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Lucy Spraggan

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Lucy Spraggan
Spraggan performing in London, 2023
Spraggan performing in London, 2023
Background information
Birth nameLucy Honour Ruby Spraggan
Born (1991-07-21) 21 July 1991 (age 33)
Canterbury, Kent, England
OriginBuxton, England
Genres
OccupationSinger-songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Years active2011–present
Labels
SpouseEmilia Smith
Websitelucyspraggan.com

Lucy Honour Ruby Spraggan (born 21 July 1991) is an English singer-songwriter. Spraggan was a contestant on for The X Factor in 2012, and she was the first contestant in the show's history to score a Top 40 single and album before the live shows aired, with her independently released album Top Room at the Zoo. Following the show Spraggan signed a recording contract with Columbia Records, and she has released seven studio albums in total.

Spraggan auditioned for The X Factor in 2012, , performing her own composition "Last Night".[1] Spraggan quit her run on The X Factor due to illness, finishing in ninth place, and second in her category. She later revealed in her biography, Process, that her departure was a consequence of her being raped by a porter in a hotel. Her debut major-label album, Join the Club, was released on 7 October 2013, reaching No 7 in the UK Albums Chart.[2] She has since released five more studio albums, Choices, was released on 26 February 2021 and debuted at number 5 on the UK Albums Chart.[3] The album was preceded by the singles "Flowers", "Roots" and "Sober".[4][5] Subsequently; Spraggan's seventh studio album, Balance, was released in August 2023. Her autobiography, Process, was released on 20 July 2023.

Career

2011–2012: Live and Unsigned and The X Factor

In July 2011, Spraggan was announced as the runner up of the Urban, Pop & Acoustic Category of Live and Unsigned, placing third place overall in the competition.[6] Spraggan's prizes awarded by Live and Unsigned for her progress in the competition consisted of a festival slot at Osfest,[7] and a slot at Australia's 'Go Connect' Festival.[6] When the festival was later cancelled, Live and Unsigned provided Spraggan with a series of replacement prizes, including: a string of guest act spots at Live and Unsigned and Open Mic UK shows across the country,[8][9] a new website,[10] and a music video shoot for her single "Last Night", which has received over 4.2million views as of 2023.[10][11]

On 20 October 2011 Spraggan independently released her album Top Room at the Zoo.[12] In an interview she said that the majority of her album's lyrics were inspired by a short-lived romance with an older woman of 27 that occurred when Spraggan visited America at the age of 18.[13]

Spraggan performed as a guest act at a large volume of Live and Unsigned and Open Mic UK shows across the country during this time,[8][9] on Open Mic UK, Spraggan said in an interview: "Open Mic UK is a great way to build your fan base to thousands of new fans whether you are a guest act or a competitor in the show."[8] As a result of performing at these shows, Spraggan was scouted by several festival organisers to perform at their festivals,[8] amongst which included London Summer Jam,[14] Osfest,[15] Strawberry Fields Festival[16] Whaley Bridge Water Weekend and Cockermouth Rock Festival.[17][18]

On 13 July 2012, she released the single "Tea and Toast". Spraggan auditioned for the ninth series of The X Factor, which was shown on 25 August 2012, singing her own song "Last Night" from Top Room at the Zoo (2011). She won herself a place at bootcamp after performing the song, which left the audience at the Manchester auditions chanting for more. Her second song, which was a rendition of "Halo" by Beyoncé, was shown on The Xtra Factor. Shortly after the audition was screened, the song climbed to Number 70 in the UK Singles Chart,[19] and reached Number 2 on iTunes. However, it was soon removed from iTunes by request of The X Factor producers.[20] On 29 August 2012, Greg James announced that "Last Night" was at number 5 on the Official Chart Update despite the song being removed from iTunes, her album Top Room at the Zoo was at number 7 on the Official Chart Update as well.[21][22] On 2 September 2012 "Last Night" entered the UK Singles Chart at number 11 and Top Room at the Zoo entered the UK Albums Chart at number 22.[23]

