Phenomenon by Benjamin Turgel

2013 June

PHE路NOM路E路NON

Page 2 / 2013 June

Photographer: Benjamin Turgel www.turgelphotography.com Benjamin@turgelphotography.com @benjaminturgel

Content Marcus Collins Interview -4-

Editor: Charlotte Collins charlotteleahcollins@hotmail.co.uk @charlottelco

Nikki Grahame Interview -8-

Graphic Designer:

DJ Talent Interview

Greta Madiline

-12-

Assistant Photographers:

Benedict Garrett Interview

Becci Short Stylists: Crystal Deroche Sean Azeez Angela Gates Makeup Artists: Maria Mckenna Sophia Taylor Zoe Andreadi Julia Blair Rebecca Yeates Meg Lindow Rachel Williamson Hair Stylists: James Oxley Sophia Taylor Julia Blair Rebecca Yeates Rachel Williamson Nail Artists: Lauren Weston for Amorous Accademy

-18Pete Bennett Interview -22Matt Johnson Interview -26Same Difference interview -30Christopher Maloney interview -36Glyn Wise Interview -40Zoe Birkett Interview -46-

Videographers: James Hilditch Kingsley Uzondu Mark Lever Simon Sturgeon Sara Gowthorpe David Franco Jaime Mcloughlin

Jade Ellis interview -52-

2013 June / Page 3

Concept Turgel is fascinated by reality television and has focused on developing the theory of control. The framework of the production of reality television is a process of control that begins at the audition rounds and continues throughout the contestants’ careers. Every detail of a contestant’s life is planned out by these type of shows, with some contestants being scouted and even having pre planned journeys before the show even begins. Using The X-Factor and Britain’s Got Talent as examples, Simon Cowell, the ‘God of reality TV’ knows what is going to happen and where your journey will take you. Step out and go against the rules at any moment and your journey is discontinued and you are dropped. Identity can change dramatically or continue under different conditions; it is not in the person’s control. Celebrating the Noughties and the Teens; Turgel photographs and interviews reality television stars that have made a memorable impact on television over the last decade. From X-Factor to Pop Idol, Big Brother to Britain’s Got Talent, Turgel shows how these television shows affected their lives in both positive and negative ways. He photographs the ultimate reality stars as they are today and how they were portrayed in the past. He uses his talent to tell a story of how it really is using the eyes of the lens. Through his extensive networking and relationships developed with clients, Turgel has produced this unique project.

Page 4 / 2013 June

Marcus Collins

My greatest achievement in life so far

is probably performing in front of royalty at the Royal Albert Hall. That was incredible. I got through the finals of the X-Factor, I got a record deal, my album went to the top 10. I’ve done so many things that I’m really proud of and my family are really proud of me. That’s probably the best thing. Credits Thursday 25th April 2013 Photographer: Benjamin Turgel Model: Marcus Collins Makeup: SophiaTaylor Stylist: Sean Azeez Videographers: Simon Sturgeon Sara Gowthorpe

X-Factor was an incredible experience. It was one of the most challenging and difficult things I have ever done in my life, but it was the best platform I’ve ever been given and I’m really glad I did it. There’s so many positives to it. There’s also a lot of negatives that not everyone finds out about, but they’re character building.

The media was a bit difficult for me to deal

with at first because I was just a normal guy, a hairdresser. And then if I’d go to the shop or if I wore a certain brand somebody would embellish it and make something out of it that it didn’t have to be. It also made me confront a lot of things about myself and my own life. Talking about my sexuality - my grandparents were in their mid 80s so I hadn’t even discussed that with them but then the press obviously jumped on it so I had to do it. But I’m glad I did. They’ve done me a few favours actually.

I went in there to do some singing and all of a sudden I’m a role model for kids who have been bullied or

anti homophobic behaviour or racism or single parent families or people who have suffered with cancer. I’m now… people just assume that I’m a role model for that but that isn’t what I signed up for. That’s kind of one of those things that you’ve got to find a balance with, and I’ve come to terms with it. I’m quite happy and I’ll try do as much as I can for all these things.

2013 June / Page 5

Finishing X-Factor was

the My favourite part of being on the programme

a bit of a whirl wind. You are basically in this bubble right through to December, and by January 2nd I was in the studio recording my album for release in March. So I didn’t really stop - it was in Christmas 2011 I haven’t stopped working since!

Since the X-Factor I have been lucky enough to have had a top 10 single and top 10 selling album. I’m doing musical theatre so I’m performing in Hairspray the musical which is a UK tour. We’re heading into the West End towards the end of the year, so there’s a lot of strings to the bow at the minute.

Life is different since the X-Factor - it’s difficult

to say whether it’s better or worse. My finances aren’t as stressful as they were. But I’ve noticed doing this job now that everything costs so much more, as I need to make sure I’m not seen in the same clothes twice. And I can’t get away with any kinds of mischief now; everyone jumps on me straight away!

was being challenged every week to come up with something new. I had to make something brand new out of a theme but still make it cohesive from week one to week ten. I had to have a thread that was synonymous with my brand and that was really challenging for me. But I think I managed to find my niche and what it was that I was good at, so by about week three I knitted it all together and that was my album.

I still speak to every single contestant

that was on my year. There’s no one that I don’t speak to. I’m still very close with ‘The Risk’ who were a boyband, I speak to Craig Colton nearly every couple of days. I catch up with Little Mix when they’re here because I know they’re doing loads of work all over America and Europe. When we were on tour as well that really helped us gel together, so we’ve made friends for life.

I love old school music,

I love motown, I love R&B. I like a bit of Hip Hop, some Garage and I drive listening to classical music. I like all different types and I think it’s good to keep your options open and keep your mind open to different things because you never know what you’re going to be inspired by next.

In five years time I hope to have another album out

and to still be performing. I’d like to have my salon open which is going to be a centre of excellence with people suffering for hair loss. I really want to make a safe haven for my family so nobody has to struggle the way we did before X-Factor.

To view the behind the scenes footage of the Marcus Collins shoot scan the QR code using a smartphone:

Marcus Collins. Liverpool. Hairdresser. Closeted.

