Young singing sensation Connie Talbot has signed a six figure recording deal and could be in line for a Christmas number one album, just weeks after being dumped by Simon Cowell’s record label.
The gap toothed six-year-old schoolgirl from Streetly won the hearts of the nation and the hard-to-impress Simon Cowell with her performances on the TV show Britain’s Got Talent.
After finishing runner-up to opera singer Paul Potts she was snapped up by record company Sony BMG, recording two songs, Somewhere Over the Rainbow and Smile.
Bookmakers quickly installed the Blackwood Primary School pupil as their favourite to be Christmas number one.
But she was left heartbroken after company bosses dramatically changed their mind telling Connie and her parents Sharon and Gavin she was too young.
However, her dreams of singing stardom have been rekindled after landing a contract with the Rainbow Recording Company in a six figure deal.
Mum Sharon said: “It just proves that all the hard work she put in throughout Britain’s Got Talent has not gone to waste.
“We are so proud of her, we knew she could do it. Connie’s over the moon and can’t wait till the album comes out.
“Connie loves singing so for her it’s a dream come true. It’s her hobby and she loves it.
“The recording company came to our home and she has been recording the songs after school. They have not been putting her under any pressure and she has been thoroughly enjoying the experience.”
The album is due to be released on November 26, with producers with music experts predicting it will be a big hit this Christmas and could possibly land the number one spot.
It is hoped that Somewhere Over The Rainbow will be released as a single.
Since appearing on Britain’s Got Talent earlier this year Connie has become a familiar face around Walsall and has also been recognised while on holiday abroad with her parents.
She performed at the opening of Tesco’s new 24-hour store in Willenhall earlier this year and is also due to switch on Walsall’s Christmas lights on November 22, just days before her album is released.
24 Comments
Dont do it Connie you’re setting yourself up for a fall
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I must admit Connie has a lovely voice but I believe that at the age of 6 she is too young to be going down this road. Kids should be allowed to be kids and I know she enjoys singing but between school and recording when is she allowed to be a kid? Look a Britney Spears and all the other kids that go down this road how many of them have not had problems of some sort? I wish Connie all the best but I wish she and her parents would reconsider after all money isn’t everything is it?
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Connie, I could not be happier for you, you deserve it and have the voice of an angel. I look forward to your album coming out to buy it. Connie’s parents will look after her and not let her go down the same road as those others mentioned above. She will be allowed to be a little girl as her parents are very protective of her.
Good Luck sweetheart and see you soon.
Love and hugs, Maureen. xxx
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Someone sent me the cut of Connie’s first performance and Simon Crowell sayiong she had perfect pitch. I have saved it and every time I replay it, it brings tears to my eyes. The innocence of youth is what this is all about and may it ever be there. I only hope and pray that her family will remember this and allow her to follow her dream but, at the same time, keep her feet on the ground and BE A CHILD.
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Connie, I am so happy for you.
I love your beautiful voice, it brings tears to my eyes whenever I listen to you. You have the voice of an angel.
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i just hope this doesn’t all come tumbling down in a legal battle now that sony has recorded Somewhere Over the Rainbow and Smile they may be funny over letting her perform those songs without her paying royalties for her own songs. simon and sony are very much on the ball with regard to their finantial interests.
that sort of thing is more likely to upset Connie than all the current attention.
all the best to Connie and all her family.
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I want to hear her sing, but I do not want to see her exploited.. Kind of a double edged sword.
I think to make records she will be fine, but to retail her would be a big mistake at her current age.
Not an easy call, I know….
Mum and Dad take care of her, she is very precious
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Connie Talbot touched my heart with ‘Rainbow’ Never thought that she could top that, but she did with”I’ll always love you” & “Ben” An unusual prodigy, whose adultlike emotions and energy as well as her lovely voice and pitch is absolutely wonderful. It is obvious to me that she loves what she does, and does it well. Go for the MOON, Connie, as you are truly a star!!!
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Connie touched my heart with “Rainbow”. topping that with “I will always love you” and “Ben”. She has a beautiful voice of amazing quality, and her adultlike emotions and energy, and pitch are incredible. It is obvious to me that she really loves what she is doing . I do understand that people want her to have a childhood, but this is her love. She has a gift. She really is beyond her years. Let her go for the Moon; SHE IS A STAR !!
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I fear that Connie’s progression through “Britain’s Got Talent” will be our last footage of the simple joy and pure communication of singing utterly free of the vamping and puerile stylings that destroy every adult contestant striving to meet our fickle culture’s ideas of success. . . to wit, that vapid chorus behind Paul Potts singing Nessun Dorma with trashy flakes falling down all around him. Connie, go sing for elderly shut-ins at convalescent homes, you will pass the joy along and keep your own too.
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The purity of this child’s voice and presentation style, along with her unselfconscious stage presence make her impossible to resist! Especially considering that, according to Mom, she has NOT had singing lessons. Can only imagine how she’ll knock our socks off in the next few years after a few voice lessons. I will continue to look out for her performances as long as she doesn’t give in to the ‘dark side’ and grow up too fast. The music choices for the competition were, of course, quite deliberately picked to agree with the innocence of her appearance and vocal style, for which I am grateful. Hope the new record label (and Connie, her parents & her managers) are clever enough to recognize and continue along that line for as long as possible. I hope she continues to find joy in singing in a style similar to those pieces she performed for us on TV this fall as they were such a breath of fresh air. (Yes, I AM over 40. The ability to hold a single, beautiful, pure note rather than cascade up and down a stupid scale like a vocal training exercise is something I value and adds to a good melody.) Good luck to Connie and her family. What a huge and awesome responsibility for her parents. Pray that they surround themselves with people who have the right priorities. IE: What’s best for Connie, and then for Connie’s family. (Note, not Connie’s CAREER, but for Connie and her family.) God bless and keep the Talbot family safe and grounded in reality.
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Connie,
I think you are absolutely wonderful and enjoy your career. Don’t ever change the way you are and listen to mom and dad. They love you very much. As do we all. Good for you Connie!!
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This is wrong. Simon Cowell made a bad decision. I respect that he felt that it was wrong to put a 6 year old into the crucible of the music industry and that she should be given time to be a kid. However the show he represented projected her out into the world spotlight and made her what she now is. A vehicle for making millions of pounds for the music/entertainment industry. He knew that as soon as he released her from her Sony/BMG contract that the wolves of the industry would pounce on her (it took less than 48 hours). He had a responsibility to protect her and her family’s interests. Maybe not legally but morally. God help this 6 year old now, child stars universally do not fare well. Also the parents are to blame. If Cowell related his reasons to these people they should have listened. Of course this child has wishes and desires. All 6 year olds do, as a parent it’s your job to temper them with your supposed maturity and wisdom. Stop thinking of this little girl as some form of minature adult with an angelic voice. She has a right as a small child to a normal childhood. No amount of money make this right. The listening pleasure of millions at Christmas does not justify the wrecking of a child’s future. Shame on you Cowell, you should have put this kid on the back burner and protected her with the (undoubtably) exclusive contract you had signed her and her parents to.
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why is everybody going crazy over this little girl? i have been looking for a record company for the last year and working hard to find 1. and now she just comes along and gets one like that *snaps fingers* and… she isnt all that good
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Mr. Bryant,
Easy there, take a breath. If you look at Connie, at Connie’s spirit, she had a blast doing this audition. No reason to see any of this, so far, as ruinous. Let’s enjoy this little window into the clean ubiquitous space of Children Often Enjoy Singing But None With Such Perfect Inflection And Pitch. Yes, there are challenges ahead for her and her family and precocious children can get derailed by the insatiable and vulgar appetites of the crass culture. Children can also get derailed in much quieter ways. If you look at the self-possession that Connie has displayed, you might take comfort in the fact that she is very inner-directed thus far. Her mom is nothing like the hysterical narcissistic show-moms that are alas all too evident here in the U.S. Let’s enjoy this little breath of fresh air, and let’s hope that Connie still goes to school, comes home, records a few songs, and still has to make her bed and do her homework. . .
Colin in Atlanta (crass is our export)
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Ok she’s cute and she’s really good for a six year old but I can see why Simon didn’t keep her and good on him for not doing it. Firstly, look at Britney Spears and Michael Jackson. They never had childhoods and they had people telling them that they were wonderful and never saying ‘no’ to them since they were Connie’s age and look what went on there. Secondly, when you’re listening to the album you can’t see her so the whole ‘cuteness’ thing is gone. And yes, she is good for her age but there are many singers with albums who are a lot better and sing original songs that we haven’t heard a million times before. When she’s older she won’t be cute anymore and there will be people who will be just as good as her to compete with and so what will happen then? Get her some singing lessons so she can take care of her voice, especially if she’s going do be doing this professionally and then let her be a kid. Her parents should have thought long and hard about signing that deal and chances are if they’re putting the record out so soon there isn’t exactly going to be a lot of work put into it, more likely it’s just to make money before the fuss dies down.
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I am a 62 years-old male in Australia. About two weeks ago, I was sent the clip of Connie in the first talent-quest audition. For the first five or six viewings, I had tears running down my cheeks. I am not normally noted for such emotions. There is just something about this sweet little cherub that touches the heart, and warms the soul. In the daily events of this troubled world, for me, it is nice to know that this precious little bundle can so easily reach out from the other side of the world and bestow such joy and happiness my way. I expect to have years ahead watching the career progress of this amazing girl, and hope that it doesn’t impair on a normal growing up, as she deserves. Meanwhile, may I suggest that the Queen show some initiative and invite her, and her parents, for a private singing at this grass-roots level. Who know what she will be in another ten years…another Celine Dion?
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dear connie i hope you read this i dont care what simon says hes a fool i just cant wait for the album to come out il be at the shop doors waiting to buy it you are better then any xfactor singers you should have won but never mind keep goign u will be big in the pop world bles u xxx
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we have brought connies cd today and we think its brill.we want to wish her well in the years to come.connie if you do read this you are already number one in are hearts.simon will regret the day he pulled out of the deal.xxx
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I always buy myself a Xmas present.
Yesterday I bought your album. The cheapest one I have ever bought myself but by far the best one. I am 77 and love your voice your pesonality and everything about you. I pray that the people wwho know the business take good care of you and protect you from those that would take advantage. Love you Connie. You are truly brilliant and a angel
Jim
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I say good for her. Now she can follow her career, have money for college, and not have to work at an older age. As long as the parents follow the money well, it should be great. She is doing what she loves, shouldn’t all kids? Simon lost - but wow, amazing.
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Connie ! after listening your album , yes , you sing better than Whitney . Also ,Over the rainbow , Imagine & What a wonderful world are my favourite tracks too. Keep it up as your hobby but not your JOB ! Support , always !
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I have had a 30yr plus musical career as a singer. My favorite singer is Sarah Brightman. Connie is right up there as having been one of my greatest experiences. I just hope and pray that she will have a normal childhood
and at the same time enjoy herself singing.
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Connie, I am so happy for you.
I love your beautiful voice, it brings tears to my eyes whenever I listen to you. You have the voice of an angel
im come from denmark
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