Spraggan sang "Moves like Jagger" by Maroon 5 at bootcamp but the performance was described as "awkward" and "messy". She returned to the stage with a mix-up of songs that she really liked and meant a lot to her. Tulisa then said that she wanted to hear one of her tracks so Spraggan decided to sing "Tea and Toast", stating that the song was about a real couple. After she performed the song she burst into tears when she received a standing ovation from the audience and the judging panel.[24][25]

She made it through to the live shows as one of the three female singers selected by mentor Tulisa. In week 4, Spraggan was ill so she automatically got through to week 5. On 3 November, she decided to leave the competition because she felt that it wouldn't be fair to get another free pass to the next round, as she was still too ill to compete.[26] Spraggan later revealed that the real reason why she left the show was that she was raped during the production of the show.[27]

Performances on The X Factor

Episode Theme Song Result
Audition Free choice "Last Night" (original song) Advanced
Bootcamp 1 Group performance "Moves like Jagger" Advanced
Bootcamp 2 Solo performance "Tea and Toast" (original song) Advanced
Judges' houses No theme "I Will Always Love You" Advanced
Week 1 Heroes night "Mountains" (original song) Safe (5th)
Week 2 Love and heartbreak "Gold Digger" Safe (5th)
Week 3 Club classics "Titanium" (version with original lyrics) Safe (7th)
Week 4 Halloween N/A Withdrew (9th)

2012–2016: Join the Club and I Hope You Don't Mind Me Writing

Spraggan announced her signing to record label Columbia Records in March 2013. Her debut studio album Join the Club was released on 7 October 2013.

About the album Spraggan said "I wanted to put my own take on events that happen to everyone by telling these stories. I have been writing this album for as long as I can remember and I hope people will be able to relate."[28] The lead single "Lighthouse" was released 14 July. About the single Spraggan explains 'Whenever I'd run out of money or get on the wrong bus, I'd see a lighthouse and things would start to getting better'.[29] Spraggan confirmed the second single lifted from the album would be "Last Night (Beer Fear)" was released on 30 September.[30]

Spraggan announced a headline UK and Ireland tour in support of the album which started at Margate Winter Gardens on 21 October and concluded at The Academy in Dublin on 16 November.[31]

November 2014 Spraggan showcased new music she'd been working on since The X Factor. On 17 January via Facebook she announced the title of her second studio album titled We Are, which was released on 4 May 2015, and the first single "Unsinkable" released on 12 March 2015. Following the album's release Spraggan embarked on "The Unsinkable Tour". In 2015, Spraggan wrote and sang the "catchy" lyrics for the TV advert for online fashion store Simplybeyou. Later in 2015 Spraggan was signed to CTRL Records. On 3 February 2016 Spraggan announced, via social media, that her new EP would be called Home and due to be released on 9 February. The EP contained 3 new songs called "Home", "Yes, This One's for You" and "Skylights". It also included a new version of "Tea and Toast" which explained the story behind the song. On 9 November 2016, Spraggan announced her fourth studio album I Hope You Don't Mind Me Writing, which was released on 27 January 2017. On 8 December 2016 the music video for the first single from the album "Modern Day Frankenstein" became available to view online with the pre-order for the album following 10 December 2016.

2017–2019: Dear You Tour, summer festivals and new record label

Spraggan announced a headline European tour to promote her studio album I Hope You Don't Mind Me Writing (2017), starting at The Waterfront, Norwich on 1 March and concluding at the Gruner Salon, Berlin on 28 March 2017. The tour consisted of 18 dates in total. Summer festival highlights for Spraggan included performances at Hope & Glory (Wonders of the Age Stage), Isle of Wight (Big Top Stage), Glastonbury (Acoustic) and Tramlines (Sheffield).

On 19 May 2017 Spraggan announced via her social media pages that she was going to embark on a 31 date UK tour throughout September and October of that year. Following a number of showcase performances at SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas in March 2018, Spraggan signed to Cooking Vinyl Records & Publishing.[32] Soon after this, she was added to the roster on ATC Live[33] for UK & European live bookings and APA for Northern America.[34] Spraggan is set to tour the US & Canada throughout September 2018, followed by a substantial UK tour and European dates through October and into November.[35] She is currently writing new material for a new album due out in Spring 2019 to be released through Cooking Vinyl and will be performing at festivals including Kendal Calling, Y Not and Belladrum over the Summer.

