My child was in a S Club Juniors, ask me anything

[BeEagerEagle]

In 2001, my child auditioned for a CBBC show called ‘S Club Search’ and got a place in a child pop group who initially were meant to support S Club 7 on a one time support gig basis. This band was called S Club Juniors, later known as S Club 8.

The band ended up taking off and we basically had to sign or children away to Simon Fuller’s management to release a single. The kids were given tutors and chaperones, and spent most of their time in hotels (the ones London based stayed either their parents) or on the road. After that, they went on tour and I only saw my child once every couple of months. It was brutal but I knew that’s what they wanted to do.

they released two albums and the second one didn’t do that well, Simon Fuller tried them on a TV show called I Dream, however that also tanked. My child will admit that themselves. They all got dropped when aged 14-17. He said they had grown out of their roles a bit.

Now they are in their late thirties and trying to get back into the entertainment industry fully but it’s difficult. They’ve never quite got over their time in the band. They released music but it never really went anywhere. They would never say so, but it doesn’t help them that two of their fellow band members went on to become big stars, both were in a chart topping girl band and now are TV presenters.

their band (minus the two still-successful members) were meant to reunite for a TV show a long while ago, but for various reasons it didn’t happen. When S Club reunited, S Club juniors didn’t get asked to reunite as there was ‘no call’ for it and only a few were up for reuniting. (My child, and another boy and girl member)

they are still acquaintances with S club 7 and went to Paul Cattermoles funeral.

I know my (now adult) child doesn’t regret the choices they made as a child, but feels sad as an adult.

AMA- child (now adult) is also here to answer questions too and is happy to answer questions about specific members and music!

It was in part due to Rochelle being put forward to audition first. She recommended Frankie and polydor were keen to pursue her on R’s recommendation and due to her being the favourite girl out of SCJ.

Frankie was reluctant to audition for the Saturdays and almost didn’t go.

Not a lot, but some. Sometimes it was the parents getting annoyed rather than the children.

"what was said on x factor? that's awful! poor daisy! again from above even too good for x factor they had the tunes! I must have missed them on x factor the whole thing is crazy and it's so sad she had to go through all that. Matthew Knowles should have just launched them properly instead of messing about and they'd have been as successful as the saturdays if not bigger. She was so talented and confident too that's such a shame! Same with stacey on x factor she should have won? she'd have been an incredible solo artist. I'll have to somehow pass that on to laura from we are sovereign through instagram ( see my previous post about her interview) then if daisy takes bookings in MUA to speak about the juniors I think that'd be a dream come true for laura after hearing her blush in the interview hahaha! thanks for answering the questions I never thought I'd have my childhood mysterys solved! david and carrie were spot on stacey had THE voice. She needs to release more solo stuff "

I loved S Club Juniors! I was a few years younger than them and remember finding it really cool to see people closer to my age performing. I wondered what happened to them besides just fizzling out, I think if they weren't quite so closely associated to S Club 7 (even though it's chicken and egg as they were only formed because of the band) they might have had more longevity; i suppose there's a reason most artists start a bit older in the industry though. I think it's good you gave your child the opportunity so they weren't left wondering 'what if'- although can understand why it's disappointing to not have the career they wanted, not many people can say they've released music and been part of a band!

What was your favourite part of them being in the band as a parent?

From above went on X factor after Knowles dropped them, their audition didn’t air but you can see their boot camp audition on YouTube. There was a lot of backlash from viewers as they’d auditioned for X factor despite being previously signed. I know that upset her too.

Stacey did some shows as “s club allstars” a few years ago with Bradley and Tina from sc7.

When Stacey auditioned for X factor producers were very firm about her not mentioning her SC roots. Not sure why.

My favourite part was seeing my child so happy and doing what they wanted to do. They’d always wanted to be in the industry even as a toddler.

Is your child Daisy?

They were always my favourite !

Ah love that! What wonderful memories :) I actually think some of their songs are still a bop even though i haven't listened to them for ages, great to see their stuff on Spotify.

She was all of my friends favourite too, which is why I'm quite surprised Frankie was seen as the main girl by the management- but i guess they were adults and had different perception to other children.

Hannah was always my favourite but I think that's because I related the most to her, we were the same age and she didn't seem as ''full on' as the other girls as I was on the more reserved side too.

"just watched daisys x factor boot camp video and bless her!!!!!! they were just proper nervous and I bet after all the psychological messing about from knowles and trauma and stress from the tv show it made them unsettled. They have a show reel on youtube and it's blatantly obvious they can all sing they do acapella and everything. The judges were rude as hell with the water thing if somebodys nervous and wants something so much you don't behave like that as a judge. If you watch before they auditioned the judges had faces like thunder before they even began? the industry talks so I wonder if matthew caused problems for them? either or I'm not sure if Daisy is your daughter but if she is I hope she's let all that go. She achieved incredible success from an early age most than some ever will. If your daughter is Stacey tell her the same they were both robbed of success and shouldn't have even had to go back to x factor they should have been given the same equal opportunities and support as frankie and rochelle. Escpecially as you mention about them living in london and stacey finding it harder to get to stuff. I hope they're both at peace in themselves and I bet you're incredibly proud whoever your child was in the group"

Hannah was brought forward from the B team as she was great at harmonising and because she was so young they thought she’d be the cute “baby” of the group. As such her wardrobe was a lot more controlled than the rest of the girls. As she got older she wanted to wear more vests/halternecks in the music videos like some of the other girl members, and wardrobe management told her no and put her in T-shirts instead! They also weren’t keen on her wearing black, said it was too old for her. The group chat laughs about it now but at the time it was “very upsetting” apparently.

I found the clip with the children having to stand against the wall. It’s just after 15.08 in this episode here and was Daisy and Rochelle:

I don’t think this was what it seemed. They were trying to pretend to sit in thin air and an assistant choreographer was showing them how it’s done! They used to show them all sorts of funny tricks. But I will ask!

That's not what I'm seeing either.

The main thing I take from that is that whoever that blonde guy is is a bit creepy 😂

The choreographer? If it’s him he’s great, he was fab with the kids and actually helped get one into a performing arts college when the band was over.

Yes it’s true Rylan auditioned however my child does not remember seeing him, possibly as there was so many children there. I don’t think Rylan made it to the finals. I will say that the judges, (fuller, Nikki) and s club didn’t want kids who were TOO cocky and flamboyant/theatrical. And a lot were.

What does the s stand for? Is it singing?

Simon (Fuller)

Wait, seriously? It's Simon club 7, Simon club juniors... Tad egotistical 😂

I remeber one of the music mags asked S club what the S stood for and they all gave random answers. Haha

I never knew the S stood for Simon!

S was because it's the 19th letter of the alphabet and Simon Fullers management is '19'

Good spot!

A lot of them found interviews awkward I think, especially the boys.