Ellen Degeneres Starts Record Label eleveneleven to Sign Greyson Chance
Twelve-year old Greyson Chance earned a lot of fans when he sang a kickass version of Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi” on Ellen. His biggest fan, it seems, is Ellen Degeneres herself! According to People Magazine, the 52 year-old talk show maven is starting her own record label, just as her first season as a judge on American Idol is coming to a close.
“Greyson … inspired me to start a record label called eleveneleven. He is my first artist, and we are making a record together,” Ellen said.
Greyson originally made headlines when his rendition of ”Paparazzi,” at a talent show in his Oklahoma hometown garnered 10,000 views on YouTube. After he appeared on Ellen, the video has been viewed 30 million times, including reposts. Some have speculated that the video wasn’t as authentic as it seemed, but it’s hard to argue against this kid’s talent. The fact that Greyson – a middle schooler – had his own interpretation of Gaga’s hit and didn’t copy her vocal stylings is astounding to me!
That middle schooler comes back to Ellen today, and says that he’s overwhelmed by what’s happened. “It’s crazy thinking about 30 million people,” he says. “It just makes me happy. It really just hasn’t sunken in yet. It has been two weeks, and it still hasn’t sunken in yet. It’s awesome.”
Ellen says she’ll use her new label to sign other artists she discovers through her show. Her new career move is interesting, considering she touted herself as a simple music lover and regular American Idol viewer when she joined the show. “I love music,” she said back in September. “Hopefully I’m the people’s point of view, because I’m just like you. I’m looking at it as a person who’s going to buy the music, and who’s going to relate to that person.” In just a few months, she’s become a record mogul!
