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Teddy Geiger

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Teddy Geiger
Background information
Also known asTeddy <3
Born (1988-09-16) September 16, 1988 (age 36)
Rochester, New York, U.S.[1]
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer-songwriter
  • record producer
  • actor
Instrument(s)Vocals, keyboards, guitar
Years active2005–present
Labels
Websiteteddyxo.com

Teddy Geiger[2][3] (born September 16, 1988[4]) is an American singer-songwriter and record producer who first gained fame as a teen idol with the song "For You I Will (Confidence)" in 2006.[5][6] Geiger acted in the television series Love Monkey (2006) and the film The Rocker (2008).

Geiger co-wrote a series of hit songs for Shawn Mendes,[6] starting with the single "Stitches" in 2015, now certified 8× Platinum,[7] and including the 7× Platinum "Treat You Better" in 2016.[8] After transitioning in 2017–2018, Geiger released her third solo album, and continues to compose songs for other artists.

Early life

[edit]

Geiger was born on September 16, 1988, to John Geiger and Lorilyn Geiger (née Rizzo).[9][10][11] She has two younger siblings, brother A. J. and sister Rachel.[10] Geiger attended McQuaid Jesuit High School,[12] and learned how to play piano and guitar. As a child, Geiger composed songs in the basement of the family home;[13][9] writing on the guitar from the age of eight to entertain schoolmates.[14]

Career

[edit]

2004–2008: Teen idol

[edit]

In July 2004 at the age of 15, Geiger tried out in a singing competition in Los Angeles for a planned VH1 television series reboot of The Partridge Family, the process of which was filmed and aired as its own program: In Search of the Partridge Family. During weeks of rehearsal, Geiger met the unknown teenager Emma Stone who won a spot as Laurie Partridge while Geiger was passed over for the role of Keith which had been played in the 1970s by David Cassidy. The show, The New Partridge Family, never aired, but the experience gave Geiger's career a significant boost: veteran producer Billy Mann saw the potential in Geiger and signed on as artist manager.[9][15][16]

Also in 2004, Geiger formed the band Faction which played around New York state. The band won a competition in early 2005,[9] and Geiger gave away the $1000 prize as relief for the survivors of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. Mann encouraged Geiger to sign a six-album recording contract with Columbia Records in February 2005, which broke up Faction as a band.[17][16] As a solo artist, Geiger released the EP Step Ladder in June 2005.[16] Geiger opened for Hilary Duff's Still Most Wanted Tour from July to September 2005, playing 35 dates across the US in front of thousands.[14] Geiger continued touring as a solo artist, with a voice described as "raspy" like James Taylor,[16] or "breathy" like John Mayer.[17]

Geiger appeared as a recurring character in the short-lived television series Love Monkey, which also featured some of her music. The show debuted in January 2006, but was soon canceled. Geiger's song "For You I Will (Confidence)" was used as Love Monkey's theme music for four episodes, and it was released as the first single of Geiger's upcoming album. A music video was shot for the song, depicting Geiger as a street busker trying to attract a popular girl (played by reality TV actress Kristin Cavallari.)[18][19] The song entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 90 in February, rising to a peak of 29 in May, staying on the chart for 20 weeks.[20] It was certified Gold in March 2006 by the RIAA,[21] and nominated for Best Love Song at the 2006 Teen Choice Awards in August.[17]

Geiger's first full-length album, Underage Thinking, was released on March 31, 2006, peaking at number 8 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. The first single, "For You I Will (Confidence)", preceded the album, and the second single, "These Walls," was released in September. AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine said that the album contained "unabashedly mainstream music, not cool in the slightest", but certainly the equal of "the best adult pop". Erlewine suggested that Geiger would have enjoyed greater uplift in album sales if Love Monkey had not been canceled shortly before the album was released.[22]

Geiger was marketed as a teen idol, aimed at teenage girls who made up the largest demographic of fans.[18] Geiger's most loyal fans called themselves "Tedheads" or "Ted-Heads".[23] Geiger was photographed for a Got Milk? advertisement[18] which was published in Rolling Stone magazine, with Gieger wearing a "milk mustache" alongside "number 1 fan" Rebecca Eden who won a 2005 photo competition for the privilege.[24][25] In 2006, Geiger appeared in ads for Secret deodorant,[18] with Procter & Gamble expressing hope that this would expand sales to teen girls.[26] At the age of 18, Geiger was featured on the November 2006 cover of Seventeen magazine; Adweek remarked that it was unusual for a "boy" to appear on the cover after years of women being featured.[27] The Morning Call commented that Geiger's cover feature confirmed that this was Seventeen deciding who was the "hottest guy" in the US, following past appearances by teen idols Leonardo DiCaprio in 1998 and Justin Timberlake in 2002.[28]

