In Series 2 of CBBC’s Got What It Takes, Kyra West was a contestant, where she reached the Semi-Final performing a cover of Clean Bandit and Jess Glynne’s Rather Be. As part of the show, Kyra met a number of music artists including Calum Scott and The Vamps, and Got What It Takes is presented by former The X Factor contestant Lauren Platt. Kyra is now working with CBBC again, this time as one of their presenters on their new weekly web series Top This, which is currently available on the CBBC website. Continuing her music career, Kyra has recently uploaded a cover of PILLOWTALK by Zayn, and she has plans for more covers and hopes to perform at gigs in the future. We spoke to Kyra about her time as a contestant on Series 2 of Got What It Takes, her favourite challenges on the show and how she got into singing.
Earlier this year, you were a contestant on Series 2 of CBBC’s Got What It Takes, had you seen the show before applying?
I watched parts of Series 1 and it looked fun. I recently met some of them when we took part in Pitch Battle S2 vs S1. They were all so friendly and lively like us.
What was it like working alongside presenter Lauren Platt and music maestro David Tench?
David and Lauren were both amazing. Lauren would always check in on us to see if we were okay. David was fun too but very serious when it was time to work. They were fab.
In the Semi-Final, you performed Rather Be by Clean Bandit and Jess Glynne, how did you choose the song?
I wanted an upbeat song. Something different from what I would normally do like a ballad.
Were there any songs that you didn’t like but ended up liking after performing them or vice versa?
I found a lot of them challenging because they weren’t my style and I wasn’t familiar with the lyrics at first, but I ended up liking most of them, especially after we added our own twist to the songs.
Did you have a favourite challenge to do on the show, and how was it seeing the mothers complete their challenges?
I loved all the challenges, but I really enjoyed the music video challenge the most. I had so much fun filming it. It was epic hearing about all the challenges our mums had to do. I loved the horse challenge the most. I liked the platinum disc challenge the least because Mum had me gunged.
How long did the whole Got What It Takes experience last for and how different was the filming to how it looked on screen?
It lasted a few weeks, which was very intense and fun at the same time. It’s very similar, but of course, bloopers get cut out.
Whilst on the show, you met music artists including Calum Scott and The Vamps, what was this like and had you met any musicians before?
No, that was my first time. It was AMAZING!!! They were all so cool, especially Calum Scott. They gave great advice about the industry and working hard. It was so hard to keep a straight face around them. It was such an amazing experience.
What have your friends’ reactions been like to seeing you on TV?
My friends have been very supportive. I’m lucky to have them around.
Would you consider auditioning for any other talent shows such as The X Factor in the future?
I don’t know if I would but we’ll have to see.
Where does your love of singing come from and how did you get into it?
I’ve heard stories of me starting when I was in nappies. Everyone seems to recall me singing and dancing to Hopeful by Faith Evans whenever she appeared on MTV. I’ve always loved singing for as long as I can remember. It’s a way of expressing what I’m feeling.
Are there any artists you would most like to duet with or see perform live in concert?
I would love to see and do a duet with Zayn Malik. I think he’s amazing.
You have uploaded a cover of PILLOWTALK by Zayn, do you have any plans to release more covers?
I’m currently working on some covers in the studio.
What are your music plans for the next few months?
I really want to take my time and work on some covers. I also want to do more gigs in the future.
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Watch Kyra’s new CBBC show Top This
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