Diana Vickers, the singer who rose to fame on The X Factor in 2008, has found a new career in musical theatre and even won the support of Hollywood star Robert Downey Jr. The 34-year-old from Lancashire was left speechless when the Avengers actor mentioned her play on stage at the Women in Entertainment awards in Los Angeles.
Robert Downey Jr. Praises Gwyneth Paltrow Ski-Trial Musical
Vickers stars in I Wish You Well: The Gwyneth Paltrow Ski-Trial Musical, a parody recreating the actress's 2023 lawsuit over a ski injury. During the awards ceremony, Downey Jr. joked about the production while presenting Paltrow with an award. Vickers said: “Robert Downey Jr. mentioned our musical in his speech… I was like, I am dead. It was amazing! It was super, super cool. I got so excited that when someone sent me a video, I forgot to post it on social media. I need to go back and do that.”
The play, described by Vickers as “fun and bonkers,” has been so popular that there are talks of a comeback. Thanks to Downey Jr.'s mention, US audiences are now showing interest. Vickers even believes Gwyneth Paltrow might attend a future performance. “I knew I had mutual friends with her that were like, ‘Oh, she knows about it. She's cool.’ She's like, ‘oh, yeah, I've heard about it.’ But I've never actually heard from her. But maybe if we ever did it again, because there's talks about it, maybe she would pop along, Gwynnie P.”
From X Factor to Picky Bits Anthem
Vickers is also converting US audiences to a British summer staple: picky bits. Last year, she released a song called Picky Bits, filmed in the aisles of M&S, which went viral and earned her the nickname “summer’s Mariah Carey.” For National Picky Bits Day on June 25, she teamed up with the supermarket brand where she once worked, along with two family members. “My mum literally worked there for so many years, and my mum is so proud. She is proud as punch that I’m working with them. She’s having the time of her life. It is adorable.”
Vickers used to work at M&S when she was younger, and her mother and sister also worked there. “They’re like our fam. When we were writing Picky Bits, I was like: ‘Who is the number one for picky bits?’ Obviously, it’s M&S. It just had to be M&S. They're the best. And if I wanted to work with anyone, I was like: ‘If we could team up… let's put them in there, because that would be the best outcome ever.’”
Professor Green Offers Remix, Mighty Hoopla Performance
The song has drawn such traction that rapper Professor Green has offered to remix the track. Vickers said: “Professor Green said the song needs a rap, and I’m like: ‘Babe, come on! Then we can come back next year, and jazz it up.’” She performed the hit at this summer’s Mighty Hoopla festival, which she calls the “happiest place on Earth.” “We had the best time, and I worked super hard. I had this horrible fear that nobody was going to come. But just before I came on, thousands and thousands of people got there. I had a bit of a cry on stage, just feeling overwhelmed.”
Now a self-proclaimed professional picky bit eater, Vickers recommends M&S chicken tikka masala dip with pitta chips and vine leaves. In the warm weather, she also suggests frozen spinach to cool down. “I've just been at home with a big bag of frozen spinach on my head all day. I’ve also been nipping into M&S Food to put my face in the fridge, because it’s so cool in there.”
Future Plans and Dream Picnic Guests
Vickers, who spoke to mark National Picky Bits Day, said she would love to share a summer picnic with actress Miriam Margolyes and singer Mr Fabulous, describing Margolyes as “frigging hilarious.” She remains busy with multiple projects, blending her X Factor roots with new ventures in theatre and music.
