Stephanie’s X Factor journey comes to an end

Stephanie performing for the X Factor judges

Stephanie McCourt’s X Factor journey came to an end during scenes broadcast on the show on Sunday night when she missed out on a place at next week’s judge’s houses.

The 27-year-old Londoner, who has strong Dundalk connections, initially received a chair in the six chair challenge after wowing with her performance of Aretha Franklin’s Never Loved A Man.

However, mentor Simon Cowell had doubts about Stephanie’s personality and ultimately it proved costly as she was swapped out for another contestant.

After her performance, Rita Ora raved: “I have always felt this individuality thing about you which I kind of like. It was pretty good.”

However Cheryl felt a disconnect and told the hopeful: “There is something for me at the moment that is not connecting with the audience and I don’t know what it is, I cannot put my finger on it.”

Simon took things a step too far though and he told Steph: “What she is saying is people don’t like you at the moment. I think the way you are is not very friendly and not very warm.”

Commenting on her Facebook page last night, Stephanie hinted she had bigger and better things ahead without the show though.

She said: “Hey guys! What an experience! Thanks for all the support, I loved every minute and would like to thank the X Factor team and Simon for the opportunity! P.s watch this space!”

Stephanie had initially booked her place in boot camp in scenes aired last month after impressing with her performance of Ella Fitzgerald’s classic hit, Summertime.

Stephanie’s dad, Dundalk-born Christopher, attended the auditions to support his daughter. Stephanie is the granddaughter of Jim and Audrey McCourt, from Bay Estate and has a large family circle in the area.

Stephanie sails through to X Factor boot camp

A singer with strong Dundalk connections stole the show with her performance of Ella Fitzgerald’s classic hit Summetime on Saturday night’s X Factor.

Stephanie McCourt received four yeses from the judge to reach the next round of the talent show.

The 27-year-old, who lives in London, failed to impress with her first rendition of Taylor Swift’s Shake It Off but recovered to sail through to the boot camp stage.

Rita Ora said: “It’s crazy how important it is to have the right song.”

Meanwhile Simon Cowell told her: “I don’t know who the idiots are who have knocked you back, but I think you’re 100% authentic. For me, it’s four yeses.”

Stephanie’s dad, Dundalk-born Christopher, attended the auditions to support his daughter. Stephanie is the granddaughter of Jim and Audrey McCourt, from Bay Estate and has a large family circle in the area.

Check out Stephanie’s performance above.

Stephanie releases video for ‘Hard Living’

London-based singer Stephanie McCourt, whose dad hails from Dundalk, has recently released her debut video ‘Hard Living’.

Stephanie, who is signed to the Unstoppable Music Group, is the daughter of Christopher McCourt who moved to London in the 1980s but who still regularly returns home to Dundalk.

The McCourt family are well known in the town, with Stephanie’s grandfather Jim a lifelong Dundalk FC supporter, who is a popular figure in the area along with his wife Audrey (née Hande, originally from Cluan Enda).

Like her family, Stephanie has had a love of music from an early age and has quickly made her name as a talented soul singer with influences such as Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder, Christina Aguilera, Whitney Houston, Amy Winehouse and Adele, to name but a few.

Stephanie’s mum is from Zambia and she credits her Zambian and Irish roots to a diverse taste in music.

She insists though that it is form her dad that she inherited her melodic voice.

“A lot of people say I inherited my voice from my Dad. He is really into music. He’s a massive Elvis Presley fan and I remember having to go with him and my sister to these little obscure record shops to hunt for Elvis records.

“He comes to all of my gigs and hassles me everyday about what I’m doing with my music. I’m really close to my dad we are like best friends… I’m that way with my mum too, she like a best friend as well.”

A graduate of Brighton Institute of Modern Music, Stephanie has been busy writing and recording in recent years and is hopeful of making a breakthrough with her debut EP.

You can listen to some of Stephanie’s tracks via her website at www.mccourtofficial.com

McCourt making a big impression with debut single and EP

 

Stephanie McCourt, whose dad Christopher hails from Dundalk, performing in Camden recently

A UK-based singer with strong connections to Dundalk is making a big impression on the music scene on both sides of the Irish Sea at present.

Stephanie McCourt, whose father Christopher hails from the town, reached number four in the iTunes singer/songwriter chart last week with her new single ‘Hard Living’.

Her EP ‘Stripped Back’ also charted at number 16 as her whirlwind rise to prominence continues.

