Belfast X-Factor star Debye Gaskin, 40, hit the headlines after a dramatic split from her daughter on the X-Factor this year. The duo, Descendance, were forced to part ways during auditions and Debye has since faced a battle with internet trolls. Debye recently became BAM Magazine’s latest contributor, bringing the low-down on this year’s X-Factor series as we hurtle towards the next stages of the competition.
Get To Know More About Debye:
How did you get started in the industry?
“I’ve sang since I was 9, I started singing in church and school choirs. Then in my late teens I did karaoke and small competitions. After that I moved to Belfast and started off by doing a local competition called The F Factor in 2009, from then I went on to do other local competitions including The T Factor, Strictly Come Singing and Local Vocal.
“I’ve applied and auditioned for producer rounds of The Voice UK, the X Factor and The Voice of Ireland previously but had no success until this year.”
What genre / style do you create in?
“I would have to say 80s style pop/rock.”
What would you be best known for?
“I would have to say the Cyndi Lauper covers I have done and my own original track, ‘Lucky’.”
What would you consider your biggest achievement?
“My biggest achievement to date besides my children would be appearing on the X Factor 2017 and singing in front of Simon Cowell.”
What would you consider to be the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your industry?
“That it’s all about marketing and you have to learn the tricks of the trade. Finding something about yourself as an artist that will appeal to a wide audience. Also that you have to be relentless and thick skinned.”
What has been your biggest challenge to date?
“Learning how to conquer nerves and the X factor 2017.”
Tell us a little about your personal life, are you married, kids, hobbies etc?
“I’ve been married almost 14 years and have 3 daughters. I love music and singing of course, I also love song writing. I love fashion and finding different ways all the time to stand out and be unique.”
Tell us about your most recent work?
“I don’t work but with my song writing my biggest accomplishment is my original song ‘Lucky’.”
PLUG !! What would you like us to tell people about?
“I’m originally from Canada!”
If you had to describe your work to someone who has never heard of you what would you say?
“I’m quite eccentric, love the 80s era of music. I like to sometimes design and DIY clothes – I have a fetish for hair/head accessories, lipsticks and fashion glasses. I have about 100 different lipsticks!”
What’s the funniest experience you’ve had in your business?
“I went on stage and had a bit of toilet roll stuck to my shoe haha.”
What would your advice be to young people hoping to pursue the same industry?
“You have to be strong enough to handle the criticism. Also, know how to face your fears, to overcome the nerves and know that even if you get rejected it doesn’t mean you aren’t good. It’s all about timing sometimes, and whether what you are offering is something the industry is looking for at the minute. And even if you get knocked down, if you really want to pursue it, get up, brush yourself off and start again.”
Anything else you want to tell people about yourself or your work?
“Just that I do what I do because it is my passion, not for fame or money. And I will never change the person I am just because of getting attention. In my opinion, people who do that forget about why they are doing it to begin with which I find completely pointless.”
Who do you look up to and why?
“Cyndi Lauper. Because she was my very first musical influence when I was 9 years old. She is utterly unique and I believe her influence is what has molded and inspired me into the artist/singer I am today.”
Find out more:
www.facebook.com/DebyeGaskinMusic
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