Tracy Leanne wants to change public view of travelers

She found out on Saturday’s episode of The X Factor that she’d made it into the final 12.

And Tracey Leanne Jefford has explained that she wants to use her time on the ITV singing show to give the travelling community that she comes from a better rap.

‘I want to show the public that there are good people in the travelling community,’ she told MailOnline. ‘There are good and bad people in every community but you can’t tar everyone with the same brush.’

‘You can’t tar us all with the same brush!’ Tracy Leanne Jefford reveals she wants to change what the public think of the travelling community

She explained that her fellow travelers have been incredibly supportive of her, and she has the backing of the whole community.

‘They are all backing me,’ she said. ‘I have always mixed out of the community though, I am friends with everybody, I actually have more non-gypsy friends.’

On getting through to the live shows, Tracey Leanne, 35, said: ‘I’ve never been more ecstatic – apart from when I gave birth to my kids. It feels surreal, I really have to pinch myself.’

Tracey was married as a teenager, as is the fashion within the travelling world.

Doing it for the community: Tracey Leanne  explained that she wants to use her time on the ITV singing show to give the travelling community that she comes from a better rap

Doing it for the community: Tracey Leanne explained that she wants to use her time on the ITV singing show to give the travelling community that she comes from a better rap

The Overs: 'I want to show the public that there are good people in the travelling community,' she told MailOnline. 'There are good and bad people in every community but you can't tar everyone with the same brush'

The Overs: ‘I want to show the public that there are good people in the travelling community,’ she told MailOnline. ‘There are good and bad people in every community but you can’t tar everyone with the same brush’

New chapter: 'I have had my ups and downs, and I was at home bringing my children up, so I couldn¿t follow my dreams,' the mum-of-three admitted

New chapter: ‘I have had my ups and downs, and I was at home bringing my children up, so I couldn’t follow my dreams,’ the mum-of-three admitted

‘I have had my ups and downs, and I was at home bringing my children up, so I couldn’t follow my dreams,’ the mum-of-three admitted.

She auditioned for The X Factor a decade ago in 2006 and made it through to Boot Camp, but no further.

‘Since then I have lost five and a half stone in weight and I feel like such a different person – I used to walk around with my head down,’ Tracey Leanne – who has now split from her husband – admitted.

She has oft been compared to Amy Winehouse through the audition process, with her style of voice and her look.

Back again: She auditioned for The X Factor a decade ago in 2006 and made it through to Boot Camp, but no further

Back again: She auditioned for The X Factor a decade ago in 2006 and made it through to Boot Camp, but no further

Tracey or Amy? She has oft been compared to Amy Winehouse through the audition process, with her style of voice and her look

Tracey or Amy? She has oft been compared to Amy Winehouse through the audition process, with her style of voice and her look

Tracey or Amy? She has oft been compared to Amy Winehouse through the audition process, with her style of voice and her look

Of working with Nicole Scherzinger, who is the mentor for the Overs category this year, Tracey Leanne said: 'She is a friend as well as our mentor - she is such a wonderful person'

Of working with Nicole Scherzinger, who is the mentor for the Overs category this year, Tracey Leanne said: ‘She is a friend as well as our mentor – she is such a wonderful person’

‘I’ve worked hard as an artist and it’s lovely to be compared to her,’ she said. ‘Amy Winehouse was a beautiful person, but there will only ever be one Amy.’

Of working with Nicole Scherzinger, who is the mentor for the Overs category this year, Tracey Leanne said: ‘She is a friend as well as our mentor – she is such a wonderful person.’

She also mentioned Stormzy, who joined them as a guest judge in South Africa, saying: ‘Stormzy is such a down to earth guy, we clicked right away. But then again, I talk to anyone and get on with them. I would sit and talk to a tramp!’

Away from home: She moved into the X Factor mansion over the weekend, ahead of the live shows, leaving her 14, 13, and seven-year-old children with her mother for the time being

Away from home: She moved into the X Factor mansion over the weekend, ahead of the live shows, leaving her 14, 13, and seven-year-old children with her mother for the time being

New pad: The hopeful singers moved into a luxury multi-million pound mansion in North London at the weekend

New pad: The hopeful singers moved into a luxury multi-million pound mansion in North London at the weekend

Fuming: Grace Davies looked far from impressed to be getting to work

Fuming: Grace Davies looked far from impressed to be getting to work

Fuming: Grace Davies looked far from impressed to be getting to work

The new house features a swimming pool, grand piano, games room and a large garden [pictured Rai-Elle Williams]

The new house features a swimming pool, grand piano, games room and a large garden [pictured Rai-Elle Williams]

Stepping out: Spencer Sutherland and Holly Tandy are representing the Boys and Girls categories respectively

Stepping out: Spencer Sutherland and Holly Tandy are representing the Boys and Girls categories respectively

Stepping out: Spencer Sutherland and Holly Tandy are representing the Boys and Girls categories respectively

Off to rehearsals? Matt Linnen carried a bright backpack as he got into a waiting Mercedes

Off to rehearsals? Matt Linnen carried a bright backpack as he got into a waiting Mercedes

She moved into the X Factor mansion over the weekend, ahead of the live shows, leaving her 14, 13, and seven-year-old children with her mother for the time being.

‘I am going to miss them, but I am doing this for their future,’ she said.

Of the other contestants in the competition, she added: ‘I adore them all; yes, I am in a competition against them but I just want to wish good luck to everyone.

Potential pop stars: Kevin Davy White is in the Overs group, while Grace Davies represents the Girls

Potential pop stars: Kevin Davy White is in the Overs group, while Grace Davies represents the Girls

Potential pop stars: Kevin Davy White is in the Overs group, while Grace Davies represents the Girls

Black's back: Sam Black was brought back onto the show after being previously axed at Boot Camp

Black’s back: Sam Black was brought back onto the show after being previously axed at Boot Camp

Getting to work: Matt found out at the weekend he was through to the live shows

Getting to work: Matt found out at the weekend he was through to the live shows

Matt on Matt: Matt worries that Nicole winning The X Factor last year with Matt Terry as her contestant is in fact a bad omen

Matt on Matt: Matt worries that Nicole winning The X Factor last year with Matt Terry as her contestant is in fact a bad omen

Roommates: Spencer and Sam will bunk together in the X Factor mansion

Roommates: Spencer and Sam will bunk together in the X Factor mansion

Roommates: Spencer and Sam will bunk together in the X Factor mansion

Off to work: Holly Tandy was seen leaving the house

Off to work: Holly Tandy was seen leaving the house

‘May the best person win – but I feel like I’ve already won.’

The 12 final acts were spotted at their new pad on Monday, as they began making initial preparations for their first live episode, which will take place on Saturday. 

The X Factor live shows kick off on Saturday night on ITV. 

Early start: The girls were up with the lark to get to work

Early start: The girls were up with the lark to get to work

Star quality: Tracey Leanne looked every inch the glam pop star

Star quality: Tracey Leanne looked every inch the glam pop star

Out and about: Kevin was seen leaving with Lloyd Macey

Out and about: Kevin was seen leaving with Lloyd Macey

Out and about: Kevin was seen leaving with Lloyd Macey

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