HUGE news for much-loved X Factor star!

Celebrity

Feb 22, 2015

It looks like some major life changes are in store for Andrea Faustini following reports that the former X Factor star has sparked a major bidding war in the music industry. Not too shabby!

Record labels within the Sony group were apparently fighting over the talented Italian singer and it looks like Andrea has made his choice!

Commenting on the singer's decision, a source told the Daily Star Sunday: "Andrea signed a deal with RCA after weeks of discussion with various labels within Sony."

20-year-old Andrea, who wowed judges last summer with a rendition of the Jackson 5 classic Who's Loving You and once reduced the lovely Cheryl to tears with one particularly powerful performance, is now taking that talent to L.A where he is said to be working on a number of songs for his debut album.

It certainly seems like record bosses have big plans for the super-talented Andrea, with a source revealing: "Label bosses are confident he can be an international star with the right songs and are on the lookout for some of the world's best writers to work with him."

Apparently we should be prepared for some 'epic power ballads' and an album of 'original material'.

Bring it on, Andrea!

Fears for X Factor judge over mystery illness

Celebrity

Dec 12, 2014

by Amber Saunders

It’s the biggest weekend yet for The X Factor, with the winner due to be announced, so this news could not have come at a worse time.

Show bosses have revealed that judge Mel B may miss out on the live final due to a mystery illness.

Fears were first raised after the singer missed yesterday’s press event, with the star reportedly refusing to come into contact with her act, Andrea Faustini, for fear of making him sick.

Now, while no further details of the illness have been revealed, a source has said that Mel’s chances of recovering in time for the final are highly doubtful.

The source told the Daily Star: “Mel can’t help it. She is so poorly and may have to miss the final altogether. There’s a chance she won’t make it, absolutely.”

Mel has been a total revelation in this series, so it will be a massive shame if she misses the final show. Here’s hoping that she will make a speedy recovery in time to take up her seat on the famous judging panel!

X Factor stars reportedly ‘ordered’ to lose weight

Celebrity

Dec 3, 2014

by Amber Saunders

It has been reported that X Factor stars Andrea Faustini and Ben Haenow have been ordered to lose weight after apparently putting on the pounds in the X Factor house.

A source for The Sun reports that orders ‘from the top’ say that the singers need to “cut out biscuits and get to the gym.” According to the report, producers believe that the extra weight will affect their position in the competition and make their careers as future hitmakers that much harder.

Andrea has previously admitted that those in the X Factor had attempted to get him on a diet, but he wasn’t having any of it: “The X Factor tried to put me on a diet. For three weeks I ate broccoli and grilled chicken. But I hated it. Yuk.”

We're not sure how their weight could in any way affect the sales of their music if it is good enough to stand alone. It seems there is a lot more on The X Factor bosses' minds that simply bringing us the next new talent in music.

S! TV SNAPSHOT: Wired – what’s on the box and all the TV Goss

Dec 1, 2014

by Amber Saunders

On this week’s Wired Niamh Geaney is joined in study by TV Fanatics Conor Behan and Ciara O’Doherty. We look at the classic that is The Late Late Toy Show; just a PR stunt for Ed Sheeran? We take a look back at Connected with some inside goss dished out. Another week, another soul crushed in the X Factor (or 8 souls in this case). We look at why Andrea is falling behind and who is set to win. For this week’s pick of the week we’ve chosen an eye opening program involving Bressie which airs tomorrow night on RTE 2. All that and much more, check it out!

Join us back here tomorrow for The Line-Up, your weekly event guide.

X Factor finalist’s top secret boyfriend revealed!

Nov 28, 2014

by Amber Saunders

X Factor finalist Fleur East has been one of the standout performers on this year's show, but she has let her talent do the talking so far, preferring to keep her personal life out of the spotlight.

Although she did admit that there "might be someone" special in her life, Fleur refused to dish any further details to the press.

Now though, her secret boyfriend's identity has been revealed. The singer has been seeing French fashion designer Marcel Robin for quite a while and things are "definitely serious," according to an insider.

"She is very proud of him, but has been keeping his name a secret in a bid to protect him from the publicity the show has given her," added the source. 'It has been difficult but, because Marcel understands, it hasn't created any tension."

Marcel is no stranger to the limelight, though – his fashion label, Elevate London, has been worn by the likes of Rita Ora and Jason Derulo. And although Fleur has kept her man's identity under wraps, she has in fact worn a number of his designs on the show, too.

With just three weeks to go until the X Factor final, Fleur has beaten Italian singer Andrea Faustini to become the bookies' favourite to win. Although Andrea was hotly anticipated to be this year's winner, his outburst after last Sunday's results show has left many worried if he may be crumbling under the pressure.

Worries for X Factor star’s well-being after hotel incident

Celebrity

Nov 27, 2014

by Amber Saunders

There are worries for X Factor contestant Andrea Faustini after he reportedly barricaded himself in a room for 12 hours following last Sunday's showdown with Stevi Ritchie.

Andrea was said to have 'fled' the X Factor studios after his sing-off, causing worry for his well-being.

Staff at the hotel were said to be worried about the singer’s unwillingness to answer his door, and pleaded with him for hours until he finally emerged. It was said his sister Elena had also been in the room with him.

There are now fears he will not be able to perform on the reality TV show this weekend.

Poor Andrea, we hope he feels better soon; this kind of pressure is never good for anybody.

Simon Cowell reveals his X Factor favourites for the final!

Celebrity

Nov 18, 2014

by Amber Saunders

X Factor boss Simon Cowell knows his stuff when it comes to reality TV, so we're happy to take his predictions on board for this year's show.

When asked what three contestants he would tip for the final three, Simon chose only two out of his own remaining acts – and one of Mel B's.

With just four weeks left til the final, the music mogul said he reckoned Ben Haenow, Fleur East and Mel's contestant Andrea Faustini were all likely to stick around on the show 'til the end.

He did leave out his third act, poor Stevi Ritchie, but it was hardly a surprise given that Simon voted against him in the last-minute choice between Stevi and Jay James on Sunday.

"I really really like both of you. Jay you’re the better singer, Stevi you’re the better performer," said Simon in Sunday's results show. "I hate to say this, but I’m sending home Stevi."

In the end Jay was knocked out by the public vote, with Stevi safe for another week. Kinda awkward, no?!

Whatever about Simon's predictions, whoever wins this year will have a tough time battling against Band Aid 30 for the Christmas number one spot.

The Do They Know It's Christmas? re-make was introduced on the X Factor results show last Sunday, so it already has a few week's head start. However Simon says it really doesn't matter to him who makes the top spot. "It doesn't bother me. If anything's going to be [number one] let it be a charity single."

We wonder if he's quite so calm on the inside!

andrea faustini