"American Idol" 2014 runner-up Jena Irene has signed a long-term recording contract with an independent Detroit record label, Original 1265 Recordings.

After finalizing the terms of her contract, Irene spoke with the Detroit Free Press about what prompted her decision to sign independently instead of singing with a major label in Los Angeles.

Irene revealed that her initial plan was to sign with a major label and move to Los Angeles following her 40-show cross country tour with "American Idol." But once she got settled in back home in Detroit, she began to fear going the major label route.

"I stayed home for awhile and worked on some demos, not knowing what was going to happen. I was kind of scared at that point," she said.

As Irene's fear grew, her popularity diminished.

"I've lost a few followers on Twitter and Instagram," she revealed.

Irene's mother was the one who kickstarted Irene's post "American Idol" career into full drive.

Her mother contacted Dan Gilbert, chairman of Quicken Loans, who then put her in contact with VP of Gilbert's Rock Ventures unit Lisa Dancsok.

Dancsok later linked Irene's mother with Kevin Nixon, co-founder of Original 1265 Recordings, who took an immediate interest in Irene's talents and signed her.

"I thought that's not your normal 'American Idol'-type kid," Nixon told the Detroit Free Press. "There's something deep here."

Although Irene was offered a few recording contracts in Los Angeles, she opted to stay home because she felt a true connection with Nixon and his business partner, Sarah Clayman.

Irene explained that the other deals in Los Angeles "weren't showing as much interest as Kevin and Sarah, and after I got started working with [Kevin and Sarah], I became addicted. I just felt really comfortable and started expanding and reaching new ground with my writing."

Detroit Free Press reports that Irene's upcoming album features 11 tracks that were either written or co-written by Irene.

So far, no date has been confirmed for the release of Irene's upcoming album.

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