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More on KentOnline
To millions, Tamera Foster is the young X Factor singing sensation tipped for stardom.
But to her mum she is still the teenager who shares a bedroom with her younger sister at their home in Gravesend.
Mother-of-three Rachael Foster has watched her 16-year-old daughter blossom as she pursues her X Factor dream.
But the 32-year-old, who travels to the ITV studios every weekend with Tamera’s ever-growing fan club of family and friends, wants to protect her from the dark side of the media spotlight.
Referring to several negative stories which have appeared in the national press about the North West Kent College student, Rachael said: “What has been said has been blown completely out of proportion.
“But Tamera doesn’t let it bring her down. It affects me more than her. As a mum it is my job to protect her but now she is where she is, I find it hard to do that.
“She isn’t perfect. She is just a normal teenager. But she is getting known for something she is not. People forget she is only 16.
“However, she has grown up a lot since going into the X Factor house and is very mature for her age. She needs to be able to deal with all this.”
Rachael said Tamera, who gave her first public singing performance during a school assembly, has always dreamed of stardom. However, her advice was that expected of any parent.
“She always wanted to be a singer but me, being her mum, would tell her: ‘You have got to get a job.’ She doesn’t talk about what she thinks her chances are. She is just really enjoying herself, and trying really hard.”
Tamera, who admitted to mentor Nicole Scherzinger during a pre-recorded piece for last Saturday evening’s show that she had been a “tricky teenager”, went through to the next stage of the contest after belting out the Big Band sound of Cry Me A River.
Judge Gary Barlow said Tamera’s potential was “stratospheric”, while Louis Walsh described her as a “little diva” and said: “You’ve got this thing called ‘star quality’.”
Tamera could not hide her delight when it was announced that she had been put through.
The previous weekend she had ended up in the bottom two and had to perform in the sing-off against Kingsland Road.
It was Kent girl v Kent boy, with Tamera battling it out against Kingsland Road’s Josh Zare, 20, from Maidstone.
Despite being saved by the four judges, Tamera sobbed off stage. “It wasn’t because she was in the bottom two, but because she is so close to the boys in Kingsland Road,” said Rachael, who was on hand to comfort her daughter. She said it was like competing against her brothers.
“I said she could come home for the night, but she wanted to spend the boys’ last night in the X Factor house and say a proper goodbye.
“But it was back to work Monday. She is putting her all into it.”
Despite her hectic schedule of singing and dancing rehearsals, photocalls and interviews, Tamera still manages to spend the odd night at home with Rachael, her 13-year-old brother Regan and sister Kiera, 11.
Rachael is proud of all her children and can often be found checking her mobile, looking at photos and videos of them playing together. One shows Tamera and Kiera singing and dancing in their bedroom.
Equally proud nan Janet Foster often posts videos of Tamera singing online.
“The house is very quiet without her singing all the time,” said Rachael, with a fond smile.
“She has such a loud singing voice and I was always telling her to shut up. But I miss her a lot." - Tamera's mum
“She shares a bedroom with Kiera and they are very close. Kiera plays Tamera’s X Factor auditions over and over again.”
Kiera, who attends Northfleet School for Girls, is delighted about her big sister’s new-found fame, while Regan, who is a student at Northfleet Technical College, takes it all in his stride.
“They are both really, really proud of her but Kiera is loving it. Regan is a bit more shy,” explained Rachael.
While Tamera is busy with the demands of X Factor, Rachael is drumming up support for her daughter throughout Gravesend.
Wearing a hoodie emblazoned with a Team Tamera logo on the front and Tamera’s Mum on the back, Rachael has been visiting shops and businesses handing out posters.
Regan and Kiera also have their own tops, as does Tamera’s proud grandmother Janet Fostercorr, and several other relatives and friends, nicknamed themselves T-Birds and T-Gents.
One special member of the fan club is Gravesend youngster Stacey Mowle.
The seven-year-old, who has a rare cancer, has met her idol and the pair have struck up a friendship.
Rachael said Tamera was keen to help Stacey and her family in their bid to raise £500,000 needed to pay for specialist treatment.
While at Northfleet School for Girls Tamera took part in fundraising efforts.
“She is so intent on helping Stacey,” said Rachael.
“When they met they just fell in love.
“Stacey draws her pictures all the time and Tamera rings in the mornings to say hello.”
Tamera is not the only contestant with North West Kent College links who is wowing the judges and audience on the show.
Prison officer Sam Bailey was a drama student at the college in the 1990s.
The 36-year-old, who gave a powerful rendition of Frank Sinatra’s New York, New York on Saturday night’s show, was based at the former Miskin Theatre site in Dartford.
The mum-of-two is bookies’ favourite to win, at 5-4.
Her mentor Sharon Osbourne said she was “stunning” and that her husband Ozzy was watching at home and would be proud. Fellow judge Louis Walsh said she was the one to beat in the competition.
“You’re consistent, versatile, amazing – there’s nothing you cannot sing,” he said.
Sam’s own highlight of the week was meeting her idol, American superstar Michael Bolton, when he turned up at the X Factor house after Tweeting that he would like to sing with her.
After performing her Big Band hit, Sam spoke to X Factor host Dermot O’Leary about her famous fan: “I’m still a little bit starstruck,” she said. “He’s contacting me every day.”