Marcus Collins. X-Factor runner-up 2011. Recording artist. Hairspray tour. Out.

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Nikki Grahame

My greatest achievement in life so far

is probably winning a national television award at the National Television Awards in 2006 for best TV contestant of that year.

Credits Wednesday 6th March 2013 Photographer: Benjamin Turgel Model: Nikki Graham Makeup & Hair: Rebecca Yeates Stylist: Angela Gates Videographer: James Hilditch

Big Brother was probably the best experience of my life. I just didn’t know what to expect. I went in there

thinking I’m going to probably meet some quite crazy people, and I had nothing to loose. I had no idea what was waiting for me. I had no idea that I was going to get an agent or that I was going to get my own TV show, star in adverts, write magazine columns - it just didn’t occur to me.

I’d never had been able to buy a flat

unless it had been for Big Brother and some of the experiences I’ve had and shared with my friends and family had just been wonderful.

I spent 11 years in hospital with an eating disorder. So when I came out of hospital I found it quite

tough to get a job because I didn’t have any qualifications. And when I did get a job I struggled to hold it down, getting lots of disciplinarians and barred from various work places.

Before I went on the show it was very difficult for me to speak openly about my anorexia. It’s a

very taboo subject that not many people like to admit that they have, so it was a big deal for me, and there were various stories that came out whilst I was in the show about my history. But in a way I’m glad because it helped to speak confidently and openly about it, and help other people that are going through the same as, or similar to, what I went through. I think the more awareness that can be raised for eating disorders the better.

2013 June / Page 9

When I left the I do get my days where I just wish I hadn’t Big Brother house I done it because on the days when you just want to go down the remember we stopped at a service station on the way to the hotel. I wanted a packet of crisps or something, I went in, and everybody just stopped what they were doing and came rushing over, and I just didn’t understand what was going on! I really didn’t realise how many people were watching at the time.

I’ve just finished pantomime. I did

a show in Ireland called Celebrity Salon which was a reality show where you go and learn beauty treatments. I did Celebrity Coach Trip the year before. I did Princess Nikki which was 6 episodes of me being sent out to do different jobs like working in the sewage works, in a dogs kennels, as a dustman, on a fishing boat all really unpleasant jobs just to make me throw a tantrum. I did a Foxy Bingo Advert, A Dominoes Pizza advert, I’ve been on Jonathan Ross, I’ve been on 8 out of 10 Cats. I was a roving reporter for Big Brother’s Bit on the Side, and interviewed people like Dustin Hoffman, Michael Kane and Joan Rivers. All these things were unimaginable to me and to have achieved those is unbelievable really still to this day.

road and not talk to anyone, it’s something that I have to do. I’m not famous anymore but people still know me enough to shout out things like ‘Who is she’ and ‘I’m so cold’, so I’ve decided that I’m going to try and get a new career this year. If it doesn’t work, I’ve been learning French for the past three years. I’m moving to Paris, I’m going to start a whole new life.

I hated the Ultimate Big Brother experience.

I really struggled to be in the house with the likes of Coolio and Ulrika Johnson. It’s a whole different ball game when the public know you because they have a pre-conception of you and they judge you. I mean look what happened to Jade Goody when she went back in the house. It was a big risk but I don’t regret it - I just wouldn’t do it again.

My dream job would probably be - wow oh god, I’d love to be a journalist at NME! but I know they don’t pay very well. So maybe an XFM DJ or something like that, I’m not high brow enough to do Six Music. I’m not cool because I’ve been on Big Brother.

My role model would have to be Kate Moss.

I love her, probably her style, but I love Kate Bush and PJ Harvey for their eccentricities and talents, and just the way they channel their emotions through such amazing music. And my oldest icon probably would be Twiggy in her heyday.

In five years time I’ll speak fluent French and I’ll have a little chateau in Paris in Bastille, and be married to a French man.

I can do the splits, I can do various accents.

I love holidays; I love going on holiday so much! I love chocolates, I love sushi. I love old films with Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, Marilyn Monroe, and Audrey Hepburn. I wish I was born in era the 40s or 50s.

To view the behind the scenes footage of the Nikki Grahame shoot scan the QR code using a smartphone:

Anorexic. Trouble-maker. Makeup seller.

Big Brother 2006 contestant. Own TV show. Advert star. Ultimate Big Brother housemate.

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DJ Talent

My biggest, greatest achievement in life was going on the ITV show Britain’s Got Talent and auditioning

Credits Monday 8th April 2013 Photographer: Benjamin Turgel Model: Anthony Gosh (DJ Talent) Makeup: Sophia Taylor Videographer: James Hilditch

in front of Simon Cowel, Amanda Holden, Piers Morgan and Kelly Brooke. It was an amazing experience! I went on there with a gimmick track and I wrote an exclusive chorus for the show, which then made me famous and I got a Wikipedia page off my famous chorus and it was in the newspapers.

I wanted to go on Britains Got Talent. I was a

bit nervous. Is it going to make you look bad? Are you going to be successful? And get four yes’s? which I did. I wanted to further my career as a song writer and music producer you know. I wanted to be successful in life, but I wanted to also give out a good message, like I did something for the country and the nation and the people.

After my appearance on Britain’s got Talent

life did change for me in lots of ways. I had a lot of people that I grew up with and knew over the years saying they didn’t want to speak to me anymore. They got very jealous of me because I was successful working with big people in the industry. It created a lot of negativity. I got a lot of prank phone calls, I got a lot of abusive emails. People don’t like to see other people do well in life and making something out of themselves.

The media was up and down - it raised my profile

and said a lot of positive things about me. But I had people I fell out with over the years and sold nasty stories on me and tried to damage my name and put the boot in and try and ruin me. I thought I was getting a lot of coverage, a lot of profile, but at the end of the day I thought I could have made a lot more money than I did.

