Hannah Sings at School

Despite the disappointment of being booted out of X Factor agonisingly close to the contest's final stages, singer Hannah Bradbeer has told a Sevenoaks school that her adventure is not over.

The 23 year old was at the New School at West Heath on Thursday, showing off the voice that got her to the final six girls of the ITV competition and as well as lending the pupils some inspirational words.

"I didn't really apply myself to work but I have applied myself 100 per cent to my singing and I'm on course to achieve my dream. You can too," she told a packed morning assembly.

"You have got a chance, hard work does prevail," she added before treating the audience to the stunning tones that impressed Simon Cowell and his fellow judges.

Since leaving X Factor, and her office job, the young singer has been busy promoting herself with a variety of television and radio interviews, including an appearance on This Morning.

"The reaction from everybody has been incredible," she added. "There has been lots of positives to take from it".

"I saw the X Factor as a way of going forward with my singing and that's what I hope to do."

News Update

The hopes of a Tonbridge singer were dashed at the weekend when she was knocked out of a TV talent show.

Hannah Bradbeer, of Goldsmid Road, had almost reached the final stage of popular ITV series The X–Factor when she was sent home by judge Cheryl Cole.
"I'm obviously disappointed," said the 23-year-old, who had her sights set on the next and final leg of the show where contestants perform live for the public's vote.
"I would love the opportunity to perform at live shows, which is something I really excel at, and feel the energy from the crowd and enjoy the buzz."

The young hopeful had flown through auditions and boot camp, impressing Simon Cowell and his three fellow judges, to be among the last 24 acts.

She joined five other young female singers to be mentored by the Girls Aloud band member but failed to make the pop star's favourite three.
Now back at home, the former Weald of Kent Grammar School pupil says she is "extremely hopeful" about the future.

"When I look back at things being on the show has opened so many doors for me," she said.

Currently unemployed, Miss Bradbeer said she was now looking to further her career as a vocalist.

"I'm out and about at the moment banging on doors," she added. "It's great. People are taking my calls now."
She said her experience on The X Factor would always have a "fond place" in her heart.

As well as being in the media, she said she enjoyed the environment, the energy, meeting people and spending a few days as a singer. She added her mentor had been "really nice and down-to-earth".

But Miss Bradbeer added: "I loved the experience but I won't go through that again."
She said it had been suggested that her personality had let her down on the show.
"I was holding back because I didn't want to do anything wrong," she said. "Everybody seemed really nice. Everyone was really talented. But I was in it to win it. I wasn't there to make friends."
The singer said she was now backing girl band Bad Lashes to win the show.
She added it would be her

Never Again

Hannah Bradbeer, the Tonbridge woman who narrowly missed out on a place in the final stages of The X Factor, has said she will never again put herself through the experience.Hannah, 23, of Goldsmid Road, made it through to the final six girls in the 14 - 24 age category before being told she had not made the cut by Cheryl Cole.Speaking to the Kent and Sussex Courier today, Hannah said the ITV programme would always have "an extremely fond place" in her heart."I loved the experience," the former city office worker said, "but I won't go through it again."For more of her reaction and to find out who she is backing to win the competition, see this Friday's Tonbridge edition of the Kent and Sussex Courier.

Vogue

Hannah, who says she is firmly single to concentrate on her career, said: “I don’t have a boyfriend, no. I am just searching for stardom so no boys at the moment. I have been a single for a while to keep hold of my dreams.

“I have always wanted to be a singer and go worldwide. Where there is a will there is a way and going on X Factor is a way to put me in front of people who can make that happen and let me live my dream.“My aim is to get a record deal. It was a bit nerving appearing on the show because I have never done anything like that before with all those cameras around you.“I just keep reminding myself to be me and hopefully the judges will see that.”

Hannah lives in Tonbridge with her mum Breda and dad Martin, and has a brother Keiran, 26, who lives away from home. “They are all cheering for me, which is great,” she said. Laughing, but deadly serious, she said: “I just want to be a superstar really. I like to think I am not the next anybody in particular – I want to be me and I want it all.

I love funk, soul and jazz, uplifting music which is enjoyable.“My main musical influences are Aretha Franklin, Mark Ronson, Lisa Stansfield, Oasis, Jools Holland, and James Brown.”On leaving work, she said: “They knew my love was singing and not filing and making cups of tea, so they were not very surprised when I left.”

Vogue spotted her talent before she appeared on TV. They saw her walking back to work from a lunch break and asked about her fashion opinions and to describe what she was wearing. Her picture, seen exclusively on the front page of Observer newspaper, was used on the style magazine’s website.Hannah said: “When they said who they were my jaw dropped and after they took my pictures, I went back to work with a spring in my step.“I was amazed when they stopped me out of everyone.

Maybe I had the X Factor all that time ago. I even admitted I was wearing Primark to them – I love that store, they have plenty of trendy things. I really love fashion.”A spokeswoman for Vogue said: “She really caught our photographer’s eye. Let’s hope she does well on the show.”

And a source on the X Factor show said: “Hannah really made an impression on Simon in particular just by walking out in front of him. It is a nerve-wracking thing for all the contestants, but Hannah seems to absorb the atmosphere and revel in it.”

Hannah Bradbeer Interview

Not many people could say they have performed in front of Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole but for one Tonbridge singer this has become a reality.

Hannah Bradbeer, 23, has taken the first steps to becoming a national star after performing to millions around the country on television talent show The X Factor. "It feels incredible," said Miss Bradbeer, a former Hilden Grange and Weald of Kent Grammar School pupil. "I'm loving every minute of it."

Having wowed the four judges through the initial auditions and bootcamp the singer has now reached the final 24 acts.

One of six performers in the 14 to 24 girls' category, Miss Bradbeer will now be going to the home of Girls' Aloud singer Cheryl Cole to be mentored by the pop star. She said she was enjoying the atmosphere and it was the lifestyle she had always wanted.

She said: "I'm really happy to have got this far. I've always wanted to be a singer. It's always been my goal in life."

Miss Bradbeer, who used to perform at Tonbridge's Oast Theatre from the age of eight, said she had decided a career in singing was for her since she was 11.

"During the auditions I was a little nervous but more raring to go," said the former investment company worker, adding it had been "amazing" to perform in front of Simon Cowell.

"It's great being so near to someone who has the power he does," she said. Miss Bradbeer will now be setting her sights on getting through to the final round, which would see her performing live to millions across the country.

Saying she would "go crazy" if she was knocked out, the young performer added: "Whatever happens hopefully there will be many opportunities to come out of it.

"I would be really disappointed but for every door that shuts hopefully another will open."
She said if she won it would be a relief for her family, who had known it had always been her dream to be a singer