Birdy: X Factor pressure would be too much

Teenage folk musician Birdy has said she would never be able to take part in The X Factor because it is a show that wouldn’t allow her to grow as an artist.

The 17-year-old singer – real name Jasmine van den Bogaerde – has seen her own career explode over the last two years since her self-titled debut album was released to critical and commercial success and she feels she has been able to grow ahead of her second record.

‘It was something I used to think about when I was younger and I always wanted to go on it, but I think actually it wouldn’t be very good for me,’ she told Guilty Pleasures when asked if she would ever audition for the ITV singing show.

‘A lot of the time it’s not about the music on those shows but for me that’s what it’s all about. I don’t think being in the public eye that quickly would be something I would be able to handle,’ she said –echoing the words of James Arthur who this week admitted he struggled with the pressure of being in the limelight after winning last years’ show.

With a new single out this week called Wings and a second album to follow later this month, the Hertfordshire lass has already enjoyed considerable success – with a collaboration with Mumford & Sons turning up on the soundtrack to Disney’s Brave – and also a self-penned tune being used for last years’ The Hunger Games starring Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson and Jennifer Lawrence.

‘I think they’re all really brilliant and really well cast. Liam and Josh are both good looking. I’d love to be Katniss!’ she said of the film – and as fans of the novel and film series will know Jennifer Lawrence’s Katniss Everdeen gets involved in a love triangle with Hemsworth’s Gale Hawthorne and Hutcherson’s Peeta Mellark.

However with promotional duties and gigs taking place around Europe, Birdy doesn’t have time for a relationship herself.

‘I don’t have a boyfriend at the moment. It’s not really something I’m thinking of or have time for at the moment – I’m travelling a lot and don’t really get to come home too often.’

[Originally published Metro Guilty Pleasures August 10 2013]