Ella Eyre doesn’t think she could have coped with overnight success. The 21-year-old singer signed her record deal in 2012 but is only just readying her debut album, and thinks having a few years to develop as an artist has helped her career “massively”.
Asked if she sees waiting for success as a positive thing, she said: “100 per cent. I’ve massively grown up emotionally and as an artist over the last couple of years. Waiting for success makes it all the more worthwhile when it does come.
“I don’t know how I’d have coped if things had happened overnight as it does with ‘X Factor’ contestants.”
Ella – whose father has lived in his native Jamaica while she was brought up by her mother in Ealing – has penned her album ‘Feline’ herself and finds it “funny” listening back to some of the songs she wrote in the early days of her career.
She told OK! magazine: “I say that if It comes from the heart then it will go to the heart and that’s what I try and live by.
“I’d never let anyone write a song for me. It’s about all of my experiences growing up. Stuff people can relate to.
“It’s so funny listening back to how I used to deal with break-ups when I was 16.”
Ella came to prominence during a performance at the 2014 Brit Awards; fronting dance collective Rudimental. Her energetic stage presence that evening has since drawn over 2 million views on YouTube.
“I love fierce performers,” said the Londoner from behind a mane of curls that has its own Facebook following. “This isn’t karaoke… I need to convince you I’m worth listening to. That you shouldn’t go to the bar to get a drink.”
Feline will be released later this month, ahead of a third UK tour in November.
