‘The X Factor’ UK: Cher Lloyd claims she, Simon Cowell haven’t spoken in over a year
Well, how is this for some more friction between Simon Cowell and some of the people that he helped find their way to stardom on “The X Factor” over the years? We already know that there has been some problems between him and some other artists that he has signed over the years, but now one of the most outspoken people of all is making it clear just how much she and the mogul did not really get along during their days together. As a matter of fact, it was rough enough that she decided to make more of her stamp in America over anything that she is doing in her native Britain.
Speaking with Larry King on his “Larry King Now” Ora TV show, Cher Lloyd explained that the reason she and Simon stopped really communicating, and why she in part chose to get a new American label for herself, was because she found her relationship with him to be far too controlling and not at all what she wanted for her own music:
“I don’t really speak to him anymore. I left his label a year and a half ago and I got my record deal here [in the US].
“I think he found me – I wouldn’t say disobedient – but a little bit [difficult]. I have a specific thing I am reaching for, so I have my own idea of how I’m going to get it … We all have a specific thing in life that we want to get to and I don’t deal very well with people having [creative control].”
It’s still a little too early to tell as to whether or not this was the right move for Cher to make in her career. Her latest single “I Wish” has not exactly been much of a smash in America, and it will be next year before she tries to go for much of a splash with it back in her home country. She did at least get a popular collaborator on the song with her in T.I., and she has also toured this year with an “X Factor” contestant on the Epic label (one with some more ties with Simon) in Fifth Harmony.
Tell us: Do you think that Simon is a teensy bit too controlling, or a complete and total monster when it comes to how albums are composed? Be sure to share some of your thoughts below! Meanwhile, click here if you want to read some more fallout to the latest “X Factor” UK elimination.
Photo: Cher Lloyd / Epic
Jasmine
November 13, 2013 @ 9:50 pm
LOL @ people for believing everything on tv. Carly is not even boring. I go to school with her. She plays sports (softball,snowboards, surfs). She is well-liked at our school. She dances. she’s been taking hip-hop dance classes for 3-4 years. She can dance. I wouldn’t be surprised if she has a lot of upbeat songs. and if she had choreography with her songs. carly sang ballads on x factor , but she didn’t pick her songs. btw how do you guys expect her to be? jump around the stage? curse? be profane? dye her hair? twerk? Celine, Alicia Keys, and Mariah don’t move around the stage, but they sing very well and have epic songs….and I realize this article is about Cher but someone made a comparison between her situation and Carly’s. Carly is working on her album. that’s all I know.
Michelle C.
November 13, 2013 @ 8:18 pm
There is a small section of Carly Rose’s fans who are of a certain age and they are too lazy to read the articles about her or watch all her interviews. they never go on Twitter or Instagram. They go on Facebook or YouTube with their uninformed ideas. Follow CarlyRoseOnline, they have updates about her. Carly has thanked Simon for signing her to a record contract and she has been working on music all year. Carly is writing all her songs. It takes time for an album to be put together. Most artists have 2-4 years between albums. Carly was recently in LA (2 weeks ago) recording her songs and working with people who worked with Little Mix. Carly’s album is pop/R&B. if you pay attention some of the people she worked with posted pics of her recording, one had a video snippet (Instagram) of her R&B song (with a mid-tempo)-Jaden Michaels. She has some uptempo songs, one of which was inspired by Bruno Mars/ Michael Jackson/Prince. Carly said she is a full time student at a public school. she can’t drop out, it’s against the law. She works on her album on the weekends or in the evening. Again, there are child labor laws to consider, a set # of hours she is allowed to work. Look for her album in the summer, single release in the spring. She’s talented, pretty, and that will help her along with her great musicality. So be patient.
b leigh
November 13, 2013 @ 12:04 am
Wow! Replace the name Cher Lloyd with Carly Rose Sonenclar, and you would hardly have to change a word in this article. Except for the UK connection. Too bad the “real” winner from season 2 is so young and still under some option contract with Syco Simon. Almost a year after the show ended and Carly’s still not free. Again, Wow! How is it some aging, egomaniacal European entertainment executive is allowed to control the musical life of a 14 year old American girl? With no obvious compensation that I can see. Cartermatt, could you look into that. How about a little investigative reporting for once. Spoiler alert for anyone thinking of auditioning for x-factor next year (if there is a next year). It’s a worthless crown…just ask Melanie Amaro and Tate Stevens. If you think you’re “that” good, then try out for the Voice. If you are…you’ll make it. If you’re not – better you don’t waste our time!
