July 11th 2024.
As I settle into our Zoom call, it's hard to believe that I'm chatting with X Factor sensation Diana Vickers. Instantly, it feels like catching up with an old friend rather than a celebrity who captured the nation's attention 16 years ago. We're both fans of watching old shows for comfort and quickly bond over our mutual love for Sex and the City. Diana, now 32, admits that sometimes we just want to watch something familiar, something we already know the ending to.
But back when she was just 16, embarking on her journey on The X Factor, the ending was far from certain. Diana wowed the judges and the audience with her captivating voice, earning a spot in the live shows under the guidance of mentor Cheryl in the girls' category. And while she may have finished in fourth place, behind Eoghan Quigg, JLS, and eventual winner Alexandra Burke, Diana will always hold a special place in X Factor history.
Her elimination was one of the most memorable moments on the show, with a tearful Eoghan running back on stage to hug her during her farewell performance of Dido's "White Flag." It's hard to believe that it's been so long since The X Factor was at its peak, with Diana playing a pivotal role in one of its most iconic seasons.
But now, Diana is showcasing her talent in a whole new way, starring as Gwyneth Paltrow in a musical parody of the actress's infamous ski trial, titled I Wish You Well. Before diving into her role as Gwyn, we take a trip down memory lane, reflecting on the surreal world of reality TV in the late 2000s.
In the years since The X Factor, Diana has released music, appeared in films and TV shows, and even graced the stage. But now, she's gearing up to bring Gwyneth Paltrow to life at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Looking back on her time on the show, Diana describes it as "strange" and admits that it's "terrifying" how quickly 16 years have passed. She still remembers the nerves and excitement of being a 16-year-old on such a big platform, but also the surreal moments of being surrounded by superstars like Kate Moss and Britney Spears.
One of the most bizarre aspects of The X Factor experience for Diana was going to judges' houses, where contestants were kept in the dark, both figuratively and literally, to maintain the element of surprise. For the judges' houses round, Diana traveled to Cannes to visit Cheryl's house, where Girls Aloud bandmate Kimberley Walsh joined as a guest judge. But she laughs as she recalls not actually seeing any of the city, as they were transported in blacked-out windows and kept in the dark about what was happening.
Diana admits that the whole experience was confusing and sent her nervous system into a spiral, as it was difficult to read the minds of those in charge of her fate. But now, looking back on it all, she can't help but feel grateful for the opportunities and memories that The X Factor brought her. As we wrap up our chat, it's clear that Diana has come a long way from the 16-year-old girl who captivated the nation with her voice. And we can't wait to see what she'll do next.
"It's been quite a journey," the singer reminisces, as we catch up with X Factor alum Diana Vickers over Zoom. Instantly, it feels like catching up with an old friend rather than a celebrity who rose to fame 16 years ago.
As we chat, we both bond over our love for rewatching old shows for comfort. Diana shares her fondness for Sex and the City, saying, "I start from the beginning, go to the end, and then just start again. We want to watch things that we know how it ends."
But back when Diana was just 16 years old, competing on The X Factor, the outcome was far from certain. She made it all the way to the live shows, mentored by judge Cheryl in the girls' category. Alongside eventual winner Alexandra Burke, Diana finished in fourth place, narrowly missing out on a place in the final.
Her elimination resulted in one of the most unforgettable moments in X Factor history, when fellow contestant Eoghan Quigg ran back on stage to hug her while she sang her farewell song, "White Flag" by Dido.
It's hard to believe that it's been so long since The X Factor was at its peak, with Diana making her mark on one of its most iconic seasons. But now, she's showcasing her talents in a whole new way, starring as Gwyneth Paltrow in a musical parody of the actress' infamous ski trial, titled I Wish You Well.
Before we dive into her role as Gwyneth and what the Goop founder might think of the play, we take a trip down memory lane to the surreal world of reality TV in the late 2000s.
Since her time on The X Factor, Diana has released music, appeared in films and TV shows, and even acted on stage. And now, she's gearing up to play Gwyneth Paltrow in a musical parody at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Looking back on her X Factor days, Diana admits, "I find it quite strange, looking back on that time. It's scary how quickly 16 years have gone by." She recalls feeling nervous and overwhelmed backstage at just 16 years old, but also filled with excitement and endless possibilities.
With superstars like Kate Moss and Britney Spears regularly on set, Diana says, "I kind of took it all in my stride." But being from a small town in Blackburn, it was a lot to take in when celebrities like Beyoncé were casually roaming around.
One of the most bizarre aspects of The X Factor experience was the secrecy surrounding the judges' houses segment. Diana recalls being transported in blacked-out windows to Cheryl's house in Cannes, where fellow Girls Aloud member Kimberley Walsh made a guest appearance as a judge.
"You couldn't see anything," Diana says. "You're just transported from one place to another, and it's all dark. It's a very confusing time." She admits that the whole experience sent her nervous system into a spiral, as it was impossible to read the minds of those in charge of her fate.
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