Joe Bonamassa

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

'Cheryl's always been there for me,' reveals Dannii Minogue as rival X Factor judges prepare for semi-final showdown

By Jessica Satherley

Yummy mummy: Dannii Minogue say she's bonded more with Cheryl Cole on the set of X Factor since having her son Ethan in July this year

Dannii Minogue might be about to face a battle in The X Factor semifinals against her fellow judge Cheryl Cole, but she’s admitted they’ve become close during the current series.

The Australian’s contestant Matt Cardle is up against the Geordie’s Cher Lloyd and Rebecca Ferguson in the semi-final, but that hasn’t deterred the judges’ friendship.

‘Cheryl’s always been there for me when I’ve had a hard time’, Dannii told Marie Claire in an interview appearing in their latest issue.

Although the women don’t hang out outside the show, saying ‘we’re all too busy’, Dannii said they’ve become closer during this series and since she gave birth to her son Ethan in July this year.

‘Cheryl said to me the other day, ‘I don’t know how you’re doing all this. I know how crazy it is when all the contestants are running in and out and I have no make-up on.

‘And then I think of you trying to fit in feeding the baby as well’’, she added.

Despite Cheryl dominating the headlines as the nation’s sweetheart since joining Dannii on The X Factor judging panel, Kylie Minogue’s little sister is happy with her popularity and body image now.

On-set bonding: Dannii Minogue and Cheryl Cole have bonded this year during the seventh series of X Factor, Dannii told Marie Claire

She has regularly spoken of being compared to her famous older sibling and used to think she was ‘the fat, ugly sister’, but those days are gone for Dannii.

‘Can you imagine for years being asked what it’s like to be Kylie’s sister? I guess it’s my turn now to enjoy what is going right’, she said.

Dannii has definitely become her own star away from Kylie now though and on top of her busy X Factor schedule and motherhood with partner Kris Smith, she also manages her own clothing range and perfume named Project D.

Despite the star launching the brand with business partner Tabitha Somerset Webb when she was six months pregnant, the collection has already been hailed a success and boasted celebrity clients such as Christine Bleakley and Amanda Holden.

But who she'd really like to see in one of her designs is Cheryl, and told Grazia magazine: 'I'd definitely like to see her in a Project D dress - I have a hummingbird one I think would look gorgeous on her and I'd love to see Rebecca [Ferguson] in one of our looks.'

And now her fan base has exploded, Cheryl isn’t Dannii’s only on-set X Factor supporter; Louis Walsh told Marie Claire: ‘Dannii is in it for real. She really cares.

‘I didn’t get her at first, but I do now. She’s a great girl; I really like her. She’s a fighter’, the Irish judge gushed.

Countdown to the finals: X Factor contestants Matt Cardle (left) and Cher Lloyd (right) will face each other and Rebecca Ferguson, Mary Byrne and One Direction in the semifinals this weekend

X Factor finalists: Mary Byrne (left) and Rebecca Ferguson (centre) pop to the pub for a break from their studio, where they've been rehearsing for this weekend's semifinal

And even though the 39-year-old mother-of-one has been on the ITV talent show since 2007, she admits she still gets nervous every time she walks out on stage.

‘I do find it nerve-racking. Every Saturday night at the beginning of the show when I step out onto the stage, I’m terrified.

‘Not about me, but how everyone’s going to get on – whether they’ll stuff it up. You just can’t help getting really involved with your people. It’s their life’, Dannii said.

Dannii has even more reason to be nervous over the next two weeks, as the show comes to end of its seventh series.

After Katie Waissel and Wagner were voted off the show last weekend, only five remaining acts will enter the semifinals this weekend.

Dannii’s last boy standing, Matt Cardle, will be joined on stage by Rebecca Ferguson, Cher Lloyd, Mary Byrne and boyband One Direction.

Although Cheryl Cole’s acts have won the last two series, with Alexandra Burke winning in 2008 and Joe McElderry in 2009, Dannii is confident that Matt Cardle has what it takes to be this year’s winner.