British singer-songwriter, Olly Murs, is definitely one to watch. After rising to super stardom on The X Factor UK, Olly is coming across the pond -- beginning with an opening slot on One Direction's North American tour (starting on June 1!) We caught up with Olly to talk all about his American takeover, his single "Heart Skips a Beat," which debuts on May 29, and of course, One Direction!
J-14: Your CD, In Case You Didn't Know, is huge over in the UK. Is there a song of yours that you're really excited for people to hear in the U.S.?
Olly Murs: I think it's got to be "Heart Skips a Beat" -- it's just kept going since I released it and people still seem to love it. It's really exciting that it's going to be the first single in the U.S. because it's my favorite song!
J-14: When was the moment that you realized you'd made it?
Olly: I don't think I've ever been like, "I made it." I still feel really lucky. But, I think to come to America is a massive thing for any artist, so I think if I got a number one album in America, that would be a crazy moment. Think about how One Direction must feel -- to be going on a huge tour around the U.S.? That's amazing.
J-14: Speaking of One Direction, we know you're heading out on tour with them soon, but you knew them from The X Factor UK, right?
Olly: I knew them, but I was a year before them when I competed on The X Factor. But then I became an Xtra Factor host, and I met them a few times and we just got on really well. They're great guys and fun lads.
J-14: Did you ever give One Direction any advice since you had done The X Factor the year before them?
Olly: We had similar experiences and we both had Simon as our mentor, but unless you had 10 or 15 years of experience, it's hard to give advice. I think it's been better for One Direction and myself to open up our eyes and do our own thing.
J-14: What can we expect from the One Direction tour?
Olly: It's going to be really busy, but it's going to be a good time! I'm really excited they asked me and really grateful.
J-14: Any chance of an Olly Murs/One Direction duet on stage?
Olly: I don't know if they'll let me!
Be sure to download Olly's song "Heart Skips a Beat" on 5/29 and listen online now:
Photo Courtesy of Columbia Records
