13-Year-Old Simon Cowell Pupil Gets $3.4 Million Record Deal

Faryl Smith is a 13-year-old British opera singer who just signed a record deal for 2.3 million pounds (approx. $3.4 million U.S. Dollars); the "most lucrative recording contract ever handed" to a girl that young.

Smith's success is not only a huge testament to the concept of innate talent, but a perfect bullet point for Simon Cowell's dusty resume. After appearing on Britain's Got Talent in 2006, Cowell suggested she take vocal lessons, despite also describing her vocal ability as, "one in a million...I know she says Katherine [Jenkins] is her idol but she is far better than her. She is by far the most talented youngster I've ever heard."

Her vocal coach, Yvie Burnett, has also worked with X-Factor winner Leona Lewis and Britain's Got Talent victor Paul Potts. Though Smith was offered many record deals over the last 2 years her family took Cowell's advice, waiting until their daughter was ready. Her father Tony, a health inspector said, "We have had offers from people interested in Faryl. But when Simon Cowell, the big man, says your daughter is special, you listen."

The Daily Mail reports, Faryl Smith signed a multi-album landmark deal with Universal Music Group. TwentyFourBit.com reports Dickon Stainer, a spokesman for Universal said, "as soon as we saw Faryl, it became an ambition to sign her." Her debut is due to be released in May 2009 and she recently performed at the Royal Albert Hall with her own idol, and new label mate, Katherine Jenkins.

If Smith can match fellow Cowell favorite Leona Lewis in the pop charts, $3.4 million will be a wise investment.