Zhavia Ward is going to be the next big thing -- at least that's what her new record company is banking -- cuz they just signed her to a potentially multi-million dollar deal.
The 17-year-old fan favorite of 'The Four' didn't win FOX's singing competition, but it's all good ... Sony's Columbia Records scooped her up instead.
According to her contract -- obtained by TMZ -- Zhavia gets a $700k advance on her first album ... along with 18% royalties. If the record's a hit as expected, she'll get another $750k for album #2 ... and haul in up to $1.875 mil with royalties.
Zhavia's 3rd and 4th albums guarantee her another $100k raise each ... with the potential to make well over $2 million per album with royalties.
Not too shabby for a teenager who didn't win -- or even finish as the runner-up -- on 'The Four.'