Mel beats X Factor fear factor
Glasgow mum says TV audition felt like a ‘surreal blur’
GLASGOW-born X Factor hopeful Melanie Masson has admitted that auditioning for the show was the most “terrifying moment” of her life.
The 44-year-old, who is married to Scots actor and playwright Forbes Masson, wowed judges – and received a standing ovation from the crowd – with her rendition of Cry Baby by Janis Joplin on Saturday night’s show.
The mum-of-two, who now lives in London, said her audition was “a surreal blur”.
Melanie added: “It’s such an iconic show. It was the most terrifying moment of my entire life.
“It does take a lot to go through that.
“I always thought I’d love to do it, but I was a bit scared because I didn’t know whether they liked me or I was right for the show because I’m kind of bluesy.”
The singer began her musical career when she was 16 and has sung backing vocals for bands, including Happy Mondays and Kasabian.
But budding star Melanie is hoping the X Factor will be the big break she’s been waiting for.
She said: “I have been singing all my life. I started in bands when I was 16, and I’ve been trying to get a record deal for years and years.”
Melanie landed a record deal when she was 26, but was dropped a year later.
The singer then went on to start a family and has been a housewife for the past six years.
She said it was “never the right time” to audition for the show in previous years.
She said: “Prior to getting married I was working and gigging.
“It was never the right time.
“I was always trying to get that big break. I was always in the background, in the shadows.”