Little Miss Swagger
Like her or not,you cant deny that Cher Lloyd is a very determined young woman.
Thetattooed singer has come a long way since she entered last years talent hunt X Factor UK, performing Keri Hilsons version of Soulja Boys Turn My Swag On for her initial audition with the air of a wide-eyed teenager putting on a pop queens sexy swagger.
At the end of the competition she came fourth, but was soon snapped up by Simon Cowells record label SyCo.
Her debut album Sticks + Stones, released last month, is proudly UK-centric, featuring her broad accent, with reggae, dubstep and rap beats aiming at a wider audience while walking the fine line between commercial and credible.
On the phone from the UK, the 18-year-old is soft spoken, seems mature and at ease with her sudden stardom.
Many times over have participants of casting shows been signed by a label, pressed into a format that seemed most sellable at the time and then dropped if the numbers didnt deliver.
Lloyd seems to not have buckled down to any desire to please while working with songwriters and producers on her debut album.
''I was completely involved, I co-wrote, my name is under the song writing bit at the back of the album, so thats really cool,'' she says proudly.
''Its all my ideas. The producers listened to what I wanted, because I like to be very original and I think thats what people like.''
Had somebody told her on her first day at X Factor that she would bea poster child for alternative urban pop, spending her days jetting around the world, she says she would have been very surprised.
''I knew that one day I would be able to make something of myself because I am determined but I didnt think it would be that quick,'' she says.
The ride hasn't always been easy with the British tabloidsdescribing heras too weak for the show, a stroppy teenagerand a mere clone of (X Factor judge) Cheryl Cole. Her familysencounters with the law were broadly discussed and ! her firs t single was compared to the Christmas carol Little Donkey.
But Lloyd says shehas learned to deal withthe negative publicity.
''At first I used to read it and now I am just like, 'I dont really need to.'
''Because I know me, the people who love me know me, so I dont need to read anything thats wrong and convince myself that theres something wrong with me.
''Of course it did hurt me. It would hurt anybody, if someone was slating you in a paper, or magazine.You feel upset but now I am cool with it.''
Although the none-too-gentle reviews of her first single Swagger Jagger must have hurt too, she puts on a brave face.
''I love a bit of criticism. I would not want everybody to love me; that would be boring, there would be no point in me doing it.
''The fact that people said they dont like it and then it went straight to number 1 (in the UK single charts), I think that just shows exactly how much a song can change a lot of people.''
Spending ones teenage-years in the limelight can take its toll, but Lloyd says she just feels blessed.
''I didnt get to go out and do all the partying but I dont think I missed out on anything like that.
''Its a lot nicer to have quiet days, when I get the chance. I am really driven, so I just like to work very hard.''
Being a popstar isdifferent from what she thought it would be.
''When I was a child growing up and I thought being a popstar was so glamorous and you just get your hair and your makeup done all the time. Its not really like that. Its a lot of hard work and I am really feeling that now.''
With her album peaking at No 4 in the UK charts, and a tour in the planning for next year, (just the UK for now - 'I dont want to run before I can walk'), shes not one to be idle.
''I am recording for a new album. You know, you have to keep it going. I have fans to give to. So I really have to get my boots on and get out there and do what I can.''
She also has a tip for aspiring popstars ining u! p at cas ting shows around the world.
''nt change anything about yourself, because if people dont like to see you, then whats the point.
''ll people if you dont like things because in 20 years time when you look back at it and you didnt do what your heart said, then youre going to be upset.
And the girl from Malvern, Worcestershire ha big dreams for the future.
''I just want to create so much more music, so people can have a massive variety when they listen to every single track.
''Just for people to get something from me, from seeing me at live performances and all that. Even to just be peoples idol, thats what Id like,'' she says.
- Stuff
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