Well i think she would still be mega-famous..but hype is what the industry seems to thrive on......this is a bit off topic really?
What's the best way to get your work noticed,published........firstly> it has to be above average ..Secondly > someone with some power as to believe in it.....that gets you to first base..
I've really come to believe that the step up that leads to a money deal of some sort is hard, very hard to achieve ....getting a deal like Ellie Goulding got for eg,involved a lot of elements coming together at the right time,,Looks-songwriting skills-musicianship-being relevant-right type of music etc.......but shes an artist,and thats something different to what some of us are trying to achieve .
If you step off the relative safety of the Forum and put yourself out there, it's going to cost !....pro-demo's ,pitching,paying for this and that,,,Membership to collection agencies etc........but at least social media is free....and in the end maybe your best asset.