Despite finishing fourth place on last year’s X Factor, Cher Lloyd has held onto her winning attitude and determination – much to the annoyance of some it would appear….
The 18-year-old released her debut single Swagger Jagger this week, but instead of looking forward to its launch she faced a barrage of abuse in a Twitter hate campaign.
One person warned Cher: “As soon as I get my driving licence I’m going to run you over.”
Another wrote: “You are an awful, stupid brat and I hate your music.”
Other messages included racist taunts about her gypsy background.
Cher has been hitting back at the abuse and is refusing to quit Twitter – where she has 464,000 followers.
A source said: “Cher is not going to let her fans down by giving in to these cyber bullies.”
In another Twitter message she wrote: “Fight the bullies. Don’t let them win! I’m a gypsy. I am what I am, like it or
lump it.”
The star was also subjected to a hate campaign while in the ITV1 singing competition.
She has said previously: “I think it all boils down to their own insecurities – if you’re unhappy with yourself, you’re going to pick on someone else.”
Cher is no stranger to negative public opinion having received some less than desirable comments throughout the X Factor competition, including accusations of a ‘fix’ at one point, however not to take it lying down, this feisty Geordie is determined to prove her critics wrong with the release of her debut single and album.
Recording with top record producers RedOne (who has worked with the likes of Lady GaGa, Jennifer Lopez and Nicole Scherzinger) and Max Martin (Britney and Katy Perry) Cher says she wants her music to make the statement not the headlines and negative comments that surround her.
“Max is a very private person. He doesn’t rant and rave about his music, which is why I loved working with him,” explained Cher.
“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.”
Cher retaliated to the insults by writing: “You may view me as talentless but you are still taking the time to tweet me.”
Following her recent barrage of abuse on Twitter etc, it would appear not everyone is of the same mind set, with artists like Lily Allen and Jessie J offering support.
“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.”
She’s also had praise from US rapper Busta Rhymes – who has collaborated on the album – telling the UK Daily Star ‘I didn’t meet Cher in person but am aware of her work. She has an incredible voice and could make it in the US – she has the talent.’
This is great news for Cher, especially since Swagger Jagger is also available on US iTunes, however the young starlet isn’t ready to run before she walk and plans on taking her career a step at a time.
“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?”
Cher says she was a bit apprehensive at the thought of releasing her debut single, especially when it leaked on twitter before the official release.
“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 favour really – but if they’re going to leak it, at least get the right version!”
Cher says she’s written most of the album herself and says her writing was inspired by her own personal life and tribulations.
“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.”
Summing up her album, Cher says it’s a jukebox full of something for everyone – ‘No two songs are the same so if you don’t like Swagger Jagger you might like something else on there.’
Recording a debt album, travelling up and down the UK doing endless press and promo hasn’t left Cher with much down time, but this determined young popstar says she’s willing to take the low with high to get to where she wants to be – although she does admit she misses being at home with her mum.
“I’m the busiest I’ve ever been – I’m thrown from place to place so don’t have time to be concentrating on friends or things like that.
I need to keep my head down to get to the position I want to get to but I’m still going to go out and have fun though.”
With the next series of X Factor getting set to appear on our screens, Cher weighed in with her thoughts on the new judging panel.
“I can’t wait! I’m looking forward to watching Tulisa – I’ve met her once or twice and we get on.
“It would’ve been great to have someone like her on my series. She’s got attitude and I like that. She knows what people want. She’ll go at them because she’s got balls.”
Seems she’s not too sure about Kelly Rowland, though. “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.”
Talking about her own X Factor experience Cher says she 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 glamorous, 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.”
Cher Lloyd’s ‘Swagger Jagger’ is out now. Her debut album follows later this year.
