JLS confess: Diary of a Number 1 boyband
Fame, fans and falling in love...
FIGHTING FIT: Aston shows off toned physique PHOTO: Dean Freeman
05/09/2010
THEY'RE Britain's No1 boyband with a four times platinum album, three No1 singles and two Brit awards under their belt.And today it's JL-FESS time. Aston Merrygold, 22, Jonathan "JB" Gill, 23, Marvin Humes, 25, and Oritsé Williams, 23, talk about the triumphs and tears since their meteoric rise to fame after coming second in The X Factor in 2008.
Here, in exclusive extracts from Just Between Us: Our Private Diary, adapted by DOUGLAS WIGHT, they reveal how they cope with attention from smitten fans, how Aston had a first class flirtation with a flighty beauty and how Marvin finally wooed The Saturdays star Rochelle Wiseman after carrying a torch for her for years.
And they talk movingly of how they learned to lean on each other as family tragedies rocked Marvin and Oritsé.
SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2009Marvin: "We had a party for my nan. All our family and close friends were there; I went with the boys. I'm very close to her. She's been like a second mum to me. We used to watch musicals and Disney films together and sing along.
"She was diagnosed with cancer in January and it's hard to see her in a wheelchair. The doctors said she has weeks to live.
"She's my biggest fan. It's a crazy time for the band but I've been trying to see Nan as much as possible."
TUESDAY, JULY 14Marvin: "We got the midweek charts and Beat Again (debut single) is going to be one of the biggest No1s of the year!
HAVING A LAUGH: Marvin raps with Oritsé
"Apparently, we sold about 60,000 copies on the first day. Our fans are amazing! Oritsé broke down because he was so proud of us. I can't wait to tell Nan."
Oritsé: "Seeing our first single going straight to No1 was a bit too much for me! I was overwhelmed."
FRIDAY, JULY 17Marvin: "Nan has died and the whole family is devastated. Mum and Dad both quit work and devoted their lives to her for the last three months, so it's been a very hard time. I want to support them as much as I can."
Aston: "Marvin is experiencing the highest high and the lowest low this week. We are all upset because we were close to his nan."
SUNDAY, JULY 26JB: "We had a No1 party and the girl I really fancy came along. She's lovely and I can't wait to see how it develops but I'd like to keep it low-key.
"Some girls (fans) are possessive of us. I think it's quite hard to have a relationship in the public eye."
Oritsé: "I'm going to cope with it all by staying single. The boys had girlfriends before The X Factor but my life was occupied by music and uni. My girlfriend at the moment is my guitar."
SOUL-MATES: Oritsé with guitar 'girlfriend'
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1Aston: "I was so excited when we got on the plane to Los Angeles (to film the video for Everybody in Love).
OK, it wasn't a holiday, but it was business class! I was directed upstairs but the other boys were sitting downstairs. I went up to find a girl of around 19 or 20 in the next bed.
"I went straight down to tell the others. Oritsé and Marvin had to sit together and JB was next to some bloke. When I finally sat down, I said to the girl, 'Hi, how are you doing?'
"Gradually, we got into conversation. One thing led to another. She said she liked our music and did a lot of talking - even when I was trying to watch a film. After 9˝ hours, I got off the flight knowing a lot about her.
"'Take my number,' she said. I did, but I warned her that we probably wouldn't have any time off in LA."
MONDAY, AUGUST 3Oritsé: "The shoot was great. I fell in love with my video girl.
"While we were trying to get into the moment on set, a kiss happened. Then again. She was amazing, but nothing materialised."
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5Marvin: "We are in a Catch-22 situation with women. We get a lot of attention but some girls only throw themselves at us because of fame. The decent girls aren't interested because they think you are a ladies' man."
Aston: "Before JLS I was never single - I've had to learn now. I miss the closeness of being with someone I love."
MY GIRL.. AT LAST: Marvin with Rochelle from The Saturdays
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9JB: "JLS, our album, is released today. Now that is very, very exciting!"
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15Marvin: "Nick Raphael, our label boss, called. He said that we'd beaten Robbie (Williams) by 2,000 copies. We've sold something like 240,000 albums and we're going to be No1. The news hasn't sunk in yet. The only other debut artist to sell more records here this year is Susan Boyle.
"It's Mum's birthday so I went out to dinner with her, Dad and my brother. My phone rang. 'Hi Marvin, it's Robbie,' said the voice. I immediately recognised it, but I still said, 'What? Robbie Williams?' 'Yes, I'm just phoning to say congratulations. You guys have done something incredible today.'
"He invited us to his house when we next go to LA. He has a football pitch there! It was really humble and good of him to make that call. It was another big highlight of the year for me."
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20Children In Need, BBC, London
Marvin: "I've got a confession - I've always liked Rochelle Wiseman from The Saturdays. I first met her when I was 20 and she was 16.
"I was in a band called VS; she interviewed me on a BBC programme called Smile. She was very mature and good looking.
"When she joined The Saturdays we were gigging on the same circuit. I was single but she was in a relationship. Now JLS and The Saturdays often go to the same parties.
"There's a natural chemistry between us. But she is still with her boyfriend, so I can't do anything!"
MAKING A BIG SPLASH: Marvin and JB lark aroundin a pool in Hollywood
SATURDAY, JANUARY 2, 2010Marvin: "Rochelle has split up with her boyfriend! I wonder if it's too early to ask her out? I don't want anyone else to snap her up."
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20Marvin: "I've been pursuing Rochelle for dates. I really want to take her out! It's hard to be patient."
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2Everybody Hurts is released in aid of the victims of the Haiti earthquake
Oritsé: "I found out I have cousins in Haiti. I was shocked. The tragedy had suddenly become much more personal. We heard that Simon Cowell was organising the Help Haiti single and immediately got in touch."
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16The Brits, Earls Court, London
Oritsé: "We won two Brits and we are elated! Plus, I met Mel B, which made me go weak at the knees, and Geri Halliwell, who is also totally gorgeous."
Aston: "Lily Allen walked into our dressing room wearing a T-shirt with a photo of her breasts on it. Then the boobs moved! The photo was in fact a piece of see-through material. I couldn't help but stare."
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19Marvin: "Last night I went on my first official date with Rochelle to the Ivy restaurant. We hit it off. I let her know how I felt about her. I think - I hope - she feels the same. She has agreed to another date..."
MONDAY, APRIL 19LA, recording the second album
Oritsé: "I put weight on when I'm not in my normal routine so I've been training intensely. I haven't got the best body, but I tell myself I'm getting there."
SUNDAY, APRIL 25Marvin: "Rochelle arrived (in LA) today. I've missed her so it's brilliant that she's flown out to see me - even if it is only for four days!"
Oritsé: "There's no TV show to boost us so our music has to speak for itself. It's a tougher journey but it's what I've always dreamed of.
"As long as we keep working hard and believing in ourselves, I'm certain everything will fall into place.
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