In mid-2007, Geiger participated in the filming of The Rocker, portraying the role of a young musician writing songs in a band. Emma Stone was also in this production; the two struck up a romance which lasted for two years.[29] The film was a box-office bomb, but Geiger's music was featured in the film along with a cover of the Poison song "Nothin' But a Good Time" with Geiger singing lead.[30]

Geiger launched a solo tour in June–July 2008 called TG334U North American Concert Tour, with Hilary McRae as the opening act. The tour hit 33 concert venues.[31] The "TG334U" moniker was an initialism standing for Teddy Geiger [performing] 33 [songs] for you. Geiger fans were asked to vote for their favorite songs which would be assembled to create the next solo album.[32] The album project was not realized.

2009–2017: Songwriter

[edit]

In 2009, Columbia released Geiger from her contract and she left the music industry to return home to Rochester for a hiatus. She continued writing songs for other artists.[18]

Geiger's second album, The Last Fears, was released in 2013 through iTunes and Spotify.[33] The album involved many peers and collaborators including John Ryan, A Great Big World, Holly Miranda, Theo Katzman, as well as Levon Helm's producer and musical director Larry Campbell.

Geiger began a series of songwriting collaborations for Shawn Mendes, co-writing "Stitches" with Danny Parker in 2014. Mendes joined Geiger and Scott Harris to write "Treat You Better" in 2016. These were followed by "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back" in 2017, and the 2018 hits "Lost in Japan", "In My Blood", "Youth" and "Where Were You in the Morning?"

2018–present: Producer and musician

[edit]

After transitioning in 2017–2018, Geiger released her third album, LillyAnna under the name Teddy <3 or teddy❤️, in 2018. The album received notice from New York Times,[18] Paper,[34] Billboard,[35] and Rolling Stone.[36]

Personal life

[edit]

Geiger came out as a trans woman in October 2017, and has said that she "knew she was female at 5 years old."[37][38] She has also said that she intends to keep the name Teddy and use female pronouns.[38]

She was engaged to Canadian actress Emily Hampshire, but they ended their engagement in June 2019 after seven months.[39][40][41]

Geiger stated in a 2021 interview that she is bisexual.[42]

Discography

[edit]

Albums

[edit]
List of studio albums, with selected information
Title Details Peak chart positions
US
[43] 		AUS CAN
Underage Thinking
  • Released: March 21, 2006
  • Label: Columbia
 8 27 59
The Last Fears
  • Released: May 14, 2013
  • Label: Jabbarock
 — — —
Lillyanna[6]
  • Released: November 9, 2018
  • Label: Whatever
 — — —

Singles

[edit]

As lead artist

[edit]
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[44] 		US Adult
Pop
[45] 		US Pop
[46] 		AUS
[47]
"For You I Will (Confidence)" 2005 29 10 18 12 Underage Thinking
"These Walls" 2006 — 32 34 50
"Better Now" (Live from Harro East Ballroom) 2007 — — — — Non-album single
"I Was in a Cult" 2018 — — — — LillyAnna
"Lilyanna" — — — —
"Body and Soul" — — — —
"Sharkbait" 2020 — — — — Sharkbait
"Love Somebody" 2021 — — — — Spotify Singles
"Brass in Pocket" — — — —
"Numb" (Teddy <3 Version) — — — — Numb
"Scream Drive Faster" (Teddy Geiger Remix) — — — — Non-album single
"—" denotes releases that did not chart
[edit]
Year Title Album
2013 "Love and Run" (Tiësto, Mark Alston, Baggi Begovic and Jason Taylor featuring Teddy Geiger) Club Life: Volume Three Stockholm

Promotional singles

[edit]
Year Title Album
2018 "Under Pressure"
(Shawn Mendes featuring Teddy<3) 		Non-album promotional single

Other appearances

[edit]
Compilations
Title Year Album
"You'll Be in My Heart" 2006 Disneymania 4
"Tomorrow Never Comes" 2008 The Rocker: Music from the Motion Picture
"Bitter"
"Living for the First Time"
"Down"
"Great Escape"
"Coming Through In Stereo"
"Nothin' But a Good Time"
"Too Far"
"I'm So Bitter"
"Afraid (My Brother's Cries)" 2009 SingSOS: Songs of the Spectrum

