Working 9 to 5 at 13!
24 Nov 08
To be a record maker, dedication's what you need...
On Saturday, Cheryl Cole praised Ruth Lorenzo for adapting well to the British culture during her X Factor stay.
Spaniard Ruth has taken to her new surroundings amazingly well - perhaps because it isn't the first time she's had to swap cultures completely.
Ruth was ten when, with her parents newly divorced, she went with her mum and brother to stay in the USA.
She told us, "It was quite strange because I couldn't speak any English - we'd only spoken French at school".
"When people come to my country, I love it when they try to speak Spanish. They eat our food and find out about our culture, and I wanted to do the same there."
"So I had to learn fast. It took me (clicks fingers) this to learn English. I got awards in everything."
"And I loved it. I was in the US for four, five years, and I started going to singing competitions, and dance competitions, and I was in the swim team."
But Ruth's mum, unable to pick up the language quickly, wasn't able to work. Ruth told us, "I had a lot of responsibility with my mum and little brother, so at thirteen I went to work at Burger Supreme".
She said, "Thirteen is young to be working, but I've always been a big girl. I was the size I am now at eleven. People never thought I was under age. So no-one found out".
The long hours, however, took their toll on Ruth's academic career. She told us; "In the US you have to get good grades in your subjects to be allowed to do the extra-curricular after-school clubs, but my grades were poor because I was working so hard".
An exhausted Ruth had to quit the swim team and even missed her junior prom. She said, "Sometimes it was hard because my friends were out having fun, but my family were most important".
Her desire to sing, however, continued to shine through.
She explained, "I begged them; 'I am doing my best I can just now. Just please don't kick me out of my singing class".
The school authorities relented. Ruth said, "I am very grateful for how kind and loving they were towards me".
"And against regulations, they let me stay in the choir..."