Pink short suit with gold buttons, pink crop top by Versace, earrings stylist’s own.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\nI expect a sugary, even saccharine, conversation with Lauren Platt. Backed by the nation\u2019s sweetheart, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini on The X Factor, Lauren was painted as the girl-next-door who could pack a punch with her powerhouse voice. Her talent is unquestionable, but being a 17 year old who\u2019s gone from school-girl to celeb in a matter of weeks, I\u2019ve prepped myself for a solid half hour of rehearsed lines about her \u201cjourney\u201d, littered with clich\u00e9s we\u2019re both tired of. Instead of a teenager, I find a music industry professional, reserved, aware and relaxed and I find myself privately embarrassed to have expected a pocket-sized diva. She could teach some of our chart-toppers a thing, or 10, about conducting themselves that’s for sure.<\/p>\n
Fast forward two weeks and Lauren is no longer in the competition, surely a shock for the starlet who was one of Simon Cowell\u2019s personal picks as a finalist. Having Cheryl, a reality show success herself, teach her the tricks of the trade has no doubt helped to prolong Lauren\u2019s time on the show and she can\u2019t insist enough how much she appreciates it. \u201cShe\u2019s so hands-on, she\u2019s so nice, she gives me advice all the time!\u201d Lauren says, in one uninterrupted breath of admiration. Now, I\u2019m no Cheryl, hey, I\u2019m not a Mel or even a Louis, but Lauren says her mentor told her, \u201cThis is your one opportunity so take it!\u201d Surely only motivational words, but I don\u2019t believe for a second that the door to the VIP lounge is now eternally closed for Lauren.<\/p>\n
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