Luner45
November 13, 2013 @ 5:25 pm
Bitch shut up. Firstly This is about Cher Lloyd, and Secondly Fifth Harmony are the real winners of X Factor Season 2. Not one person is praising Carly in Season 3 of the X Factor however Fifth Harmony constantly gets praised all around as if the won the competition. BTW The reason Carly hasn’t released music is b/c she lacks stage presence, Personality, and all those little things that make a star. She has a big voice but that’s not enough, its the whole package which is why there is no news on her Sony Co-label. Heck even Diamond White and Beatrice Miller are ahead of her. In Fact Beatrice is about to release music through Hollywood Records/Syco Records. Don’t you dare say Beatrice is a terrible singer in comparison to Carly, Her Voice is unique and perfect for Rock and she has all those characteristics that make up a star. Carly has yet to grow. Carly’s a smart girl, i’m sure, but she needs some time to grow. Don’t Blame Simon for not release her music, it would be pointless without a Sony co-label.
b leigh
November 13, 2013 @ 7:26 pm
I should have stopped reading at “bitch shut up,” but I decided the frighteningly uninformed needed to be informed…no matter how rude they may be. First off, I didn’t say anything about Bea, 5H and even E3, but, while I like them all, the acknowledged Star of season 2 was Carly Rose Sonenclar, and that’s straight from Simons mouth on several occasions. Did you even watch season 2? As for the silent treatment on season 3, Simon doesn’t just give her a Sony co-label…he must sign her to one, which she clearly is refusing to do. In his dreams he would like to have that power. He doesn’t! You knew that, right? No? I didn’t think so. So the operative phrase for Simon and Co. going forward toward her would be “she’s dead to me.” Of course they would love to invite her for a guest performance to help their bottom feeder ratings, but what’s the point? She’s not one of them. She’s writing an original album and waiting for this god awful long option period to end, at which point she will probably sign with Universal, Warner Bros. or Capital records. So, Bucky, there’s the reality. You’ve been updated – hope it helps – have a nice day!
Luner45
November 13, 2013 @ 9:24 pm
WHAT THE REALITY IS It’s actually Carly’s parents that are holding her back from a recording contract, NOT SIMON! They want her to be a normal teen, however she still lacks star quality. And I wouldn’t believe Simon about anything he said in Season 2 b/c in Season 2 he constantly loved E3, but all of a sudden Fifth Harmony end up getting more famous than E3 and now he is constantly acknowledging them as if he believed in them from the start, he didnt.
b leigh
November 14, 2013 @ 2:07 am
Luner45, Make a deal with you…if you’ll stop contradicting yourself, I’ll stop replying to you. So now you admit it’s probably Carly’s parents who won’t sign with a Syco label, rather than Simon ignoring her because she’s “not ready for primetime.” Glad you’ve seen the light. And thanks for answering my question…clearly you didn’t watch season 2. Simon was slobbering all over 5H and E3 (especially 5H) during the live shows. He only stopped praising Carly after he had some run in with her parents. A little too late though, he already declared Carly the star. Can’t un-ring that bell, no matter how rich he is. I would just say let’s agree to disagree, but, better yet, let’s agree that I’m right and you’re wrong! It’s humbling, but character building. By the way, I did like all of 5H’s cover videos – really cool – but I don’t like any of the songs on their ep.
