Exclusive Maria Lawson blog!

Remember that Maria Lawson lady from 'The X Factor'? You know, the one who got booted off in favour of screeching siblings The Conway Sisters? Of course you do.

Well, she's just about to take the world by storm with her single 'Sleepwalking' and upcoming album, which just goes to show that Louis Walsh knows nowt. But then, you knew that anyway.

What's more, she's agreed to do an exclusive blog just for us! And without further ado, here it is!

Stoke, showcases and Sharon...

Hi everyone,

I'm writing this blog from a hotel in Paris on a lovely sunny morning. At the moment, I'm really getting a taste of what this life is really like and I'm not complaining!

The photo shoot with the Times went really well. Although it was strange having to pose with shoes on and full make-up at home, because it's completely the opposite of me. I normally chill in t-shirts, shorts and definitely no shoes on the couch!

The OK magazine shoot was great too – it's going to be a five-page fashion spread. I just kept on pinching myself. I buy this magazine all the time and I am going to be in it! But within a few hours my eye started to swell up. I think it was the combination of the heat and the make-up! What a nightmare – because that same evening I was going to the Christina Aguilera album showcase at Koko! But I couldn't miss it so I went regardless.

There were lots of press and photographers at Koko, but no-one noticed my swollen eye! And the showcase was brilliant. I met the lovely Lemar who is so nice and friendly. He said he was looking forward to my album - likewise!

The next day my tour manager was downstairs calling me to hurry up. I had to pack for the weekend to go to Stoke-on-Trent Live in the City. There were even banners in the audience for me. Wow - that really touched me for someone to go to that effort.

Leeds was great too – I performed to 70,000 people, it was incredible. It was the biggest live crowd I have ever sung to. Chico and Shane were there - it was so nice to see them. Everyone is doing so well from the X Factor family!

Talking of which, I am so happy because I have just been confirmed to perform on the new Sharon Osbourne show! It's going to be so cool catching up and hanging out with Sharon again. I can't wait!

Until next time,

Much love

Maria xxx

Smash Hits, staring and shoots...

Hi everyone,

This week has been tremendously busy. I’ve barely stopped to relax, and even now I’m writing this blog from the back of my tour manager's people carrier!

I've been literally all over the country since I last wrote! I did my first headline show for Heart FM in Birmingham which was really nerve wracking but went well, and then on Sunday we went to Guilford to perform at Pop in the Park. That was a great show too; I’m actually starting to relax more on stage now!

I also received fantastic news that my video has been playlisted on Smash Hits! My mum saw it for the first time and she was so happy because she knows how much it means to me.

Then, when I was in Manchester doing a radio interview, I was invited out to dinner with some local stations, and Sir Ian McKellen out of 'X Men' was on the table next to us. He looked over and smiled, which was funny. Maybe he loves 'Sleepwalking'… or maybe he was looking at us because we were staring so much!

I’m back in London now and am ridiculously busy again, I've got interviews, photoshoots and listening parties to do and I can’t wait! I'll let you know how it all goes next time I write.

Until then!

Much love,

Maria xxx

Swansea, Shayne and Sleep...

Hi everyone,

Welcome to my blog!

It’s been a great couple of weeks. I’m really trying to enjoy every minute of it. They say it’s all about the journey and not necessarily the destination, so I’m trying to live by this philosophy.

Everything is gearing up into action at the moment. On Saturday, I performed 'Sleepwalking' for the first time, and that morning I woke up feeling so excited but so nervous! I went through about ten outfits before I finally settled on what to wear!

The gig was at Singleton Park in Swansea, and as we went over the hill, I got a glimpse of the crowd ahead and my heart started beating with nerves! Once on stage though I loved every minute of it. Swansea was wicked. The crowd were there to enjoy themselves and so was I. I can’t wait for the next one.

Although, when I introduced the single, things didn’t go to plan. I tried to give away a free ringtone of the song - but I announced the wrong number! So to all those people that tried to text, I’m sorry. It’s text 'Sleep' to 82088. Luckily the performance went better!

It was nice to see to see familiar faces backstage too. Andy and Shayne popped into my dressing room for a quick catch up, which was great. Shayne apologised for not meeting me for dinner in LA, when I was there recording. He felt really bad, which was so sweet!

Speaking of dinners, yesterday I grabbed some food with Amerie, who is on the same label and shares a publicist with me. I’ve been a fan since her first album and she gave me lots of advice about music and interview techniques which was so cool. It was really great to meet her.

There are so many more exciting things coming up, but I've got to run so until the next time…

Much Love

Maria xxx

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