12:00pm Friday 19th March 2010
MOVE aside Olly Murs and Stacey Solomon – two singers from Basildon are hoping to be Essex’s next performers to show they have the X Factor.
Ellie-Jo Hodgson and Rosie Hillier are thrilled to have made it to the final 15 in the county’s biggest singing contest, the Essex Factor.
The 16-year-old classmates, who both go to the Bromfords School, Wickford, will now go on to battle it out every Sunday for the next six weeks against 14 other hopefuls, to see who will be crowned 2010 Essex Factor winner.
The prize includes a two-year recording contract, a promotion deal, a UK tour, and £1,000 cash.
Ellie-Jo and Rosie, who only started singing together three months ago, call themselves Pandora Kiss, and cite Alicia Keys, Leona Lewis, and Beyonce as their heroines.
The girls will be singing a version of Madonna’s hit Material Girl at the first live show, being held this Sunday at Chicago’s, in Basildon’s Festival Leisure Park.
To get this far the girls fought off stiff competition from more 1,000 other hopefuls who auditioned back in February.
Ellie-Jo, who lives in Hawbush Green, Basildon, said: “We’re so excited about the live shows, but also a bit nervous. We really want to make it and be successful. We both love singing.
“We need as many people as possible to vote for us and come to the shows.
“But even if we don’t win, at least we’ll have had a lot of fun and a wonderful experience.”
Ellie-Jo explained that to win the competition, Pandora Kiss will need votes from the judges, the audience at the live shows, and also votes cast on Facebook.
The final winner will be the act with the most votes, which will be announced at the live final on April 25.
To support Ellie-Jo and Rosie, go to www.facebook.com and search for the Essex Factor group.
It costs £3 per show and tickets are available on the door.
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