D Tuesday, February 9, 2010 metrolife 15 :60second interview Hayley Sanderson Hayley Sanderson, 27, has sung live each weekend on Strictly Come Dancing for the past three series and is currently on the Strictly Come Dancing tour. Her single Im Yours from new album Just Songs is out now Interview by Andrew Williams Nowadays people just want to be famous but if you love performing youll put yourself through anything to do it You started performing at 12. What was that like? I won a singing competition, bought a small PA system and started doing gigs in pubs and clubs. The songs were all wrong, I was doing Toni Braxton and people wanted to hear Abba. The northern English clubs are the scariest gigs Ive done in my life. They wont dance until halfway through when theyve decided they like you. What was the worst one you did? A UK country pub in the middle of nowhere. I was 14, wearing a shiny blue jacket, thinking I was Beyonc, singing by the toilet, and my aunt kept nipping behind me to take her tablets from her handbag. All my mates had come to watch, it was so embarrassing. Nowadays people just want to be famous but if you love performing youll put yourself through anything to do it. Youve got to do the crap bits as well. What do you think of The X Factor? Its great for Simon Cowell but worrying if thats what the world thinks music is. What if Neil Young, Bob Dylan or David Bowie auditioned? Theyre among the greatest songwriters of all time but they wouldnt get through. Does it give people unrealistic expectations? My friend got quite far in one of those shows but cant get a job doing backing vocals. No one books him because they worry the audience will ignore the main act and start talking about where they recognise the backing singer from. If you genuinely want to be a singer and dont just want to be famous, it can be dangerous, it can ruin your career. What dont you like singing on Strictly? Really modern pop that has hundreds of layers of vocals because we have to replicate it with four singers. I had [to sing] Bonnie Tyler, Bette Midler and Barbra Streisand one week, which was a nightmare as theyve all got very distinctive voices. start crying. It happened about five times a day. I didnt last long. Have you ever had a supernatural experience? I thought I did when I was little. We were away on a school trip and were in bed and I told everyone I could see the devil looking at us through the window and everyone went mental and started screaming. It turned out it was the reflection of someones Glo Worm doll in the glass. You were in a girl group. What was it called? Ruby Fusion. I know, its a terrible name. We worked with the massive American producers Nile Rodgers and Narada Michael Warden. It was an unbelievable experience. The Americans are all like: You guys are amazing, youre going to be the biggest and the best, and make you think youre going to be a star. In Britain theyre more like: Well have a go and see what happens. I prefer being realistic about the world. Has it ever gone wrong? A couple of times. It was Shakira and Kelly Clarkson, who is difficult because she sings really high and constantly belts it. I know they werent my best performances because my mum phoned and said: That didnt sound very good, and shes usually really supportive. Have you had any favourite celebs on the show? I had a soft spot for Chris Hollins and wanted him to win. Hes really sweet. Ola Jordan and Chris are so funny, they get on so well together but shes really tough on him. We were at the BBC and he said: Olas in an absolute mood, shes just gone mental at me, and Ola came round the corner and said: What, Chris? What you say? He takes it all really well. Whats the worst job youve ever had? Telesales. People had a massive go at me for disturbing them at home and Id feel guilty and would index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html