Bella Ferraro

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
OccupationSinger
InstrumentVocals
Years active2012–present
LabelsSony

Bella Ferraro (born 20 Aug 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

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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

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2012: The X Factor Australia

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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

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

2012–2013: Record deal and singles

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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

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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

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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

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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

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

Discography

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Singles

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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

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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

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  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:
  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:
  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.
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https://www.bellaferraromusic.com/