Rianna's set to tour with Westlife (From Thurrock Gazette)

Rianna's set to tour with Westlife

7:30am Monday 7th May 2012 in News

OPENING the show for one of the world’s biggest ever boybands as they embark on a sell-out UK arena tour is the sort of stuff dreams are made of.

For a girl from Grays, that dream is to become an exciting reality.

Throughout May and June, Rianna Morris, 22 will be travelling the length and breadth of the UK with her girl band, Vanquish, as they support Westlife on their farewell tour.

The Irish boy band have sold more than 45 million records worldwide, but after 14 years, the group will split following a tour which will take in cities around the UK and Ireland.

Rianna told the Gazette: “We heard our management were in talks with Westlife’s management about us supporting them, but we didn’t think we were going to get it.

“It was absolutely amazing when we found out! I’m so nervous. It’s only just starting to sink in.

“We’ve been working so hard because we have to be so physically fit for the tour.”

The group formed two years ago after management company Non Stop Music held open auditions in London.

For Rianna, who went to Little Thurrock Primary School and Torells in Grays before studying performing arts at Palmer’s, the last 24 months have been a whirlwind.

She said: “I saw the auditions on a website called Star Now. I wasn’t going to go for it, but I woke up on the day and said to my mum: ‘I’ve got to go, I’ve got a really good feeling about it’.

“I love being on stage and performing. I did theatre studies at school and have been in various shows.”

Since forming, the girls have performed at the Silverstone Grand Prix and on Sky’s Next Top Model, but supporting Westlife is set to blow the band into the limelight.

Rianna is most looking forward to the London leg of the tour, where her family and friends will be among the thousands of pop fans in the crowd.

She said: “My friends love it that I’m in a band that’s touring with Westlife. They and my family are so supportive.”

The tour will see Vanquish playing their debut single, the Harder You Love, and songs off their album, which they are in the process of making.

Rianna said: “We’re definitely living the dream. There have been times when we’ve come off stage and said to each other that this is our job, this is what we do!

“We have some amazing writers but our music is pure pop.

“It’s a fun, lively and energetic sound.”