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The sky is the limit for X Factor sensation Tamera Foster – if she can conquer her nerves, says her mother.
Rachel Foster, 32, says that her girl has always dreamed of being a singer and now she has the chance of making it come true.
The teenager from Gravesend impressed judges with her rendition of Whitney Houston’s hit, I Have Nothing, on the ITV talent show, earning herself a passage to the boot camp stage of the programme, which starts soon.
The final round of auditions is completed this weekend.
The Messenger spoke to the proud mum this week but with strict instructions from the X Factor that questions about Tamera’s cannabis comments on Twitter and an incident in which she allegedly attacked a girl were off limits.
Miss Foster revealed that from a young age she was certain Tamera was destined for the stage.
She said: “Always she wanted to be a singer. It’s all she wanted to do. I’ve got a video of her from a holiday camp on stage saying she wanted to sing, when she was about seven.”
Currently studying for a diploma in music technology at North West Kent College, Oakfield Lane, Dartford, the youngster is balancing X Factor duties with her studies.
Her mum admits that while Tamera is having fun singing in the spotlight there’s some aspects of fame she’s still getting used to.
Miss Foster said: “She’s enjoying all of it, this is just her time.
“She’s enjoying being at home and she’s looking forward to the future.
“I think she’s been taken back by some of the attention, especially on Twitter.
“ She’s got fan clubs all of a sudden, she’s found it a bit strange but she’s loving it.”
After auditioning as part of duo Silver Rock with Jerrie Dila, 22, Tamera was asked to give a solo performance in front of judges Gary Barlow, Sharon Osbourne, Nicole Scherzinger, Louis Walsh and a live audience at Wembley Arena in London.
At first, she forgot her lines, running back-stage to be prompted by friends, family and show host Dermot O’Leary
But returning to the stage, Tamera wowed audiences and judges alike, sending her family on an emotional rollercoaster in the process.
Her mum said: “That was terrifying when she forgot her lines because she was scared stiff of doing it all day and then she got up there and did, I think that was why.
“She had never got up on a stage like that before, but then she nailed it.
“It was nerve-racking but I was so proud of her as well.”
Miss Foster is confident that the future is bright for her talented daughter and although she finds it “strange” seeing her on television, she may have to get used to it.
She said: “This has always been her dream. Her goal has always been ‘I have to be a singer’.
“She’s been very determined, she knew she was going to be a singer.
“Once she conquers her nerves she’s going to fly.”