMTV, six thirty second ads and Neil Fox has done the voice over. So this week it will be heavily promoted and I think next year we will be bringing the big dogs for the next single.

You seem to have attracted a very diverse audience with your music.

Yes, especially on the tours I have done, I have noticed I am attracting a lot of housewives. You know people who have been through situations, divorce, or tough situations and they come up to me and tell me that they have their song, especially I’ll be ok.

Do we have a British Mary J Blige in the making, as that has obviously been her thing, music that the female fan base can relate to?

I would love to be that. I am attracting the females and if I do attract men I am attracting men 40 plus, you know men that like Carol King and that kind of artist.

Melanie Cornish