EXCLUSIVE By Pam McClounie

Last updated 18:47, Tuesday, 13 May 2008

CUMBRIAN singer Amanda Tinkler is living the dream in the City of Angels.

Fame factor: Amanda Tinkler, right, is now based in LA, where she is working with people who helped make Christina Aquilera and Justin Timberlake famous

Amanda, who is the niece of Cumbrian millionaire Andrew Tinkler, has just signed a new record deal and will be Boyzone’s support act on this year’s summer tour performing at some of the UK’s biggest arenas.

She flew back from LA at the weekend, where she is working with Christina Aguilera’s songwriter and Justin Timberlake’s trainer,  to perform at her uncle’s Y Factor contest in Appleby.

Dressed to impress and her outfit complete with big, superstar shades, Amanda said: “It is a really exciting time for me right now. I love living in LA and everyday I wake up and can’t believe it’s real. I’m having so much fun.”

Amanda, 21, is living in Hollywood with her vocal coach CeCe Sammy. CeCe has worked with Will Young, Gareth Gates, Charlotte Church, UB40 and more. She has toured as a backing vocalist for Diana Ross.

The pair met after last year’s Stobart Factor contest in Carlisle when CeCe says she spotted real talent and took Amanda, a former Junior Stars In Their Eyes finalist, down to London for a week of serious vocal coaching.

Amanda – who’s star name is A-M-A-N-D-A – said: “I’ve been in LA since November and it’s just amazing.

“It’s hard work but I’m loving it. It’s very different to my life in Crosby Garrett.

“I’ve been in the studio recording my album which will be released later this year and I’ve been working with some top stars who have made songs for Christina Aguiliera, Beyonce, Usher and Chris Brown. I am really looking forward to supporting Boyzone with my backing singers Babydoll and Nicole.

“The personal training is hard. He makes me wear three layers of clothes and a bin liner to work out in.”

CeCe, vocal coach on the TV shows Pop Idol and Dance X, said: “Amanda is popular in the States. I knew she had the ability and I’ve been working her hard. She’s been doing 14-hour days singing and playing guitar and piano.

“She has the determination and ability and is very focused. People keep asking me ‘Where did you get this girl?”

Amanda’s mum, Marilyn Tinkler, said: “The whole family is really proud of her.”

The Boyzone tour kicks off on May 25 in Belfast and takes in big cities including Newcastle, Manchester and London.

For information on Amanda visit www.amandamusic.net