By Nicola Moyne
STACEY Soloman shot to fame on the X Factor last year, and her bubbly personality instantly became as popular as her singing.
She didn’t win the competition, but she did win the nation’s heart. And now she’s set to do it all over again with her track At Last – a song fans will remember from the show. Only this time it’s, well, bigger.
After being asked to collaborate with the infamous RAF Squadronaires earlier this year, Stacey is now proud to have recorded the track for their new album, In The Mood: The Glenn Miller Celebration and, along with Dame Vera Lynn, has helped to publicise the RAF’s latest appeal to find previous members of the band.
“I was so excited to be asked,” the 20-year-old enthuses. “One of the band members saw me sing At Last on the X Factor and asked me to sing on the album, so of course I said yes!
“It was wicked working with the band and it’s something that means a lot to me because my cousin is serving in Afghanistan at the moment.”
Indeed, Stacey seems to have really enjoyed the process and admits she’d love to perform for the troops one day.
“I’d love to sing for them but I don’t know if I’d be allowed,” she laughs. “They do an amazing job, so it’d be great to get out there and entertain them with the band.”
However, while Stacey has enjoyed the experience she’s keen not to be pigeon-holed in the music industry and tells me: “I don’t usually listen to big band music – it’s more my Grandma’s sort of thing really.
“Although I wouldn’t say no to recording another Big Band track, I’d love to try something different in the future.”
So are there plans for a debut album?
“Please God, I hope so,” the mum-of-one laughs. “Since the X Factor it’s been completely crazy, but I really want to keep singing and if I get to record an album I’ll be the happiest girl ever.”
And with that sort of enthusiasm, who could say no?
In The Mood: The Glenn Miller Celebration is released in May. Visit www.raf.mod.uk/rafmusic.