2013 June / Page 13

Before I was on I was a music produced for many years and music in major record stores and played on national radio, Britain’s Got Talent had but I thought TV is fantastic exposure. You look at a lot of famous

I went travelling and went people in the TV industry like Sasha Baron Cohen and they’re very backpacking around the world. crazy characters, but very funny. I wanted to get into TV because I I went to Thailand, Australia wanted to get my personality and my charisma out there. and New Zealand and I was recording music in the studio. My dream job would be acting. I’d like to get a in Eastenders possibly, start doing some movies and also Since Britain’s Got role perhaps work with some big artists in America. Talent, I’ve done a few TV shows. I’ve been on the I’ve done other stuff in the public eye like in Mathew Wright show on 2005 I went on the Jeremy Kyle show and in 2007 I went on the Channel 5. I went on Celebrity Friday Night Project with Kanye West as well. So I’ve done quite Juice with Keith Lemon, Holy a few other TV programmes but that was a major platform for Willoughby, Fearne Cotton and me. Jeremy Kyle was quite scandalous, outrageous but funny. Louise Redknapp. A lot of live It’s harmless banter. It’s quite outrageous and shocking but you appearances, live gigs, P.A’s and didn’t hurt anyone and you’re just trying to be funny. The Friday stuff and I’ve been recording Night Project was cool. I got to speak to Kanye West about how music. you become a famous artist and then also I did a rap to Kanye West on TV.

I think life is much better now after doing My mum makes me happy and also the sunshine

Britain’s Got Talent because and sun bathing. Also going to interesting countries and places it put me in the media for around the world makes me happy. a positive reason. You did something to sort of touch people of all different ages and people respect that. I do a lot of charity events now as well.

To view the behind the scenes footage of the DJ Talent shoot scan the QR code using a smartphone:

DJ. Musician. Traveller.

Page 16 / 2013 June

Five years time - you never know. I do play

the lottery so hopefully a multi millionaire. In this industry you never know where you’re gonna be or whose going to email you and give you your break in TV or something. You’ve just gotta keep knocking on the doors.

I was unhappy when I was in my teens

because I used to go to a lot of raves and I took drugs - I wasn’t proud of that. I’m happy to go on a national TV show like Britain’s Got Talent and also tour with Susan Boyle and Diversity - it’s cool. I think were only human and people always make mistakes in life you know but it’s how you look to the future and how you better yourself and you’ve gotta be positive and be around a good circle of people you know.

I dislike meat liver - I

don’t like liver, uch. Liver and onions, not really my thing. What do I quite like? I like Italian food, it’s pretty cool. I like fashion as well. I like polo Ralph Lauren I think it’s very good, it’s a very nice designed shirt.

Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Got Talent semi-finalist. TV personality. Live performer. Philanthropist.

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Benedict Garrett I’m glad that I’ve had the Big Brother experience. I always knew going in that you will come out

of the house and there will be some people who love you and some people who hate you. And that’s absolutely fine.

The media didn’t really effect me particularly because I had already been in the press for two Credits Sunday 10th March 2013 Photographer: Benjamin Turgel Model: Benedict Garrett Makeup & Hair: Maria McKenna Videographer: James Hilditch

years before. The first time because I was sacked from teaching for doing stripping and porn and then a year later because I’d won the right to return to teaching - I went in front of the general teaching council. As a result of being in the papers I’ve had people who have criticised me and people who have supported me. So I was already used to that which was a great training ground for going into Big Brother, so coming out and dealing with a similar kind of criticism wasn’t negative at all for me.

I partially went on Big Brother to

challenge peoples’ perceptions that they may have of people that involve themselves in work along the lines that I do. Also because I wanted to use Big Brother as an opportunity to create discussion around various things. I don’t know if there’s been anyone else who has done, for example, porn. Or who… I openly admit to have done prostitution. People say they disagree with it and we can have that discussion, which would get people talking outside the house about those sorts of things. It didn’t entirely happen but I think I did raise some things for discussion and got people thinking.

The best moment is entering the house

because you’re going with such real anticipation. My favourite moment really is when you’re stood in front of the eye, and you are so nervous because you have been led up to the studio, you’ve been blind folded, you’ve had ear muffs on so you can’t hear anything but you can faintly hear the crowds cheering slightly. You’ve got no idea what it’s going to look like out there and then suddenly it opens up and you go and meet Brian and then you go into the house and you’re just so excited about whats going to happen and who you’re going to meet. So I think that was actually the best moment really.

2013 June / Page 19

I’m still in contact I want to do more of the campaign advocacy that I do in trying to change attitudes towards certain with about half of work things. I love going into universities and schools and talking to the housemates. I’m them about issues to do with sex and sexuality, I’d love to perhaps good friends with Lydia and Andy. I’ve been dog walking with them, I’ve been out with them a few times, I went to see Andy in a panto. Lauren I’ve been out in Liverpool with a couple of times. Luke I’ve been out with. Adam was there as well and Victoria, I’ve adopted another dog from her charity. I met Sara and Siobhan as well fairly soon after Big Brother finished.

Before Big Brother I was acting, bits of adult performing, stripping, I’ve done two books before, I was doing bits of public speaking and I’m doing all those things now. So life is kind of as it was in many ways and that was kind of what I intended on doing anyway but hopefully using Big Brother as a way to raise that profile somewhat.

be able to transfer that to television, producing something educational and informative but also entertaining. I don’t want people to think I’m some kind of sex expert, but I have had more exposure to certain things. I suppose my one dream job if I could do anything would be to have my own radio talk show. People would call in and no topic would be taboo whatsoever.

How did the media affect me and my students? Obviously I wasn’t there at the school when it came

out in the press. I’d left already. I was suspended. I suspended myself. Was it talked about in school? Are they allowed to talk about it at school? I don’t know exactly but I do know that when it did come out in the press I had literally hundreds of messages of supprrort from my ex-students and from some members of staff. They would say things like ‘I don’t necessarily agree with what you do, but I absolutely admire the way you stand up for your right to do it’.

In five years time... I don’t really have specific goals as such because my life over the last two and a half years has been so unpredictable. I think you should always have some ambitions in life and there are things I’d like to do but I’m not specific about the goal posts anymore. I’ve taken life as it happens. I’ve got various possible projects that may come off.