Songwriting and production credits

[edit]
Title Year Artist(s) Album Songwriter Producer
"You're Not Thinking" 2011 Drake Bell A Reminder EP checkY
"Love and Run"
(with Mark Alston, Baggi Begovic, and Jason Taylor, featuring Teddy Geiger) 		2013 Tiesto Club Life: Volume Three Stockholm checkY
"Little Black Dress" 2013 One Direction Midnight Memories checkY checkY
"Where Do Broken Hearts Go" 2014 One Direction Four checkY checkY
"Stitches" 2015 Shawn Mendes Handwritten checkY checkY
"Real Thing" 2015 LunchMoney Lewis Bills EP checkY
"Emergency" 2015 Icona Pop Emergency EP checkY
"First Time" 2015 Icona Pop Emergency EP checkY
"Clap Snap" 2015 Icona Pop Emergency EP checkY
"I Feel Good"
(featuring LunchMoney Lewis) 		2015 Thomas Rhett Tangled Up checkY
"Wonderful Life (Mi Oh My)" 2015 Matoma Hakuna Matoma checkY
"Work It Out"
(featuring Digital Farm Animals) 		2016 Netsky III checkY checkY
"Save Yourself" 2016 Birdy Beautiful Lies checkY
"New Girl" 2016 Reggie 'n' Bollie Uncommon Favours checkY
"Treat You Better" 2016 Shawn Mendes Illuminate checkY checkY
"Summer Nights"
(featuring John Legend) 		2016 Tiësto Non-album single checkY
"Girls Talk Boys" 2016 5 Seconds of Summer Ghostbusters: OST checkY
"Sober"
(featuring JRY) 		2016 DJ Snake Encore checkY checkY
"Mercy' 2016 Shawn Mendes Illuminate checkY checkY
"No Promises" 2016 Shawn Mendes Illuminate checkY checkY
"Patience" 2016 Shawn Mendes Illuminate checkY
"Digital Life" 2016 Empire of the Sun Two Vines checkY
"Express Myself" 2016 Ricky Reed Non-album single checkY checkY
"Be the 1" 2017 Ricky Reed Non-album single checkY
"There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back" 2017 Shawn Mendes Illuminate checkY
"Pray"
(featuring Rooty) 		2017 John Ryan Fifty Shades Darker: OST checkY
"I Don't Wanna Dance" 2017 Coin How Will You Know If You Never Try checkY
"Bartender" 2017 James Blunt The Afterlove checkY checkY
"Over" 2017 James Blunt The Afterlove checkY checkY
"O.D.D." 2017 Hey Violet From the Outside checkY checkY
"All We Ever Wanted" 2017 Hey Violet From the Outside checkY
"Do You Think of Me" 2017 NVDES La Nvdite Vol. I EP checkY
"Capital Letters" 2017 Grace Mitchell 21st & Motley EP checkY
"Who I Am"
(featuring LunchMoney Lewis) 		2017 Maroon 5 Red Pill Blues checkY
"Dance" 2018 DNCE Non-album single checkY
"Lost in Japan" 2018 Shawn Mendes Shawn Mendes checkY checkY
"In My Blood" 2018 Shawn Mendes Shawn Mendes checkY checkY
"Fitness" 2018 Lizzo Non-album single checkY
