Sam Bailey

Sam Bailey (born 1977) is an English singer, known for winning the tenth series of The X Factor in 2013. Following her win, her debut single "Skyscraper" (originally sung by Demi Lovato) was released on 16 December 2013, achieving the Christmas number one on 22 December 2013.^[2]

In February 2014, Bailey will support Beyoncé on one of the dates of her UK leg of The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour, as well as performing on The X Factor Live Tour.^[3] Her debut album The Power of Love will be released on 24 March 2014.

Early and personal life

Bailey was born in Bexley, London and grew up in Sidcup, London.^[4] She went to Cleeve Park School and Bexley College.^[5][6]

Prior to auditioning for The X Factor, Bailey worked as a prison officer in HM Prison Gartree.^[7] In an interview on Daybreak the day after winning, Bailey said that she would quit her job at the prison.^[8] She currently lives in Leicester with her husband Craig Pearson,^[9] whom she married on 29 January 2003, their two children,^[7] Tommy and Brooke and their deaf Springer Spaniel, Molly.^[9] She is a Leicester City fan.^[10]

Music career

Early career

In 1996, then 18-year-old Bailey formed the ska duo Girls Next Door with her friend Julie Nunney. They recorded a song called "Too Late", which was produced by Right Said Fred bassist Clyde Ward. Simon Cowell heard the song but turned the duo down because they were not on television.^[11]

2013: The X Factor

In 2013, Bailey auditioned for the tenth series of The X Factor, singing "Listen" in her room audition and "Who's Lovin' You" in her arena audition. She was placed in the "over 25s" category and was mentored by Sharon Osbourne. She successfully made it through to "bootcamp" and to "judges' houses", where she was chosen by Osbourne for the live shows along with Lorna Simpson and Shelley Smith. She soon gained the nickname "Screwbo", a portmanteau of "screw" – the name given to prison officers – and "SuBo", due to her audition being reminiscent of that of Susan Boyle's Britain's Got Talent audition in 2009.^[7] Following the eliminations of Simpson in week 1 and Smith in week 2, Bailey became the last over 25 in the competition. On 8 December, she made it to the final along with Nicholas McDonald and Luke Friend.^[12] On 14 December, she duetted with The X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger.^[13] The following night, she sang her winner's single, a cover of "Skyscraper" by Demi Lovato. Later, having received more than 1 million votes over the course of the weekend, she was announced as the winner.^[14] When the voting statistics were announced on The X Factor afterwards, Bailey was revealed to have received the most public votes seven times out of ten.^[15] As the winner, Bailey received a £1 million recording contract with Syco Music and will also support Beyoncé on the UK leg of The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour in February 2014.^[3] Bailey was reportedly due to support Beyoncé at ten shows, but that figure was cut down to just one due to The X Factor Live Tour.^[16]

A report by The Sun claimed that Bailey had "misled the public" by stating she had no previous singing experience, when in fact she had been performing on cruise ships, in clubs and at music festivals for several years. Bailey defended herself in an interview with the Leicester Mercury, stating: "I have been totally honest that I have sang for 20 years but never made it. What's the problem with that?"^[17] An X Factor executive producer also revealed that Bailey had auditioned for the show's fourth series in 2007, but did not get past the first producers' round.^[17]

2013–present: The Power of Love

Bailey's winner's single "Skyscraper" was released via digital download on 16 December 2013, the day after she won the show. On 18 December 2013, the single received a physical release, which features three of Bailey's best X Factor performances – "The Power of Love", "Make You Feel My Love" and "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)".^[18] On The Xtra Factor after the final, judge Gary Barlow said that he would like to write songs for Bailey.^[19] On 22 December, the song debuted atop the UK Singles Chart after selling 149,000 copies in its first week, becoming the UK's Christmas 2013 number one.^[2] In an interview for the Official Charts Company, Bailey said that she wanted to release her debut album in the spring.^[20]

On 21 January 2014, Bailey tweeted that her album will be called The Power of Love and released on 24 March 2014.^[21] The album contains both cover versions and original material.^[22] On 22 January, Bailey appeared at the 19th National Television Awards and sang "The Power of Love".^[23] She also performed a duet of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" with Michael Bolton.^[23]

Discography

Albums

Singles

Tours

• The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour (2014; supporting)
• The X Factor Live Tour (2014)

References