"I Feel Normal Again" -Digital Spy

Rebecca Ferguson: 'I feel normal again'

Sunday, December 26 2010, 6:46am EST

By Daniel Sperling, Entertainment Reporter X Factor runner-up Rebecca Ferguson has expressed delight at being able to return to a normal life. 

The Liverpudlian singer commented that spending the festive period with family members had allowed her to feel like herself again for the first time since the ITV talent contest.

She told the Daily Mail: "It's so nice to be home for Christmas. I feel like Becky again. I’m looking forward to Christmas with my family and my babies in Liverpool."

Ferguson, who has reportedly been signed to Simon Cowell's record label along with fellow X Factor finalists One Direction and Cher Lloyd, added that she hoped the upcoming tour would be a fitting end to a defining chapter of her life.

"Doing The X Factor was very emotional," she confessed to the Liverpool Echo. "I first auditioned in March so it’s almost been a full year for me.

"I’m going to miss everyone, especially One Direction and Matt, but I’ll see them all on the tour next year... I want to thank everyone that voted for me and supported me. I want to tell them I’m so happy [and] it’s not the end."

"Rebecca's Life Gets Back To Normal With Christmas" -Daily Mirror

She's had an action-packed few months, become a national sweetheart and coming second on The X Factor.

But, for the festive period at least, it's back to normality for Rebecca Ferguson, who was spotted doing some last-minute Christmas shopping in Liverpool on Thursday.

The 24-year-old singer admitted she was looking forward to taking some time away from the spotlight to spend Christmas with her children Lillie, six, and four-year-old Karl.

Shopping trip: X Factor star Rebecca Ferguson steps out in Liverpool yesterday to pick up some last-minute Christmas presents

Military chic: Rebecca looked chic in a navy and red coat, black tights and cute black suede 

She said: 'It’s so nice to be home for Christmas. I feel like Becky again. We’ve got our tree up. I just wanted to get a few more treats for the kids.

'They’re really excited. I’m looking forward to Christmas with my family and my babies in Liverpool.'

The singer looked stunning in a military-style red and navy blue coat, teamed with black tights and cute suede boots for her shopping trip, and was mobbed by fans as she got out of her taxi ready to hit the stores.

Singing star: Rebecca performing during the final of The X Factor

Rebecca, who won the nation over with her down-to-earth attitude during her time on The X Factor, also admitted she was finding it strange not being part of the reality show.

She added to the Liverpool Echo: 'I’m going to miss everyone, especially One Direction and Matt, but I’ll see them all on the X Factor tour next year.

'Doing The X Factor was very emotional. I first auditioned in March so it’s almost been a full year for me.

'I want to thank everyone that voted for me and supported me. I want to tell them I’m so happy. It’s not the end!'

"Rebecca Reveals Plans" -Liverpool Echo

X Factor star Rebecca Ferguson reveals her next big gig and plans for Christmas in Liverpool

Dec 24 2010 by Tina Miles, Liverpool Echo

LIVERPOOL’S Rebecca Ferguson showed it’s onwards and upwards as she prepared for her next big performance – but first she hit the city’s shops for Christmas gifts.

Despite narrowly missing out on winning The X Factor, Rebecca was confident about her future and revealed she is lined up for a string of appearances.

The singer will join winner Matt Cardle, 27, to play Twickenham Stadium when the Harlequins take on London Irish on Monday.

But Rebecca , 24, said she has spent this week relaxing at home, wrapping presents and watching Christmas films with her two children.

She told the ECHO she couldn’t be happier as she got ready to spend Christmas day with Lillie May, six, and Karl, four.

The show’s runner-up took time out from her busy post-X Factor schedule yesterday to trawl the shops for stocking fillers for her little ones.

Rebecca said: “It’s so nice to be home for Christmas. I feel like Becky again.

“We’ve got our tree up. I just wanted to get a few more treats for the kids.

“They’re really excited. I’m looking forward to Christmas with my family and my babies in Liverpool.”

The ECHO exclusively revealed how the single mum was house hunting in Liverpool. She later tweeted that her mum Anne Jameson, from Toxteth, had “found a lovely one.”

Rebecca packed her things and moved out of the X Factor house in London shortly after the glittering final on December 12.

She said it was “lovely” to catch up with the contestants – including her favourite One Direction boys – at the show's wrap party at Studio Valbonne.

Rebecca, who opted for a stunning asymmetric blue dress and strappy heels for the occasion, said she was looking forward to her bright future.

She said: “I’m going to miss everyone, especially One Direction and Matt, but I’ll see them all on the X Factor tour next year.

“Doing The X Factor was very emotional. I first auditioned in March so it’s almost been a full year for me.

“I want to thank everyone that voted for me and supported me. I want to tell them I’m so happy. It’s not the end.

“I’m looking forward to playing Twickenham and I’ve got more appearances to come.”

Rebecca has picked up fans including Amy Winehouse, Adele and Paloma Faith, who all reportedly want to work with her.

Since the X Factor she performed to hundreds of fans at the G-A-Y night at Heaven in London after a seven hour-plus journey from Harrogate, where she also sang for fans.

On Monday, the Anfield mum will be joined at the rugby union game by former X Factor contestant Jamie Archer and PDG Dance Group from Pineapple Dance Studios.

Tickets can be bought from Ticketmaster.

"Exclusive: X Factor Bitching Helped Rebecca on the Show" -Now Blog

The show's runner up overheard nasty comments

Rebecca Ferguson didn't let the nastiness get her down

Even X Factor sweetheart Rebecca Ferguson couldn't escape the bitching in the contestants' house.

Rebecca, 24, was on the receiving end of a bit of jealous moaning from a member of Belle Amie.

'Rebecca had come back from rehearsals and heard whispering from the lounge next door,' an X Factorinsider tells Now.

'One of Belle Amie started saying stuff about Rebecca...that rehearsals took ages and Rebecca was always given a lot of time.

'It was quite mouthy and they weren't talking in a nice way.'

Gentle mum-of-two Rebecca - who finished runner-up to Matt Cardle - decided not to confront the grumbling girlband member.

'Rebecca was very dignified and just said she was going to use the bitching to spur her on,' says our source.

'She's a lovely lovely girl.'

"Rebecca's Hard Work Has Paid Off" -Now Blog

Rebecca Ferguson: I missed my kids' first day of school for The X Factor

The X Factor runner-up reveals her heart-breaking dilemma

Rebecca Ferguson's hard work has paid off

Rebecca Ferguson's decision to sacrifice precious time with her children to take part in this year's X Factorwasn't easy.

'I found it really hard,' she reveals.

'I've missed their birthdays and their first day of school and I was just thinking, "Is it all going to be worth it?"'

But after being voted runner-up to Matt Cardle, 27, in The X Factor
final and landing a lucrative recording contract with Simon Cowell, it seems that Rebecca made the right call.

The Liverpudlian now hopes to buy a nicer house for Lillie May, 6, and Karl,
4, her kids with ex Karl Dures. She has been snapped house hunting in her home city.

'I just kept hoping I could do well enough to get a job or to get enough money for a house deposit for my kids,' says Rebecca, 24.

'That's all I need.'

Illustrator: Kath Walker

"Careful Who You Sleep With" -Fresh Business Thinking

By Louise Findlay-Wilson

Why did Matt Cardle win the X Factor? Sure he sang well and he'd been the front-runner for weeks. But something happened in the final that nailed it for him...


His partnership worked...

When he sang with Rihanna she towered over him by some measure, and looked like she'd eat him for breakfast, but this didn't diminish him. Indeed he looked like he'd enjoy it if she did! The moment he looked her up and down appreciatively, then looked her in the eye and sang his top notes, I knew he'd won. We were reminded that he might be an 'ordinary bloke' but was masculine, confident, a good singer ...a winner.

In contrast the gorgeous, likeable Rebecca Ferguson - arguably with the better voice - had a partnership with Christina Aguilera that didn't work. With one classy and the other brassy, their brands didn't fit! And damningly, Rebecca looked star struck. As she looked on in awe at the peroxide warbler, we were all reminded that Christina was the star here (albeit a faded one), and Rebecca was the wannabe. It worked for Christina but not for Rebecca!

As for One Direction's pairing with Robbie Williams, this was a fundamental error on Simon Cowell's part. His group looked like enthusiastic puppies not entitled pop stars! Sure the 'boy band fit' was good, and they had lots of confidence, but with Take That in the ascendance at the moment it made me think (and lots of others I'm sure) who needs One Direction, when we've Take That!

Interestingly Cher's pairing worked well. It fitted with brand ' Cher.' She was confident, comfortable with Will.i.am and held her own on the stage with him. Indeed it was a genius partnership. But it couldn't do....it all. It wasn't going to make her more likeable or mainstream enough for the zillions watching in their homes.

There are PR lessons to be learned from all of this. Partnerships (be they joint initiatives, sponsorships, co-branding opportunities) can be a valuable part of a PR campaign but only if you 'sleep with the right people....

* Have a clear strategy for why you are partnering with them
* Ensure the connection says the right things about YOU
* Your pairing should reinforce your brand's messages
* Your brands must fit and look comfortable together
* Even if your company is smaller, you must be able to hold your own
* Don't partner with some who makes you look small, diminished
* Just because it works for them, doesn't mean it will work for you
* Don't expect it to solve all your PR problems