At the beginning of 2019, she toured with Melissa Etheridge for three weeks in Europe on Etheridge's "Yes I Am" 25th Anniversary Tour. Released in May 2019, Today Was a Good Day contained 14 song including "Stick the Kettle On", a song about being there for people who are suffering with their mental health, "Lucky Stars", "Thanks for Choosing Me", "End of the World", and "Don't Play This on the Radio". A deluxe edition was released with extra tracks from her live concerts: "Fight for it", "Loaded Gun Blues", "Unsinkable" and "Lucky Stars".

2021–present: Choices, Balance and autobiography

Spraggan's sixth studio album, Choices, was released on 26 February 2021 and debuted at number 5 on the UK Albums Chart.[36] The album was preceded by the singles "Flowers", "Roots" and "Sober".[4][5] On 19 March 2021, Spraggan released "Animal (Skank Butcher Remix)" as a promotional single.[37][38]

On 21 May 2021, Spraggan released a cover version of the 1999 S Club 7 single, "Bring It All Back".[39][40] On 28 May 2021, Spraggan announced her UK tour, due to commence 25 October 2021.[41][42]

In August 2022, Spraggan announced UK and Ireland shows for spring 2023.[43] In late 2022, it was announced that Spraggan had signed with Simon Cowell's record publishing label, Syco Music.[44] On 7 December 2022, Spraggan released the single "Balance", which she co-wrote alongside Aron Bicksy and Philip Magee,[45] and announced her upcoming studio album of the same name, due for release in April 2023.

On 8 December 2022, Spraggan announced her memoir, Process, would be released in July 2023.[46][47] On writing her memoir, Spraggan said, "It's been horrendous [...] Going through everything that's ever traumatised you with a fine-tooth comb: it has been horrendous but wonderful, too [...] I've always spoken about how I truly feel, so I guess I'm a bit of an open book."[48]

On 16 December 2022, the "Balance" single peaked at number 12 on the UK Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100.[49] Spraggan followed this release with two more singles: "OCD" on 3 March 2023,[50][51] and "Bodies" on 19 April 2023.[52][53]

On 2 May 2024, Spraggan released a duet version of "Sober" which features Robbie Williams.[54][55][56]

Personal life

Family

Spraggan was born in Canterbury, but at a young age, moved with her family to Buxton in Derbyshire. She attended Buxton Community School and the University of Derby,[57] and currently resides in Manchester, UK. She stated in her X Factor appearance, when she was asked about her job by judge Tulisa, that "I am the person with a clipboard in the street that you try to avoid. I sell baby photos for 99p".[58] Her mother, Anstey, is a freelance journalist.[59]

Relationships

Spraggan came out as gay at 14 years old[60] and married Georgina Gordon on 18 June 2016;[61][62] the couple separated on 12 November 2019.[63] On 31 March 2024, Spraggan announced her engagement to long-time friend Emilia Smith.[64] They married at Saltmarshe Hall in Yorkshire in June 2024; Simon Cowell walked Spraggan down the aisle.[65][66]

Sexual assault

In a 2023 interview, Spraggan revealed that she had been raped by a hotel porter in 2012, after a night out for Rylan Clark's birthday during the production of The X Factor.[27] After taking PEP following the attack to prevent possible HIV infection, she became too ill from its side-effects to continue the show.[67] The perpetrator admitted the offence and was jailed for ten years.[68]

