JLS: Runners-up interview
18 Dec 08
Life is fan-tastic for runners-up JLS!
From the popstar opportunities coming their way, you would be mistaken for thinking JLS had won The X Factor! We spoke to Marvin and Oritsé from the band named as 2008's runners-up, just three days after the Grand Final. Guess what!? There may be a record deal on the way!
Hi guys! We miss you, but we hear you're off on your travels... where are you?
Marvin: We're here in Ireland doing our first gig, for the children's charity Childline. We're opening the first show for the new Dublin O2 arena. Eoghan's here - and people like Enrique Iglasias and Anastacia will be singing later! It's all go for us!
Of course, JLS be will be singing on The X Factor tour soon...
Oritsé: We can't wait! We are hoping that the atmosphere on the tour will be like we had in Croydon for our homecoming - manic and crazy! We're hoping that the fab four mania will come back on the tour!
Is your X Factor experience starting to sink in now?
Marvin: Definitely. We are beginning to realise what we have achieved. It's incredible to finish second in the biggest competition in the country, and the best X Factor ever!
Have you met lots of fans?
Marvin: Everywhere we go, people recognise us. Everybody is saying they wanted us to win, and they voted for us so many times. It's great to know how many people are behind us. It makes us proud of everything we've done.
What happens next?
Marvin: We will have a break over Christmas, just a few days. There are a few gigs for us to do across the country; a lot of performances are coming in now. It's looking busy. We want to go full steam ahead to make success happen.
Any sign of a record deal?
Marvin: Hopefully we will get signed to Syco music, Simon's label. We've had lots of discussions. It's looking good. We will have to wait and see whether they will be committing to us, and nothing is officially signed yet. But we have our fingers crossed. It's looking good.
What will JLS be doing in a year's time?
Oritsé: I think our band is going to be signed, and we'll be releasing an album which we hope gets to number one. We want to be the first boyband of our generation to be successful in the UK.
What did Louis say to you on Saturday night?
Marvin: He was over the moon for us, you know. We did incredibly well to get as far as we got. He said he wants to maintain his relationship with us but whether that means he wants to get involved in management I don’t know; it's a bit tricky because we've got a management deal. But I'm sure he'll have some involvement with us because he's a great guy.
Back to Saturday night. What was it like to wait for Dermot to announce the winner?
Marvin: I was willing him on, going 'JLS - JLS - JLS - JLS, come on, come on'. I was a bit disappointed for a second and then I thought, 'Come on, you are runners up on The X Factor' and we came second to Alexandra who is an amazing girl and an amazing singer.
Don't you wish you got to release your version of Hallelujah, the single?
Marvin: No. It's hard of course, because we made a video, etcetera, but we're glad we got to sing it in the final! We're just really pleased we got to sing it on the show.
You've met some famous faces; how's that been?
Marvin: The Westlife boys were great and we're going to be seeing Nicky today, he's going to introduce us. They're great lads. I'm glad we got to work with them.
Oritsé: Myself and Aston talked to Jerry Springer. He said that he thought we were an incredible act he thought we were going to win he said we should come to the USA and we'd have a very long career.
What advice would you give to people applying to The X Factor 2009?
Oritsé: Just be yourself, use your nerves positively, be sincere, be honest - and, most importantly, always sing from your heart.
Could JLS progress onto the popstar life? Let us know below!