1) Because you were fifteen and foolish once.
Emily was only 15 when she auditioned for the X Factor in a duo with her best friend, Austin.
The judges loved Austin, but hated Emily. To make matters worse, Emily was deeply in love with Austin … and Austin was deeply in the closet.
AND THEY WERE SENT THROUGH ALL THE WAY TO THE FINALS WHILE ALL THESE CRINGE PUBERTY MOMENTS WERE PLAYING OUT OFF CAMERA.
This is a feel-good, coming of age story, and we can all relate to the absolute mortification of adolescence. Big dreams, strong opinions, ambitions, hormones, and an ultra on fleek wardrobe (or so you thought). Like, how do you think cope looking back on yourself as a teenager on a reality talent show? Emily’s bravery and courage cannot be over-stated.
2) Because you’ve been on X-Factor, auditioned for X-Factor or thought about auditioning for X-Factor.
If you’ve ever thought about auditioning for a reality talent show, make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into!
Emily shares her most embarrassing, cringey (and hilarious) moments of this escapade, so if you daydream about making it big in a reality tv competition, you should probably inoculate yourself against potential mortifying moments that can end up on a national broadcast. It’s been a little over ten years since Emily appeared on X-Factor, so at least she can look back on it fondly now.
3) Because Saturday Night Live legends say you should.
Viral and infamous comedy trio Please Don’t Destroy say Emily’s show is awesome, and SNL legend Heidi Gardner reckons Emily “completely annihilates the crowd with comedy.”
It’s the first time Emily Wilson has performed in the UK (although she’s sold out shows in NY and LA), so if you want a new name to check out this Fringe but weren’t sure who, this is a pretty good endorsement.
Please Don't Destroy reckons this show is a going to be a hit. In their exact words "the story is nuts, the music is awesome and the jokes are nonstop. And of course, Emily is a god damn powerhouse. Do yourself a favour and go see this show so you can say you were one of the first to."
4) Because when Little Mix broke up, you felt a bit old.
Little Mix won UK X-Factor ELEVEN years ago, and just broke up. This is like when someone said the original Toy Story movie is almost 30 years old (sorry to break it to you).
Emily was on X-Factor US in 2011 when she was fifteen. She grew up in the aughts in America in a politically right-of-centre household. She’s now firmly in her 20s, Expanding her political ideas and putting on a show at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Things change but it’s fun to look back on the times when we were full of ideas and plans. A touch of nostalgia warms the heart.
5) Because as well as being funny, Emily can sing beautifully
Check out some of her (NSFW) videos below
Emily Wilson: Fixed, Pleasance Courtyard (Beneath, 10.25pm, 3-29 August (not 17)
More info: pleasance.co.uk
Emily Wilson - I Am A Woman (Music Video)
Emily Wilson - White Girl on a Diet (Music Video)
