Gary Barlow.. the new Simon Cowell?

Heyy dear Vocadlets! How are we all today? I hope you are all well, and getting excited for Vocademy GIG WEEK next week! I cannot tell you how excited I am to be able to watch all you guys perform, I’m sure you will all be fab!

Now, I who else is excited for Christmas?! It’s only 39 days away, I cant believe it, this year’s gone so quickly! I bet youre all excited about getting your presents on Christmas day, I’m definitely looking forward to Christmas dinner! YUM!

Poor Frankie caught Pneumonia on a recent trip to Iceland

So who’s heard about poor Frankie Sanford and how ill she’s been recently :0( I didn’t actually realise how bad it was, she contracted pneumonia from filming the video for their new single, When My Heart Takes Over, in Iceland! APPARENTLY sources close to The Saturdays star say that she fears for her future, and that she ‘may never be able to sing again’. It’s a very sad time in celebsville at the moment, what with poorly Adele and now Frankie! Hope you get better soon!!

One third of group N-Dubz - Dappy, performed his solo single, 'No Regrets'.. But forgot the words.. hmmmmm

SO, who watched the Children in Need gig?! It was PHENOMENAL! Definitiely a great idea to raise money for the Children in Need cause, so many stars! Including the like of; Lady Gaga, Coldplay, JLS, Jessie J, James Morrison plus, ED SHEERAN, to name a few! Did anyone see Dappy and Fazers performance? I thought it was actually alright until Dappy forgot his words, how can you forget words to a song YOU wrote? Very strange....

Member of boyband Take That, Gary Barlow, organised the Children in Need Rocks gig, and was supposed to be performing with Cheryl Cole

Anyway, lets talk the god that is… GARY BARLOW. Now, who thinks that Gary Barlow is definitely becoming another Simon Cowell?! He’s seems to be taking over the world at the moment, and apparently genuinely organised the whole CIN gig!

It was a shame to see Gary perform on his own though, after announcing that Cheryl Cole, who was supposed to perform ‘Back for Good’ with him, was ill with Pharyngitis L But at least we got to see a lot more of Gary! Yum! Watch Gary's performance here; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_Pv2OQSJIg

Ed Sheeran performed a cover of 'Feeling Good' on the Radio 1 Chris Moyles show

So guys Ive decided to give you guys my song of the week ever time I blog, and you guys can tell me if you love or hate!
Now, When I was driving in my little car on the way to work last week, I was listening to Radio 1. And the delightful guest, was Ed sheeran (such a lovely boy)! Now, I’ve never been a massive fan of Ed, however, he did a version of the song ‘Feeling good’ accompanied by his acoustic guitar.. it was AMAZING! He’s got such a lovely soothing voice, and the dynamic he uses in his voice is brilliant. I definitely feel that whenever he I listen to his music, I always really believe what he’s singing, which in this day and age, you don’t really get with singers anymore!  Brilliant little Ed, just brilliant, have a fan for life now!

Let me know what you guys think!

Ellis xxx

Frankie Cocozza leaves the X Factor competition!

Frankie at one of his first auditions, in his better behaved days!

Hello My little Vocadlets!

Firstly, it goes without saying that its is now the RUNUP TO CHRISTMAS! Im so extremely excited it’s unreal, and we have decided to decorate the Vocademy office on the 5^th of November! How exciting! Although I don’t really think there are many orange Christmas decorations around? I know some of you guys will be going ‘it’s nowhere near Christmas!’ HOWEVER – here at Vocademy, we have so many Christmas events coming up it’s crazy! Which is absolutely brilliant for our students! We’re getting involved in BBC radio this Thursday morning, Horsham on Saturday for the turning on of the lights, BBC the following week for a grease performance plus LOADS more! Check out our VOCADMEY EVENTS page for more details!

