Pop World

Fame Academy's Carrie knows Alex has star quality - but can she handle the pressures of fame?

She sat on the panel for Fame Academy, coached the voices of the original Pop Idols and worked with the likes of Rachel Stevens and Charlotte Church. So who better to ask for advice on how to make it big than Carrie Grant?

You've always had your bets on Alex to win, what made you think she had it?
She's just unique. You look at Alex and just think, `Well, who's she up against? Dido maybe?' That's a huge compliment, but that really is her market and that sort of uniqueness doesn't come around very often. I'm a total believer in her and I think she's an amazing artist.

How do you think she's going to cope with the new-found fame?
She needs time to adapt. Alex is from quite a small community, but she she's someone who has all the tools she needs to adapt to the situation. She's very bright and emotionally intelligent, but it's difficult for anybody who gets given a million-pound record deal, a flat and all this attention, especially when they've just turned 19.

What advice would you give her?
Nothing prepares you for people walking up to you and bursting into tears. When we took the students to Brent Cross Shopping Centre, people were just going up to Alex and crying. She found that really freaky, but the great thing is she talks about it. Alex isn't one of those people who would let it go to her head. If she loves doing what
she's doing, she'll put up with the pressures.

Do you think she'll change with fame?
I hope not. Obviously she's going to evolve, and it's only right that she does. It's totally amazing that a female has finally won a talent show, and I'm glad it's someone who is such a great example to other women. She's very beautiful, but she doesn't feel she has to flaunt everything, and that's fantastic.

Do you think she'll get a hard time because of Fame Academy?
Of course, there will always be backlash from anyone who thinks it's an easy ride. All of these people; Gareth Gates, Will Young, David Sneddon, they have a couple of big hits then they've still got to prove that they can do it. And that is where I think Alex will
really come through - once those first hits on the back of the TV stuff are over, then she'll have to knuckle down and prove herself.

Who do you think is a great artist?
Daniel Bedingfield. He's an amazing guy, he gets a lot of stick because he's an unusual character, but at least he's not giving the same old bland answers. I tell you who else I'm really impressed with is Rachel Stevens. When she was in S Club she was quite
overshadowed and took a back seat. When I first heard her voice she really didn't
have faith in her abilities, but hearing her now you can tell that her confidence has grown. I'm really proud of her and I think her first single is brilliant.

Finally, what advice would you give to anyone trying out for Fame
Academy?
People who are going about it via competitions should remember that Pop Idol is looking for pop acts so that's pretty straightforward, you just need to be able to look good and have a great voice. Me and my husband worked on it last year and it's a great show. Fame Academy is a little more complex, you have to have identity, you have to be able to sing and write. So make sure you brush up on those skills as
much as you can before you actually come for the audition.