The X Factor UK campaign of 33-year-old former Dubai expatriate Ivy Grace Paredes may have had an unexpectedly abrupt end last month, but her journey as a performer continues. Paredes is back in her “second home” Dubai to pay tribute to the people and the fans who supported her in the UK singing competition.
“It feels great to be back because Dubai for me is my second home,” Paredes tells tabloid! in an interview. “I was recognised here more than I was recognised in the Philippines. I love the people here, my friends here, my life here for the past seven years.”
Paredes is in the UAE for a series of shows dubbed The Return of Ms. Ayegee Paredes on Friday, October 21 at Club Of Asia in Wafi Mall, and in Abu Dhabi on October 28 at Societe Club & Restaurant in Sofitel on the Corniche.
Paredes become known for her powerful rendition of Whitney Houston’s All The Man That I Need, impressing all four of the show’s judges during an audition.
“They can expect high notes as always — that is the thing that my fans expect from me. But this time I don’t want them to just hear the songs, I want to touch their hearts as well,” says Paredes. “So I’m going to sing songs that hopefully will make them cry or make them relate to every word that I am singing.”
Ahead of her show on Friday, Paredes sits down with tabloid! and shares her plans for life after X Factor.
How is life after X Factor?
It’s fine. Everything is great. I’ve experienced things that I have not experienced before. I’m not really used to things like this — the interviews. I have a lot of friends now, fans and supporters. A lot of people ask why I was not able to continue with the competition. I tell them as much as I can. I’m kind of loving the life after X Factor, so I hope I could maintain this — the fire in my career now.
What did you miss about Dubai?
The Filipinos here, my friends — they love me in a different way. They made me feel I am home. I am a friend and I am a performer. They support me in everything I do.
After X Factor, what other opportunities have opened for you?
For now, I’m still waiting and hoping for the best to come.
Are you 100 per cent ready to try again at X Factor?
Yeah, I am. I’m still interested to participate in the X Factor and continue what I have started, but there are things that I need to consider, of course — my daughter, my job. I don’t know what’s going to happen in six months’ time, so we will see. I’m thinking about that, but for now I’m really happy that X Factor reassured me that I am very much welcome next year.
What’s your biggest lesson after the whole journey on X Factor?
There’s no such thing as hopelessness. There’s no such thing as ‘too late’. If you have a dream, don’t stop chasing it. Chase that dream and make it happen. The most important thing I learnt at the X Factor was patience — patience to wait for the perfect time for you to shine or achieve your dreams. I also learnt how to work with people you don’t know and to smile whatever the situation is. To deal with everything in a very nice way, in a polite way even though you are already exhausted, you’re feeling really tired. You have so many things to do the whole day, plus the stress to study the song for two or three hours. The thing is, never give up no matter what happens. And if the journey somehow ends, yes it has ended, but it’s not the end of your life and your career. So you have to start anew. There’s no stopping, just move on.
What would have been your chances of winning?
If I was given the chance to continue with the competition, I see myself as one of the top three because that’s my goal. It’s not because of overconfidence, but I trust my capability and my determination to be in the top three. I’m really a fighter, I always tell Simon [Cowell] that I may not win this competition, but I will really give you a good fight and I did. I did give them a good fight.
If you get an offer to work again in Dubai, will you take it?
Yes, I always have the fire to come back here and work as a regular singer, but maybe not now. I don’t know what people may think about this, but the exposure that X Factor has given me is really different. I was seen in different parts of the world. I want to use that so that maybe I can have a better and good career in the Philippines. If given a choice, I want to stay in the Philippines to work and at the same time take good care of my daughter.
What are your tips for aspiring singers?
A lot of people ask me what they can do to improve themselves as an artist or as a singer. I always tell them, don’t stop singing. If you are working now as a regular artist, aim that you are going to be the main artist of the show or participate in big competitions. They should not be contented to be just there, they have to push themselves further. I don’t believe that success only depends on your voice, it should also be the heart. In anything you want in life, you just need to love it, work for it and make it grow.
What are your thoughts about Filipino artists going abroad instead of joining competitions in the Philippines?
I was thinking about that. There are so many artists who can sing well. Do we really need to prove [our]selves outside the country before we are recognised in our own country? It’s a really sad thing for me. Hopefully, the Philippines will support more of its talents. I even have more offers now here in the UAE than in the Philippines. That’s why I love the UAE because the support is not just 100 per cent, but 101 per cent.
Don’t miss it
Ivy Grace Paredes performs at Club Of Asia, Wafi City in Dubai on October 21 (Dh75) and Societe Club & Restaurant, Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche on October 28 (Dh85).
