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Cher Lloyd interview: "People will eat their words"

Cher Lloyd
Between Adele's astonishing chart success and Amy Winehouse's tragic passing, one artist who has somehow still managed to put their stamp on 2011 is Cher Lloyd. Despite finishing fourth place on last year's X Factor, she has since emerged its true, albeit controversial victor, after being whisked off to the US to work with top producers RedOne and Max Martin on her debut album. With new single 'Swagger Jagger' on course for number one this Sunday, we met up with her to find out how she's handled the last 12 months.

You're on course for number one this Sunday; how does that feel?
"It's good, isn't it? I didn't really expect it if I'm honest - I'm not complaining though! I thought it would either go all the way or completely miss the top 20."

You've been given a hard time since the song came out; do you think its chart position is an indication that the public's opinion is changing?
"I wouldn't say that yet, because we don't know how it's going to do overall. It has shut a lot of people up though - in the nicest possible way! It will make people eat their own words."

You've recently received support from other artists including Lily Allen and Jessie J; is that encouraging?
"It's great, especially as I am already a fan of those people. Jessie J is great, and Lily Allen always sticks up for me. I've never met her, but a lot of people say they would be scared to meet her. Mind you, people say they are scared of meeting me too."

'Swagger Jagger' is also out on US iTunes; are you planning to promote it out there?
"It's exciting, but I can't reveal anything about that yet - you'll have to wait and see. Put it this way, I'm not going to run before I can walk. I hate it when people say 'cracking the US' - I actually really don't mind whether I do or not. I'm not living in the US, I didn't grow up there, and success out there would be lovely, but I want to conquer this part of the world first. Tinie never pushed it, did he?"

You worked with producer RedOne (Lady GaGa, Nicole Scherzinger) and collaborated with Busta Rhymes on your new album; did they pass on any advice?
"Everyone who meets me just tells me to stay true to myself and not change, but that's common knowledge, isn't it? I don't need to change."

Considering it's for your debut record, were you nervous at all?
"It was a bit scary. It was the chance of a lifetime though, so you can't be scared - otherwise you miss your slot."

You also worked with Max Martin (Britney, Katy Perry), what was that like?
"Max is a very private person. He doesn't rant and rave about his music, which is why I loved working with him. I want to be like that - I want to get my music out but not scream and shout about it. I don't like people who brag. I've got a strong dislike for that. It's not big or clever."

Were you especially productive with him then?
"He works with a lot of sounds. I have a track I did with him that I did with him that I wish I could tell you about, but you would never think it was him on production. You'd also never expect the person - or rather - people, that I'm on the track with. People won't know about that until the song is out!"

You've written most of the album; what inspires you?
"It's mixed up stuff. People will never know the meaning of some songs because they're too personal to explain, but if they like me and the song so much, they should know what it's about. I prefer it when people have different interpretations of the song and use their imagination."

Was there anyone you wanted to work with on the album but didn't manage to? We know you're a fan of Nicki Minaj...
"There was no-one I specifically requested to work with because I was shocked at the people I was already working with. I'm grateful for what I got, because there was a chance I wouldn't have been signed after the show - not everyone from there gets signed."

You've just turned 18, do you still have time to see your friends?
"I'm the busiest I've ever been - I'm thrown from place to place. I'm not concentrating on friends or things like that. I need to keep my head down to get to the position I want to get to. I'm still going to go out and have fun though, believe me!"

How would you sum up your album?
"It's like a jukebox, it's full of everything - no two songs are the same so there's something on there for everyone. If they don't like 'Swagger Jagger', they might like 'Over the Moon'."

You got upset on Twitter when 'Swagger Jagger' first leaked. How do you feel now that more songs from the record have appeared online?
"I think I was annoyed about 'Swagger Jagger' because it was the first time it ever happened, and in my dream world it would never happen. It was my first song and I wanted people to wait for it. This computer geek leaked a rough edit of the single - all the sounds were wrong, which made it worse. These people are doing me a favor really - but if they're going to leak it, at least get the right version!"

Cher Lloyd

The new series of The X Factor starts soon; who out of the new judges are you looking forward to watching?
"I can't wait! I'm looking forward to watching Tulisa - I've met her once or twice and we get on."

Do you wish there was someone more like her when you were on the show?
"Definitely! She's got attitude and I like that. She knows what people want. She'll go at them because she's got balls."

What about Kelly Rowland?
"I'm usure about her. I loved her when she was in Destiny's Child - they were the best days! I don't really know much about her anymore, but I didn't like her song with David Guetta. She's okay, but I'm not sure the public will take to her."

If you could turn back time, would you apply for The X Factor again?
"I wouldn't change anything. I think it's made me a lot stronger as a person. I know everything about music now - I'm not living in a dream world. I used to think being a popstar would be glamourous, but it's not. Some days are good and some are bad. I'm happy though because it's got me where I am today."

Given that you're heading for number one this weekend, do you now believe that all press is good press?
"I'm not fussed about the press. There's nothing I or anyone can do about it so let it go I say. If someone wants to print something nasty, let them. At the end of the day, I won't be crying about it."

Cher Lloyd's 'Swagger Jagger' is out now. Her debut album follows later this year

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