‘Simon likes it when he remembers people and he loves us!’ Bratavio are ready to win The X Factor
As the groups prepare for the live shows, who's really got what it takes?
Josh and Kyle Brooks, 17, are The Brooks
You got to Judges’ Houses in 2014 and now you’re back. What’s changed?
Kyle: Being sent home by Louis Walsh back then was a big knock for us but, in hindsight, it was the right thing to do. We were so new to everything. For the past two years we’ve been getting experience and developing our sound, and we have done three UK tours now.
Is it good to have each other for support?
Josh: It’s amazing because we have such a close bond. Kyle’s my best friend and it’s good to have someone so close to you to go through this whole experience with because it can get really tough. I feel sorry for the solo artists who have to take it all on their shoulders on their own. We’re so lucky – we never feel lonely.
Kyle: Don’t get me wrong, we argue, we fight, but we have each other and that is what you need in an industry like this. You need someone you can turn to and trust 24/7. I think we take it for granted sometimes.
How’s it been working with Louis again?
Kyle: We weren’t too sure if we were going to come back this year, but as soon as we found out Louis was returning to the judging panel, we knew we had to go back.
Josh: We hoped to get him as a mentor. I feel like we started this journey with him – we went to his house in Bermuda last time, which was incredible. We kind of have that bond with Louis and he knows us more than the others. I feel like he’s always seen potential in us.
Kyle: He can see that growth more than the other judges. Louis is really caring. He’ll drop us a text and see how we are and talk about songs with us. He really looks after all his acts.
And you were reunited with 2014 runner-up Fleur East at Judges’ Houses…
Kyle: The most inspirational thing is, we were with Fleur two years ago at Boot Camp, and now she’s judging us. Fleur was like Louis, she has seen us grow during the competition.
Josh: This show can make people in such a short time. You’ve really got to work hard and it can happen to you. In the house [where all the contestants live] there’s a room with pictures of people from the show who have been successful: One Direction, JLS, Little Mix... Every one of them started where we are now. I was quite overwhelmed looking at it.
Do you have girlfriends?
Josh: We are both single. I don’t think we have time for girls right now!You have a big fanbase online…
Kyle: We have around 100,000 followers on Twitter. Just to know we’ve got people out there supporting us is crazy.
Josh: Every time we’ve aired, and even
when we haven’t, we’ve trended on Twitter. There are so many supporters and fans out there and we’re really grateful for that.
Ottavio Columbro, 24, and Bradley Hunt, 23, are Bratavio
Where did you meet?
Bradley: At Southampton University.
What do you say to people who call you a novelty act?
Bradley: We’re serious about having fun – but we are a proper act. One hundred per cent.
Ottavio: Look at Lady Gaga, for example, she’s got all those eccentricities and she’s selling millions of records worldwide. Why can’t we?
How will you win Simon Cowell over?
Bradley: He loves us anyway. Simon likes it when you see that the audience are loving it and we do that. He’s softened this year.
Ottavio: He likes it when he remembers people and he definitely knows who we are!
Tell us about your unique style…
Ottavio: Loads of people just come out and sing, but we give more. It’s like we’re telling a story each time. At the Six Chair Challenge, we wanted to dress metallic and we knew gold and silver were strong colours.
Bradley: But people linked the shiny stuff to tinfoil and chicken again – they always do!
What is it with you and chicken? Ottavio, you pushed Bradley in the pool at Judges’ Houses because of Chickengate…
Bradley: I thought he was over it!
Ottavio: It was like closure: “Don’t ever cook me chicken again!” I put it to bed after that. Though I was nice as I took the microphone off him because I thought about health and safety. I didn’t want him to electrocute himself. Bradley: It was just banter, but I inflated as I was wearing pompoms that absorbed water.
Are you pleased Louis is your mentor?
Ottavio: Louis can see the X Factor in someone before anybody else. We were so excited as we know Louis champions the acts people think aren’t going to do well but, in fact, do.
Bradley: Louis doesn’t care when people say he’s made the wrong decisions.
Did you get on well with Alesha Dixon and Fleur at Judges’ Houses?
Bradley: They were crying with laughter – they didn’t know what to think of us.
Ottavio: Alesha said: “Do you always squabble?”
Bradley: I love Fleur and I was reciting her whole album in order. I know it off by heart.
Do you have a love/hate relationship?
Ottavio: I love him, he hates me!
You’ve both been on TV before, what makes The X Factor different?
Ottavio: This is the biggest show we’ve done.
Bradley: It’s our moment – the breakthrough.
Ottavio: The reason we’ve done a few reality shows is that each series brought a different experience. With Coach Trip, I’d never been abroad before, so I thought I could fly for the first time. We’re not fame hungry. We’ve got degrees, so we could easily go into a well-paid job. But we’re doing this as there’s a passion there and people have to understand that.
Ottavio, you did X Factor in 2012. It must feel good to get further this time…
Bradley: He has a secret weapon – me!
Ottavio: I have Bradley and it just works. We’re just being us at the end of the day.
What are you planning for the live shows?
Bradley: We want to fly over the audience on harnesses and we want trampolines on stage.
Ottavio: We’d like to bring a bit of drama.
We want to make the audience happy. We’re that splash of colour in a dull world of grey.
Kieran Alleyne, 21, Nathan Lewis,24, and Jordan Lee, 20, are 5 after midnight
So boys, how did you meet?
Kieran: Through mutual friends.
Jordan: It was about three weeks before
the first audition. At the Six Chair Challenge, we’d only been together for five weeks.
How’s Louis as a mentor?
Kieran: He’s the king of The Groups! He sees potential that other people don’t – like with Jedward. Everyone was like: “What are you doing?” And Jedward have gone on to do
big things. That’s why he’s a great mentor.
Jordan: At first I was sceptical, but once you speak to Louis you realise he’s really smart about the industry, especially groups.
Did you have fun at Judges’ Houses?
Kieran: It was our first holiday as a band. It was a bonding thing, we really got to form that brotherly connection. We met Craig David at Ibiza Rocks too – he said to always have fun and remember you’re doing what you love to do.
Was there a massive celebration after you made it to the live shows?
Nathan: All our families were together when we got back and broke the news. After the initial celebration, everyone got to spend time with their families before having a few days off and then going straight back to work.
Do you have girlfriends?
Kieran: Some of us are in relationships, and some of us are single…
Do you feel famous yet?
Jordan: Yesterday we were walking down Oxford Circus in London and people were like: “Oh my God, it’s you! Can we take a picture please? We love you guys!”
Kieran, you’ve acted and sung before. Does that give you an unfair advantage?
Kieran: Doing solo stuff and being in a group is completely different, it’s like you’re a novice again. Everyone gets the same treatment on the show, we had to do all the same rounds and we’ve been judged as a band, not individually, so I don’t think it really matters.
What can we expect in the live shows?
Nathan: We’ve got a few tricks up our sleeve, but we’re not going to reveal anything too soon.
Kieran: I’ve got some crazy ideas if there’s a Halloween night – if we’re still in it then…
Jordan: The live shows are the time to show our versatility. We’re not just urban pop. I love that the viewers get to see a different side to us each week however far we make it.
Nathan: This whole experience has been so amazing, but my favourite part so far has been the Six Chair Challenge because having a live audience is a buzz unlike any other. With the opportunity to perform to an even bigger audience this time and live – I’m so excited, I can’t even begin to explain!