VIDEO INTERVIEW: 'It's WEIRD when people buy my music' says X Factor's Andrea Faustini

Andrea Faustini finished third on last year's X Factor

ANDREA FAUSTINI talks about the new X Factor judges, his love for Mel B and reveals his fantasy man. He also lets rip with a STUNNING impromptu rendition of debut single Give A Little Love.

 

Last year on the X factor, the Italian blew us away with staggering vocal displays week after week. He also charmed the nation with a beaming smile and infectious good humour.
Kate Moss and many other celebrities tweeted their love and Faustini was an early favourite to win.

Andrea eventually came third, behind Fleur East and winner Ben Haenow, but he is the first X Factor finalist to release any original solo material.

The cuddly cutie popped by to say hi this week and immediately confesses how crazy everything has been for him.

WATCH ANDREA'S INTERVIEW NEXT

 

"I don't feel like a pop star - not at all. It's surreal," he smiles.

But his excitement shines through when he talks about the release of Give A Little Love this weekend.

"I co-wrote it and I'm so proud, " he says. "It reflects my personality. It's all about smiling in the tough times. Loving the people you like…Loving the people you DON"T like…"

I would like to go on a date with Ryan Reynolds

Andrea Faustini

I can't resist asking him who, exactly, would he give a little love to?

"Anyone. My friends, my family, my fans," he says.

Speaking of love, I have to check if he is single.

"Yes, I'm single. We have to change this."

I tell the shy lad to sell himself on camera and he collapses in giggles. He even struggles to find one good point about himself.

"I don't really know," he laughs. " My smile?"

And what is his worst point?

"Oh, my belly!"

He doesn't hesitate, however, when I ask him which hot male and female celebrities he'd like a date with.

"The woman would be Kate Hudson. The man.. Ryan Reynolds."

Of course, we also have to talk about The X Factor.

This year has already been hit with dramas, with new judge Rita Ora missing early auditions and a devastated Simon Cowell grieving for his mother, Julie.

Snitta, of course, has also chipped in with her disapproval of the hiring of Ora and fellow new judge, Nick Grimshaw.

It's hard to believe that only six months ago Andrea was in the finals of last year's show.

 

"It seems so long ago," he admits. "But then everything has gone so quickly. It's been a roller-coaster of emotions.

"I wasn't expecting anything in the queue. I arrived the day before from Rome. It was like a holiday for me."

Again, 'surreal' is the word he uses for the last year.

"It's a process trying to get used to it," he adds.

"I find it really weird that people would buy my album."

I tease him that it mustn't be any good, then.

"No, it's very good," he laughs. "Buy it."

 

Luckily he has a stalwart supporter in his mentor from the show, Mel B, to help him navigate the tricky paths of showbusiness.

'We've been in touch a few times and it shows her interest in me was not just for cameras. It's honest," he says, his face lighting up.

And then MY face lights up when I ask for a burst of his new single.

All the shyness disappears in a goosebumping vocal display that shows why the UK took this Italian teddy bear to its heart.

Andrea Faustini's debut single Give A little Love is out on July 17.