Wonderland: "We can't think of not making it!"
Irish girlband talk to Starlounge about their plans for world domination
c 2011 Starlounge
Well, that’s certainly the plan for the quintet if their ambitious manager Louis Walsh has anything to do with it. And if he can turn 'X Factor' novelty act Jedward into a money making phenomenon, then surely Wonderland can follow suit?
“It’s not that easy,” muses Wonderland member Kasey Smith in an exclusive chat with Starlounge, “Even though I think there’s room for loads of girl bands, very few get to stick around and I don’t know why that is, but we’re in good hands with Louis.
“He’s very busy with the 'X Factor' now, but I’d love him to pull some strings and get us on that show to perform. That’d be amazing – everyone watches it.”
And with competition from bands like The Saturdays and Sugababes, what do the girls think gives them an edge?
“We sound quite different to other girl bands – we have our own sound, we just need to get out there, which is why we’re performing non-stop everywhere. It’s a lot of work, but worth it.”
Kasey, at 21, is one of the youngest members of the mainly Irish group that includes Corrina Durran, 24, Sharon Condon, 25, Leigh Learmont, 21 and the only Briton, former soap star Jodi Albert, 27.
She tells Starlounge that she hopes the band can emulate a fraction of Girls Aloud’s success.
“I know that Girls Aloud may reform next year, but I welcome that as I think we can hold our own. If we become half as successful that’s be amazing,” she says.
So are the girls recognised in their home country? “No, not really. It’s just quiet and back to normal when we get the very rare time to go back home.
“We have gained quite a few fans, though, in part thanks to Westlife who we’ve opened for in concert in front of 70-odd thousand people – not many new bands get that chance. It’s been great for us and the reception’s been good.”
Band member Jodi is married to Westlife star Kian Egan, who is Wonderland's other manager, but Kasey says that this has had little impact on the dynamics of the group.
“People think that could be a problem, but it’s really not,” she says. “They have a very professional relationship with each other when it comes to business so it’s not weird at all for any of us with Kian being our manager.
"The four of us girls live together and Jodi and Kian live in the building in front of us. We can wave to each other through the windows.”
And are there any forming of ranks against the sole Brit Jodi? “Not at all. Jodi is pretty much Irish to us,” Casey says laughing. “Her husband’s Irish and she’s quarter Irish. It wouldn’t matter anyway.”
However she admits that the thought of the group not being successful is absolutely terrifying.
“Oh I don’t even want to think of that!” says Kasey. “When we go back home and see our families and boyfriends they keep us grounded and so we’d have that support, but I don’t want to think about us not making it.”
Wonderland will perform at Magic Summer Live at Hatfield House on Sunday
By Dominique Hines / Starlounge
Photos: Getty Images
