50 Shades of Stevi
Words/ Lou Andrews, Stevi Ritchie
X-Factor, mankinis, passion, kangaroo balls and Christmas singles. People of the pages, meet Stevi Ritchie...
I’ve just finished a Zoom call with Stevi Ritchie, who you will probably know best from his X-factor days. Googling someone only gets you so far and what we really want to do with REFRAME is capture the real person inside. We all have a past, and with celebrities we only really get to see what the papers want us to, but there’s so much more than that! And Stevi didn’t disappoint. He’s quite the character, and so open and honest. I think, with reality TV stars, people tend to think they are just people who turn up and get lucky. Maybe a one trick pony. Stevi is no pony! Performing is very much in his blood. He got the bug when he was just a kid, went on to study at the London School of Musical Theatre, was an Elvis impersonator, a wrestler and a Pontins blue coat! Is there anything this man can’t (or wont!) do?
So, before we start Stevi, I Googled you to do a little bit of background research last night and I came across an image of you in a luminous green mankini – I can’t unsee that now! <laughs>. What on earth was going on there?!
<laughs> It was during Lockdown, so everyone was miserable, and I thought ‘why not?’. I love making people laugh! I wore that in Celebrity Big Brother and so I stripped and had that on underneath!
My eyes. My eyes! <laughs> So, I want to take you back to the X factor days. What were you doing as a living just prior to that?
So, I was working in a call centre, uh, you know, five days a week. And that’s what I was doing for like three years. I mean, I was doing the odd gig, the odd panto, but it wasn’t full-time. You know, always being overdrawn and having no money. Not even enough to go down to see my daughter. Um, it was very hard. I remember saying to myself one night in the call centre ‘I just want to change my life for me and my daughter’.
And that’s what you did Stevi! So, fast forward, you auditioned for X-factor and obviously you got through and it all took off. How did that feel? I mean, when you think back to that, what was the first point at which you thought, ‘wow, I’ve really done something here’?
Yeah, do you know what Lou? I auditioned six times and I never got past the second stage! And then, it came to the seventh time, and I got past the second stage and I thought to myself, ‘wow, I’ve never got past this stage before in my life’. So, I was quite happy even with that, because I thought I had achieved something! It’s not easy because people think you rock up and you sing in front of the main judges. You do your thing and then you get a yes or no and that’s it. Well, that’s not the case. I had to queue up for hours, be seen by producers three times before I got the phone call to say, right, you’re seeing the judges. And that was just, wow, you know, a phenomenal experience for me. I just never, ever regret anything that I’ve done. Ever.
Yes, I agree. That’s something you should never do in life. You use all those tools that you have acquired, because that’s what makes us who we are. So, did you get to the point where you started going out and people were recognizing you? What was that like?
Yeah, you know, I always recall this moment, because it was an incredibly special moment in my heart. I got out of the X Factor on a Sunday and on the Monday or Tuesday I went to Colchester and popped into Starbucks to get myself a coffee. So, I came out of Starbucks with my latte and I remember there was about a hundred people gathered outside waiting for pictures. And I thought, ‘oh my God, this is nuts!’. <laughs> I tell you what, wow, Lou, it was just overwhelming. I’ll never forget that and I’m very grateful.
So obviously that must’ve been quite overwhelming, and this is something I want to touch on. You’ve now got social media producing influencers, so there’s a lot of youngsters out there that are getting this overnight fame. How do you deal with that? How do you deal with those highs and lows?
I think fame can be addictive. I think people want to be somebody, for whatever reason that may be. Um, for me personally, I’m very grateful for the journey I’ve had, whether it ends tomorrow or next year...and that’s important, you’ve just got to keep going no matter what.
Even if people doubt you and say, ‘you can’t do it’, you have to think ‘I’ll prove them wrong’. A lot of people thought I’d never get on X factor. They always said to me, ‘oh you won’t get anywhere, you’re wasting your time’… And I bloody did, I proved them wrong!
Yes, and I very much agree. It can be a brutal world out there. And I think we do need to get to a stage where we sit with ourselves and go, ‘do you know what, I’m happy with who I am. I don’t care what you say!’. But did you ever get to a low point when you thought, ‘do you know what, I’m struggling with this’?
