Bella Ferraro

Australian singer

Bella Ferraro
Ferraro in 2012
Ferraro in 2012
Background information
Birth nameIsabella Devenish-Meares
Born1994 (age 29–30)
Sydney, Australia
OriginSydney, Australia
GenresIndie pop, soul, soft rock
Occupation(s)Singer
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active2012–present
LabelsSony
Musical artist

Bella Ferraro (born 1994) is an Australian singer most notable for and was the tenth contestant eliminated on the fourth season of The X Factor Australia in 2012.

Early life

Ferraro was born and raised in Sydney, Australia.[1][failed verification] She began singing as a child. At age five, she became a member of the Australian Girls Choir, which performed at the annual Carols in the Domain and during Oprah Winfrey's Australian tour. Ferraro left school in Year 12 to pursue a music career.[2]

Career

2012: The X Factor Australia

Ferraro successfully auditioned for the fourth season of The X Factor in 2012, singing "Skinny Love", with a treatment based on the version by Birdy.[3] She was inspired to audition for the show after seeing the success of One Direction on the UK version.[2][3] During the super boot camp stage, Ferraro forgot the lyrics to the two songs she performed: Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know" and Crowded House's "Don't Dream It's Over".[4] For the first live performance show on 17 September 2012, Ferraro sang Matt Corby's "Brother" and received a mixed response from the judges. Mel B said it was not the right song choice, while Ronan Keating disagreed saying that he loved the song choice and describing her performance as "beautiful".[5]

For the second live performance show, Ferraro performed a stripped back version of "What Makes You Beautiful". She received mixed reviews from the judges, who concluded that while the song was an appropriate choice, the arrangement did not match that week's theme, "Party Week".[6] Her performance of "What Makes You Beautiful" debuted at number 62 on the ARIA Singles Chart.[7] For the third live performance show, she sang "Big Yellow Taxi" by Joni Mitchell and received a positive response from the judges for her vocals, but mixed reviews over the choreography incorporated into the performance.[8] Keating said the vocals were great but the dancing came in and it wasn't.[8] Ferraro's performance of "Big Yellow Taxi" debuted at number 84.[7] For the fourth live show, she sang "Ray of Light" by Madonna followed by the English version of "99 Red Balloons" from German band Nena for the fifth live show. In week six of the live shows, Ferraro fell into the bottom two alongside Fourtunate but was saved after Mel B, Natalie Bassingthwaighte, and Guy Sebastian all opted to eliminate Fourtunate.[9]

For the seventh live performance show, Ferraro sang The Temper Trap's "Sweet Disposition".[10][11] Her performance of "Sweet Disposition" debuted at number 59.[7] For the eighth live performance show, Ferraro sang "Dreams" by The Cranberries,[12][13] and her performance debuted at number 82.[7] In the semi-finals of the live shows, Ferraro fell into the bottom two alongside The Collective; the result was a deadlock and so reverted to the earlier public vote. Ferraro was eliminated and thus placed fourth in the competition.[14][15] Her performance of "The Last Day on Earth" debuted at number 90.[7]

Performances on The X Factor

  denotes having reached the ARIA Singles Chart.
  denotes having been in the bottom two.

Show Theme Song Original artist Order Result
Auditions Free choice "Skinny Love" Birdy N/A Through to super bootcamp
Super bootcamp 1 "The A Team" Ed Sheeran Through to stage 2
Super bootcamp 2 "Somebody That I Used to Know" Gotye Through to stage 3
Super bootcamp 3 "Don't Dream It's Over" Crowded House Through to home visits
Home visits "Heartbeats" Ellie Goulding Through to live shows
Week 1 Judges' Choice "Brother" Matt Corby 10 Safe
Week 2 Party All Night[6] "What Makes You Beautiful" One Direction 5 Safe
Week 3 Top 10 Hits[8] "Big Yellow Taxi" Joni Mitchell 5 Safe
Week 4 Legends[16] "Ray of Light" Madonna 7 Safe
Week 5 1980s "99 Red Balloons" Nena 5 Safe
Week 6 Latest and Greatest[17] "Shake It Out" Florence + the Machine 6 Bottom two
Final showdown "Tonight" Lykke Li 2 Saved
Week 7 Made in Australia[10] "Sweet Disposition" The Temper Trap 5 Safe
Week 8 Judges' Challenge[12] "Dreams" The Cranberries 5 Safe
Semi-final Power and Passion[14] "Bulletproof" La Roux 3 Bottom two
"The Last Day on Earth" Kate Miller-Heidke 7
Final Showdown "Angel" Sarah McLachlan 1 Eliminated

2012–2013: Record deal and singles

After The X Factor ended, Ferraro obtained a recording contract with Sony Music Australia and released her debut single "Set Me on Fire" on 14 December 2012.[18] The song peaked at number 36 on the ARIA Singles Chart on 30 December 2012.[19] Her second single "Forgot You", which features Will Singe of The Collective, was released on 18 October 2013 and peaked at number 75 on the ARIA Singles Chart.[20][19]

2014: Leaving Sony Music & Social Media

Bella opted out of her recording contract & abandoned all social media in 2014. Ferraro is no longer signed to Sony Music Australia.[21]

2015-2019: Life away from the spotlight, LilBels

Over the coming years, Bella studied music production, did backing vocals, keyboards & even performed on occasion under the name 'LilBels'[22] Bella performed as LilBels in Sydney with band Sister Peach where she was rediscovered by artist Zepha, a turning point for Bella's return to music.[22]

