X Factor star Saara Aalto reveals plans to move to the UK after landing international record deal
The Finnish singer opened up to Bizarre in an exclusive Facebook live chat in her home country, and joked that Simon Cowell is "the Grinch"
ONE DIRECTION, OLLY MURS and FLEUR EAST have all proved that you don’t have to win X Factor to be a huge success.
And this year’s runner-up SAARA AALTO looks set to follow in their footsteps.
Just days after losing to Bromley boy MATT TERRY in the ITV talent show final, the Finnish singer has signed a five-album deal with Sony Music UK and Sony Finland.
And I can reveal that superstar performer SIA has even written music for Saara to feature on her next album.
In an exclusive interview in Helsinki where she had earlier been swamped by hundreds of fans, Saara said: “I’m now working with some of the best songwriters in the world and Sia has written a song that has been given to me.
“Oh my god, it’s just insane. I think Sia is a pretty good reference for me because her way of singing and the way she composes the melodies and writes the lyrics is very similar to what I’ve always done.
“I describe my own music as epic love pop. I don’t want to sing about going to a party with friends, I want to sing meaningful songs that can inspire people and I think Sia’s songs are really deep.
“Chandelier is about young girls who think they have to please others to be loved and that really touched me. The lyrics are so inspiring and life-changing.”
She added: “I think it hasn’t really sunk in yet, it’s too much, it’s too big.
“I’ll probably understand in January when we are ready to start work on the tracks.”
Saara will also be flying to LA next year to work with songwriters Diane Warren and David Foster, who have written music for the likes of BEYONCE, MADONNA and CELINE DION.
Speaking about her new record deal, she said: “It’s really exciting because I have two labels from different countries doing it together.
"I have always wanted to be a global singer so it already makes me global because Sony Finland is going to concentrate on Scandinavia – so that would be Finland, Sweden, Estonia – and hopefully Sony Music UK for the rest of Europe.
“We still have lots of meetings and lots of planning so it’s very open at the moment.”
But Sia is not the only international superstar eager to work with Saara.
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ADAM LAMBERT has struck up a friendship with her after they performed together in the X Factor final – and is now hoping the pair can collaborate on new music.
Saara, who did a live video shoot, right, all the way from Helsinki for my Facebook page, added: “Adam and I have been tweeting and sending some Instagram messages to each other.
"He used to have a Finnish boyfriend so he has a connection and can even speak some Finnish things.
“We immediately connected and hopefully in the future we can work together – he said it would be really nice to do something together so let’s see.”
Watch this space.
Margot rings in
MARGOT ROBBIE has confirmed she’s tied the knot with fiancé Tom Ackerley.
Yesterday I told how the Suicide Squad actress and her British film director partner had flown Down Under for the intimate ceremony over the weekend, attended by close family and friends.
She has since shared this playful snap of her sparkler, which shows the newlyweds kissing in the background.
It was far from a conventional wedding though, with Aussie sources revealing she had her favourite snack on offer for guests – Coco Pops.
And although there are thought to have only been about 100 guests, she had a 16-strong bridal party, who all went barefoot.
Tom’s a lucky guy.
Unwrap them all
TODAY’S 12 Dudes of Christmas hunk is a Dreamboy . . . literally.
Ex On The Beach star and former stripper ROGAN O’CONNOR has charmed the likes of FERNE McCANN.
Now see his video and the full shoot on my Facebook.
Back, and bigger than ever
SHERIDAN SMITH is hoping to start 2017 with a bang.
But she will make her first public appearance since his tragic death, launching new West End restaurant Bunga Bunga on January 12.
She’ll be performing a few songs with the in-house band at the huge new site in London’s Covent Garden, the second Bunga venue after the Battersea original.
A source said: “Bunga is set in the heart of London’s theatreland so it was only right they got the West End’s biggest name to perform for the opening night.”
She’ll be amazing.