Chenille Stems

Acalypha Hispida (chenille plant) Pruning?

Okay, so I need some support here.
See, I love this plant. It died back to the one stem last winter and there is a lot of congested growth at the top and there is a lot of young leaves sprouting up and down the main stem. (It is a little less than a foot tall.) But this young growth never develops!!
Do you think I should whack the congested growth off the top to kind of let it know I want to see some branching and growth going on….or do you think I should let well enough alone??
I know that the gardening books I read say to prune it hard, but I want to hear some actual personal experience from growers and answerers.

reduce the amount of growth at the top by removing some of the sprouts, remove the growth along the stem and train the chenille into a small standard it would be really cute
or
repot into fresh miracle grow in the same size pot and whack it off about 6 inches from the soil level,
bright bright light, fertilize 1/4 strength twice a month.

i grew them commercially

May 1 Chenille Stems