“Ghost” has been certified platinum in the United States, in recognition of over one million units sold; moreover, it garnered a rave review from Digital Journal, which declared it “mesmerizing.” “It is crazy to be honest. I was finishing my record, and Ryan Tedder and I met and we had dinner, and the next thing you know we were writing a song called ‘Ghost,’ and I knew it was going to be my first single. It was one of the last songs that I wrote for the record,” she said.
A 19-year-old British pop sensation, Henderson celebrated her platinum plaque with the cast of The View, where she performed her single, and she will be performing “Ghost” with The Roots on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, as well as on The Meredith Vieira Show tomorrow. “That feels insane. I was completely shocked the other day on The View. I had no idea. Everything happened in such a short time. It is so exciting. It really is,” she said.
Henderson rose to fame as a contestant on the X Factor UK in 2012. She wowed the audience thanks to her stellar rendition of Cher’s “Believe,” and she noted that she really loves that tune. Henderson was the favorite to win the show but ended up finishing in sixth place,yet she was immediately signed by Simon Cowell to his label, SYCO Music. “I auditioned when I was 16, and it is amazing what happened after that first audition,” she recalled.
Her debut single “Ghost,” was co-penned with One Republic’s Ryan Tedder and has been certified platinum in Great Britain and Australia, and is the fastest-selling debut single in the UK with the second biggest radio audience of the year. It broke into the Top 10 on iTunes in the United States and its music video boasts over 46 million views on VEVO, proving that Henderson is a force to be reckoned with.
Each day, Henderson is motivated by her team, fans and her family. “I am happy to have this opportunity,” she said. Growing up, she listened to a lot of jazz and soul music. “My first memories of music was listening to an old record player to such artists as Dean Martin, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. That’s how it all began for me,” she said.
She revealed that one of her proudest moments took place recently in New York, where she performed at the NBA All-Star game. “That was really cool. It was an honor to be a part of that. It really was,” she said.
Henderson has been named an “Artist on the Verge” by Billboard Magazine and USA TODAY. Her debut album, Chapter One, catapulted to the top of the UK Album Charts and debuted at No. 11 on Billboard’s 200 all-genre charts, when it was released on January of 2015. “That is amazing. I have had so much support out here. It is very surreal and unexpected. I am enjoying it,” she said.
Henderson listed such acclaimed artists as Ed Sheeran, John Legend and Sam Smith as her dream male duet choices.
The song selection process for her Chapter One album was quite difficult. “I wrote about 50 songs and we had to cut it down. I picked my favorites. I did not want them to sound the same,” she said.
While it is challenging for her to select a personal favorite song on the CD, since each takes her back to a different time, mood and place when she wrote them, she is really attached to “Empire,” especially when she sings it in a live setting.
Her future plans include a lot of traveling, promotion, as well as attending the upcoming Brit Awards, which will take place on February 25, where she is nominated in the “British Female Solo Artist” category, and “Ghost” is up for “British Single of the Year.” “We have been nominated for the Brit Awards, which is incredible,” she said.
For aspiring singers, Henderson recommended they “keep going” and it is essential to always do it for themselves, as opposed to anybody else.”
In her spare time, the British songstress enjoys relaxing and calling it a “pajama day.” “I like to chill out and go for a walk with my dog, and see my friends,” she said.
“Thank you to the fans for all of the support so far. It has just been so incredible. I look forward to expanding on this journey with you all involved,” she said.
Henderson’s definition of success is “Being happy with myself, and constantly reaching goals and setting new ones.”
For more information on international pop star Ella Henderson, check out her official website.
