SHE’S A TV ACTRESS AND YOUTUBE STAR AT 19... NOW LURGAN’S EMMA IS AIMING TO BE A CHART-TOPPER
❝ It was cool being part of The Secret, Jimmy Nesbitt was amazing to work with
TEEN YouTube singing sensation Emma Horan is aiming for the top of the charts with a memorable new single.
The 19-year-old from Lurgan has recorded Made Of Glass, which she co-wrote with local music producer Trey Shepherd.
Emma, also a talented actress who has played opposite James Nesbitt in the ITV drama The Secret, described the record, to be released on November 20, as a pop ballad.
She first posted videos of herself singing cover versions of hits recorded in her bedroom for family and friends when she was just 15.
Within 12 months of posting them she had accumulated more than three million views across her social media channels.
She also reached number three on the iTunes singer/songwriter chart alongside Passenger, Ed Sheeran and Tracy Chapman with her cover of Little Lion Man by Mumford & Sons.
This encouraged her to create a Facebook page just for her music — simply called Emma Horan Music — which now has 90,000 followers. She also has 24,000 followers on Instagram.
Since finishing her A-Levels at Lurgan College last year Emma has been busy performing to live audiences and writing new songs.
She was asked to be the support act for singer/songwriter Janet Devlin during her UK tour, and performed on the
MAC Music Tour in Dublin, as well as singing twice alongside X Factor contestant Giles Potter.
Emma said she was delighted to be asked to perform at this year’s Sunday Life Spirit of Northern Ireland Awards.
She now hopes to fly to Amsterdam next month to record her first album with world-famous trance music producer Traz Nitzen.
Excited by what the future holds, she said: “Since I left school last year I have been working on my music and writing loads. I’ve been to Amsterdam to record vocals for other people’s music, which have been played by some really big DJs, so it will be exciting to go over and get to do music for myself.
“I’m two days in the studio so it will be hard work, but I hope to record an album of trance, which will be like pop dance music.
“When I first posted my videos it was only for family and friends and I didn’t think anything of it.
“It is amazing the profile they have given me and the opportunities to perform.
“I just want to be able to release good music and tour some time, that’s the goal.
“I hope people will like the single, and when I go to Amsterdam to record I’m hoping it will open up a whole new market for me in Europe.”
While music is her passion, Emma says she really enjoyed her acting debut on The Secret, where she played Colin Howell’s step-daughter Katie oppo- site Nesbitt (right), who played the notorious killer dentist.
Still listed with the Rising Talent Agency, she said she wouldn’t rule out other acting opportunities.
“It was really cool being part of The Secret,” she added.
“James Nesbitt was amazing to work with.
“As one of the daughters, I filmed for three days with him and he just chatted away and was very cool.
“I’ve since been asked to take part in an education video for Queen’s University and I enjoyed that. “I don’t mind acting and who knows what might come my way.
“I prefer music though, and dancing, and I’m exciting to be releasing my single next week.”
Made Of Glass will be released on music streaming channels including Spotify and iTunes.