Louisa Johnson has revealed she has found an unlikely father figure during her time on The X Factor. The 17-year-old, who is the youngest contestant on this year's show, told HELLO! that Simon Cowell has taken her under his wing throughout the competition.
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"I love Simon," Louisa confided. "I feel a bit like he's my dad – he talks to me and asks how I'm doing and if I need anything. He's lovely."
Louisa Johnson revealed Simon Cowell is like a father-figure to her
Simon is not the only judge Louisa has developed a good relationship with on the show; the blonde beauty has also become close to her mentor Rita Ora, who even cancelled an appointment to support Louisa when she was struggling recently.
"Rita came to see me to have a chat – she didn't have to do that," Louisa told HELLO! "I really like her."
She added: "We have so much in common. She said, 'You remind me of me.' She's so nice and genuine. I call her when I need her and I feel like I can speak to her about anything. She always gets back to me."
Read the full issue in HELLO! magazine, out now
The Essex-born star has been tipped to win the current series of The X Factor, following in the footsteps of her idol Leona Lewis. However it comes as no surprise to the ambitious teenager, who has been preparing herself for a global music career from a young age.
"I don't want this to sound wrong, but I have always imagined being known around the world and I can't imagine myself not being," Louisa explained. "I did do horse riding for a bit but it's always been about music for me. That is all I have ever wanted to do, every second of the day."
Read the full interview with Louisa in the latest issue of HELLO! magazine.