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The X Factor’s Cyrus: “This is Just the Beginning”

Cyrus with his mum and dad on stage at last night's X Factor finale. Photo: Seven

A day after winning The X Factor 2015, his single Stone is at No. 2 on the iTunes charts behind Adele’s Hello, while his TV cover of Wicked Game is at No. 5. And as Cyrus Villanueva prepares to record his debut album in the coming days, the 19-year-old graphic design student from Wollongong tells WHO it’s only a hint of what’s to come. “I’m extremely excited—there’s nothing really to be nervous about for me now,” he tells WHO’s Alicia Neil as he opens up on his X Factor ride, how he’s coping with fame and his plans to go international. “Like, this is just the beginning and I can’t wait. You’ve got to aim big, right?”

You were a solid favourite from the start. How surprised were you to make it through to the final two last night?
Regardless of what people said — whether I was the favourite or not — I could never get too comfortable. Every week it just got harder, and people would go home who you didn’t think ever would. So I never got too comfortable and just as long as it didn’t get to my head, then I was fine.

Many were surprised that Sydney duo Jess and Matt were the first to be eliminated last night. Were you surprised that you ended up against Mt Gambier’s Louise Adams?
Not really. It wouldn’t have been a surprise either way because the top three all deserved a spot in the final. It could have gone any way, so I wasn’t expecting anything.

Cyrus wins The X Factor! Photo: Seven

What does it mean to win?
I never thought I’d audition for a show like this. Then when I auditioned, I never thought that I’d get to the live shows. Then when I got to the live shows, you know, I never thought that I’d get to the final! It’s just been surprise after surprise and I’m so overwhelmed.

Was there anyone you were looking out for in the audience?
Yeah. Every time I’d see my family and friends … Grandma and grandpa came up. The last two nights I had heaps of my mates come as well. They were all in the stands and every time I’d point to the right side of the stage, that was them!

Has your win solidified your pursuit of music as a career path?
It’s only months since I left high school and started playing gigs here and there. That was when I realized how much I enjoy music and how much I wanted to do it. So that was when it kind of took off and since then I’ve just tried so hard to make that my career. And here it is.

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You put your first year of graphic-design studies at uni on hold for the show. Any plans to go back?
At the moment it’s on hold until second semester next year, depending on what happens in the next couple of months.

You went into X Factor hoping to land on Guy Sebastian’s team. Do you think having Chris Isaak as a mentor helped you win?
Chris is such a great guy, and off-camera he’s just as nice and genuine as he is on. He treated me like an equal and that meant everything. He’s always so positive and that’s what I love. He has said any time that I’m in San Francisco, I know who to call. So I’ve got a couch to sleep on!

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Did you surprise yourself with how well you coped?
I remember at the audition, the big thing that I was scared of was the camera and doing interviews and stuff. That something that I didn’t think I’d pick up so fast. But you’ve just got to be yourself and there’s nothing more that the camera can ask. Twelve weeks of training helps!

What’s the first thing you want to do when you get a day off?
Probably just spend it with my family and friends. They’re such a big part of my life. Just being able to relax with them is a massive stress-relief. That’s the plan.

Do you want a home-cooked meal?
My dad actually brought up meals, like all his signature traditional Filipino dishes that I missed. All the good stuff! He’s the best.

Is it true that you have a huge fan-base in the Philippines?
Yeah! The Philippines has such a value for music culture and singers and when there’s a Filipino somewhere doing well, then they support them 100 per cent. Who knows, I might be able to perform there sometime soon.

What were your first thoughts on your winner’s single, Stone?
I absolutely loved it! The first time I heard it, I could visualize my voice on the track and it’s still so surreal to hear it on the radio. To see it on the top of the chart is awesome.

How do you see yourself as an artist moving forward?
I want to take on board soul and R&B — they’re my favourite kind of music. So, like a 19-year-old Alicia Keys or John Legend.

Do you want to release original music?
For sure. I’ve been writing a lot since I’ve been here on The X Factor and it’s all hopefully going to be shared with the public.

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Who would you like to work with in the future?
I would love to work with Tori Kelly, but there’s so many people who I’d dream of working with. I’ll just take it one step at a time.

What’s coming up next in your schedule?
The next thing on my schedule is recording my debut album, which is extremely exciting. That’ll be out around Dec. 9.

Where do you hope to be in five years’ time?
Hopefully known somewhere overseas and being able to reach and perform to as many different places, to as many different people, as I can.

How are you coping with all the screaming girls?
I never really focused too much on that. It’s people who enjoy my music and go crazy when I perform — that’s what I take notice of. But of course it’s a shock. Even walking down the street and being recognized is a shock to me, but I’m really grateful for it.