‘The X Factor’ UK: Runner-up Saara Aalto close to record deal

Even though Saara Aalto was not the winner of “The X Factor” this past weekend, at the same time we never quite felt like it was in doubt that we were going to see her end up securing a major record deal. She’s always been the sort of performer who could put on a show and deliver great music, and we can easily envision her being a great international star. She may have even been the more popular globally of our two finalists this season, but she ran into quite the problem courtesy of Matt having the larger following in the UK.

Based on what a source told Digital Spy recently, a deal for Saara seems to be fairly eminent:

“This week has been a whirlwind for Saara – the interest has been overwhelming in her and she’s close to inking a big record deal with a major label.

“Saara had to make sure it was the right plan. She’s released lots of albums off of her own back in the past but this is going to be her first major record deal and she wanted to make sure she chose wisely. She’s already got strong ideas of what she wants to do. Sia, Gaga and Kate Bush will all be heavy influences in her debut. She’s not just going to be some pop puppet – she’s the real deal and image will be important.”

The image is probably going to be what matters most to Saara, given that she’s gotten find ways to generate her own publicity when it comes to style and concept to go along with lyrics. Our sentiment at the moment is that there are so many people with good songs out there, but only the few who find a way to put their own creative stamp on things are the ones who are going to end up becoming superstars. Saara has that ability, so we’re going to wait and see precisely how that goes in the end.

Hopefully we get something official from Saara before the holidays — if not, maybe we will hear in the new year.

If you do want to get some other news right away when it comes to “The X Factor,” just be sure to head over to the link here right now! (Photo: ITV.)