We chat to X Factor’s Honey Fine before dreaded Six Chair Challenge

By Francine Wolfisz
  • Francine Wolfisz is the Features Editor for Jewish News.
2 October 2015, 11:37 am
The X Factor is a Thames/Syco production for ITV. X FACTOR - Series 12 Expect The Unexpected… The X Factor returns to ITV BOOTCAMP COUNTRY HOUSE UNDER STRICT EMBARGO UNTIL 00.01 ON SUNDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER. Picture Shows: ANDY TAYLOR, JAMIE BENKERT, MON AMIE, JOSH DANIEL and BEN CLARKE Television’s biggest search for a music star is back as The X Factor returns to ITV, with a new stellar judging panel and a dynamic new presenting duo. The brand new super six sees Simon Cowell, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, Nick Grimshaw and Rita Ora take their places at the judges’ desk, while presenters Olly Murs and Caroline Flack will be guiding the search to find a potential pop star with an amazing voice and that extra special something. ©Thames/Syco/Fremantle Media

Francine Wolfisz chats to X Factor wannabe Honey Fine ahead of the dreaded Six Chair Challenge

Honey Fine, second left, with fellow band members

There aren’t too many acts that, having only been together for just one week, would consider singing in front of an audience of thousands and a panel of four of the biggest names in music.

But girl band Mon Amie, which includes former Jewish News intern Honey Fine, did just that and suitably impressed this year’s X Factor judges.

Having successfully made their way through boot camp last weekend, the talented four will this week face the dreaded Six Chair Challenge on ITV’s popular talent show.

Fine met fellow bandmates Abi, Monifa and Izzy at the Italia Conti Academy, where she is currently studying performing arts. The bubbly 20-year-old from Bushey, who attended Hertsmere Jewish Primary and Yavneh College, recalls it was a spur-of-the-moment decision to audition for the show, whose judges this year include music mogul Simon Cowell, pop stars Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Rita Ora and Radio 1 breakfast show host Nick Grimshaw.

“I said to the other girls ‘let’s give it a go, you never know what’s going to happen’. When we got through, it was really mad! I guess our training really helped us,” she told Jewish News.

©Thames/Syco/Fremantle Media

The band roared through to the next round, after three of the judges liked their Madonna medley. Only Fernandez-Versini had reservations, due partly to sound issues according to Honey, but the band duly impressed the entire panel when they performed It’s A Wonderful World and Let It Go at the boot camp, which was held this year at the Grove in Chandler’s Cross, Watford. Fine says: “It was mad, but the best experience.

As soon as we got there, we had to find a group to get on stage with, but we didn’t know anybody. Luckily, we were walking around and found these amazing guys.

“That walk from where you are being filmed to the stage where you perform is the longest walk ever – Izzy and I were holding each other’s hands, we were so scared!”

Like many other X Factor contestants, Fine raced to find her phone and call her mum, Tracey, who is a co-creator of the Jewish Princess cookbooks, when the band were given the good news.

Fine laughs: “Obviously, being a Jewish mum, she was screaming and crying down the phone! The next day she had the whole family round.”

This weekend the band battles it out against 14 other acts to take one of the six places at the judges’ houses, the final stage before the live shows.

“It’s been an amazing rollercoaster so far,” adds Fine. “We’re going to keep pushing forward and get our name out there more. We’re really excited for what the future holds.”

• The X Factor continues on ITV on Sunday

 

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