1. JessicaHooker
Feature Article Draft
When we think of music’s new superstar Ella Lola, many thoughts come to
mind. Whether it is her iconic light brown HermioneGrainger esc hair or that
awkward momentwith Adele at the Grammys lastyear. But whether or not
this is true, the firstthought we all think of is her sensational breakthrough
into the industry over 2015 with her hit album Saint, including tunes like ‘Just
Stay’ and ‘Melody’. We sat down with London’s own Ella to chat abouther
whirlwind of a year, the life on tour as well as getting all of the gossip about
the world of music (sheeven spills the beans on that whole Kimye Fiasco).
Whilst entering the NAME headquarters still wrapped in a duvet, wearing what
is assumed to be last night’s makeup and outfit, with a hot chocolate grasped
tightly in her hands, wecannot help but recognise her obvious down to earth
nature, styleand confidence and admire her for such. Yes! We said style; no
one can pull off a bright purple duvetbetter than Ella herself. Entering stating
the words ‘wherearethe chocolate digestives?’ the Hollywood celebrity
persona seemed to fade away with the ongoing interview becoming much
more like a chat with a best mate. After getting changed and a bit more
‘interview ready’ as Ella put it, we set off for the O2 arena where shewas
playing that night to around 50,000 eager Ellanators and where our interview
would commence. Sitting down with the very excited Ella was a huge privilege
for both parties, ‘I used to spend my £4.00 that I was meant to usefor lunch at
schoolon this magazine!’ which secretly I think we all used to do in our teen
years, giggled Ella. After a few cheeky selfies, we went on with the interview,
however not without getting the much requested tea and chocolate digestives,
much to Ella amusement. ‘How has the tour been then, worldwideand the first
of many I should hope?’ It seemed to be that the only word good enough to
describewas that of ‘fabocious’. Wedon’tknow if it’s a real word either, but
very descriptivenone the less. Stating how her favourite stop off was in Japan,
due to the ‘Crazy lights and cat cafe’s’ as well as the much needed helping of
traditional Japanese Sushi, Ella states that nowherehas been able to compete
with performing in her home town, with the upcoming show of that day being
the 3rd in
theO2 and final arena show of the entire tour; with the exception of
2. JessicaHooker
the upcoming VMA’s. ‘I justloveLondon, the people, the music, the excessive
need to drop into a cockney accent every time you speak’, with the London eye
being her favouriteattraction as well as a possibletrip to the SeaLife
Aquarium, Ella went on to say how she’s never not welcome when she’s in
London.
As our interview was put to a halt for a sound check fromthe star, NAME got
an exclusive look into the show itself, with the all the bits and pieces involved,
as well as Ella’s sensational voice booming across the entire arena. Itwas clear
to see why she was as successfulas shewas justbased on the pure talent of
the star herself, with her voice radiating through the many then soon to be
filled chairs with graceand ease. Ella also showed us her well known and
slightly dodgy dance moves during a dance break in her song ‘Crazy’. ‘I love
dancing, I might not be very good at it, but I love it’ Ella later told us. Back to
the interview, Ella was now changed into a dark orangeboiler suit looking
outfit, which if weare honest, only she could pull off without looking like part
of the cast of ‘Orangeis The New Black’, which happens to be her favouriteTV
show, other than that of the widely popular Game of Thrones and Friends. ‘I
justrelated to Rachel Greene more than anyoneelse in the show, but I always
fancied Joey obviously, who couldn’tresistthosepick up lines’, a very constant
thought in our heads also Ella. All of her released singles, hitting the top 10 in
the UK and in another 24 countries worldwide!However Ella admitted that her
favouritesong ‘Adults’ nearly didn’tmake it on the album, as shewrote and
recorded it only a few days beforethe album was finalised and sent to her
label ‘INSTOP RECORDS’. ‘I justlovethat song, and the whole story behind it,
that’s what music should be all about, not bragging about all the money and
fame but actual real life emotions and events’ Ella went on to say whilst
making her 2nd
cup of tea. Whilstcontinuing to talk about her album, the topic
of music videos came up, ‘how was filming the music videos?’’Itwas weird’ she
went on to add ‘It’s notlike how you imagine it at first. When I started I
thought it would be a simple little one day maximum job, but it latest for three
days straight!’ Going on to also say how shehas always dreamt of being in one,
after years of looking out her car window whilstChris Brown is playing,
pretending to be the star of the video. Her favouritevideo was ultimately that
of Pictures, which included Ella recreating various famous scenes fromall of
her favouritemovies. Another Exclusiveright here, Ella Lola is a complete and
3. JessicaHooker
utter film geek, making her a little more like the restof us. ‘The Star Wars and
The Matrix shots weremy favourite, especially becausewe got the actual
Harrison Ford to make a lovely little cameo’ with him being of courseher
favouriteactor of all time! ‘I didn’tlike all the cardio elements to it though’ Ella
later on admitted, ‘especially after having a bacon cheeseburger and chips for
lunch, I’lltell you!’
Ella, wefound out, has a very keen interest in gossip especially that of her
fellow music industry peers. Divulging into the life and scandals of the music
world Ella spoiled all the juicy stories of the award show after parties. ‘The
Oscars was definitely the best, I think Elton had the party for that, but I don’t
know, it seemed to be that I was chatting to Jen the wholenight’. She and her
BFF Jennifer Lawrence havebeen spotted out and about London and LA, being
the ultimate best friend goals, ‘she’s amazing, we areso similar it’s crazy’. Ella
later on expressed her need for a ‘tight net of true friends and family,
especially in this industry, and that ‘if wasn’tfor my Mum, I would still be at
home in my bedroomsinging along to everyone else’s songs, dreaming of what
I could be.’ Ella’s family orientated and girl next door persona was evidently
presented throughoutthis entire interview, showing how the possiblereason
for her success, being her relatibility to her teen and young adult audience.
As we well know, Ella has not been to shy in showing her awkward and slightly
disastrous tendencies when confronted with what she described as ‘Celeb
Royalty.’ The main two being that of the run in with Adele and also that of
Kimye, ‘I don’teven know whathappened with Adele. I’m such a big fan and
when I saw her I justthought it would be completely necessary for me to give
her a hug.’ This however led to the eventual head but and worldwidecoverage
of such event, leading to numerous memes and vines being created using the
scene. ‘I actually found some of them quite funny, especially the one with the
drakebackground music, that one was hilarious,’ Ella went onto add. Let’s also
not forget the infamous Kimye v Ella fiasco. ‘Whatexactly happened?’ ‘if I’m
completely honest, I don’treally know, there was someobvious tension
between me and the whole Kardashian clan’ which was due to Ella supposedly
dating Kendall’s ex ‘KarlLight’ ‘and when I presented Kanyewith the award at
the AMAS, he justtook it and walked away with Kim at his side, neither of
them looking at me in the eye. Needless to say, it’s put me off ever presenting
4. JessicaHooker
an award show’. Although her obvious clumsy and disastrous moments, it’s
easy to see why Ella Lola is loved so much by her fans around the world.
Whether that be due to her normality, awkward natureor justfabulous music,
we suspectthat Ella is guaranteed an even greater year in 2016 in music.
