Andrea Faustini: ‘The Spice Girls made me want to sing’

With the buzz around the latest series of X Factor reaching fever pitch following the shock dumping of Louis Walsh and Mel B and the arrival of Radio 1 presenter Nick Grimshaw and pop star Rita Ora, it’s easy to forget pretty much everything and everyone from the previous series of TV’s noisiest juggernaut.

Well, except, perhaps, for that little Italian bear cub Andrea Faustini. Remember him? Of course you do. He was the 20-year-old Italian student who bravely left his family behind to come to London to audition, and who we all fell in love with the minute he opened his mouth.

With his cute, beardy Shoreditch look, penchant for pug jumpers and diva-like vocals, Andrea looked, at first, to be a dead cert to scoop the X Factor title. But then something changed, and as the series rumbled toward it’s ultimately lacklustre conclusion, Andrea suddenly found himself in the bottom two before eventually losing out to Fleur East and Ben Haenow in the semi finals last December.

Triumph may have been cruelly ripped away, but you can’t keep a good bear down and super-cute Andrea has been frantically working away on an album he’s decided to call Kelly…

Why call your album Kelly? It’s a strange name for an album. A tribute to Kelly Maloney, perchance?

Haha, actually no. Kelly is an alter ego. The song Kelly on my album is a story about a girl who leaves her family because she loves a guy that they don’t like. My story is different, but similar in that she is brave enough to follow her dreams. Because the song sums up some of my experiences – following my dreams – I thought the album had to be called Kelly.

After bowing out third, did you think the dream was over?

It was disheartening at first, but I found out I was making an album a month after I went back to Italy. It’s happened so fast, I can scarcely believe it. I’m embracing every moment. It’s a chance to grow. I actually bought a diary and a pen to keep notes in. This is crazy!

Part of your charm on the show was that you were so cute and smiley but at the same time vulnerable.

I am still like that. On the show I didn’t realise what was happening, especially the first week. I still couldn’t believe I was there and I still feel like that now. It’s just so crazy. I am still insecure – this is my first time doing something like this. But I know I have to be strong and brave.

You’re such a sensitive young lad. Did you have a happy time at school growing up?

You know what, I have been lucky. But I have met some bitches in my time. Wherever you go you will find them. I am lucky because I never experienced anything as bad as some kids do, who feel they have had to take their lives. That is something that has never crossed my mind. But I know I am very lucky. I am surrounded by great people. The people I hung out with back then, I am still very good friends with now. I am lucky, because I know it’s not a happy time for everyone.

You have a look and style that gay guys like. Do you have a lot of them falling over themselves to speak to you?

I think I appeal to lots of people. And I love that. I feel embraced by all sorts of people. I am quite happy that I have young, old, gay and straight people supporting me and I am so proud of that.

Well, gay guys love a beard. Have you ever shaved it off?

Oh my God, no! My double chins are too much. I never trim it. I just use conditioner, so it’s nice and soft. Beards are helpful.

On X Factor you were obsessed with the Spice Girls…

Spice Girls were one of the groups that made me want to sing. I was three when they were around. I just loved them. All the gifts I would receive were Spice Girls-related. I have a VHS of their show in Istanbul. I can’t watch it anymore. I need to find the DVD version or watch it on YouTube.

Who did you identify with most? Mine was Geri Halliwell.

I always liked Mel B’s boots. The army ones which she wore with her leopard print one-piece. Then I went through a massive Victoria Beckham period. I just loved her. She was funny. She was very static. She was just doing her thing, and the others did what they did. I just loved them so much.

Andrea’s debut album, Kelly, is out now. You can read our full interview with him in the Hot 100 issue of Attitude, available digitally from Pocketmags.com/Attitude or in print from newsstand.co.uk/Attitude.