X Factor heartthrob to play first Burgess Hill gig

A former X Factor contestant has moved on from his ‘gutting’ exit from the competition as he comes to terms with the surreal life of gigs and groupies he leads.
Alejandro Fernandez-Holt outside St Paul's College. Pic Steve Robards SUS-140513-123527001Alejandro Fernandez-Holt outside St Paul's College. Pic Steve Robards SUS-140513-123527001
Alejandro Fernandez-Holt outside St Paul's College. Pic Steve Robards SUS-140513-123527001

Alejandro Fernandez-Holt, 17, who lives near Wivelsfield railway station and goes to St Paul’s Catholic College, Burgess Hill, made it to boot camp on last year’s show before narrowly missing out on the top six in his category to the disgust of Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger.

He said: “When I look back at the X Factor it was gutting that I didn’t make it any further, especially getting so close as well, but I think I left the competition at a good time, on a high and kept my dignity. It’s cool when people recognise you in the street, I’ve got fans which I thought would never happen, or groupies as they call themselves.”

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He is performing his first ever gig in his home town tonight (May 16) at Quench Bar on Church Road in support of his friend’s father, Tony Bowls from Burgess Hill who suffers from Hyperosinophillic Disorder.

Alejandro Fernandez-Holt made it to boot camp in last year's X Factor. Pic Steve Robards SUS-140513-123500001Alejandro Fernandez-Holt made it to boot camp in last year's X Factor. Pic Steve Robards SUS-140513-123500001
Alejandro Fernandez-Holt made it to boot camp in last year's X Factor. Pic Steve Robards SUS-140513-123500001

Alejandro now works with Crown Talent and Media Group, who manage Jessie J and Union J, and has been scouted by a global children’s franchise to be part of a new TV show in the style of High School Musical and Glee.

He continued: “No originals are being performed tomorrow as of yet so it will just be covers, but I have written a song with the producers and songwriter from Crown and it’s come out very good.”

In his Wembley audition on X Factor Alejandro sparked thousands of onlookers to stand and scream for him when he switched into Spanish during his rendition of Enrique Inglesas’ Hero, a video which has more than four million hits on YouTube.

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“It’s amazing what TV can do, I really can’t believe it,” Alejandro said.

“I’m not going to go back on again, it’s the best thing I’ve ever done and the hardest at the same time, I wouldn’t want to go through that again.”

Nicole Scherzinger described him as ‘very good and very hot’ and said she wants ‘to see all the girls screaming for you in the arena’

“When it comes to the teenage heartthrob part, I don’t know, it just seems too surreal to be called that, especially when I think about where I was this time last year,” Alejandro added.

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Recently Alejandro has been approached by Brian Rawling, who has worked with the likes of Lionel Ritchie, Kylie Minogue and Whitney Houston.

Alejandro added: “The last year has been pretty mental, If I think of the difference between performing in school a year ago to Wembley Arena, it’s massive. I’ve been socialising with celebrities, met the X factor judges, the casts of The Only Way is Essex, Made in Chelsea, Eastenders, it’s endless. 90,000 boys auditioned and I got to the final seven, it totally blows my mind!

“I’m sure that the X Factor isn’t the last people will be hearing of me.”

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