Ella Ain’t Afraid Of No Ghost

Tell us a bit about yourself. 

I’m Ella Henderson, and I guess anybody who recognizes me from before, it will be from when I went on X Factor two years ago. I’ve loved music all my life really and I think my idea of going to the audition when I was sixteen was to have an opportunity to sing to somebody who was behind the scenes in the industry, whether it was a producer or somebody who could open a door for me. I kept on getting through rounds and here I am today – I got the luck of the pot, in that I was able to get a record deal and I didn’t think I would get that until I was in my twenties, so never mind right now.

It says that you co-wrote your new album. How did you convince Syco to give you so much creative input?

I’ve always dreamed of being up on a stage, but never in my head had exactly how it was going to sound, how it was going to be, and the only thing I knew was that I didn’t want to copy anyone else. I do write my own stuff and I guess because I went on a show showing that from day one with my first audition, I think people knew that that’s what I am. I’ve played the piano since the age of 3, so it’s a huge part of me. And after signing my deal and everything, from day one Syco just understood me, and they really just wanted me to lead this campaign. You know I never thought that would happen in the music industry: to just have so much creative involvement with everything.

How is it working with the likes of Ryan Tedder and Babyface?

Oh, it’s incredible. These are names that I looked up to as a young girl, like I used to see them at the tops of scores of music when I used to play the piano. Being in the studio with Babyface, I used to listen to Mariah’s album and see his name on the back of the CD, and so being sat in the same room as he’s working on my record, it’s a privilege even to be in the same room as him, never mind writing for me! It really was amazing, and just being surrounded by people who are at the top of their game. I just learnt so much, I really have. Although I write, you can never stop learning something new every time you go into the studio, and I’m learning from the best.

And what’s it like when you go back to Grimsby now? 

You know what, it’s just so normal with my friends and family, the way I’ve grown up, I grew up in a big family, there were six of us with my brothers and sister and my Mum and Dad, and I was always brought up with so many people that it was important for me to stay grounded and have that around me all the time. So, when I go home, nothing’s different, and I try to do the normal things as usual.

And what’s Ghost, your debut single, about? 

Ghost came about with Ryan [Tedder]. We were supposed to meet on the basis of just seeing whether he did want to work with me and in that hour we sat around the piano and wrote the chorus to Ghosts and instantly I knew this was going to be my first single. It’s something that I think everybody’s experienced in life, that this something or someone has kind of got a hold over you and no matter what you do, you can’t get away from it.

And are you looking forward to playing G-A-Y this weekend? 

I cannot wait, I’m so excited. The last time I was there it was amazing, so I can’t wait to return. And it’ll be the first time I get to perform and announce that my single is now available! I’m mega-excited and I think I’m going to bring a little surprise for the crowd again!