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X Factor Gamu has found time for love
28 Aug 2011 at 09:55hrs | Views
Zimbabwean born X FACTOR star Gamu Nhengu has revealed how getting booted off the TV talent show has become her biggest break. She says she has found time for love with boyfriend Jamie.
The singer became a UK hit last year after her performances won the heart of the nation.
But then judge Cheryl Cole controversially axed Gamu at the Boot Camp stage, ahead of a fight to stay in Scotland after her mum's visa was questioned.
Gamu will showcase songs from her new album for the first time at an exclusive performance at our Great Scot Awards at the Hilton on Saturday, September 10, when Britain's Got Talent winner Jai McDowall will also star.
She said: "If X Factor had gone well, I'd have been more easily swayed to do other things because I wasn't sure what I wanted to do at that stage.
Despite speculation that X Factor producers would give her another chance this year, Gamu has not heard from the show.
Gamu, 19, has been in turmoil for nearly a year as Home Office officials argue over whether she and her family should return to her native Zimbabwe.
But she says she is staying positive about her family's ordeal.
Her mum Nokutula, a nurse, who moved to Scotland to attend university, had her visa renewal turned down in August 2010.
A decision to send the family back to Zimbabwe was overturned by a court earlier this year.
Gamu said: "The court have decided we can stay but the Home Office want to appeal.
"Whether they can appeal or not is up to the court. As far as we know, they haven't at the moment.
"But the lawyer and advocate have been so great and have told me there is nothing to worry about. So I hope I will be sticking around."
Writing songs was the only way Gamu sing at Awards. could cope with the stress of the ordeal but they won't appear on her album.
She said: "I have tried not to let it affect my songwriting and work. If anything, it has probably made it stronger because I have more to say.
"At one point, I had a lot on my mind. I thought of going to a counsellor because it came as such a shock when everything exploded. But I just started writing and wrote it all out.
"Those are songs I will keep in a little box and I will open that little box whenever I need to be reminded just how far I have come."
She describes the songs that will make up her new record as "Gamu-ised" Motown and vintage soul, listing her inspiration as everything from Diana Ross to the Noisettes.
Gamu and her management team have given themselves four more weeks in the studio before deciding which of the songs will make the final cut.
But despite her gruelling schedule, she has found time for love with boyfriend Jamie. The couple have been together for just a few months.
But Gamu says the relationship is serious, adding: "Jamie is just great. He's a guitarist in a band called The Colony and one of his friends took me to watch them play in Glasgow, so that's how we met.
The singer became a UK hit last year after her performances won the heart of the nation.
But then judge Cheryl Cole controversially axed Gamu at the Boot Camp stage, ahead of a fight to stay in Scotland after her mum's visa was questioned.
Gamu will showcase songs from her new album for the first time at an exclusive performance at our Great Scot Awards at the Hilton on Saturday, September 10, when Britain's Got Talent winner Jai McDowall will also star.
She said: "If X Factor had gone well, I'd have been more easily swayed to do other things because I wasn't sure what I wanted to do at that stage.
Despite speculation that X Factor producers would give her another chance this year, Gamu has not heard from the show.
Gamu, 19, has been in turmoil for nearly a year as Home Office officials argue over whether she and her family should return to her native Zimbabwe.
But she says she is staying positive about her family's ordeal.
Her mum Nokutula, a nurse, who moved to Scotland to attend university, had her visa renewal turned down in August 2010.
A decision to send the family back to Zimbabwe was overturned by a court earlier this year.
Gamu said: "The court have decided we can stay but the Home Office want to appeal.
"Whether they can appeal or not is up to the court. As far as we know, they haven't at the moment.
"But the lawyer and advocate have been so great and have told me there is nothing to worry about. So I hope I will be sticking around."
Writing songs was the only way Gamu sing at Awards. could cope with the stress of the ordeal but they won't appear on her album.
She said: "I have tried not to let it affect my songwriting and work. If anything, it has probably made it stronger because I have more to say.
"At one point, I had a lot on my mind. I thought of going to a counsellor because it came as such a shock when everything exploded. But I just started writing and wrote it all out.
"Those are songs I will keep in a little box and I will open that little box whenever I need to be reminded just how far I have come."
She describes the songs that will make up her new record as "Gamu-ised" Motown and vintage soul, listing her inspiration as everything from Diana Ross to the Noisettes.
Gamu and her management team have given themselves four more weeks in the studio before deciding which of the songs will make the final cut.
But despite her gruelling schedule, she has found time for love with boyfriend Jamie. The couple have been together for just a few months.
But Gamu says the relationship is serious, adding: "Jamie is just great. He's a guitarist in a band called The Colony and one of his friends took me to watch them play in Glasgow, so that's how we met.
Source - sundaymail
