Afternoon:
9°c
The London girl heading for final of X Factor ... in Greece
Peter Dominiczak and Mary McConnell16 Jan 2009
A LONDON schoolgirl who auditioned for the Greek version of The X Factor on a whim while on holiday is two shows away from becoming the country's biggest pop star.
Ioanna Protopapa, 16, was with her family in Cyprus when she convinced her mother to let her audition. Singing Mariah Carey's Hero, she impressed the judges, beating 20,000 hopefuls to make it to the knock-out stages.
The teenager from Whetstone sings a mixture of English pop and traditional Greek songs and is one of the favourites to make it to the final on 30 January.
Ioanna was born in north London but speaks fluent Greek, as both her parents are Greek Cypriots. She had been on holiday in Limassol and went to capital Nicosia to try her luck on the show.
"I begged my mum to let me audition and the judges seemed to like me," she said. "I'd never auditioned for anything. I love singing and have always wanted to do it, but I took an opportunity in Cyprus without really thinking about it."
Her mother, Penny, 48, who has been flying between London and Athens while Ioanna competes, said: "We really didn't think that she would get this far.
"She loves Greek music and has sung ever since she was a youngster. She is the only one left in the girls' category.
"Lots of people in Greece are starting to recognise Ioanna on the street and she has coachloads of fans coming to the show. At the same time she is down-to-earth, that's part of her appeal."
As in the UK, the Greek show features four judges who are music industry experts. They share similarities with their British counterparts: one, songwriter and producer Giorgos Theofanous, has been compared to Simon Cowell - but has warmed to Ioanna.
Mrs Protopapa said: "He is very strict. If he thinks you don't have the X-factor he'll just tell you to leave and get on with your life. He is hated over in Greece. Thankfully, he likes Ioanna a lot."
The pupil at Queen Elizabeth's Girls' School in High Barnet has suspended her studies while she stays in Athens, but her mother hopes she will go back to her A-levels next year. If Ioanna wins, she could follow fellow Londoners Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke by getting a Sony recording deal.
Six acts are left and one each will be voted out on the next two shows - starting tomorrow - before the final. Her rivals include professional singer Kelly Kaltsis, 27, and boyband Trimitonio, who have a huge following.
Ioanna said: "I'll be 17 the day after the final, so hopefully I'll have something special to celebrate."
Reader views (4)
I am from Whetstone ...make it famous .....go for it
you are very special.
- Rosie, london england, 23/01/2009 07:19
Report abuse
Good luck my dearest Ioanna! I know you'll make it, even though you have got rivals of very high standards, such as Kokkina Chalia and especially Nikolas Metaxas!
All my love,
Marlen
- Marlen, Camden, UK, 21/01/2009 01:25
Report abuse
Best of good luck luv. Music is international, as it should be.
- Rogan, Irving, 19/01/2009 04:32
Report abuse
May Orpheus be with you... Good luck love. Great news.
Paul x
- Paul, Bromley, Kent, 16/01/2009 17:58
Report abuse