One of my obsessions has been Canada and Canadian politics, and another one is Jewish culture and history. When I first came I love learning languages, I like a nice night out at a restaurant out the house within and I love going to the theatre. I dislike people who don’t indicate the roads and middle lane hoggers. I can’t deal with fat a few days I was asked on children - I think it’s a form of child abuse. I dislike Anybody who to audition for a play and I got is racist or anybody who is homophobic. When you pop out of the role in that and I played your mothers vagina you cannot help or control. a gay Spanish nudist in a comedy play in London. I’ve done musical theatre within My greatest achievement in life so far would the last few years but I hadn’t probably be fostering my son. There’s plenty of other things done any straight acting so it that I’m proud of doing as well, but thats probably the thing I’m was quite good to do that. Then proudest of - for us both to be honest. I was back with the dream boys performing with them again. I did the tour show last year with them. I’m preparing again for this year.

To view the behind the scenes footage of the Benedict Garett shoot scan the QR code using a smartphone:

Disgraced teacher. Stripper. Porn star. Male prostitute.

Big Brother contestant 2012. Sexual Activist. Actor. Foster father.

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Pete Bennett

I absolutely thought Big Brother was a brilliant

Credits Thursday 24th January 2013 Photographer: Benjamin Turgel Model: Pete Bennett Makeup & Hair: Rebecca Yeates Videographer: Mark Lever

experience that I had at the time, but now I’m a bit embarrassed. I’m remembered for some show that was good but has had it’s day. When I came out it was amazing but it didn’t last long - it was a really hard experience afterwards. I was pulled in all these directions. I went through a really dark time of trying to mend friendships and I couldn’t make everyone happy. It was hard to stay on the top of the spiral because you’re in the media and they just rip you to pieces. They say you’re this and you’re not, and it hurts. You’re thinking thousands of people are getting the wrong idea about you because they’re so manipulated by the papers. You’re trying to do your best, and it really screws your head.

My greatest achievement in life?

I think the tourettes awareness thing. I’m a boy that grew up with tourettes and having it is pretty hard work for anyone, and to actually be accepted in the public eye...and I won. The thing is, is that it helped thousand of children that had tourettes too, and that I helped so many little kids feel accepted is a massive achievement itself. My time on earth has been a really good… you know, a really good idea! Thanks whoever put me here because if I wasn’t around we’d still have the same old stigma about people with tourettes.

I went on Big Brother to do loads of things.

I wanted to spread awareness of tourettes but make it look cool. Once this little kid came up to me and he went “hey pete”, and he wanted to say hello but he went “wankers” and I went “haha hey wicked man!” He had tourettes, and was being freely open with it and not feeling scared to twitch, and that’s what I wanted to do. I wanted to help my mum as well because she moved to France and she couldn’t pay off her mortgage. After I won the prize I went straight down to the bank and just gave it to her, so sorted her out. I kept a little bit but not that much. I got magazine deals for my own money.

2013 June / Page 23

In the house, I liked My dream job would be acting. After doing a film year in Newcastle I think acting blew my head off - I literally playing with Glyn a last had the best time of my life being a part of this film. I want to do lot - from the start we were mates. We were stupid, we just liked dressing up and acting daft, he was my little buddy who I would just piss about with. Mostly the best thing was really making some lovely friends in the house like Leah and Dicky. I’m in contact with pretty much all the friends I was in the house with, but on Facebook really - not on my phone because we live so far apart. So yes I am in contact but we don’t hang out really. And me and Nikki’s relationship is cool!

stand up too. Maybe I’ve got to do stand up first so I can get into the acting but its got to be comedy based.

I have two role models in life - when I was younger

it was Billy Idol. I went to his gig and I met him and after you meet your idol they’re not your idol anymore, they’re just some geezer. Jim Carey has gotta be the ultimate hero for me. He has been like a God to me - all his films seem to be synchronised to my life, and all the things he says are very spiritual too. If it weren’t for Jim Carey I wouldn’t have done Big Brother because if he hadn’t had been around I wouldn’t have accepted myself.

In five years time I’ll be in Hollywood. Big time man. I know I’m going to Hollywood. I’m gonna be in the biggest film in the whole world and I want to be the next James Bond! I’m going to be in a film with Jim Carey, we’re gonna be best friends. I’m serious man!

Nowadays I’m writing music. I’m I don’t like negative people, they’re just rubbish. releasing these soon and I’m gonna call myself The Daddy - my best mate Wobbily Bob, who I was in a band with called Daddy Fantastic, died of cancer, and I was with him until the end. Recently he came back in spirit and said ‘you gotta be the daddy again’, and since then all my music is just coming together. I call myself The Daddy just to keep his spirit alive. I’m also making a film about a cow that grows to a hundred foot - Cowzilla. I also make puppets - I love my puppets.

Whats the point of being negative? You’re here once and you just want to be negative about things and be judgemental about people and you just gotta cheer up! You are here once. You should be happy that you are here in the first place. I just don’t like negativity. I want to try and teach people that actually you just gotta be positive. People are so blind to what they really are, they have to feel good about themselves and just spread the love, and people are just negative! On Twitter I get some geezer calling me the biggest tosser in the world! What for? What have I done? I seriously don’t get it, and that’s what I don’t like - people who just want to take my energy away. I learnt happy people don’t judge other people.

The only real famous person I have on my phone

is actually Nikki from Big Brother, amazing! I haven’t really got many famous people, I don’t really hang out with many famous people. Many high famous people.

To view the behind the scenes footage of the Pete Bennett shoot scan the QR code using a smartphone:

Brighton. Bread line. Tourettes.

Big Brother winner 2006. Musician. Film Actor.

Page 26 / 2013 June

Matt Johnson

It’s really amazing to be on a TV show whilst

you are on it. You meet lots of people you would never normally dream of. Sometimes having a taste of something can be a bad thing - you always know what it feels like and it’s something you miss.

Credits Monday 15th April 2013 Photographer: Benjamin Turgel Assistant Photographer: Becci Short Model: Matt Johnson Makeup: Meg Lindow Videographers: Simon Sturgeon

Before Pop Stars the Rivals I did various things, from

every local operatic society to things like Stage Coach, and then I went down to London when I was 12 and I was lucky enough to play certain roles like Gavroche in Les Miserables for Cameron Macintosh and the Artful Dodger in Oliver. And then my voice broke. I was too old to be a kid on stage and I was too young to be an adult. I left musical theatre behind, and then along came the audition for Pop Stars the Rivals when I was in my final GCSE year at high school.

