Jackie Evancho interview: "I want people to like me"

For those in need of a memory jog, 11-year-old classical singer Jackie Evancho rose to fame after finishing in second place on last year's America's Got Talent. Although pipped to the post by Michael Grimm, she promptly signed a record deal with Simon Cowell's Syco label and recorded her major label debut Dream With Me, which includes duets with Barbra Streisand and Susan Boyle. Excited, we sat down with her during her visit to London to find out how she's coping with her newfound fame.

Are you enjoying London so far?
"I got into London yesterday so I'm feeling a bit tired, but I'm starting to get used to travelling around. I'm going to go sightseeing with my brother and mum later, which is exciting! I can't wait to go on the London Eye."

How does it feel to be travelling around the world?
"It feels weird but it's something that I'm going to have to get used to. I know I'm going to be travelling a lot more and I'm going to be promoting more in different places. It's nice when I have my brother or sister with me though!"

Are you nervous about releasing your new album Dream With Me outside of the US?
"It does feel strange and I do get a little nervous because I don't want people to think, 'Who is this girl? She doesn't really mean anything to us'. I don't want people to have the wrong view of me, I want them to like me."

You recorded duets with Barbra Streisand and Susan Boyle on the album. Did you get to meet them?
"I didn't get to meet them unfortunately. [Producer] David Foster used his recording studio magic and had us in different studios. He told me that they both said great things about my voice, which was amazing."

You were inspired to sing by The Phantom of the Opera; which other opera singers do you look up to?
"I look up to Andrea Boccelli and Sarah Brightman. The best part about America's Got Talent was performing with her!"

Have you listened to Charlotte Church's classical albums?
"I am a fan of hers. I have to say she has an amazing voice and she is very inspiring for me."

She eventually moved into pop music - would you want do that too?
"I don't think I'll ever want to do pop music. I think I'll only ever want to do classical crossover because it's something that I love, and pop just doesn't work for me."

You wrote the title track of the LP, do you want to write more songs in the future?
"I would love to write more of my own songs one day. I really hope this album is successful so that I can keep singing and writing more. I write about heartbreak because I like writing about sad things, but I'm writing happy songs too!"

What are your favourite songs in the charts at the moment?
"I like listening to Beyonce and I like Jason Derulo. I love his new song 'Don't Wanna Go Home'.

Do you still have time for school?
"I still have time for it, but now it's called cyber school. I do it online and they try and recreate the school environment. I really don't like it - I like sitting with my friends and working with them. Instead, I listen to a computer drone on and on and I type in my answers. I guess I'll have to get used to it if I want to follow my dream!"

How have your friends reacted to your newfound fame?
"My friends don't really mind it, except when I do big shows like Oprah, which is when they will call me and talk about it. I think they've mostly got used to it now."

If you weren't a singer, what else would like to do?
"Only singing! The only thing on my mind is singing - which is pretty good for a singer, I guess!"

Jackie Evancho's Dream With Me is out now. Watch her perform 'Time To Say Goodbye' with Sarah Brightman below: