The rumors were swirling about Kelly Clarkson appearing on X Factor UK winner, Ben Haenow’s next single, and now they are confirmed! Ben and Kelly will duet on a tune titled “Second Hand Heart” which can be pre-ordered on iTunes now! The single is out on October 9.
.@Kelly_Clarkson is featured on @Bhaenow's new single “Second Hand Heart”! Pre-order it here: http://t.co/boISCURcsZ pic.twitter.com/laPSfazTJ5
— THE X FACTOR (USA) (@TheXFactorUSA) September 29, 2015
The beautiful @kelly_clarkson has taken my 'Second Hand Heart'. What an honour!
Pre-order: http://t.co/5mWxXvAKDP x pic.twitter.com/3ZaeVaiYxA
— Ben Haenow (@Bhaenow) September 29, 2015
Kelly and Ben posted cryptic tweets the night before Tuesday’s official announcement.
.@Bhaenow ‘I know you’ve been a fool but I swear you can change’ #2NDHH pic.twitter.com/kLoEQ88Izr
— Kelly Clarkson (@kelly_clarkson) September 28, 2015
Ben won X Factor UK in 2014 and is recording songs for his debut album. “Second Hand Heart” is the first single.
“The idea of a feature wasn’t on the cards but when I heard the vocals on it I was blown away as it gave the song a whole new dimension,” Ben said. “Especially having Kelly Clarkson. It’s incredible. Her voice is insane. I knew this was the first single.”
“I fell in love with Second Hand Heart with the first listen,” said Kelly. “Lyrically and musically, it is right up my alley. I am excited and honored to be a part of Ben’s first single from his first album.”
Ben has been co-writing with songwriters including Amy Wadge (Ed Sheeran), JR Rotem (Rihanna, Maroon 5), Julian Bunetta (One Direction) and Steve Robson (Take That, Olly Murs) and says he wanted to stay true to himself as a songwriter.
“I didn’t want to do an entire album where I was just taking songs from other people,” he said. “I wanted to be in control too and have an influence so it was a record I was 100% proud and happy putting out.”
The rumors began in earnest when Ben flew to Nashville to shoot a music video with Kelly. Director, James Lees, posted photos on his Instagram.