At first when I was in the media it didn’t really

bother me too much. I was only 16 so I didn’t really have any skeletons, and I was quite happy to be seen as outrageous and outspoken. Plus maybe I wasn’t in the centre point of limelight long enough to experience the bad side of it. I did get the odd silly thing like a nasty remark occasionally about my music, and I think at the time it effected me more than it would do if it happened now - I think when you’re 16 or 17 you think so differently to when you are 27.

The reason One True Voice split was mainly down

to one of the members Daniel Pearce. He didn’t want to be in a boyband, the music wasn’t for him, the life style, being with four other lads in the group -he was ten years older than me and having that massive age gap in the band I don’t think helped him. Looking back now a part of me wishes that Daniel never went for Pop Stars the Rivals; it was a bunch of young lads, 17, 18 that wanted to have fun and do tours. I don’t think that was for him. I would have carried on probably until now. It takes a certain individual to be in front of cameras and hack that life style.

2013 June / Page 27

When I was about I’ve never had a job in my life. I don’t know my 24 I decided to open national insurance number, anything that I’ve ever paid for, the houses that I have, vans, cars, holidays - it’s all been due an events company to singing and it always will be. I will always make my money supplying entertainment for cooperate functions, the wedding industry etc. I’d try to do the staging, the lighting the sound system, the entertainment, I would put myself as the entertainment. I’ve saved up a lot of money and built my own studio where I live in the hope of recording my own music and possibly seeing if theres a place in the charts for me again one day.

doing music. Scott from Five was doing a gig for £250 three years ago, three years before that twenty grand a gig, next year he’s on twenty grand a gig again. It’s just a roller-coaster, but I don’t want to get a normal job. At the end of the day I prefer to go to a corporate gig and get paid for singing than working in an office doing something I don’t enjoy.

You stop any person on the street, I guarantee you they couldn’t tell you who won The Voice last year. The first and last name, a national show that had been on every week. A show like that it’s strange, no? Who came third? Who came second? Can anyone name the last ten contestants of X-Factor last year. It’s tough and that’s why you should take all these things with a pinch of salt.

I think there’s been moments over the I don’t think we would do a TV show like the Big Mainly because we were more well known for what we last ten years where Reunion. did on a TV show and the battle between Girls Aloud and One True I’ve wished that my band may have had the success that Girls Aloud had. But it’s definitely not Girls Aloud’s fault that One True Voice didn’t work out, so I don’t wish them failure for us not having long term success. The girls are always associated with One True Voice and maybe they keep our flame alive that little bit longer.

Voice for Christmas Number One. We weren’t so much known for big hits that we had. You have bands like Five that have these iconic songs that people know and I don’t think we were around long enough to have that song.

To view the behind the scenes footage of the Matt Johnson shoot scan the QR code using a smartphone:

16. North Wales. West End performer. Popstars the Rivals winner. One True Voice.

27. Wedding singer. Song writer. Solo artist. Entrepreneur.

Page 30 / 2013 June

I think the days of me auditioning for reality

TV shows are completely gone. I think they’re about finding an electrician or a plumber who’s woken up one day and found that he can sing. It’s part of the story and the show makes a lot of money, and it’s almost like a talent show now and at the end of the talent show that’s the winner and then you move on to the next series. I think long term the best way to try and make it in the music industry is to make it a little bit slower and with better foundations.

Its taken me ten years to get to a place in my life where I’m not financially desperate. A lot of people go

and do these things like these boyband programmes and you see them talk and they give their opinions because somewhere in the back of their mind that 10 minutes exposure on that channel 5 programme on a Tuesday night is going to help them get back to who they were, but I just think it’s about new music.

I just don’t know anymore where I’ll in 5 years. I’ve always got hopes and ideas of what I’d like to be doing, but sometimes things take longer than you think. God knows. I just don’t know where I’ll be in five years from now. I dread to think.

Its taken me ten years to get to a place in my life where I’m not financially desperate. A lot of people go

Page 32 / 2013 June

Same Difference

My greatest achievement in life

is when we finally got to play Wembley and the O2. They’re two venues I’ve wanted to play ever since I was a little kid and to actually be there and rock the stage felt like the most incredible feeling in the world. It felt like finally we’d made it, and all our dreams had come true.

The X-Factor experience

was probably the best experience of our lives. It was just everything that it looks on the TV. It takes you from unknown to suddenly shot into fame and it was literally the most incredible feeling. I’m forever thankful for everything that its given us.

Credits Tuesday 5th March 2013 Photographer: Benjamin Turgel Models: Same Difference Makeup & Hair: Rachel Williamson Stylist: Angela Gates Videographer: David Franco

We can afford to live in a house and have a car whereas people our age generally don’t have those luxuries. We’ve been very lucky in the way we have been able to do something we love for a living. So many people do jobs that they just hate just because it’s money where as we actually get to do something we really like doing. Sean: Originally I was the one who chose to go on the X-Factor. I was doing a touring show and I just felt like I wanted so much more. I put in the application for X-Factor, Sarah came along on the day to support me and when the producers saw us together and Sarah was all full of beans and bubbly, they turned around and said, ‘why can’t you go together’.

Sean actually went to the X-Factor wanting to be the next Bon Jovi and then he ended up in a pop band. From Jon Bon Jovi to H from Steps - that was the kind of vibe where we ended up. I don’t know how it happened but I’m still so proud of what we managed to achieve.

People that get signed to a record label slowly

get fed to the press. They’ve got time to adjust because they start seeing little snippets of themselves. It was very hard being thrown into the limelight. The media fabricate a lot of stuff - if they hear something tiny they’ll decide to turn it into something big and I think that was something that we struggled with. Literally from the day our first audition was shown we were constantly in the papers, people coming out the woodwork that you’ve not seen for years saying that they’re your best friend, and it was a very tough thing to have to deal with.

Sean and Sarah. Siblings. Portsmouth. Performing Arts College. Rock Influences.

