X Factor 2011 star Sami Brookes has revealed she became inspired to audition after watching “brilliant” Cher Lloyd’s audition while on holiday in Cyprus last year. The 31-year-old Welsh barmaid added that seeing Cher’s success, together with support from girlfriend, saw her apply for the show.
Speaking at bootcamp, Sami revealed: “When I was 17 I started singing in karaoke bars, but I lacked confidence. After I met [my girlfriend] Sinead all that changed, she always told me ‘You’re so talented’. We were on holiday in Cyprus last year when he watched Cher Lloyd’s audition, and I said ‘She’s Brilliant!’, Sinead just repined, ‘You’re brilliant too, you should go on the show’, so I applied.”
And it’s a good thing she saw Cher’s audition, because Sami has gone on to become one of the show’s favourites in the Overs category, after wowing the judges with her performance earlier this year.
Meanwhile, talking about coming out, Sami explained: “I didn’t realise I was gay until my late twenties.
“Before that I was in a long-term relationship with a guy but I always knew there was something missing. I’d go out with my girl friends and sometimes snog a girl for a laugh and it felt different. It wasn’t until I was 27 that I realised, so I broke it off with my boyfriend.”
On meeting her girlfriend Sinead, Sami said: “We’d been friends for tears and she was always the one I turned to when I needed to talk. She was there for me when I had my heart broken by someone four years ago.
“Then, one day, about a year ago, I just looked at her and thought, ‘Wow’. Luckily she felt the same.”
See if Sami makes it past boot camp when The X Factor returns this weekend.
PIC: Copyright Talkback Thames/Ken McKay
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