Post by carol on Aug 5, 2012 8:11:51 GMT
ABOVE: Pop star Gareth Gates I get caught up in it all, I love watching X Factor and find myself championing someone Gareth Gates
5th August 2012 By JOE MOTTMR KNOW-IT-ALL
POP Idol Gareth Gates has put down his microphone and re-invented himself as a star of stage and musicals. Appearing in Les Mis, Joseph and now starring with Scouse hottie Jennifer Ellison in Legally Blonde on tour, I spoke to him about X Factor, making music and overcoming his stammer to act.
Joe: TV talent shows have taken over the music business since your days on Pop Idol. Has it gone too far?
Gareth: I think the pressure now is intense. However, it’s so hard to break into the industry at the moment that when you are in that position you would do anything just to get there. I get caught up in it all, I love watching X Factor and find myself championing someone.
J: Are you still making your own music?
G: Recently I did start to write with my mate and guitarist Pete. It’s been a revelation and I’ve found I have songs in me waiting to get out.
J: Having seen all levels of the music industry, is it a career you’d like your kids to get into? G: I don’t think I have a choice. My daughter Missy is already singing and wants to know when she can join Daddy on stage. She’s three! I would warn her of the pitfalls, of course.
J: Tell me a bit about starring in James Bourne’s show Loserville. Did the stammer make it hard?
G: I loved starring in Loserville. There was a lot of dialogue in the show – a fi rst for me – and I don’t think people realised how tough that was with a stammer. I have to approach each role differently from anyone else. If you had told me ten years ago I would be able to act on stage I would have laughed you out of the place.
J: You’ve done Les Miserables and Joseph and you’re now in Legally Blonde with Jennifer Ellison. Is musical theatre your true home?
G: I started doing musicals as a child and I love them. I research every role so I know exactly what I’m doing and what the show is about. I am always thinking about what show I want to do next – I have a list.
J: If your singing voice went forever, what career would you aim at?
G: I’ve got my own performing arts schools – my wife Suzanne and I run a few up and down the country with Jonathan Wilkes and his wife Nikki. I try to get to them and teach a masterclass whenever I can – gateswilkesacademy.com is like a second career.
J: Has Olympic fever got you and do you have any athletic abilities yourself?
G: It’s a fantastic thing for the country. I got to go to the stadium for a celeb opening event before the Games started – it was amazing to see it all while it was empty. I’m competing in a triathlon on Richard Branson’s team in September. I’m quite good at running but not so good at swimming
5th August 2012 By JOE MOTTMR KNOW-IT-ALL
POP Idol Gareth Gates has put down his microphone and re-invented himself as a star of stage and musicals. Appearing in Les Mis, Joseph and now starring with Scouse hottie Jennifer Ellison in Legally Blonde on tour, I spoke to him about X Factor, making music and overcoming his stammer to act.
Joe: TV talent shows have taken over the music business since your days on Pop Idol. Has it gone too far?
Gareth: I think the pressure now is intense. However, it’s so hard to break into the industry at the moment that when you are in that position you would do anything just to get there. I get caught up in it all, I love watching X Factor and find myself championing someone.
J: Are you still making your own music?
G: Recently I did start to write with my mate and guitarist Pete. It’s been a revelation and I’ve found I have songs in me waiting to get out.
J: Having seen all levels of the music industry, is it a career you’d like your kids to get into? G: I don’t think I have a choice. My daughter Missy is already singing and wants to know when she can join Daddy on stage. She’s three! I would warn her of the pitfalls, of course.
J: Tell me a bit about starring in James Bourne’s show Loserville. Did the stammer make it hard?
G: I loved starring in Loserville. There was a lot of dialogue in the show – a fi rst for me – and I don’t think people realised how tough that was with a stammer. I have to approach each role differently from anyone else. If you had told me ten years ago I would be able to act on stage I would have laughed you out of the place.
J: You’ve done Les Miserables and Joseph and you’re now in Legally Blonde with Jennifer Ellison. Is musical theatre your true home?
G: I started doing musicals as a child and I love them. I research every role so I know exactly what I’m doing and what the show is about. I am always thinking about what show I want to do next – I have a list.
J: If your singing voice went forever, what career would you aim at?
G: I’ve got my own performing arts schools – my wife Suzanne and I run a few up and down the country with Jonathan Wilkes and his wife Nikki. I try to get to them and teach a masterclass whenever I can – gateswilkesacademy.com is like a second career.
J: Has Olympic fever got you and do you have any athletic abilities yourself?
G: It’s a fantastic thing for the country. I got to go to the stadium for a celeb opening event before the Games started – it was amazing to see it all while it was empty. I’m competing in a triathlon on Richard Branson’s team in September. I’m quite good at running but not so good at swimming