In February Stephanie signed a deal with the Unstoppable Music Group and since then the Londoner has been in big demand, recently selling out the legendary Jazz Café in Camden Town and appearing on BBC London.

Stephanie is the daughter of Christopher McCourt, who moved to London in the 1980s. The McCourt family are well known in Dundalk, with Stephanie’s grandfather Jim a lifelong Dundalk FC supporter, along with his wife Audrey (née Hande from Cluan Enda).

Stephanie’s mum is Zambian and she credits her African and Irish roots to a diverse taste in music.

She revealed though that it was from her dad Christopher that she got her soulful voice.

“My mum can’t sing at all but my dad definitely has a voice and a lot of people say I inherited mine from him. He’s a massive Elvis fan and I grew up on that as a result.

“He is really delighted at how well things are going for me. My family back in Ireland have also been really supportive, especially Marie-Clare, who has been promoting me like crazy over there.

“Dad left Dundalk when he was a teenager but he still loves Dundalk and Ireland and I enjoy going back there too. During my childhood I was back and forth every summer and I hope to get back again in the next few months,” she said.

Indeed, one of Stephanie’s first ever gigs came when she performed locally at the Century Bar in Roden Place.

“That was a while ago but it was great fun and I’d like to thank Darren (Kerley) for having me.

“I’m told I’d be welcomed back anytime and it would definitely be my pleasure to perform there again next time I’m home.”

Stephanie admits it’s “all go, go, go” at present but she does hope to make a visit back to Ireland in the not-too-distant future.

Before then, she will be performing at a couple of festivals in the UK, while she hopes to release her video for ‘Hard Living’ within the next fortnight.

“The last few weeks have been a whirlwind really,” she admitted.

“It has all been a bit crazy but I’m just enjoying it all and I’m very grateful that things are going so well.”

You can hear Stephanie’s music via her website www.mccourtofficial.com or follow her on Facebook or Twitter.

Stephanie records her first music video in London over Easter weekend

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UK-based singer Stephanie McCourt – who has family in Dundalk – had a busy Easter weekend as she was shooting her first music video in London’s West End for her song ‘Hard Living’.

Talk of the Town obtained pictures on the set of the video shoot ahead of the launch of her debut EP.

In February, Stephanie signed a deal with the Unstoppable Music Group.

She is the daughter of Christopher McCourt who moved to London in the 1980s but who still regularly returns home to Dundalk.

The McCourt family are well known in the town, with Stephanie’s grandfather Jim a lifelong Dundalk FC supporter, who is a popular figure in the area along with his wife Audrey (née Hande, originally from Cluan Enda).

You can find out more about Stephanie here.

McCourt family hoping Stephanie makes it big in UK music scene

The daughter of a Dundalk man is hoping to make a big impression in UK music circles this spring when she releases her debut EP.

Stephanie with her dad Christopher McCourt

Stephanie McCourt, who last week signed with the Unstoppable Music Group, is the daughter of Christopher McCourt who moved to London in the 1980s but who still regularly returns home to Dundalk.

The McCourt family are well known in the town, with Stephanie’s grandfather Jim a lifelong Dundalk FC supporter, who is a popular figure in the area along with his wife Audrey (née Hande, originally from Cluan Enda).

Like her family, Stephanie has had a love of music from an early age and has quickly made her name as a talented soul singer with influences such as Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder, Christina Aguilera, Whitney Houston, Amy Winehouse and Adele, to name but a few.

Stephanie’s mum is from Zambia and she credits her Zambian and Irish roots to a diverse taste in music.

She insists though that it is form her dad that she inherited her melodic voice.

““A lot of people say I inherited my voice from my Dad. He is really into music. He’s a massive Elvis Presley fan and I remember having to go with him and my sister to these little obscure record shops to hunt for Elvis records.

Stephanie’s grandfather, well known Dundalk supporter Jim McCourt

“He comes to all of my gigs and hassles me everyday about what I’m doing with my music. I’m really close to my dad we are like best friends… I’m that way with my mum too, she like a best friend as well.”

A graduate of Brighton Institute of Modern Music, Stephanie has been busy writing and recording in recent years and is hopeful of making a breakthrough with her debut EP, which will be released soon.

No doubt the McCourt clan and their many friends in Dundalk will be doing all they can to support Stephanie from this side of the Irish Sea.

You can listen to some of Stephanie’s tracks via her website at www.mccourtofficial.com