Scarlett Thomas, the seventeen-year-old actress and daughter of former Coronation Street stars Tina O'Brien and Ryan Thomas, has commenced production on her debut album in Nashville. This follows her signing a record deal with Big Family Music last month, marking a significant step in her burgeoning music career.
Studio Sessions with a Chart-Topping Songwriter
On Wednesday, Scarlett entered the recording studio in Nashville to collaborate with Julien Bunetta, a highly acclaimed songwriter known for his work with major artists. Bunetta first gained prominence in 2012 with One Direction's Take Me Home album and has since partnered with stars like Sabrina Carpenter and Teddy Swims.
Scarlett shared a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the session on TikTok, where she was seen sitting in an armchair in the studio. In the video, she performed an upbeat new track and also worked on a sad break-up single, expressing her enthusiasm by exclaiming, 'I love it!' She captioned the post, 'Come with me to make my song,' as she danced around the studio, showcasing the creative process.
Family Pride and Support
Her father, Ryan Thomas, recently discussed Scarlett's opportunity on his podcast, revealing that she would be flying to Nashville to record with Bunetta. He described the songwriter as probably the biggest thing in the music industry right now and expressed immense pride in his daughter's journey.
Ryan shared, 'How crazy is that? And she said, "Dad I like to pinch myself, like, what is going on." It's just crazy to think that she's going to be in that studio in Nashville, where music is basically originating from, where all the creative music people live.' He added that the family is thrilled about the potential for her songs to be heard on the radio one day.
Earlier, Ryan posted a photo of himself and Scarlett after she signed the deal at a restaurant, along with a video from five years ago showing her singing at the same location. He wrote, 'Today is one of the best days of my life. Watching my little girl sign a record deal is a moment I will cherish forever.' Scarlett also shared her excitement on social media, stating, 'Today was a life-changing moment for me, I've been working hard behind the scenes but I can now finally share it with you all.'
Controversy Over Education Choices
Scarlett's career move has not been without controversy. Recently, she revealed in a TikTok video that she did not sit her GCSE exams, opting instead to focus on her acting and music pursuits. The caption read, 'I'm watching everyone get their GCSE results today, wondering if I could've had good results but I will forever wonder.'
This decision sparked criticism online, with some calling it unacceptable for a teenager to forgo formal education. In response, Ryan Thomas defended the choice in comment sections, questioning, 'Is it even anyone's business or concern though?' He emphasized that the family supports Scarlett's path as she balances her roles in entertainment, including her appearance on BBC's Waterloo Road in 2023.
As Scarlett continues her work in Nashville, she remains focused on producing her debut album, blending her acting talents with her musical aspirations under the guidance of industry experts.
