June
Alexis Jordan is the shooting teen star on both sides of the Atlantic. Releasing her third single, Hush Hush, from her self-titled debut this month this nineteen year old is not your average teen dream.
Singing before she could talk and writing songs at just 11 years old, the South Carolina native was opening up for Smokey Robinson at a Stevie Wonder tribute in front of the man himself by the time she was 12. The world first got a glimpse of Alexis’ magic when she appeared on the first series of America’s Got Talent. Loosing out in the semi-final, she didn’t give-up.
Moving to Atlanta with her parents to be closer to the industry, she started posting clips of herself singing on YouTube and caught the attention of the award-wining writing and production team responsible for Rihanna’s ‘Take A Bow’, Stargate. Flying her to NYC for a recording session, none other than Jay-Z walked into room and blown away by her raw talent signed her to his and Stargate’s label, StarRoc/Roc Nation.
Alexis released her self-titled debut in the UK earlier this year, a mix of sugar-sweet r’n’b meeting high-energy euro-club beats, and has gone on to release the hit singles: ‘Happiness’, ‘Good Girl’ and now ‘Hush Hush’.
Marie Wood caught-up with her in the middle of supporting JLS on their UK arena tour to talk about her self-titled debut album, her guest appearance in ‘Honey 2’ and what it’s like having Jay-Z as a boss.
You’re supporting JLS on tour, what’s that been like?
It’s been crazy cool as I get to do what I really love and it’s so much fun as there’s no pressure; it’s just performing for big crowds and having fun with what we do.
What can fans expect from your show?
Pop, fun, to jump up and down and just sing with me. On the JLS tour I have the track playing, but I’m singing the whole time. On my own tour I have a band.
What are you tour essentials?
It has to be the cutest outfit from Topshop, a nice pair of shades, some chapstick.
What do you like the most about being in the UK?
It has to be the clothes; you guys have the best clothes. I like Topshop and River Island.
You’ve have a very fun colour popping style. Who are your style icons?
The one person I really like is Blake Lively I think her style is really awesome. I really like the classy look, it’s kind of my thing.
Do you have any aspirations to bring out your own clothing range?
One day, it depends on where my music is as I want to focus on that. But, that would be fun!
Your debut’s been well received in the states and the UK and it went double platinum in Australia. What’s it been like since your album release?
It’s been an experience, something that I’ll never ever forget about. I’m only 19, I have my first album out and I’m about to release my second one very soon, I don’t wanna stop?
What’s been the highlight so far?
When I performed opening up for Rihanna and I came on-stage and sang ‘Happiness’ in Australia and I didn’t even sing, the audience sang for me.
You released your latest single ‘Hush Hush’ this month. What’s the song about?
It’s mainly about if you get in a relationship and they do you wrong or if it’s a friendship that doesn’t work out, I believe in saying “be quiet, I don’t want to talk to you anymore”. Autumn Rowe wrote it, and I chose it for the album as I felt that it was something that was relatable, although I haven’t been through the someone really cheating on me it’s from personal experience of someone who didn’t do me right.
What’s your advice to someone in that situation?
You just learn better and keep smiling without that person in your life.
Your songs like Hush Hush and Happiness have a very positive message. Is that very important to you?
Yeah, it’s very important to me. I feel like if I’m not doing it, I don’t know who else would.
When are you releasing your next album?
Hopefully, this year. I’m working with Stargate, I can’t tell you who else! You’ll make me sweat, I don’t wanna sweat!
You’ve made a special appearance in the movie Honey 2. What was it like being in the film?
Being in the film and working with the cast was crazy! It was so much fun and very funny; when we were in dance rehearsals it was awesome…it was just an amazing experience and I’m still in contact with all the people in the film.
Honey 2 is focussed around a girl’s passion for dancing. Your performances have a lot of high-energy choreography in, why’s dancing important to you?
You want to entertain people and dancing is like a form of expression like singing – so why not?
Do you have anymore movies coming up?
I’m still working on that as I love to act, so maybe that’s another thing that will happen this year.
If you could remake and appear in any film, what would it be?
I would love to do West Side Story over; I love that movie!
What artist’s career do you admire?
Celine Dion, her career is amazing and so is Mariah Carey.
You first came to prominence when you made the semi-finals of America’s Got Talent. Do you think it’s positive route for an artist trying to get in the industry?
Yeah, of course. I feel like any talent competition that can get anyone through the door and fulfilling their dreams is good, of course.
You signed to Jay-Z’s label when you were sixteen. What’s it like having Jay-Z as a boss?
Having Jay-Z as a boss is really awesome as he understands you as an artist, so if you have something on your mind you want to speak about he’ll really listen.
You’ve been singing since the age of 11. If you hadn’t been a pop singer, what career would you have taken?
If I didn’t get into music I really love marketing, so I would’ve majored in marketing at college. Or similar to what I do right now, write music and dance.
Where do you see your career in five years time?
Lots of Grammys, more movies and just being happy.
What are your plans for the rest of this year?
Working on my second album, touring the world some more, not stopping just working, because what 19 year old gets to tour the world and meet crazy fans every day.
For Alexis Jordan tickets, visit: http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/search?tm_link=tm_homeA_header_search&q=alexis+jordan&search.x=0&search.y=0
30 June, Scala, London
2 July, The Library at HMV Institute, Birmingham
3 July, Club Academy, Manchester.
On tour with JLS
7 July, Racecourse, Newcastle
8 July, Stadium MK, Milton Keynes
9 July, Hylands House, Chelmsford
