Students hoping to make a name for themselves in the showbiz industry gained added inspiration to reach their goals after X Factor finalist Kiera Weathers visited Warrington Collegiate and told of her journey from barmaid to rising star.
More than 200 students sat patiently in the College’s Barton Theatre as they waited to see the St Helens singer, who took the nation by storm with her sensational vocal talents on the last series of the ITV competition, making it through to the live shows.
As well as giving incredible renditions of Show Me Love and Runnin’, Kiera also took questions from students on a range of courses including Media, Performing Arts, Theatrical Media Makeup, Hairdressing and Hospitality and Catering.
She told of how their chosen subjects fit into the showbiz industry, the careers available to them and what they could expect if they were to secure work on a show like the X Factor.
Kiera – who worked as a barmaid at Clock Face Labour Club in St Helens before her granddad put her forward for the show – also spoke of her experiences after leaving the show and what she plans to do next.
She said: “I wanted to come in to talk to the students because unless you’ve had those experiences of that type of industry, I don’t think you can get a sense of what it’s really like. Hopefully I’ve been able to give the students an insight into what it is like and let them know about my experiences. I really appreciate how involved they were – it was lovely.”
The visit was organised by Dominica Randolfi, Warrington Collegiate’s Work Placement Co-ordinator, and Michael Smith, Head of Faculty for Creative and Digital Industries.
Dominica said: “With people like Kiera coming in and sharing their experiences, our learners get first hand insight about the careers they want to go in to
“Having Kiera here to tell us about all of the work that goes on behind the X Factor and the different jobs that our students could go into has been fantastic and will have no doubt inspired many of them.
“We’re so grateful to Kiera for coming in to spend time with our students at Warrington Collegiate and wish her all the success in the world for the future.”
To find out more about the exciting range of courses in Performing Arts at Warrington Collegiate, visit warrington.ac.uk.
X Factor star Kiera Weathers inspires students
