The last time Saara Aalto appeared on Good Morning Britain, it was on the back of a nerve-racking sing-off on X Factor UK. So it was a case of déjà vu when she made another appearance on Monday morning.
Speaking to co-presenters Ben Shephard and Kate Garraway alongside showbiz correspondent Richard Arnold, Saara said it was a “very, very tough situation” to be in the sing-off having looked back at it for the first time.
Asked on whether the competition will get any easier, she said: “No, it’s not because you want to stay. The further you go, the more you want to stay. It’s getting harder.”
After being involved in three sing-offs so far, Saara says the judges are believing in her and that she wants to show why she’s in the competition. Richard then announced Saara’s confirmation of a place on next year’s X Factor UK tour. She may get kicked out of the show, but she’ll be spending a lot of time in the UK next year regardless!
Saara stoked a bit of controversy for her Geisha-themed performance of Girls Aloud’s “Sound of the Underground”, which some considered inappropriate cultural appropriation. She says the act — while over-the-top — was about honouring her fond memories of Tokyo.
“We had a party in Tokyo in that song. I wanted to bring something new to the song, so it was my idea to bring something Asian to it, but it was mainly the intro of the song and sang it in an Asian way. The costumes and the stage were well produced but I loved it. I waited my whole life to do performances like that so I was really happy to do it. Of course, I understand the point it might be over the top and I should tone it down for next week, but it’s Disco Week. I don’t how to do that!”
Whilst Saara had yet to decide on her performance for Disco Week, she said she was hoping to have a song with a big vocal range and would take Richard’s advice of going large on staging once again.
The idea of cultural appropriation by individuals is just ridiculous. If a European is wearing a kimono, (s)he is celebrating one part of Japanese culture, not appropriating it.
Saara should sing for UK
@ESC Party
You didn’t have to read all the Saara’s new if you don’t want to. there’s still some news to read anw. So simple.
LOL @ Pollaski! 100% on the money!
I love her so much!
She still looks like the worst Samurai Shodown cosplayer ever.