It’s been four years since Cher Lloyd exploded on to the X Factor stage and she’s been Swagger Jaggerin’ across international pop charts ever since. With a new album on the way and an appearance at G-A-Y this weekend, Lee Dalloway caught up with the lovely lady…
Your latest single ‘Sirens’ is quite different. Is this a new direction or are you just showing off another facet of your personality.
I’ve took time to figure out what I want to do musically the past couple of years and I’ve grown up quite a lot. I realised I’ve never been given the opportunity to properly sing. A lot of my other tracks are up-tempo or rap-ish and I feel like I’ve had the opportunity to create an album myself, without too many people being involved.
The lyrics are quite vulnerable…
Yeah, there are a few touching songs on there. I wrote a lot on this album about what mattered to me. I want to able to get on stage and feel something; I don’t want to be singing songs I have no connection with.
They say a change of scenery can alter your mindset. Did living in LA change you personally and professionally at all?
I think being in a different country has its ups and downs to be quite honest. I felt a lot freer over there; it was almost like a fresh start. While I’m out there, I miss my family so much. I haven’t seen them for six months!
We love your honesty! In a recent article you said you were “a total bitch” during X Factor…
[Laughs] Yeah, looking back on it now, I’m almost 21 and I was 16 then, I was a total bitch. Some of the things I would say I wouldn’t dream of saying now. It’s rude to behave like that. I didn’t have a clue how the industry was meant to work, but as time’s gone on you learn to become more professional and understand what you’re meant to do. I have younger sisters and the things that they say and do I’m shocked by, but I was probably ten times worse!
“I was a total bitch. Some of the things I would say I wouldn’t dream of saying now.”
It must be a huge pressure being so young in such a massive show, though?
Yes, and I look forward to how people will respond to what I’m doing now and whether they change their opinion of me. I was sort of a self-righteous little brat. I don’t blame people for having a negative opinion of me, but you want people to judge you for who you are now rather than bringing up things from years ago.
Do you ever read stories about yourself in the press or do you steer clear?
I tend not to read too much. No matter what I say or do, someone’s going to put a headline that isn’t really in context, but I understand that’s what you do to get people to read the article. I’ve learnt you can’t have 100% control of everything. No matter what’s said or printed, you have to shrug it off. It comes with the job.
What’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever read about yourself?
There was an article a few years ago that said I was trying to attack someone with a spoon! First of all, a spoon would not be my weapon of choice [laughs]. I was making a cup of tea and they photographed me with a spoon in my hand. Whatever you do, you can’t clear it up, so you’ve gotta laugh about it. Everyone thinks I’m a spoon attacker now [Laughs]!
You’re playing at G-A-Y again this weekend, are you looking forward to that?
Absolutely! I think G-A-Y is the only venue that I’ve ever performed in where I get off stage and can actually enjoy myself after and mingle with people. There’s no other place I’ve been able to do that.
Now, the outfit you wore last time…
[Laughs] Seriously, I wore this horrific cat suit. When I look at it, I could die. Why didn’t anyone stop me from wearing that? This time, I’ve spent time looking through designers and picked a nice dress. It’s not so extreme. My band are coming over from America, too. It’s a big occasion for me.
• Cher Lloyd is at G-A-Y (Heaven, under the Arches, Villiers Street, WC2N 6NG) on Saturday 19th July. Discount wristbands from G-A-Y Bar.
