Stacey Barnes

Wakefield-based singer and performer Stacey Barnes is working hard to fulfil her dream of becoming a successful recording artist.

Stacey, 23, has always wanted to make it in the music business and last year beat thousands to make it to the final stages of boot camp on the X-Factor, where she was mentored by competition judge Simon Cowell. She narrowly missed making it on to the live show but believes that the experience has helped her to develop and created opportunities.

Over the past 12 months she has been busy, producing an album and even supporting singing legend Tina Turner in concert in Monte Carlo. In October Stacey will begin writing for the Yorkshire Evening Post as a guest columnist commenting on this year’s X-Factor finalists, and is working hard to progress her own music career.

Stacey is also an ambassador for Wakefield Make Your Mark campaign, inspiring other young people to turn their dreams into reality. She says: “I believe it’s important that young people follow their dreams. I would advise that if you want to go for something, whatever that might be, just go for it. Life is too short not to.”