I cannot tell you how many times that I felt like throwing in the towel. When I’ve just thought, ‘do you know what, it’s not going my way’. I’m getting rejection after rejection. It’s hard. But, if you’ve got a passion for it, you won’t quit it and I have so much more I want to achieve. I’ve always wanted to achieve that dream of being a TV host or doing a West End show – something like Phantom.
How does it feel for you when you perform? What do you get from that performance?
For me, when I go on stage, I don’t know...it’s like an out of body experience. I like to bring it and entertain and make people smile and laugh, sing and dance and whatnot. I love that. There’s a feeling of fear before I go on stage and it’s a feeling that you just can’t describe. You’re like, okay, is this gonna be a good gig? And I think if people don’t get that fear, they’re not feeling it anymore because it’s a passion.
You mentioned Celebrity Big Brother earlier. What was that like? Because you are shut in a house with people that you don’t know 24/7. What goes on behind the scenes?
It was a great show. I can’t knock it. It was nice to be asked to go in as a couple with my fiancé at the time (not anymore). It was lovely, but it is such a hard, intense show! Like really, I cannot tell you how intense it is. For me, I was on my toes a lot in that show. I was literally going, ‘what’s, gonna happen?’. Because you do think that, and you’re locked in this house. You can’t escape anywhere. You could go to the garden – which I did – to smoke, but that’s it. And you don’t know what’s being said on the outside, so it’s quite daunting. But, in a positive way, it’s good therapy because you’re shut off from everything. Social media, newspapers, tv, radio...the lot.
How long were you in there for in the end?
Four weeks. Then I got to the final and came fifth. There was, I think, 16 in my year, and I came fifth. So that’s not bad.
That’s, amazing. Especially as you went in with your partner. Because let’s face it, that ain’t easy! <laughs>
No, it’s not easy. It adds to the intensity, I’m not blaming her, it just does.
No, of course not. But to be fair, I don’t think my partner would want to be locked in a house with me 24/7! <laughs> Let’s be honest. It’s hard. But I mean, you were in there with some big characters like Bobby Davro and Janice Dickinson! I grew up watching Bobby so that’s mad!
Do you know what Lou, that man, for me, when he is on stage with a big audience something switches and he becomes this larger-than-life, amazing comedian, one of the best I’ve ever worked with in my life! He is so funny! And he’s got that pizazz that no other comic has, he’s just so good, so quick!
Are you still in contact with anyone from your X-Factor or celeb BB days?
Yeah, I mean, I suppose more so Bobby Davro out of everybody now. He occasionally texts or phones me up. He’s a great guy. Absolutely love him. So, I made a good friend.
Who is the most famous person in your phone? Apart from me of course! <laughs>
I think I’ve got Shane Ritchie! I obviously have X Factor people in my phone. I did have Rylan, but he’s changed his number. Typical. <laughs>
You infamously took Simon Cowell to the Harvester. What did he eat? Is he a breast or a thigh man?!
No, he had scampi, peas and chips, sorry to disappoint! <laughs> He’s a legend though. He’s so bloody cool, literally so charismatic and you just want to watch him. You want to listen to him. He has that power over you where if he talks, you want to listen, and he really knows his stuff as well.
Yeah, he fascinates me. I’d love to do an interview with him some day, he has so many layers. Now I know you have been working on a TV show recently, tell me about that?
I’m one of the hosts for this mental health show called ‘Mind Over Matter’, so I’m doing that at the moment. It’s on YouTube, so just type in ‘Mind Over Matter TV show’ and my episode will come up. It’s a really good show for anyone going through mental health issues, or that has had them, as you get to see other people’s journeys and how they coped.
At this point Stevi asks if he can go to the loo because, apparently, he has had too much coffee – honestly, this man cracks me up!
One of the other things I wanted to ask you about is trolling. Have you ever been trolled, and if so, what was the most impacting comment you had?
So, yeah, I have been trolled on Twitter. I think Twitter, as much as I love it, is open to negativity and trolling. Someone once said something about my daughter – which is the worst thing – but the worst personal comment that I always remember in my head to this day is, ‘you’ve got a face, like a melted wellie’.