Page 34 / 2013 June

We had been very We went home to much in a bubble Portsmouth back to our and there were people during the show - we mum’s outside waiting for us. We had

never really saw the papers that much, we weren’t really hearing the radio - you were very protected. The moment you stepped off it was like you’re thrown to the lions. For three months you lived in the X-Factor house and that was your life. I remember waking up the morning after the final and we stayed in this lush hotel and it was beautiful and we had all these amazing products and it was brilliant and then we woke up and we asked “what are we doing today” and they shrugged and said go home! But we couldn’t get a tube or a thing because literally there was paparazzi outside and you couldn’t just walk up the street with your bag.

just had the most devastating news that we had come third, and then the next day we had no protection. You’ve gone from every single day all this craziness and travelling around in a Mercedes and going to meet new famous people to basically back home to jolly old Portsmouth.

Before the X-Factor

I was pretty much doing what I do now, shows on a much smaller scale. Also now we are writing, recording albums - the X-Factor’s given us the chance to actually release albums and our first one went gold in the charts, which we’re really proud of.

2013 June / Page 35

Life has changed an awful lot. We’ve been really

lucky in the fact that we get to perform often and we get to do what we love doing but I think its changed us both a lot as people. You’re very naive when you first enter the industry and you think everything is glossy magazines and fun and excitement and premiers. I think it has changed us as people and I think we’re a lot more thick skinned now than what we were six years ago. It’s just the pressure more than anything. The biggest thing of your dreams -actually in reality it’s a lot different.

We were

never really close friends

with anybody in the house - it was a big competition after all. Everyone is just out to win. You can try and be as nice as possible but it’s always in the back of your mind that I’m sure that they would do anything that they possibly could to get one over us if they had the chance. We weren’t as bad as some of the others were, but at the same time we still wanted to win and we were trying to do whatever we could.

My biggest influences are all the greats; Freddy Mercury, Sean:

Elvis, Bon Jovi, Meat Loaf - you can’t really put them in the same frame but at the same time they’re people who had a massive influence on my theme.

Someone who has always remained in the public eye but Sarah:

kept her dignity is Shirley Bassey. I think she’s someone who always gets up there gives a huge performance. I was We’ve already started a business which is our brought up with Nanny and Same Difference Pop Academy. Because we’ve had such a big Grandad so literally for me it chance we want to give that chance to children, so they get to put was all the old school so I don’t on a show in a week and they get to work with us, and it’s a hell really love anyone now-a-days, of a lot of fun. I can see ourselves doing that in the future maybe. or from my era. I loved all the pop bands growing up; Steps, S Club 7, but I wouldn’t say they were my idols.

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X-F actor 2007. Played Wembley. Popstar. Entrepreneurs.

X-Factor 2007. Played Wembley. Popstar. Entrepreneurs.

Page 38 / 2013 June

Christopher Maloney

The X factor was a great experience.

Credits Tuesday 22nd May 2013 Photographer: Benjamin Turgel Model: Christopher Maloney Makeup & Hair: Sophia Taylor Stylist: Benjamin Turgel Sophia Taylor Videographers: Simon Sturgeon Jamie McLoughlin

It’s been over 12 months now since it all kicked off for me. No one can prepare you for it, it’s been an amazing experience. It took me five years to pluck up the courage to audition. I used to sit there watching the final and I used to be dead emotional thinking I could do that so I didn’t want to be like that in 10, 15 years time, thinking I should have done it.

The media effected me in quite a big way

but after the first three or four weeks it was water off a dogs back. They were printing lies about me but I was more concerned towards the end of the series about my family and how it was affecting them. I’ve got a big family and friends unit behind me and they know the truth so you know it doesn’t really bother me anymore.

You’re instantly a celebrity as soon as you audition

for the show. The minute you get to the live shows you are catapulted into this celebrity status that nothing can prepare you for. The work that has come out of it has been absolutely fantastic and my album is coming out very shortly; my greatest achievement is singing with Gary Barlow and making my first album. The only thing that I’m not used to is people coming up to me in the streets and stopping me and asking my autograph and a picture - that’s just still so surreal to me.

Since the X-Factor I’ve been doing a lot of charity work. Clatterbridge, Claire House, The Linda McCartney Centre, the James Bourg memorial. I’ve also been cowriting my single with producers and doing gigs and TV and radio.

2013 June / Page 39

I don’t want to sound My favourite music to listen to at the ungrateful, my life is moment is Rihanna and Christina Aguilera and Bruno better since the show, but I sometimes miss my old life - I miss people that I used to work with in the call centre.

Mars. I’m also loving Robbie Williams new material as well at the moment.

If you’d have asked me last year

where would I have seen myself now I would have said still working in the call centre. This time in five years I hope to be still touring and still making my fans happy and still making music.

If I could do the X-Factor all over again I’d probably have I’m really happy that I auditioned for the X-Factor. I’m second thoughts about doing it. just unhappy that it took me five years so I wish I had done it I’d have to sit there and think sooner - but things happen for a reason and it probably wasn’t long and hard that now I know my time then. the process of how it works and what it’s all about. I don’t like rice, I don’t like yellow fish, I love chocolate, I love food, I love sleep, I love singing and that’s about it really.

My favourite part of the show was I’ve got a couple of entertaining people, being the wild card. The public vote, the people’s choice.

famous people’s numbers in my phone; there’s Garry Barlow, Louis Walsh, Boy George, Rylan, and all the other X-Factor contestants.

I’m still in contact with every single one of the

other contestants minus one! Mentioning no names. They are all absolutely fantastic. I speak to them on a regular basis and I actually saw them all last week.

To view the behind the scenes footage of the Christopher Maloney shoot scan the QR code using a smartphone:

Page 40 / 2013 June

Liverpool. Call Centre Worker.

X Factor 2012. People’s Choice. Underdog. Viewers’ Favourite.

Page 42 / 2013 June

Glyn Wise

When I was a kid I wanted to be famous, I

wanted to be an athlete and I wanted to be a teacher. I’ve managed to do all three.

Big Brother opens so many doors. It was just Credits

an epic time of my life, three months locked in a house with strangers. I was always gutted that I never won, but things don’t turn out how you want them to be I suppose.