"Machine" 2018 Anne-Marie Speak Your Mind checkY checkY
"Youth"
(featuring Khalid) 		2018 Shawn Mendes Shawn Mendes checkY
"If It Feels Good (Then It Must Be)" 2018 Leon Bridges Good Thing checkY
"Spaceship"
(featuring Uffie) 		2018 Galantis Non-album single checkY
"Where Were You in the Morning?" 2018 Shawn Mendes Shawn Mendes[48] checkY checkY
"Nervous" 2018 Shawn Mendes Shawn Mendes checkY
"Fallin' All in You" 2018 Shawn Mendes Shawn Mendes checkY checkY
"Why" 2018 Shawn Mendes Shawn Mendes checkY checkY
"Because I Had You" 2018 Shawn Mendes Shawn Mendes checkY checkY
"Queen" 2018 Shawn Mendes Shawn Mendes checkY checkY
"Mutual" 2018 Shawn Mendes Shawn Mendes checkY checkY
"When You're Ready" 2018 Shawn Mendes Shawn Mendes checkY
"Perfectly Wrong" 2018 Shawn Mendes Shawn Mendes checkY checkY
"Unless It's With You" 2018 Christina Aguilera Liberation checkY
"Woke Up in Japan" 2018 5 Seconds of Summer Youngblood checkY
"Jump on It" 2018 Sean Paul Mad Love: The Prequel EP checkY checkY
"Low Key" 2019 Ally Brooke TBA checkY
"We Lied To Each Other" 2019 Olivia O'Brien Was It Even Real? checkY checkY
"Call Me" 2019 Olivia O'Brien Was It Even Real? checkY
"So Hot You're Hurting My Feelings" 2019 Caroline Polachek Pang checkY
"Black and White" 2020 Niall Horan Heartbreak Weather checkY
"Dear Patience" 2020 Niall Horan Heartbreak Weather checkY
"Cross Your Mind" 2020 Niall Horan Heartbreak Weather checkY
"San Francisco" 2020 Niall Horan Heartbreak Weather checkY
"Whatever It Is" 2020 Loyal Lobos Everlasting checkY
"Criminals" 2020 Loyal Lobos Everlasting checkY
"Bad To Myself" 2020 Greyson Chance Bad To Myself checkY checkY
"Sleep at Night" 2020 The Chicks Gaslighter checkY checkY
"Focused" 2020 John Legend Bigger Love checkY
"Overloved" 2021 Greyson Chance Overloved checkY checkY
"Scream Drive Faster Teddy Geiger Remix" 2021 Laurel Scream Drive Faster (Teddy Geiger Remix) checkY checkY
"Teenage Boys" 2021 Julianna Joy Garden of Eden checkY checkY
"Hold on to Me" 2021 JP Saxe Dangerous Levels of Introspection checkY checkY
"Blondes" 2021 Blu DeTiger Blondes checkY checkY
"Colors" 2021 Dillon Francis, Liza Owen Happy Machine checkY
"Numb Teddy <3 Version" 2021 Sylvan Esso Numb checkY checkY
"Holy Feeling" 2021 Greyson Chance Trophies checkY checkY
"Old Her" 2022 YDE Old Her checkY checkY
"Normal to Feel" 2022 YDE Normal to Feel checkY checkY
"Rainbow" 2022 Meghan Trainor Takin' It Back checkY
"Where Do All The Diamonds Go?" 2023 Cyn checkY checkY
"Feel Something" 2023 P!nk Trustfall checkY checkY

