User:Miss X-Factor/sandbox

Cecelia Marie "CeCe" Frey (born June 26, 1991) is a singer and songwriter from Decatur, Illinois who finished in 6th place on the second season of The X Factor USA. She appeared on the show in the Young Adults category, mentored by Demi Lovato.

Early life
Frey worked as a mail clerk in a postal department prior to auditioning for The X Factor. Frey has an older sister named Kelsey who died of cerebral palsy at the age of 7, CeCe performed Bette Midler's "Wind Beneath My Wings" on The X Factor, dedicated to her sister.

2011: VolHolla!
Frey met Matt Elifritz at Millikin University where they studied music. They decided become a group know as VolHolla! an group that is an collaboration of dance, pop and hip-hop influences. They wrote their first song "Animals" in an course of a night. The band name was based on a personal story about the word "valhalla" being used as a codename for parties in high school. They embarked on an tour and even wrote an Decatur Celebration theme song. VolHolla!'s released their debut EP entitled "Villains" in 2011.

Following the disbandment of VolHolla!, Frey covered Christina Aguilera's "Fighter" and Lady Gaga's "Marry The Night" in videos directed by a friend of hers. Frey also covered the Demi Lovato song "Skyscraper" which was reported that Frey may have the chance to sing the song directly to Demi.

2012: The X Factor U.S.
In 2012, Frey auditioned for the second season of The X Factor U.S. with different version of "Unchained Melody", however she performed Christina Aguilera's "Ain't No Other Man" after the Judges were disappointed. On the first day of super bootcamp, Frey sang a rendition of Whitney Houston's I Will Always Love You advanced to the second and final stage of super bootcamp, where she sang Secrets by OneRepublic with Paige Thomas. She then advanced to the home visits stage and was put into the Young Adults category, which was mentored by Demi Lovato. At the home visits, She sang the acoustic version of LMFAO's "Sexy and I Know It" for Lovato and her assistant Nick Jonas and advanced to the live shows.

In week one of the live shows, Frey fell into the bottom two alongside Willie Jones but was saved after mentor Lovato opted to eliminate Jones. Frey was ranked number twelve that week due to surviving elimination. In the second week, CeCe fell into the bottom two alongside Jason Brock but was saved via deadlock. During week three, Frey performed Celine Dion's version of "All by Myself" and she advanced to the second week, where she sang Bette Middler's "Wind Beneah My Wings". However, Frey fell into the bottom two alongside Beatrice Miller but was saved after judges Lovato, Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid all opted to eliminate Miller Following the eliminations of Thomas, Jennel Garcia and Jones, Frey became the only remaining contestant in the Young Adults category. During the fifth week, Frey performed Christina Aguilera's "Lady Marmalade", advancing to the sixth week performing "The Edge of Glory" by Lady GaGa and Katy Perry's Part of Me. CeCe was ultimately eliminated on December 6, 2012, finishing in sixth place. She was the last remaining contestant in the Young Adults category.

Performances on The X Factor
CeCe performed the following songs on The X Factor:

2012–present: Debut studio album
After the show, reports speculated that CeCe was offered deals to Epic Records, LaFace Records and Interscope Records, Frey have not confirmed or denied reports. Frey got signed to LaFace Records (defunct to RCA) which has signed popular artists like P!nk, Usher, and Cee Lo Green. On 2013 August 26, CeCe announced a documentary web series directed by Patrick Lawrence, entitled "14:59", which chronicles the writing of her debut studio album. On March 24, the Frey performed a concert in Montreal, Canada. Frey released an stripped down version of "Wake Me Up", along with its music video on 20 October 2013. It received an positive review saying that sounded so much better and more fitting than the original version.

In 2014, Frey confirmed reports that recording had begun for her debut studio album, scheduled to be released in 2015. Two years after X Factor, Frey's debut single "Dead 2 Me" was leaked online a day before its official release on 2014 October 7. Upon its release, it received positive reviews from critics, citing comparisons to Katy Perry and Kesha, calling it a very "Katy Perry/Ke$ha-esque and definitely something Bonnie McKee would write".

Style and image
Frey best known for her theatrical performance style and her trademark leopard spots, "A couple of years ago I was in this relationship that was not healthy. Frey in an interview, told her fans that the reason she wears a two circle necklace which for her means infinity that is very personal to her. It was in fact very toxic. And I had this idea and I started doing the paint and I realized whenever I was painting it on myself, I felt different. It was an empowering thing."

On social media, Frey surpassed X Factor winner Tate Stevens on Twitter.

Influences
Frey influences include Adam Lambert, Ke$ha, Rihanna, Katy Perry, Lady GaGa, Christina Aguilera, Celine Dion and Demi Lovato. CeCe spoke about Adam Lambert saying, he's amazing! He has a crazy voice and he’s so cool and she remembers watching him on American Idol. Frey is a huge fan of Ke$ha whom gave her advice after being eliminated from X-Factor to never give up and go-on with her career.