This is the first look at Ella Henderson as an international popstar – two years after she auditioned for The X Factor, inset, as a schoolgirl.
While she may have only come sixth on the show after being voted out following a sing-off against James Arthur, I have no doubt she is the most exciting talent to emerge from the show in years.
The 18-year-old has spent almost two years crafting her debut album under the guidance of Simon Cowell’s label, Syco.
She’s also inked a massive deal with US record company Columbia.
This week Ella played me her debut single, Ghost, which sounds like a cross between Leona’s Bleeding Love and Adele’s Rolling In The Deep.
Ella co-wrote the song with One Republic genius Ryan Tedder who only works with two new artists each year.
He told me: “I was sent Ella’s YouTube covers and just had to do something with her. She’s talented way beyond her years.”
Expect to see much more of Ella in the column cover the next few months. She is a superstar in the making.
One question. If she has not released anything in UK yet, why sign a new deal? We are waiting since almost 2 years!
So she can release music in the US as well when she eventually releases music in the UK. The label has pushed the album back twice already, but I guess they're just trying to launch her in the best way possible.
Ready to hear it.