What does that even mean Stevi?!
<laughs> I don’t know, I think what it means is cause my eyes aren’t the usual type! It kind of hurt a little bit at the time, but now it doesn’t bother me really. I’m more comfortable with myself.
So, yeah, I have been trolled on Twitter. I think Twitter, as much as I love it, is open to negativity and trolling.
And this is exactly what I want to get across because ultimately when you get to the stage where you are comfortable with those things in yourself, then those comments can’t get to you and you can laugh about it.
Exactly that. Yeah. Do you know what, as long as no one says anything about my daughter or my loved ones, I do not give a damn!
I wanted to ask about your daughter. Is she following in your footsteps? And if so, how do you feel about that? What advice do you give her?
Do you know what she’s a fantastic dancer. I think her dream is to be in a West End show as a dancer. And I said to her, ‘look, you know, it’s a hard, hard industry. You’re gonna get a lot of rejection and hear ‘no’ a hundred times before you get one yes – but on the other hand, it’s the most rewarding job that you could ever have in your life.’ And once you get a job, believe me, it is the best feeling ever, because you’re getting paid for what you love. It’s also good to have a backup career to pay the bills etc, but don’t fall out of sight of your dream and keep that passion alive.
So, what do you want to do next Stevi?
I’d LOVE to do I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here, it’s such a great show and I’m a big fan of it. I love it. I think it’s one of the best reality shows out there.
Do you know what Stevi, I love that show too and I think you would be amazing! You’re very open and honest, full of energy and you like to make people laugh. Those are such endearing qualities that people will be drawn to. But…how do you think you would manage the testicles?
<laughs> I reckon I could handle kangaroo balls for a couple minutes! The only thing I’m a bit scared of is spiders. Me being locked in a coffin full of spiders, that would scare the hell out of me!
I reckon I could handle Kangaroo balls for a couple minutes! The only thing I’m a bit scared of is spiders.
Would you scream like a wuss Stevie?
<laughs> Oh yeah. I would be in hysterics, literally! Scream and scream like a wuss!
Are you watching it at the moment? Who’s your money on?
I really like Josie Gibson. I think she’s great.
Do you know what Stevi, she’s literally a female version of you from what I’ve seen! <laughs> You’d make a great presenting pair! Now, I hear you are doing a Christmas single?
Yeah, basically I’ve recorded the single and did the video a couple of weeks ago in London. It’s a great song. My PR Mark Boardman wrote the song and It’s called ‘It’s Magic at Christmas’. It’s a banging tune!
Can’t wait to hear it, when’s it out?
It’ll be out early December and all proceeds are going to Great Ormond Street Hospital. It’s 99p to download and it can really make a difference.
What made you choose that charity?
Lou, I can’t describe what, you know, other parents must be going through when your child is that unwell. I mean I just, I can’t even imagine or think what that’s like or how they deal with it, I just can’t. I’m so thankful, you know, that my daughter is healthy. She’s, my life. These poor kids, it’s so sad. So hopefully the single can raise some money to pay for treatments or make that time a little easier.
Lou, I can’t describe what, you know, other parents must be going through when your child is that unwell.
That’s amazing and I can really see the emotion in you when you talk about it. I hope everyone gets behind you and buys the single – I will be for sure. Thanks so much for chatting so openly with me. One last thing before we go, if you did go into I’m a Celeb, would you take the mankini with you?! <laughs>
No, no. I would be well under wraps! <laughs> Actually, I think what I’ll do, is I’ll get really lean again and then I’ll just get my body out and wear my shorts! Do some lunges around camp. A bit like what Myleene Klass did. <laughs>
We end the call on a laugh, which pretty much sums Stevi up. I can honestly say, he is one of the nicest blokes I have ever met! We laughed…A LOT! This man has so much passion for what he does, and I think there is a real lesson in that. How many of us do something that invokes that feeling in us? And we all should. We all have something inside that drives us, something we are passionate about, and I think what I learnt from Stevi is to never let go of that. He is a real diamond in the rough. Chip away at the surface and give him a buff and that man will shine bright. I honestly hope he does get on I’m a celeb, because he gets my vote! And please get yourselves online and buy the single when it comes out!
Lou x