Thursday 3rd January 2013

It was something I always wanted to do.

Photographer: Benjamin Turgel Model: Glyn Wise Makeup & Hair Stylist: Julia Blair Videographer: George Garnish

Dance on a podium for ten and a half hours blindfolded to try and win immunity - you know things like that, I’m never going to have those experiences again.

I’d never done anything on television. I had

just turned 18 when I went into the house and it was a complete whirlwind. I went into another world that I never knew existed and all of a sudden I was friends with people from Pop Idol and soap actors that I only thought lived in the telly. I was going to clubs in London where I’d never been and all the paparazzi would wait for me.

I was making so much money. Before that I was working as a lifeguard for £5.50 an hour and to be earning 75 grand for doing a photo-shoot I would have done for free was mind blowing. I had a job with the BBC, I had my own radio show. I did all the television shows and every channel that you could imagine so I was just going in and out of black cars, living in hotels, and not really knowing what the hell I was doing. I was just rushed into one thing and another, milking the cow out of all the cash I could make. I kind of became obsessed with cash and I still am.

2013 June / Page 43

figures were like 10.8 million, now it’s like 1.8 for the finale show. Now-a-days you would not make any money or it wouldn’t be as life changing as it was. I would have been a completely different character to 2006 (in the ultimate Big Brother house). When I was 18 I would listen to everybody else. I still had that small town with my parents, I didn’t know values where you listen to your elders, you don’t answer back and what a mortgage was. I had an plus I was very naïve back then and I was trying to make sure I unbelievable time in my life but was friends with everybody. Now if somebody would annoy me I I also had an eating disorder would start arguing in the house; I’d be up for eviction. So I don’t because I couldn’t cope. think it would have the same outcome.

At that time I didn’t really understand money. I was still living

I’m from a very small My dream job would be doing nothing and get town; I thought Harrods paid loads of money for doing it. I used to get £2,500 for an hour’s was a country. It’s much easier now six years after being on that show than it was a year after. If I hadn’t had gone on Big Brother most probably I would have still lived in North Wales. The two years was very exciting after Big Brother but it was very hard as well, trying to keep sane.

work dancing around a night club! Not even using my brain. So that’s the two worlds. That’s what I’ve found hard more than anything, trying to be in normality again.

I find it hard being friends with other people

from the television because I think it’s an industry where nobody is your real friend. Everybody - in the media you always fight to be the one that’s in first place, so it’s a cut throat industry. I tweet some of my housemates but a lot of people went a bit insane after being on that show so I found it easier not to associate myself with them.

University really helped me out. Being My dad is my role model - he has worked so hard all

back with people my own age, his life and no one has ever said thank you so I would say that. having a laugh and not taking And I would also say Andy Murray ’cause I love that man. myself too serious. And then because of university I became a teacher and it’s something In five years time I will most probably still be a teacher, but I will still try and work in the media. I wish I will go back to I’ve always wanted to do. how I used to be, like massive, but I just don’t see that happening somehow.

When we did Big Brother it was The last time I cooked an egg was two days ago. I still quite a naïve did it in a sandwich. I know how to cook. program - reality TV was Glyn happily obliges to sing the Egg song. still at it’s best. The viewing

To view the behind the scenes footage of the Glyn Wise shoot scan the QR code using a smartphone:

18. North Wales. Lived at home. Eating disorder

Big Brother runner-up 2006. TV and radio personality. Graduate. Teacher.

Page 48 / 2013 June

Zoe Birkett

My greatest achievement is probably singing

at the Royal Albert Hall with Annie Lenox and all the American Idols, and everyone from 19 Management including the Spice Girls - it was incredible! Getting a record deal was also massive for me because it was something I had always wanted. And being in the West End! So there’s quite a few. Credits Thursday 22nd November 2012 Photographer: Benjamin Turgel Model: Zoe Birkett Makeup: Zoe Andreadi Hair Stylist: James Oxley at Rush Stylist: Crystal Deroche Videographer: Kingsley Uzondu

Pop Idol was an absolute fantastic experience for me. It was my stepping stone into the career I’m doing today so I’m very thankful for it and very, very appreciative of the things that I’ve done since and the doors that its opened. I was a 16 year old kid just getting up and singing on TV every single weekend - what more fun could I have been having.

Being in the West End

is completely different. I’m performing every single night and as much fun as it is being in the studio and writing and making records, the reason why I got into this was to perform every single day. It’s not that I prefer it because I do enjoy recording, I like both, but I got into this business to be performing.

I definitely 100 percent would do Pop Idol again. I think only if it was at the time it was 10 years ago

because I think reality TV has changed hugely. I think a lot of it isn’t about the contestants but the judges. I probably wouldn’t do it now. I would do something like Strictly but I wouldn’t do another singing competition as such like The X Factor or The Voice. I’m just really thankful that I did it when I did and I’ve actually been really lucky because even still today, ten years on, people still recognise me and come and see me in shows and I’m not too sure that people remember people who were on The X Factor last year.

2013 June / Page 49

Pop Idol was not My favourite role to date would probably Maureen in Rent because I find it very similar to how I am. my first time in be Although I’m not a raging lesbian! She’s very out there, she’s got the public eye. I was a a real zest for life. When the show closed this year I was really

pampers baby! I was a Marks upset because it was one of the most fun roles I have ever done. & Sparks model as a child in catalogues. I was also on My role model, I’ve got a few. I absolutely live and breath another Talent Show called Beyonce everyday. Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, I’ve been Stars of Tonight. I didn’t win, a obsessed with Michael Jackson since I’ve been God knows how kid with a xylophone did. old. I’ve been to all of his concerts. I love anyone with raw talent to be honest, like James Arthur! Anyone who makes me get I always dreamt goosebumps I follow, I want to go see his concert now. Before I on stage I genuinely put on Michael Jackson or a bit of Missy about doing theatre go Elliot. I’ve got a real mixture of music. I love Rock - Guns and at some stage. I went to Roses Welcome to the Jungle always psychs me up hard. I suffer stage school - when I was a from insomnia so if I want to go to sleep I put on some Nora kid I was in Joseph and the Jones or some Adele - I’m in love with them at that time of night Technicoloured Dream Coat, I when I’m trying to go to sleep. It depends what mood I’m in. was in the Twits, The Demon Head Master. From being about 8 up to 16 I had always done Singing makes me happy, very happy. I sing all the theatre. time and it’s really annoying. I found love which makes me very happy which I never really had before - it’s nice to have somebody to make me happy other than work. I’m a very family One of my dream else orientated person. I speak to my family three or four times a day.

roles in a musical

would definitely be the Killer Queen (We Will Rock You). I’ve got that in my sights! I’ve just played a similar part, Acid Queen, which was Tina Turner in the film Tommy. It’s kind of an older part so I still have time on my hands - I can maybe play that in another ten years time.