Luner45
November 14, 2013 @ 3:39 am
He was NOT Slobbering over 5H, you clearly did not watch season 2, they had to work harder than both Carly and E3 to get in the top 3. Also Simon is not ignoring Carly b/c her parents want her to a normal teen, and she is not ready for Primetime, she still needs growth. Carly already signed a deal with Syco which is good enough b/c they are allowing her to make music however they wont distribute it b/c of her parents. Simon may have already declared Carly a star in the past, but unfortunately the past is past, now all Simon cares about is 5H. You’ve seen the hype around them, they are the true winners of Season 2. But you cannot say Simon is going to leave Carly in the dust, with a voice like her’s he would be stupid to ditch her. BTW The Voice had plenty of contestants who like Carly had the voice but did any of those winners turn out to be superstars? No. So for now Let’s agree that I’m right and you’re wrong.
b leigh
November 14, 2013 @ 5:10 am
I’ll give it one more try, and I’ll type slowly so you might understand this time. Carly is under an option contract that syco picked up last march, part of her original appearance agreement with x-factor. She is NOT…I repeat NOT under a recording contract with a syco label. That’s why Simon hasn’t released her music – he can’t. She doesn’t belong to him. Will she ever? Who knows…both sides are very secretive. He can prevent her from signing with someone else right now, but that’s about it. Until I hear different, she is just waiting to be freed from that bunch. It may be more of a fallout between her mom and Simon, but she is her mothers daughter. And please don’t use the word “growth” in the same sentence with Carly’s name anymore. She’s done Broadway, movies and a thousand gigs since she was 7 years old. 5H and E3 do NOT want to hold up there individual resumes against hers. However, it would be good for a laugh. Oh, and you must not watch the Voice either, because Danielle Bradbury is on her way to Country stardom. And yes, I’ll agree that you’re still wrong.
Luner45
November 14, 2013 @ 4:45 pm
She’s not under a recording contract b/c her parents dont want her to sign an official deal at only 14 years old. That’s why she can’t release her music. It’s not Simon’s fault however even though she has yet to get that contract, she is still under Simon’s control. All of the music producers, songwriters, are under Simon’s name. And as for the “Growth” Part, even though she has all of that experience on Broadway and such, she still need’s to grow as a person as well as an artist, she’s only 14, by the time she is 18 she will be a completely different person. And it doesn’t matter that she has a huge resume than E3 and 5H b/c the X Factor is all about finding new talent who want to make it especially those who can’t find the right opportunity. Oh and about Danielle Bradbury, I’m sure Country Stardom is “Amazing” Tate Stevens wanted the same thing but look where he is now. You’ve seen plenty of country acts winning these shows but never making it because america loves overrated acts. So for now I will agree that I’m right and you’re wrong b/c you are still waiting for a little girl’s music who is probably gonna be released when she is 16. Heck even by then who is going to buy her music? There are plenty girls who have an amazing voice like Carly, It’ll be just a matter of time before another musical prodigy pops up.
b leigh
November 14, 2013 @ 6:04 pm
Okay, Luner45, you win. I can’t debate someone who, not only, doesn’t watch shows they talk about, but also doesn’t read comments they respond to. You just, for the most part, repeated everything I said. Two quick points: So it’s maturity rather than growth? Really??? You’re gonna play that card? I’ve never seen an interview with Carly where she wasn’t calm and collected. While E3 are total goofballs and 5H, can be, total giggleheads at times. Maybe they should have all waited till they were 21…at least they could drink legally. And lastly, you really think Carly is constantly in the studio in NY and LA so she can release a single or album in two years? Really???? If Vegas had a line on that, I’d empty my piggy bank and lay it on next year…at the very latest. Enjoy your hollow victory. Go Carly!!
Anna
November 13, 2013 @ 8:35 pm
Fifth Harmony has had the most PR out of the x factor contestants and sold only 28,000 copies of their EP. it fell to #80 last week with 3,000 copies. Now it’s not even in the top 100 of Billboard. Emblem 3 sold 46,000 of their album and they didnt have as much promo as 5H. Your group is competing with other girl groups, not necessarily season 2 contestants. because Emblem3 outsold your girl group. so they are the most successful. 5H may have ranked 1 higher but they sold 18,000 less copies than Emblem3. Little Mix is from the UK and they sold 50,000 copies of their debut album in the United States with very little promo. the fact that a UK girl group outsold an American girl group should make you cringe. Fifth Harmony needs. these jingle balls and x factor live performance because they are a sinking ship. At least Cher’s album has outsold fifth harmony and she had a couple of hits chart higher than 5H. And she’s from the UK. I wish everyday that Cher didnt let 5th unison go on tour but she was probably forced because both are with syco/epic. same way Simon is forcing Demi to take 5H on tour.
