Sinéad did not enter the Fame Academy in the same way as the other contestants. The first eleven contestants were picked by the show's judges, but the final contestant was picked through a public vote in the first programme of the series. Sinéad, David Sneddon and Paul MacDonald sang in this vote but Sinéad won the public's support. She gained 51% of the votes and won her place in the Fame Academy.
The fan base Sinéad built up in the first programme stayed with her during the whole series, and allowed her to reach the final. During this time she sang a range of songs from Macy Gray's "I Try" and Garth Brook's "If Tomorrow Never Comes" to "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" and "Don't Speak".
In the final, Sinéad was up against David Sneddon (who had entered the Academy at a later date due to Naomi Roper pulling out due to illness) and Lemar Obika. She finished second with 2.5 million of the 6.5 million votes cast. Although missing out on the guaranteed record deal and living the "lifestyle of a star" for a year, she had the attention of the music industry.
Within a week of leaving the Fame Academy, Sinéad signed a £1 million, five album record deal with Mercury Records.
Her debut single, "I Can’t Break Down", was released 10 February 2003. It reached number 2 in the British charts, being beaten to the top spot by t.A.T.u.. The single sold around 70,000 copies, finishing in 65th place for the top selling UK singles of 2003.
Sinéad's follow up single "What You Need Is" only reached number 19 in the charts, and her self-written album, Ready To Run, peaked at number 48.
Sinéad's only other releases to date was on the Fame Academy Album alongside all the other Fame Academy contestants and guest vocals on fellow contestant Malachi Cush's debut album.
Both before and after Fame Academy, Sinéad was a keen songwriter and performer. The show allowed her to develop her song writing talents and provided her with her first ever singing lessons. The Fame Academy Tour, which followed the series, gave Sinéad her first major public performances outside a TV studio.
In the three years since leaving the Fame Academy, Sinéad has had a regular list of public performances. With the backing of a guitar based group she went on a University tour in 2003. She has played to a full-house at Music Live 2003 at the National Exhibition Centre and in 2005 she supported Children in Need with a performance and sang at the switch-on of Christmas lights in Coventry. She has also taken part in RTÉ's TV show - "The Lyrics Board" and on New Year's Eve, 2005, she performed on another RTÉ television show - "Everyone's A Winner", singing Sheryl Crow's song - "Everyday Is A Winding Road".
Also in 2005 Sinéad was invited by the Irish President, Mary McAleese, "to a reception to celebrate (her) contribution to the entertainment industry in Ireland" at the Presidents official residence, Áras an Uachtaráin.
Sinéad has been touring with SSVC performing for the British Armed Forces around the world. Of note is the fact that while in Cyprus a special "Going Out Tonight" show was put on for those living on the RAF Akrotiri base, unusual because this meant it was open to anyone living on the base, including families of forces members, whereas these shows are normally reserved for servicemen on operations.
Sinéad played the role of Beth in the 2007 live tour of Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds. Also in 2007 she performed at and judged each of the nine regional finals for Girl Guiding UK's talent competition 'Guiding Star' and also appeared at the Grand Final in Sheffield on 30 June 2007 as a performer and a judge.
Whilst she's concentrated on smaller intimate gigs in 2008, mainly in smaller locations in London, she'll be the support act for Lulu at the Chichester Festivities in July.
I'm worth it
Sinéad Quinn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Maybe I'm scared of what I'd say
I'm trying to be sincere
But I keep burning up in flames
And though I may seem cool
Inside I'm pounding and it's mad
To think I'd fall for you
When you were never in my plans
Don't tell me you don't want it
Don't tell me no, it's a waste of time
Don't tell me you don't want this
Don't tell me now you can't be mine
I'm so used to pretending
That I forgot who I should be
So scared to take a chance
'Cos I'd feel stripped and you would see
You'd see that I'm defenceless
And I freak out 'cos I know I'm keen
You jump in unaware
And I rip your guts apart at the seams
Don't tell me you don't want it
Don't tell me no, it's a waste of time
Don't tell me you don't want this
Don't tell me now you can't be mine
And don't tell me
Please don't tell me
Are you still there for me?
I've opened up, now I can breathe
Can we go back to how we were?
I promise you, I won't leave you hurt
Are you still there for me?
I've opened up, now I can breathe
Can we go back to how we were?
And I'll show you that I'm worth it...
I'm worth it, I'm worth it
Don't tell me you don't want it
Don't tell me no, it's a waste of time
Don't tell me you don't want it
Don't tell me now you changed your mind
Don't tell me you don't want it
Don't tell me no, it's a waste of time
Don't tell me you don't want it
Don't tell me now you changed your mind
And you can't be mine
Don't you know that I'm worth it, yeah
I'm worth it, yeah, worth it
In "I'm Worth It," Sinéad Quinn talks about her struggle to come to terms with her feelings for someone she is interested in. She starts by admitting that she might come across as fearless and self-assured, but in reality, she feels vulnerable and unsure of herself. Despite this internal struggle, she wants this person to acknowledge that there is a mutual attraction because she doesn't want to waste her time. She is tired of pretending to be someone she isn't, but also scared to take a risk and show her true self. Even though she has opened up to this person, she is still afraid that they will reject her. Ultimately, she pleads with the person not to tell her that they don't want her because she believes that she is worth the effort.
The song conveys a relatable message about the fear of rejection and the importance of being true to oneself while also acknowledging the risks involved. Sinéad's delivery is emotional, particularly when she sings about her fear of being defenseless and the possibility of being hurt by this person. The chorus plays upon the central theme of the song, emphasizing her belief in her self-worth and the need for the other person to recognize that worth.
Line by Line Meaning
I know I may seem fierce
I might appear intimidating
Maybe I'm scared of what I'd say
Perhaps I'm afraid of expressing my true feelings
I'm trying to be sincere
I'm attempting to be genuine
But I keep burning up in flames
But my emotions keep overwhelming me
And though I may seem cool
And even though I may appear calm
Inside I'm pounding and it's mad
I'm really anxious and nervous inside
To think I'd fall for you
To imagine I'd develop feelings for you
When you were never in my plans
When I never intended to be involved with you
Don't tell me you don't want it
Don't say you're not interested
Don't tell me no, it's a waste of time
Don't reject me, it's pointless
I'm so used to pretending
I'm accustomed to pretending and hiding my true self
That I forgot who I should be
To the point where I don't even know who the real me is
So scared to take a chance
I'm terrified of taking a risk
'Cos I'd feel stripped and you would see
Because I'd feel exposed and vulnerable then you'd see the real me
You'd see that I'm defenceless
You'd realize that I'm helpless
And I freak out 'cos I know I'm keen
And I panic because I know I like you a lot
You jump in unaware
You become involved without realizing how it affects me
And I rip your guts apart at the seams
And I end up hurting you deeply
Are you still there for me?
Are you still supporting me?
I've opened up, now I can breathe
I've become vulnerable and it's a relief
Can we go back to how we were?
Can we return to our previous relationship?
I promise you, I won't leave you hurt
I guarantee I won't hurt you
And don't tell me
And please don't say
And you can't be mine
And you're not available
Don't you know that I'm worth it, yeah
Don't you understand that I deserve it?
I'm worth it, yeah, worth it
I'm valuable and deserving
Contributed by William D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.