Television and movie appearances

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2004 VH1's In Search of the Partridge Family Keith Partridge Finalist
2006 Love Monkey Wayne Jensen 4 episodes (Pilot, "Nice Package", "Coming Out", "Confidence")
2008 The Rocker Curtis Film
2012 Royal Pains Lucky 2 episodes ("Off-Season Greetings", Parts 1 and 2)

References

[edit]
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  2. ^ "Teresa (@teddygeiger) • Instagram photos and videos".
  3. ^ "Teddy Geiger Rediscovers Her Voice". MTV. Archived from the original on October 2, 2022.
  4. ^ Mahjouri, Shakiel (September 4, 2018). "Teddy Geiger Is Back With 'Body & Soul' Under teddy<3 Moniker". ET Canada. Archived from the original on October 12, 2018. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
  5. ^ "Teddy Geiger". GRAMMY.com. May 19, 2020. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  6. ^ a b c "Teddy Geiger on Her Transition, Co-Writing With Shawn Mendes & 'Freedom'". Billboard. November 2, 2018. Archived from the original on November 3, 2018. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  7. ^ "Gold & Platinum: Stitches". RIAA. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  8. ^ "Gold & Platinum: Treat You Better". RIAA. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  9. ^ a b c d Staff (September 1, 2005). "'Patridge' Tryout Gives Teddy Geiger's Career Wings". The Morning Call. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  10. ^ a b Bridges, Lorilyn Rizzo. "How Teddy Geiger's mom handled the news that changed everything". Democrat and Chronicle. Archived from the original on August 12, 2020. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  11. ^ Ryan, Ginny (February 21, 2019). "From teen idol to Grammy nominee: Teddy Geiger's mom opens up about changes". WHAM. Archived from the original on October 14, 2020. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  12. ^ "Teddy Geiger is 'radio-active'". Catholic Courier. June 4, 2005. Archived from the original on January 22, 2019. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  13. ^ Monger, James Christopher. "Biography: Teddy Geiger". AllMusic. Archived from the original on November 10, 2010. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  14. ^ a b Staff (Winter 2007). "New Kid on the Charts: Teddy Geiger". All Access. No. 13. Yamaha Entertainment Group. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  15. ^ "Watch Emma Stone on 'In Search of The Partridge Family'". Rolling Stone. May 4, 2014. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
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  17. ^ a b c Rich, Lisa (August 3, 2012). "Singer-songwriter Teddy Geiger to perform at Havana". The Times. Trenton, New Jersey. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
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  19. ^ Pierce, Scott D. (February 7, 2006). "'Laguna Beach' girl aims to 'Get This Party Started'". Deseret News. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  20. ^ "Chart History: Teddy Geiger". Billboard. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  21. ^ a b "RIAA – Gold & Platinum – January 8, 2011: Teddy Geiger certified singles". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
  22. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Underage Thinking – Teddy Geiger". AllMusic. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  23. ^ Staff (February 23, 2006). "Music News: Teddy Geiger". Billboard. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  24. ^ Minutes: MilkPEP Board Meeting – General Session, Palm Springs, California: USDA, January 13–14, 2006
  25. ^ "Report to Congress: National Dairy Promotion and Research Program" (PDF). USDA. July 1, 2008. p. 159.
  26. ^ Deutsch, Claudia H. (May 9, 2006). "Trying to Make Teenage Hygiene Hip". The New York Times. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  27. ^ Dylan (September 20, 2006). "Seventeen Puts Boy On Cover". Adweek. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  28. ^ Staff (November 4, 2006). "Teddy Geiger models his new teen idol crown". The Morning Call. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  29. ^ Fernandez, Alexia (December 5, 2019). "Everything to Know About Emma Stone's Past Relationships: From Andrew Garfield to Teddy Geiger". People. Yahoo!. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  30. ^ "The Rocker Soundtrack Features Poison Cover". gearsofrock.com. August 19, 2008. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  31. ^ Staff (May 28, 2008). "Teddy Geiger's making this summer even hotter!". Seventeen. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  32. ^ Lang, George (August 22, 2008). "Geiger's insight, 'Ted-Heads' give 'The Rocker' career boost". The Oklahoman. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  33. ^ "Hit Songwriter Teddy Geiger Reveals He Is 'Transitioning'". Variety. October 28, 2017. Archived from the original on January 22, 2019. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  34. ^ Smith-Strickland, Stephanie (November 2, 2018). "Teddy Geiger Is Ready For the World". Paper. Archived from the original on April 8, 2019. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  35. ^ Daw, Stephan (September 7, 2018). "Teddy Geiger Lays Claim to Her Individuality on New Single 'I Was in a Cult:' Listen". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 4, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  36. ^ Geffen, Sasha (March 6, 2019). "Teddy Geiger's Pop Salvation: Shawn Mendes' closest studio collaborator is a Top 40 auteur who sounds like no one but herself". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on May 24, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  37. ^ Nelson, Jeff (October 27, 2017). "Singer, One Direction Songwriter Teddy Geiger Reveals Transition: 'This Is Who I Have Been'". People.com. Archived from the original on October 27, 2017. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
  38. ^ a b Jackson, Dory (July 6, 2018). "Teddy Geiger says she knew she was a female at 5 years old". Newsweek. Archived from the original on July 18, 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  39. ^ Dicker, Ron (September 14, 2018). "Teddy Geiger Is Dating Emily Hampshire And They Look Crazy In Love | HuffPost". The Huffington Post. Oath Inc. Archived from the original on September 19, 2018. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
  40. ^ Crabtree, Emily (November 10, 2018). "Teddy Geiger and 'Schitt's Creek' Star Emily Hampshire Are Engaged". Archived from the original on November 10, 2018. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  41. ^ Curto, Justin. "Teddy Geiger and Emily Hampshire End Engagement After 7 Months: Report". Archived from the original on June 11, 2019. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
  42. ^ Lainez, Shervin (June 24, 2021). "Teddy Geiger Rediscovers Her Voice". MTV. Archived from the original on October 2, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  43. ^ "Teddy Geiger Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  44. ^ "Teddy Geiger Chart History – Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  45. ^ "Teddy Geiger Chart History – Adult Pop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  46. ^ "Teddy Geiger Chart History – Pop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  47. ^ "australian-charts.com – Australian charts portal". Hung Medien. Archived from the original on November 20, 2009. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
  48. ^ "Shawn Mendes – Shawn Mendes". Qobuz. Archived from the original on May 26, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
[edit]
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