2020-Present: Returning as Bella Ferraro, new single

Bella performed at the iconic Sydney venue, Low 302, where she played unreleased tracks that were recently finalized with friend & artist Zepha. After the positive response Bella decided to release a single titled 'Her' that was released in August 2020. The single would be part of an upcoming EP.[23] Dave Ruby Howe from Triple j Unearthed had this to say about the single "Bella's vocal and this whole pulsing track does more than just luring you in. It's more like they trap you. Everything feels close up and connected; skin to skin, baring the soul."[23] Bella released her second single from the upcoming EP "Believe You" on 30 October 2020[24]

Artistry

Ferraro cites Bon Iver, Lykke Li, Crystal Castles, Foals and Two Door Cinema Club as her musical influences.[3]

Discography

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
AUS
[19]
"Set Me on Fire" 2012 36 Non-album single
"Forgot You"
(featuring Will Singe) 		2013 75
"Her" 2020
"Believe You"
Music Videos
Title Year Album
Set Me On Fire 2012 —
Forgot You (feat. Will Singe) 2013

Other charted songs

Title Year Peak chart positions
AUS
[7]
"What Makes You Beautiful" 2012 62
"Big Yellow Taxi" 84
"Sweet Disposition" 59
"Dreams" 82
"The Last Day on Earth" 90

References

  1. ^ Knox, David (13 September 2012). "Boy factor on The X Factor". TV Tonight. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  2. ^ a b Byrnes, Holly (13 September 2012). "X Factor – the live shows begin". The Daily Telegraph. News Limited. Archived from the original on 31 December 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  3. ^ a b c "The X-Factor Australia Contestant – Bella Ferraro". The X Factor Australia. Yahoo!7. 13 September 2012. Archived from the original on 15 September 2012.
  4. ^ "X Factor Australia's Top Twelve Revealed". The Hot Hits Live from LA. MCM Entertainment. 13 September 2012. Archived from the original on 21 September 2012. Retrieved 14 September 2012.
  5. ^ Lewdon, Courtney (17 September 2012). "The X Factor Australia – Season Four – Top 12 Performance Show: It's Judges Choice!". Throng. Throng Media. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
  6. ^ a b "Song List: Party All Night!". The X Factor Australia. Yahoo!7. Archived from the original on 28 September 2012.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Peak chart positions for songs on the ARIA Singles Chart:
    • "What Makes You Beautiful": Ryan, Gavin (30 September 2012). "Guy Sebastian PSY Fi'd Off Top of ARIA Chart". Noise11. Noise Network. Archived from the original on 30 September 2012.
    • "Big Yellow Taxi": Ryan, Gavin (7 October 2012). "PSY Gangham Style Stays at No. 1 on ARIA Chart". Noise11. Noise Network. Archived from the original on 6 October 2012.
    • "Sweet Disposition": Ryan, Gavin (4 November 2012). "Psy Tops ARIA Singles Chart For 6th Week". Noise11. Noise Network. Archived from the original on 3 November 2012.
    • "Dreams" : Ryan, Gavin (11 November 2012). "Swedish House Mafia Replace Psy on ARIA Chart". Noise11. Noise Network. Archived from the original on 10 November 2012.
    • "The Last Day on Earth": Ryan, Gavin (18 November 2012). "Swedish House Mafia Maintains Top of ARIA Chart". Noise11. Noise Network. Archived from the original on 17 November 2012.
  8. ^ a b c "Song List: Top 10 Hits!". The X Factor Australia. Yahoo!7. Archived from the original on 5 October 2012.
  9. ^ Lewdon, Courtney. "The X Factor Australia – Season Four – Australia Pics Their Six!". Throng. Throng Media. Archived from the original on 6 December 2012.
  10. ^ a b "Song List: Made in Australia!". The X Factor Australia. Yahoo!7. Archived from the original on 1 November 2012.
  11. ^ Lewdon, Courtney (30 October 2012). "The X Factor Australia – Season Four – The Top Six Dives To Five". Throng. Throng Media. Archived from the original on 31 December 2012.
  12. ^ a b "Song List: Judges' Challenge!". The X Factor Australia. Yahoo!7. Archived from the original on 13 November 2012.
  13. ^ Lewdon, Courtney (6 November 2012). "The X Factor Australia – Season Four – Four to the Floor". Throng. Throng Media. Archived from the original on 30 October 2013.
  14. ^ a b "Song List: Power and Passion!". The X Factor Australia. Yahoo!7. Archived from the original on 27 October 2013.
  15. ^ Lewdon, Courtney (13 November 2012). "The X Factor Australia – Season Four – Semi-final Decider". Throng. Throng Media. Archived from the original on 30 October 2013.
  16. ^ "Song List: Legends Week!". The X Factor Australia. Yahoo!7. Archived from the original on 11 October 2012.
  17. ^ "Song List: Songs of Now!". The X Factor Australia. Yahoo!7. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012.
  18. ^ "Set Me on Fire by Bella Ferraro". iTunes Store (Australia). Apple. 14 December 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  19. ^ a b c Peak chart positions for singles on the ARIA Singles Chart:
    • "Discography Bella Ferraro". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
    • "Forgot You": Ryan, Gavin (26 October 2013). "ARIA Singles: It Is Still About Katy Perry". Noise11. Noise Network. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
  20. ^ "Forgot You (feat. Will Singe) by Bella Ferraro". iTunes Store (Australia). Apple. 18 October 2013. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  21. ^ "Home".
  22. ^ a b "about". Bella Ferraro. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  23. ^ a b "Bella Ferraro". triple j Unearthed. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  24. ^ "Premiere: Bella Ferraro continues to relish in her return with new single, Believe You". PILERATS. Retrieved 30 October 2020.

External links

  • Official website (Archive)
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bella Ferraro.

https://www.bellaferraromusic.com/

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  • MusicBrainz