Ella Henderson: I signed with Simon Cowell after he put me in control

 
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23 January 2013
The Weekender

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Ella Henderson revealed today how Simon Cowell personally convinced her to sign for his label Syco after promising her creative control over her debut album.

The former X Factor contestant, who was favourite to win before making a shock exit to finish sixth, was speaking for the first time since agreeing the deal last week. Cowell believes she can be as big as Adele and the contract is a huge show of faith in a singer just turned 17.

Henderson also had her pick of the other labels in the Sony stable — Epic, Columbia and RCA. She told the Standard: “It was like having the choice of many different five-star hotels — it was a really nice decision to have to make. I finally decided on Syco and have definitely picked the right one.

“When I met Simon, I was just sort of thrown into the moment — it wasn’t really planned. Meeting him was an exciting and nerve-racking experience. He knows exactly what he’s doing. He knows how much I love music.

The most important thing I was looking for was to be involved creatively, and which label presents me with the best team to bring the best out of me. The fact that he is letting me be involved creatively is overwhelming.”

Henderson demonstrated her writing ability when she reduced the X Factor judges to tears during her audition with a song about her late grandfather. She said her family would help her keep her feet on the ground, adding: “I’m managed by my dad. Having my father around me, that will keep me grounded.”

She is due to go into the studio to work on her first record and has the luxury of no deadline: “Simon said there’s no pressure — just go in the studio and enjoy the process. I’d like to have something ready by the summer.”

She was speaking as she launched the Peugeot Design Lab Pleyel piano.

She said of the one-off piano, which was created by a team of designers, engineers and technicians from Peugeot’s Design Lab: “The first thing you think when you look at the incredible design is that it can’t sound like a grand piano.

"But it does, and because of the way it is designed, the sound hits you, the performer, before it reaches the audience. That makes it easier to hear and sing with. It’s a beautiful piece.”

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