Kamille, who has written for everyone from Dua Lipa to Little Mix, talks about working with Simon Cowell again in his new Netflix show and her excitement over ‘next One Direction’
Former stockbroker-turned-Grammy and Brit Award-winning singer-songwriter Kamille is helping her old mentor Simon Cowell find the next big boyband, in brand-new six-part Netflix series Simon Cowell: The Net Act.
The warm, talented mum of two, who has penned hits for everyone from Little Mix to Ed Sheeran, opens up exclusively to the Mirror about their rollercoaster journey to finding the next big stars.
She reveals how she feels about her friend Simon’s many quirks, confesses to moments she thought they might throw in the towel, and why she believes the final line-up – December 10 – could truly be ‘the next One Direction’.
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Kamille, tell us about being involved in the new Netflix show…
I’m so honoured. It’s time for a resurgence of the boyband! I’ve worked with Simon for over a decade – from the X Factor to working with lots of his amazing artists, like Little Mix. I’ve written 32 songs for the girls and had two Number 1s! It was the perfect moment to work together again.
What was the audition process like?
We auditioned what felt like thousands of boys up and down the country to find this group! And sometimes we thought it just wasn’t going to happen. But it all worked out – the talent was incredible. I’m proud of Simon for not giving up, and proud of the boys. I think this group is going to be huge, they give me goosebumps when they perform. They could be the next One Direction.
And what was working alongside Simon again like?
He’s just an enigma! I’ve never known anyone like him. Obviously, he’s a mentor of mine with the best knowledge and advice. He’s so generous. But he’s such a troublesome person! I don’t know how I sat through all those auditions with a straight face, while he’s whispering stuff in your ear. He’s so funny.
He’s pretty quirky.. we see him eating half a crumpet for lunch and the other half for dinner, and ordering 200 of the same top….
Oh and I’ve seen it all. I think his wife Lauren said it perfectly, when she said, ‘Simon is a creature of habit’. He has his ways! But the half-crumpet thing is very odd, I will say that. I’ve seen him eat lunch, he’s so healthy. I’d love to be half that healthy. His wardrobe is insane, 100 of the same thing. I think it’s to allow his brain to come up with all these incredible ideas and not get side-tracked, you know!
Did you get to know Lauren more doing this show?
I’ve known Lauren since the X Factor, so a long time. She’s the sweetest person, she’s a queen. But here I got to know her more l I think, seeing into her relationship with Simon. Even the little arguments they had, the family moments – at the core of it they’re just a normal family, trying to mult-task. Lauren’s a wife trying to be there for her husband, I totally identify with that.
We see Simon break down on camera over Liam Payne’s death. Did he speak to you about how that affected him?
Not so much, at the time he took a break from filming because it was so devastating and he needed time to process it. We were all there for each other but it was such a sad time, I think part of you’s still shaken by it. But you know what, Simon’s very strong – and he really didn’t want to let these boys down, I think he carried on for that reason.
Some of the boys are as young as 15 – did you feel protective of them?
Oh, I already feel like the band’s big sister. I’ve been giving them advice, making sure they stay focused and don’t get caught up in the lights and the glamour, as has everyone. You’ve got to protect your mental health and I do remind them of that, and to always be kind. That’s sustained me in this business..I just want them to be happy and they are – they are buzzing. They’re like 7 puppies running about in a garden right now, they’re so cute.
As well as Little Mix you’ve worked with Dua Lipa, Raye, so many. it’s incredible…
I don’t know how I’ve managed to do it, to be honest. I have the worst imposter syndrome ever! That’s maybe what keeps me going. If I’m honest, it’s probably down to my ability to connect with people in the recording studio. I become people’s best friends, they share their little secrets with me.
Oh, give us an example of that….
There are so many, ha! An obvious one would be Shout Out To My Ex, with Little Mix. I mean, without even saying anything I knew that song had to be written because I was angry! Any friends that I have who are experiencing heartbreak – best believe, I’m gonna write them a revenge banger. You’re going to hear this song in Tesco and reflect on how you broke my girl’s heart. I’m a true empath, and very protective of people.
What have been some of your pinch-me moments?
One that will never leave me is probably going to number one with Clean Bandit, then the next week going to number one – knocking myself off the top spot – with Jess Glynne, I’ll Be There. For me – a young black girl from Streatham, that just feels unreal. I definitely want to leave behind a legacy for other young girls to be inspired by. If I can do that, job done. This never feels like work.
Simon Cowell: The Net Act is on Netflix now.
Source: Mirror
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