Luner45
November 13, 2013 @ 9:21 pm
Understand that an EP does not get the same push as an album so of course E3 sold more, but that wasnt the point. The Point was if an EP can sell 28k then imagine how much there album will sell. as for LM, it is easy to sell records when one of your boyfriends is in the biggest boyband in the world. Take note that Before Zerrie started LM have 200k -500k followers on their twitter account. Say’s a lot doesnt it? And about these whole Jingle balls, countless tours, and tons of other promo, they need it b/c they are a starting act, X Factor is worthless in America in comparison to UK so there fame is never handed down to the contestants. They are trying to get their name out similar to what NSync did back in their days. As for Cher, she had a smash single(Want U Back) so of course her album outsold fifth harmony’s EP b/c it DOES NOT GET THE SAME PUSH AS AN ALBUM! And LA Reid Pulled 5H from Cher’s tour b/c Harmonizers outsold the Brats at Cher’s concert. People noticed that a lot of fans left after Fifth Harmony performed which is why Epic gave Fifth Harmony there own tour, And stop with the Fifth Unison jokes, you’re making yourself stupid b/c everyone knows Fifth harmony can do HARMONY. Demi constantly Praises Fifth Harmony so how can you say it was forced to put them on tour? If anything LM was forced to be included b/c they’re only known for Zerrie.
tonloc
November 14, 2013 @ 6:20 pm
Why would an album outsell an EP, when they would both have the same lead single? and if the lead single isn’t selling well, then why would the album or the EP? Are you saying that their fans are not buying the EP in protest because they want an album?? What kind of logic is that. Didn’t Epic announce it like a month or so in advance, too? Wouldn’t the feeling of deserving an album drive sales to show Epic they do in fact deserve an album? Weren’t they traveling to malls in a tour bus with their name plastered all over it, on tour with Cher, had some TV appearances, and had something spinning on the radio, and yet only 28K, and you think its because they didn’t get an album and even more promo? Get real, the hottest new artists of this year Lorde, Macklamore and Ryan Lewis were able to sell millions without major label backing or major promo? There goes that theory. Like the poster above said, they haven’t even outsold Emblem 3, their 74 point drop in the BB200 was bigger than Tate’s, so how are they the real winners? What, because the noise surrounding them is louder than anyone else right now, just like it was after the show, which has amounted to a whopping 28K in sales? It took 5H and E3, tours, radio, album/EP releases, and promo, just to reach the same facebook and twitter numbers that Carly has, and she hasn’t done anything yet, so you can’t even talk about her until she does. As far as I’m concerned she’s the only one who hasn’t flopped yet, and I’ll gladly eat my words if she does or 5H or E3 end up going Gold or Platinum before she does on their next projects, if they get to do one.
Luner45
November 14, 2013 @ 10:48 pm
E3 and Carly rose were both the main stars of XF Season 2, and Carly benefited the most Followers from it, while the girls were the underdogs and had to work for their fame after X Factor. The EP Selling at 28k proves how much fans want an album b/c EP’s usually sell around 15k. And the reason Mackelmore and Lorde reached success was b/c they were unique, dont get me wrong the girls are unique but they are trying to bring something back that hasn’t been around for a long time: A Girl Group. As for the EP Dropping, it was not bigger than Tate’s b/c Tate later got dropped from his label without a second thought. It doesnt matter how much work the girls put in to reach Carly’s followers because it’s their hard work that will get them to reach Stardom, Fame requires HARD WORK, it does not get handed to you. And by the time Carly starts doing something the hype around her will dye down, it’s only a matter of time before another girl like Carly comes around, She’s not that unique, there are plenty of girls who have an amazing voice like hers. And how can you say Fifth Harmony flopped? Their single Miss Movin On was the first to chart on Billboard from a X Factor Alumni, and their EP debuting at #6 is the highest for any act. And for an EP to debut that high with a flop Record label like Epic, imagine how big there Album is going to be. Just remember that they only have one single out and its halfway to reaching gold status, By the time their second single comes out it will for sure smash the market b/c of the relationship they developed with radio stations. And with the Jingle Balls, AMA’s, Demi Tour all lined up. It’s Obvious they are going to make it. So please Take a seat!
