Great News for Fans of Metro Detroit's Jena Irene, 2014 'American Idol' Runner-Up

Jena Irene has teamed with the independent Detroit label Original 1265 Recordings for her debut album. (Photo via ”American Idol.”)

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Jena Irene, the teen singing sensation from Farmington Hills who made it to the “American Idol” finals last year, has signed a recording contract with an independent Detroit label.

Jena Irene Asciutto, who performs under her first and middle names, told the Detroit Free Press that she has signed a long-term recording deal with Original 1265 Recordings.

The 2014 North Farmington High School graduate’s debut album, which is being recorded at Studio A Recording in Dearborn Heights, is scheduled for release later this year.

Asciutto told the Free Press she chose to record in Detroit instead of Los Angeles, where it had been her lifelong dream to live and work professionally.

Even Asciutto is surprised by her decision to remain close to home, but as the hype of her rise on “American Idol” began to die down, she began to look at her future differently.

“I think the decision of staying in Detroit all just fell into place,” Jena Irene said. “The stars were just aligning to stay home.”

Kevin Nixon, Jena Irene’s manager, said she is “not your normal ‘American Idol’-type kid.”

“This girl’s a proper songwriter,” he said.

You can read more about what led to Jena Irene’s decision to stay home – and how she might assist in downtown Detroit’s comeback on the Detroit Free Press.