Winner of X Factor UK S13 signs with RCA instead of SYCO.
Traditionally, winners (and many runner-ups) of X Factor UK sign a record deal with Simon Cowell’s record label SYCO after winning the talent show. Most of them sooner or later depart from SYCO, even though SYCO does have 3 X Factor winners signed right now: Little Mix, James Arthur and Louisa Johnson. The only X Factor winner to have a slightly different label arrangement was Matt Cardle, who had a joint record deal with SYCO and Columbia UK.
But tonight The Sun’s showbiz guru Dan Wootton reports that the newly crowned X Factor champion Matt Terry signed a record deal with RCA UK. Simon and RCA’s bosses think they can turn Matt into the next … wait for it … OLLY MURS.
A source revealed: “Simon and Sony have had a think and believe that Matt is very much an artist in the mould of Olly Murs.
“And to that end, they both believe he should be a label mate of Olly’s on RCA. Everyone is thrilled with Matt’s victory and how brilliantly the winner’s single is doing.
Olly Murs finished 2nd on season 6 of X Factor UK. He was mentored by Simon Cowell on the show, but Simon then signed that season’s winner Joe McElderry to SYCO and Olly signed to RCA UK. It was Olly who became the star from season 6 with #1 singles, #1 albums and sold out arena tours. He is currently promoting his 5th studio album 24 HRS, which is selling very well despite the lack of hit singles. It appears Olly isn’t cool enough for UK’s TOP 40 radio stations anymore. So it appears RCA is looking for a replacement and they will try their luck with Matt.
RCA UK is also the current label home of Rebecca Ferguson and ZAYN. In the past they also signed some unsuccessful runner ups such as Jahmene Douglas. I think some others also went to Epic Record UK.
How do I feel about this? Well. I have mixed feelings. In a way I feel sad because SYCO can be phenomenal for pop acts. But at the same time I think Simon Cowell lost Matt Terry’s trust in the final weeks of season 13. Simon dared to criticize Matt on both songs during the semifinal – even Matt’s rendition of “Silent Night”, the most well known traditional Christmas song. During the X Factor’s final on Saturday it became clear that Simon had already written Matt off and was firmly in Saara’s corner. On the Xtra Factor he even admitted that he expected Matt to leave the show in 3rd place on Satuday. That didn’t happen – boyband 5 After Midnight finished 3rd and the next night Matt Terry went on to beat Saara Aalto, too. On Sunday night after Matt’s first performance Simon did acknowledge that Matt was having a strong final weekend – probably because by then the writing was already on the wall (Ha ha ha!) – Matt was leading the vote. Simon also seemed awkward in his critique of Matt’s second performance. He wasn’t nearly as enthusiastic for him as he was for Saara Aalto.
After Matt was announced as the season’s winner, Simon spoke again and promised Matt to give him their 100% support, but I’m not sure Matt really believed him.
Watch the announcement of Matt’s victory again and Simon’s comments afterwards.
We have yet to hear which Sony label (if any) will sign Saara Aalto and 5 After Midnight. SYCO will be releasing Honey G’s novelty single two days before Christmas. I guess Simon has finally lost it.