To view the behind the scenes footage of the Zoe Birkett shoot scan the QR code using a smartphone:

16. Child catalogue model. Stage school student.

Page 52 / 2013 June

In five years time I would like to have played

Killer Queen for sure. I’m at a stage now where people are starting to recognise me in the West End and take me seriously which is brilliant as a leading lady. I would like to have won some sort of award. I’d love to get back into recording - I have intentions of doing a cover album of all my favourite songs. I’d love to get back on TV - who knows.

This is going to sound so cheesy but I’m really

happy about everything I’ve done. How cliché is that! But it’s the truth. I have absolutely no regrets about anything. In this business you can get so down and you can go to auditions and you don’t get jobs and you think ‘am I too fat, am I too thin, am I not good enough’ and there are times that I just sit with myself and I’m just like, man I’ve done so much, and I’m just 27! The past 10 years have just been an absolute whirlwind for me and hopefully it’s going to carry on. I’ve been lucky, touch wood - actually I say lucky, but I work my ass off.

I have unusual talents. I can cry milk out of my eyes

- I can snort it up my nose and cry it out my eyes. Don’t get me to do that! I was brought up as an only child, so theres lot of strange things that I can do.

Pop Idol 2002 finalist. Recording artist. West End star.

Page 54 / 2013 June

Jade Ellis Even though the X-Factor was only a couple of months ago it hasn’t yet sunk in just how big of an experience it was in my life. Obviously it’s such a huge platform so anyone that wants to sing should go for it. Whether you come out famous or you win it ultimately, just being part of the show is a huge experience.

Looking back on my time on the X-Factor I Credits Tuesday 9th April 2013 Photographer: Benjamin Turgel Model: Jade Ellis Makeup & Hair: Rebecca Yeates Stylist: Sean Azeez Nails: Lauren Weston for Amorous Accademy Videographer: Mark Lever

wouldn’t change anything. I don’t regret it. I enjoyed every single minute of it. It’s the only show that allows normal people to just become something abnormal, something extraordinary. I saw the advert at the end and decided to have a go at doing that. It was a good step of the way, it was just like another confidence boost so ye it was amazing.

Out of every single challenge that there was on the show I think being without my daughter was the

hardest. When you go on the show everyone says you’ll get to see her all the time and it’s fine, but obviously you’re very busy and you’re trying to be as dedicated as you can be to what you are doing at the time. Being away from her was really difficult as you probably could tell from all my VT’s and the millions of tears!

When you come out of the X-Factor absolutely

everybody knows who you are. At the same time you’ve still got to show your personality and the sort of artist that you are going to be eventually. I don’t know yet - maybe it’s too early to decide whether it was a good thing or a bad thing.

Before the X-Factor I was just a working mum. I’m still a working mum, so it’s pretty much the same!

Since the X-Factor I have been doing a lot of gigs up and down the country which have been amazing. The response has been just out of this world. What I am focusing on is writing my own music and getting some original stuff out there. For me I think that’s probably the most important step for you to make when you come off the show.

Single Mother. Bike Mechanic.

2013 June / Page 57

If they allowed me to turn up this year

and When I’m at home pretend to be somebody else I probably would do it again! Some and I just want to people might think I’m absolutely crazy but I probably would do it all again just for the hair, the makeup, the premiers - literally chill. I listen to loads of the whole experience of it is just amazing from start to finish. different things from Muse to Michael Jackson to Jill Scott. it is very varied, but I do like My favourite part about being on the So old music if I’m going to chill programme was obviously getting to share my passion and listen to something, and with people, but also I’ve made some really good friends that I maybe to get in the mood to think will last for a long time. Me, James and Jahmene were like write I might listen to some little peas in a pod and I think that just meeting great people that Billy Holliday. you wouldn’t have met before - we would have probably never had linked together but we have, and we’ve made really good I cant really think of friendships.

My next dream job would probably be being

anything in my life that I’m unhappy with. I live by the rule that

a singer, but to the next level. I want to get my own music out there. I want people to see the artist that I really am. I’m not the if you do something you must artist that was portrayed by the X-Factor. People forget it is a TV have thought it through, so be show and not necessarily giving your own lead to do whatever happy with it or just move on! you like. So I don’t think there’s anything that I’m unhappy about, except Before doing the X-Factor I had sang in public before for the giant condom that I had but ten years ago! I used to do musical theatre in school so I’m to wear on week four! That’s quite used to performing in front of people. But it was the only the only thing that I can think time I have really gone out there and tried to be an artist. It was of that I would possibly not do the first step for me. The first time I ever used a microphone was again. on the X-Factor.

I’d never had any interest in doing any reality TV, and I think that might have been my downfall

Tulisa is probably the most well known person that I have on my phone.

with the show, because I forgot that it was reality TV, not just a singing competition.

I love Jill Scott, Lauren Hill, Leanne Lahavis. They all seem to me to be strong women with their own idea of what their music is, and they don’t want to conform - they just do what they want to do and I think that’s a good way to be.

My family make me very happy.

My daughter, my girlfriend, my mum, but I’m very close with my immediate family. If you ever want to make me very happy just give me some Nandos.

To view the behind the scenes footage of the Jade Ellis shoot scan the QR code using a smartphone:

X factor contestant 2012. Recording Artist. Friends with Tulisa.

To view more of Benjamin Turgelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work go to:

www.turgelphotography.com

To view the behind the scenes footage of Phenomenon scan the QR code using a smartphone: