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JLS

Nadine Hawkins caught up with the X Factor runners up JLS to find out how they manage to stay grounded and exactly why they are at war with girlband The Saturdays

The X Factor came to Hamilton Park Racecourse with stars JLS, Diana Vickers and Ruth Lorenzo all performing after the races. The presence of the gorgeous JLS saw the racecourse full of the usual race goers but also awash with JLS fans. Nadine Hawkins braved the throng of terrifying teenagers to grill the guys on celeb crushes and why girlband The Saturdays are in the bad books!

Can you relate to the lyrics of Beat Again?
Oritsé: Yeah, every single one of us can relate to it. We had a lot of songs come our way but this one stood out. It was an amazing situation to be in because we recorded it one week and the next it was on the radio!

Is there anything you miss about your pre X Factor days?
Oritsé: Family!
Aston: He means spending time with family – obviously we still speak to them!

Are you more wary about what you do in public?
JB: Yeah, a lot more wary. When we are out as a group we have security with us, but individually we have to be careful. Sometimes it’s easier to jump on the bus or tube – and we would like to do it but it isn’t always possible. It’s all part and parcel of the job though.

What has been the highlight for you so far?
Oritsé: For me, it has to be getting a number one single with Mariah Carey’s song Hero.
Aston: For me it was Wembley with 60,000 people.

Were you nervous towards the end of the show, as Simon had made it clear that only the winning act would be signed?
Oritsé: Yeah because in the few weeks after the show nobody had told us anything. We were wondering what would happen to our career and about six weeks later we got a record deal. It was a nerve-wracking few weeks though as we had been told in a few meetings that only the winner would get signed this year. We were joking that it was because of the credit crunch but it turned out to be true! Saying that, if we had have been signed to the same record company as Alex there would have been a lot of competition. So, for us, we are with the right label that understood us and the direction that we needed to take. We definitely made the right decision – it has resulted in us having a good song out.
Marvin: What a long answer! Can you even remember what the question was? Go on, try and remember!

Do you go out much on tour?
Marvin: Yes, we are out every now and then.
Aston: Sorry? What do you mean we go out every now and then?
Marvin: Well, you are out a lot.
Aston: When we have evenings off we go out.
Marvin: Yeah, we go out and collect some phone ­numbers. I’m kidding!

So which celeb do you have a crush on?
Aston: Michelle from Coronation Street.
Marvin: What about her from Heroes?
Aston: That’s my UK one! I didn’t know we were talking global.
[A debate ensues about UK and global top five girls]
All: Megan Fox!
Aston: Hayden? Hayden thingy! And I would have said Frankie from The Saturdays but she said something not very nice about me the other day!

So what is your romantic status?
All: Single.
Marvin: I mean, we are single but...
No.1: Are you players?
Marvin: Yeah! [starts laughing] No, I mean, we can’t hold down a serious relationship – it wouldn’t be fair.
Oritsé: We are only young.
Aston: Well, I am anyway...

How do you keep grounded?
JB: Each other, family and friends.
Marvin: Our mums would be like – slap! [mimics getting slapped]
JB: At the end of the day we are all human beings. It’s just that we do a job that attracts a lot of attention.
Aston: The team don’t let us get carried away, they say, “Guys, keep a level head. Focus.”

Do you keep in touch with anyone from The X Factor?
JB: Yeah, Diana and Ruth obviously. Alex when she is back in town. She’s cool... she’s crazy!
Marvin: We saw Eoghan in Nandos about a month ago!

Did any one of the judges particularly inspire and support you?
JB: Well Louis Walsh obviously. Even Simon to an extent although he isn’t really hands on with anyone. But towards the end Simon really got involved with us.

Who is the most annoying member of the group?
Aston: We all can be. Oritsé is the least annoying.
Marvin: We don’t take ourselves too seriously.

Has anything happened to make you feel that you have made it?
Aston: To say you have made it is a big statement. You can count on one hand the number of people who have made it, like Michael Jackson had made it. We have really just started. I mean there are big artists who are still gigging to this day. Having made it will mean that you can say, ‘You know what? My legacy is there. I don’t need to do anymore.’ Ten years down the line we will be better placed to answer that question.

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