Frankie and mentor Gary Barlow celebrating Frankie escaping elimination

Right now – im guessing ALL of you (well probably most) have been watching the X Factor over these past couple of months. And even if you haven’t I’m sure you’ve heard about it.. or some of the contestants anyway, and maybe not for the right reasons! In shocking breakthrough news - contestant Frankie Cocozza has officially been withdrawn from the competition after a statement was released only today by an official ITV spokesperson! This hasn’t come as a shock to many viewers, as Frankie has been the cause of much controversy surrounding the show – from his disrespectful antics off and on TV. The spokesperson said; ‘Frankie is going to take some time out before continuing his career as a singer. We wish him all the best for his future.’ 

Frankie later released a statement saying his personal life has become ‘out of control’ and he ‘no longer deserved a place in the competition’ He also added;

"I'd like to apologise to Gary, my fellow contestants and everyone who has voted for me, but, as of today (8 November), I will no longer be in The X Factor.

"My life during the show has gone out of control and my behaviour off stage has overstepped the rules of the competition.

"I no longer deserve my place in the show, so I am therefore leaving. I would like to thank everyone who has supported me."

Seen here with former X Factor contestant, Amelia Lily, Frankie is said to have been popular with the ladies 

The cheeky chappy has been spotted on boozy nights out and seen with lots of different girls. Some viewers of the ITV show have complained to television regulating company Ofcom about his behavior, from swearing onstage before the 9pm watershed,  and his clubbing nights - as it is seen to be ‘glamourising alcohol use’.

Now, I have to admit, I was a bit of a fan of Frankie Cocozza during the shows and has amazing charisma, but I think he’s completely taken this fame thing way too far! As a young person -  How do you feel about Frankie? Is he a good role model? And the big question – can he REALLY sing?

Let me know your thoughts!

Ellis xxx

Adele to have operation on throat & X Factor contestant Sophie Habibis covers The Calling

Hello my little Vocadlets!

How has your Halloween been? I saw SO many scary costumes over the weekend and they all looked FAB! I’m a little bit sad that I didn’t get to dress up, but I bet you guys did! What did you all dress up as? I bet you looked AWESOME!

I was with some Vocademy students in Horsham on Saturday, as they performed at the Halloween show! One of our little students was dressed up, and a couple of the girls had facepaints on – Very scary!

Singer Adele is to have an operation on her throat

SO a bit of bad news for poor Adele this week L She’s having to have an operation after suffering from a haemorrhage near her vocal chords. BUT to make matter worse, this now means she’s had to cancel the rest of the years tour dates and COMPLETLEY recuperate. This is very sad, I feel so sorry for her. I absolutely love her voice, it’s so big and powerful, but also reminds us how important it is to take really good care of our voice, in the way we sing and warm it up! Even though I don’t know So remember guys to do your exercises regularly, and always warm up before singing!

This news is also sad for those of you who are maybe going to see Adele, but now cant! I’d LOVE to go and see her live, and am VERY jealous of people who have seen her! Have you seen her sing live? Where did you see her?

Singer Charlene Soriara covered 'Wherever you will go'
for the Twinings advert

Another incredible talent I have recently discovered is a little singer called Charlene Soriara. She has covered The Calling’s song – Wherever You Will Go for the Twinings advert (which was done by X Factor contestant Sophie Habibis, but more about that in a mo!). And the song as now become so huge, EVERYONE is listening to it, and the original has now made it back it into the charts! Charlene is actually a folk singer,  and grew up in London. ANNDD she went to the BRIT school with Adele and Kate Nash! Oooh! 

Sophie Habibis on the X Factor, Saturday 29th October

So yes.. Sophie Habibis. She did a rendition of Charlene’s version of the song on X Factor last Saturday. Now, don’t get me wrong, I liked Sophie’s voice, I didn’t think it was as amazing as everyone said it was, but it was ok. But I DEFINITIELY think I must be missing something with this performance.. I thought it was awful! She was definitely off pitch, and flat at times, but the judges loved her, I don’t get it?! 

Although, it seems the british public didn't, as she was voted off the show in sundays results show. Anyway, decide for yourself.. watch her performance here;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QwhuBSVjoY

What do you think?

And the big question… Who’s your favourite X Factor contestant? What do you think about Frankie Cocozza?

Let me know!

Keep singing!

Ellis xx