It’s been a year of self-reflection for former X Factor star Janet Devlin, who has returned to the charts with a new album – 13 years after appearing on the talent show. Once a flaming redhead, now sporting bright blonde waves, the Northern Irish star has come a long way since performing for the likes of Simon Cowell at the tender age of 16. And during an exclusive chat with OK!, it’s clear she has a newfound fire in her belly.
It’s been one hell of a ride for the pop-country singer, though. Janet, who finished fifth on the 2011 series of The X Factor, competing against acts such as Little Mix, has faced alcohol addiction and mental health battles since first taking to the stage as a shy teen. But now, with her new country-leaning music on the airwaves going down a storm, and having recently celebrated her 30th birthday, Janet is keen to embrace what feels like a bright new chapter.
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Redferns)“I absolutely bawled my eyes out on my birthday because, you know, there was a period in my life where I couldn’t see [living] past 20,” Janet said. “Luckily, I did – and turning 30 was just the best feeling in the world, because I believe it’s a blessing to grow older. Not everybody gets that privilege.”
Janet continues, “I finally feel like I’ve figured myself out over the last couple of years. So turning 30 felt right – I have my things together now. It definitely feels like a fresh start, in the best way possible. “I’m hoping that the things I went through can stay in the past now and I can just really move forward and start living again. If the past couple of years are anything to go by, the next decade should be even more fun.”
Rising to fame in her teens means that Janet has faced more obstacles than most in her first three decades. But the star assures us she has no regrets. “I’m so glad I did X Factor when I did. I’d hate to be going through the things I went through in my teens and early twenties now, at 30. I got all that pressurised self-discovery done in my younger years, when you have the energy to get through it.”
“[The X Factor] was great for me, I really enjoyed it. I was just a student before and I didn’t have a lot of confidence, I just wanted with all my heart to do music. Going on the show, all I wanted to know was whether or not I could sing and whether or not my family were lying to me!”
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PR)Despite her successful stint on the show, Janet would go on to battle alcohol addiction and also self-harm in the years that followed. However, she admits that the competition actually helped when it came to the issues she was dealing with.
“I’d love to say the show heightened my issues; that would be an easier narrative! But I had a wealth of mental health issues before. I already had an eating disorder, self-harmed and had quite a bad relationship with alcohol because of the relationship I was in at the time. So, the show was what I needed; I needed something to get me out of bed and to work towards. Having a new song to learn every week kept my head above water, so, it was really good for me.
“It helped with my eating disorder too, because I made it a mission not to lose weight while doing The X Factor because I didn’t want to be perceived as a negative role model for young girls. I knew they were watching and as much as no one wants that pressure of being a role model, it was a ‘good’ pressure for me.”
Janet was supported throughout her time on the show by her devoted parents, Aquinas and Pat. However, she admits their relationship hasn’t been easy in the years since. “My poor mother, for years, was just distraught with my behaviour and actions. It’s sad because that pushed a wedge between us. She was constantly trying to save me. But now, she’s one of my best friends. She’s the first person I call whenever something happens in my life. I’ve never been so close to my family in my whole life and it’s a true blessing to get to that place.”
Something that has helped Janet get to this positive place is being diagnosed with borderline personality disorder – which has taken a weight off her shoulders, she says.
“Oh my gosh, the freedom I felt when I got that diagnosis. I remember people being like, ‘Oh, you’re such an attention seeker. You can’t have all these things. You can’t be an addict and a self-harmer and have an eating disorder and all that.’ But then I checked on the NHS website and had all the symptoms.
“It was really helpful. I knew I was not a bad person. I have this condition that is notoriously hard to deal with, and I’m dealing with it the best way I can. Then I was able to go and get the help necessary because I’d been fishing in the dark before.”
Janet is now on medication for the condition and is feeling lighter, which has helped the singer in the writing of her new album, Emotional Rodeo. “I was finally in a place to be emotionally free to write up-tempo, happy, jokey, fun songs,” laughs Janet. “I think I was misinterpreted for quite a long time, as being quite a serious person. Then I started my TikToks and went viral quite a few times for silly, goofy things. I wanted to bring that side of me to this album, which is probably the truest version of me – a full-time silly goose!”
The album is Janet’s entrance into country music, something she’s been a big fan of since long before her X Factor days. “I’m from County Tyrone, which is known as Farmers County,” she says. “I grew up listening to Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Hal Ketchum, Johnny Cash. Then I rediscovered country again and started finding new artists in 2015 – that kick-started my second love affair with it.”
Janet has also found a friend in actor and fellow musician Russell Crowe, star of the original Gladiator movie, after touring with him and his band in New Zealand and opening for his shows in the UK earlier this year. Describing Russell as “one of the kindest people”, Janet has a few more star collabs on her bucket list. “I would absolutely love to sing with Chris Stapleton, that would be unreal,” she gushes, before adding that being in the same room as Dolly Parton would be a dream come true.
For now, with her album hitting the charts, Janet isn’t stopping for breath. “Now this one’s out, I just want to start the next one. I just want to have the next one done and recorded!"
English (US) ·