Armed with a big ball, we catch up with the 19-year-old “British Bieber” to talk groupies, Lily Allen and, um, struggling with the ironing
Where All Star Lanes, Bayswater, London
Conor bowls over Fabulous’ Nick with his pop-star charm
So can you bowl?
Yeah, I used to compete nationally actually. I’m pretty good.
Seriously?
No, I’m actually useless. [Bowls next three balls into the gutter]
Good thing you’re better at singing. How does it feel to have 90 million hits on your YouTube page?
It’s crazy. To see those numbers when I’ve only released one single [Can’t Say No, which reached No.2]. It’s mad.
Do you get fed up with people calling you the British Bieber?
I think the comparison only goes as far as the fact that we’re both young and we came through YouTube. I’m waiting for that point when comparisons are pointless because I’m just me.
Winning MTV’s Brand New competition must have been a huge moment for you…
Just being on the list was an honour, as I’ve grown up watching MTV and always thought one day I could be on there. When I won it was incredible and gave me such a confidence boost.
You’re only 19 but you’ve already worked with Pharrell Williams and Ne-Yo!
It’s incredible what’s happened, but working with Pharrell is the pinnacle so far.
You’ve got some pretty dedicated female fans…
The Mayniacs. I get marriage proposals on Twitter. The main thing they
say is: “Get in my bed”.
Wow! Do you get bombarded with underwear at gigs?
I get bras thrown at me and I did a show recently where this girl was standing in the crowd screaming: “Take my virginity!” at the top of her voice. I think she looked too old to be shouting that.
Looking out for flying bras as he sings live
And Lily Allen’s a fan, too?
It’s true. She came to one of my shows wearing a Mayniac T-shirt. But it was annoying because I had to leave after I’d finished, so I didn’t get to say hello. But she tweets about my songs so that’s cool.
Do you have a girlfriend right now?
I’m not seeing anyone right now. I’m so busy I wouldn’t have time to give any girl what she would deserve. I need to focus. There are 1,000 people ready to take the ball from me if I don’t keep my eye on it.
Is Brighton still home?
No. I’ve been living alone in London since I was 18. I thought I’d still be living at home at the age of 30 because I was so dependent on my mum. I had to ring her and ask how to work the iron. I thought you put washing powder in it and that’s why it smelt nice when she ironed my clothes, but it was because they’d been washed.
The cash must be starting to roll in. What have you treated yourself to?
I got my two best friends a MacBook Pro each for their birthdays, and one each for my brother and sister for Christmas. I’m looking forward to buying my dad his dream car, an Aston Martin, but I’ve got a long way to go before I
can just throw that sort of money away. I’m hoping it will happen one day.
The damage
Strikes 0
Minutes late Conor arrived for our interview 45 (filming for Channel 4’s T4 over-ran)
Drinks drunk 1 (a Coke, but Conor says: “When I’m out I love a few Jägerbombs.”)
- Conor Maynard’s new single Vegas Girl is out on July 23. The album Contrast is released on July 30.
