Darius World

Kiss Magazine (Ireland)

February 2003

Remember that minger from UK Popstars series? The 1 with the goatee and the ponytail singing hit me baby one more time? THAT was Darius Danesh.The tall young Scotsman who was ridiculed on national British Tv, + came back for more in Pop idol contest.

However a haircut, shave and number 1 single later, we are standing in front of a very different Darius. What weare experiencing now is Serious Singer Songwriter with Creative Contol Darius. And despite loosing both hideous reality Tv competitions,theres no doubt that Darius the underdog feels like the real winner.

We've heard that he's a right charmer and the rumours appear to be true. With his imposing height and handsome feats, he could easily take over a room but in reality he happily blends in with everyone at KISS shoot.

And altough by no means shy and retiring, he's definitely not over powering. You may expect slight bitterness from someone who was tormented so much by the press, but with a 5 album deal under his belt, Darius is delighted to be finally doing what hes does best. And the recent demise of Hear'Say is confirmation of what he knew throughout the competition - artistic freedom far outweighs winning a jumped-up karaoke contest.

What was the story with your ponytail and goatee?

You have to forgive me, we all have bad hairdays. I was hiding behind my goatee. I was insecure as a person and pretending to be someone I wasn't.

So what exactly were you pretending to be?

I was still working out who I was as a person and what I wanted to do in life

When you turned up and did the Britney thing - what was that all about?

I was trying too hard. I did that audition in 2000 and so I was 19. It's mad to look back at it and think that Colourblind, a song I wrote, would knock Britney's off the top of the charts. Its good to look back and laugh

So you wouldn't do the Britney thing now?

Absolutely not, it was an artificial reaction to an artificial situation.

Did you always believe that you would make it?

2 and a half years ago I said my dream was to have a no. 1 single and a platinum album by the time I was 35 . They kicked me out of Popstars and I said I thought they were really wrong. I said it because of the TV show and we were constantly being bullied and manipulated so we would cry on TV, I was thinking "This is wrong, I was bullied at school Im not gonna be bullied on national Tv"

Whats your greatest fear?

Something happening to my family. I also fear in a more light hearted way that I will wake up one day and this is all a dream (laughs)

Tell us about your first KISS...

I was about 13, I'd written a song for a girl at school that I really liked. I decided to sing it for her so we went to the music cupboard and I sat there crossed legged and played the guitar and she sat on my guitar case in front of me. I was getting all the chords wrong and I was thinking "Oh no, maybe its not such a good song" When I finished it and looked at her, she was looking back at me.She leaned forward and kissed me

Are you seeing anyone at the moment?

No, I'm single

Would you tell us if you were?

What do you mean?

Er, would you say "Yes I'm seeing someone"

Yea! Well you'd know cause it'd be in the press, wouldn't it?

Well some people can keep it under raps

I don't know, apparently Im going out with 4 girls at the moment

Who?

Well, whenever you're out in public with somebody you get photographed. I went to the ELLE style awards and a little sister of a mate from Uni was there on her own so I bought her a drink. She's also the little sister of Lady Victoria Hervey, she's just a mate and we got photographed. And apparently I'm going out with some girl from a Canadian pop band, I've never even really met her

So, who's your ideal woman?

I dont think I have an ideal woman. I think I have the idea of the kind of woman I'd like to go out with, She's the girl next door in jeans and like a pink cardigan and blowdried hair with a little bit of lip salve

Have you got any weird fans?

Yeah, they send me stuff.Its all very flattering but sometimes it gets a bit weird with underwear and stuff. I also got a bottle set of massage oils and a card with a number saying "I know you've got a hectic schedule but anytime you need a massage give me a call"

Have you been tempted?

Haven't been yet!

Do you ever get any hassle from people?

Once, 2 yrs ago a guy was a bit stroppy in a club I was in. He was saying "Oh you're that guy Darius who do you think you are?" I just smiled and said Im sorry I don't think you know me I hope you have a good night and walked off. I don't like confrontation. Everybody has been so incredible and its only through the way the public has responded that I've been able to do what I do cos I went through a rough time with the tabloids

What did they do?

I was a figure of ridicule because I was seen as this pompous arrogant guy in his own little world, which in fact I was just really insecure. I just threw out a cocky image to cover up. It was then , through 2 years of learning about myself and taking on board people's critism and realising literally and figuratively that I wasnt happy with myself where I was or who I was and I needed to grow up a lot. And its all come to a head with my album