September 5th 2024.
Can you believe it's been two whole decades since we were first introduced to The X Factor? Back in the day, it was the must-watch show on Saturday nights, with people all over the UK tuning in to cheer on their favourite singers in the competition.
One of the most memorable contestants from the very first series was Rowetta, who charmed audiences and finished in fourth place. Now, 20 years later, The Agency had the chance to sit down with Rowetta and talk about her time on the show and her impressive music career. She had joined the legendary band Happy Mondays in 1990 and has since collaborated with big names like Solardo and Todd Terry.
Despite her success on The X Factor in 2004, Rowetta decided not to pursue any more reality TV opportunities after the show ended, despite receiving many offers. She explained that she didn't want to do things just for the money, as her singing career was enough for her. She wanted to be taken seriously as a musician and have people appreciate her voice and her songs.
Rowetta's X Factor journey began with her iconic audition in Leeds, where she caught the attention of judges Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne, and Louis Walsh. After her powerful performances of "Lady Marmalade" and "Circle of Life," Sharon complimented her "old belter's voice," and Simon sent her through to the next round.
Throughout the competition, Rowetta's incredible vocals continued to impress, and she had Simon as her mentor in the over-25s category. She quickly won over audiences with her talent and magnetic personality, and she never ended up in the dreaded sing-off. In the end, she finished in fourth place, behind Tabby Callaghan, G4, and winner Steve Brookstein.
To this day, there are still fans who believe Rowetta should have won the show, but she's happy with how things turned out. As she puts it, being the top female contestant was her goal, as she didn't want to be stuck singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" for the rest of her life. In fact, she had wanted to perform "Stop Crying Your Heart Out" by Oasis, but Simon didn't think it would work. She's grateful that she didn't win because it allowed her to move on from The X Factor and pursue her own musical style.
The main reason Rowetta decided to audition for The X Factor was for her grandmother, who always told her she should be on TV, as she was better than the singers she saw. Her grandma didn't realize that Rowetta had already achieved success with Happy Mondays, performing at huge venues like Wembley Stadium and Rock in Rio. So when Rowetta found out that there was no age limit for the show, she decided to go for it, and the rest is history.
Now, Rowetta is proud to be a role model in her hometown of Manchester. She's performed at Manchester Pride and is happy to represent the city as a Black female artist. However, she does take issue with being referred to as a "backing singer," as she's never been one. She loves touring with bands and being the only woman on stage, representing Manchester from a female perspective.
Despite initial doubts from Simon during her first audition, Rowetta and he formed a strong bond during the show. He often praised her for being able to sing anything and would get goosebumps from just a few words. She credits him with giving her confidence and making her time on the show enjoyable.
Looking back on her X Factor experience, Rowetta has nothing but positive things to say. She enjoyed the show's humor and didn't take it too seriously, not expecting anything from Simon or the show's outcome. For her, what came after the show was the most important thing, and it's clear that she's made the most of her opportunities.
Now, as she looks towards the future, Rowetta has several exciting projects in the works, including a possible memoir that could turn into a TV series. She also has a song out with Todd Terry and Fedde Le Grande and a tour planned for later this year. Twenty years on from her X Factor journey, Rowetta's legacy continues to inspire and entertain.
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