Only The Young’s Parisa Tarjomani talks to Danielle Mustarde about X Factor, sexuality and going solo
Parisa Tarjomani rose to fame in 2014 with X Factor group Only The Young. After performing at sell-out shows, she decided to call time on the band and spent the next two years writing, recording and developing her own sound. Now with a fresh single and an upcoming EP, Parisa speaks for the first time about her sexuality, and gives DIVA the lowdown on her brand-new solo material.
DIVA: Hello Parisa, thanks for chatting to DIVA. First of all, how are you?
PARISA TARJOMANI: I’m great thank you. I’ve not long come back from the States where I’ve been recording and writing in the studio and having a break, which has been lovely.
How has the release of your new single gone? Congrats, by the way!
The response, especially from the fans, has been amazing. They love the song and I’m so pleased. I really spent a lot of time working out the direction I wanted to go in. To know people are enjoying my original material is such an overwhelming feeling and it really is the cherry on top to the whole process.
How have things been since X Factor and leaving your band, Only The Young?
I’ve done a few bits, from TV to magazines and live shows, but having the time out to focus on my style and my own original music has been really important in the time I’ve had away from being in the band.
You’ve had space to reflect on the band and the breakup, so why did OTY really come to an end?
From the moment we were in the public eye things got very demanding, very quickly. I had some real personal issues that happened during my time in the band and because I was away from home and constantly working, I needed a break from it all. I started to become really unhappy in something that I love, and I felt like some space was needed to find that love and pas-sion for the music industry again.
This is the first time you’ve talked about your sexuality. Why now?
To be honest, the idea of coming out has always been a strange one. I’ve never really understood having to announce it and tell people. I’m quite a personal person, so something like that has always been an issue for me. But I’m at a point in my life where things aren’t as crazy and I’ve also grown up a lot. I’ve met someone who has made me want to be open about my relationship and not hide it.
Were you ever encouraged to keep your sexuality quiet while in OTY?
I was never necessarily encouraged to keep it quiet, but when I was in the band, only the band members and my closest friends knew, and at that time I didn’t want all of these stories to come out and distract us from what we had going on. Not only that, but I was scared of how people would react and find it all; it was a bit daunting and something that I just brushed to one side.
Read the rest of our exclusive interview in the December issue of DIVA, available to buy in print or digitally here.
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