tonloc
November 15, 2013 @ 12:01 am
Who cares about chart position if the sales are dismal. If I spend $1mil and get $30K in return, what do I care if my returns landed on some chart. And if that does place high on some chart then I’m bailing, I’m in the wrong business. The only way their next single will smash is if it’s a hit. No one cares who they open for, where they perform, what radio stations they’re getting buddy buddy with, or who’s spinning it. It doesn’t work that way, people don’t just shell out their hard earned dollars just because they know your name. How many platinum albums has Solange sold since she’s Beyonce’s sister? You said it yourself, unique. Lorde, Macklamore and Ryan Lewis, heck even Ylvis and Psy showed how easy it is to blow when you strike the right chord, it’s not rocket science, it doesn’t take a ton of promo, just a push here a push there, either you got it or you don’t, and right now 5H doesn’t, not that they won’t, just this current project isn’t it. If anything all the promo and lack of returns should make it that much more obvious. That’s why I say they flopped (didn’t meet expectations), of course only Epic would know this, since they are the only ones with the raw data but you don’t send your group out on a tour bus with there names plastered all over it, get them TV spots, and tour with one of your stars, if you’re only expecting 28K in sales. And when I said dropped worse than Tate, I meant on the Billboard charts, 74 spots, that’s worse than Tate. And if nothing picks up after all that stuff you mentioned AMA’s, etc, they’ll be in jeopardy of being dropped or shelved, no company is going keep dishing out that much capital with so little returns.
Rachel
November 13, 2013 @ 8:57 pm
Carly reminds me of Britney and Beyonce in that she is a shy, quiet person in real life, but also very sweet. But once they hit that stage, they can perform. Carly is a little awkward, but I think that’s endearing,. you guys have no problem praising Camila’s awkwardness but shun carly. maybe because she is 14 and most of you harmonizers are 16-20 years old. I guess you forgot how awkward you can be at 13,14,15 years old. you guys say she lacks personality, but there are plenty of super stars who lack that. what matters is how great you sing and how great your music is. I get the feeling if Carly was more like Bea and told people off if they attack her, you guys wouldn’t bother her. but because Carly is sweet, kind, quiet so you guys pick on her. she is 14. Carly has plenty of time to get better with interviews and being less shy and awkward. I would rather her be sweet and kind than a bitch. btw, Carly never reads these articles anymore. and her mentions on twitter because she people make fun of her. way to bully her. you guys are older than her.
Luner45
November 13, 2013 @ 9:12 pm
I am NOT Bullying her, I am just honest about her. For Sure she will develop star power in time, but for now she lacks the little things that make up a star. But I still find it annoying that after all of the success of Fifth Harmony, people are still calling her the winner of Season 2. And you cannot compare Carly to Camila, both are very different and although Carly may have a bigger voice, Camila(As well as the rest of 5H) have something very special. When have you ever seen a girl group where all 5 members can SANG?, not sing, SANG. Carly will be successful one day, maybe when she is older, but right now is not her time.
Harmonizerangel
November 13, 2013 @ 9:04 pm
what is so funny is you follow Carly’s career, Lunar45. you want to know when her single is coming out and you mention her in some of your tweets. my guess is you are a Carly fan but have to say mean things about her. idk why. well most of us harmonizers are original Carly’s angels. and we still like her.
Luner45
November 13, 2013 @ 9:07 pm
I’m interested in her single, yes I do like her her but I dont hate the girl but I am honest when it comes to Carly. I am an original harmonizer, I never was a Carly’s Angel in the first place. I do wish her all the best but at this point, it’s obvious who the real winner of season 2 was(Fifth Harmony).