Discography

Main article: Lucy Spraggan discography

References

  1. ^ "X-clusive! Lucy Spraggan - the first interview!". Maximum Pop!. 27 August 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
  2. ^ Lane, Daniel. "Lucy Spraggan chats about new single Lighthouse". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
  3. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100 - 05 March 2021 - 11 March 2021". Official Chart. 5 March 2021. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Lucy Spraggan - Choices". iTunes. 26 February 2021. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  5. ^ a b Despres, Tricia (25 February 2021). "The Transformation of Lucy Spraggan Finds Its Creative Outlet on New Album 'Choices'". American Songwriter. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Live and Unsigned winners, scores and results". Live and Unsigned. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
  7. ^ "Osfest Find Live and Unsigned Beauties". Osfest. 13 May 2011. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
  8. ^ a b c d "Lucy Spraggan Open Mic UK Guest Act Provides Unsigned Music Advice". Open Mic UK. Archived from the original on 18 July 2013. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  9. ^ a b "Lucy Spraggan's Twitter". Lucy Spraggan. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  10. ^ a b "Advertising Standards Authority ASA Investigation of Live and Unsigned". Live and Unsigned. Archived from the original on 16 October 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  11. ^ Lucy Spraggan Last Night (Beer Fear) Official Music Video HD. Melmo Films. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  12. ^ "An Interview with Lucy Spraggan". LoveMusicNews. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
  13. ^ "X Factor finalist Lucy Spraggan: Most of my songs are about the older woman I fell for in America". Now Magazine. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  14. ^ "Free studio time free amps and festival slots for Live and Unsigned acts that competed in Camden London Results". Live and Unsigned. Archived from the original on 2 December 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  15. ^ "Osfest 2012 Review". LoveMusicNews. LoveMusicNews. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  16. ^ "The Summer Festival Season Has Been Taken By Storm By Live and Unsigned Alumni". Live and Unsigned. Live and Unsigned. Archived from the original on 2 December 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  17. ^ "Cockermouth - Bar Stage". Cockermouth Rock Festival. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  18. ^ "Live and Unsigned Alumni Play Summer Festivals". Music Radar. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  19. ^ "X Factor star Lucy Spraggan scores second biggest selling track this week so far". The Official Charts Company (OCC). 28 August 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  20. ^ "'X Factor' Lucy Spraggan's song taken off iTunes due to 'rule change'". Digital Spy. 29 August 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  21. ^ Corner, Lewis (29 August 2012). "Little Mix, Rita Ora lead midweek chart". Digital Spy. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  22. ^ "Little Mix's Wings soaring towards Number 1". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  23. ^ "X Factor's Lucy Spraggan bags Top 20 hit despite track being pulled". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
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  26. ^ "Lucy Spraggan leaves 'The X Factor'". Digital Spy. 3 November 2012. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  27. ^ a b Iorizzo, Ellie (15 July 2023). "Lucy Spraggan reveals she was raped by hotel worker during X Factor". Independent. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  28. ^ Smith, Carl. "Lucy Spraggan Announces debut Album 'Join the club' and single 'last night'". Sugarscape.com. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
  29. ^ Lane, Daniel. "Lucy Spraggan chats about new single lighthouse". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 August 2013.
  30. ^ Mensah, Jenny. "Lucy Spraggan Announces Album Title Join The Club". Retrieved 29 August 2013.
  31. ^ Corner, Lewis (22 August 2013). "Lucy Spraggan announces debut album 'Join The club'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 29 August 2013.
  32. ^ "Lucy Signs to Cooking Vinyl – Lucy Spraggan". Lucyspraggan.com. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  33. ^ "ATC Live - Lucy Spraggan". ATC Live. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  34. ^ "LUCY SPRAGGAN". Touring.apa-agency.com. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  35. ^ "Tour Dates – Lucy Spraggan". Lucyspraggan.com. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  36. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100 - 05 March 2021 - 11 March 2021". Official Chart. 5 March 2021. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  37. ^ "Lucy Spraggan - Animal (Skank Butcher Remix)". iTunes. 19 March 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  38. ^ "The remix of 'Animal' is OUT NOW!". Twitter. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  39. ^ "Bring It All Back". Spotify. 21 May 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  40. ^ "My cover of 'BRING IT ALL BACK' is out now! I was sitting at the piano and looked up the lyrics of the song, they are actually quite poignant. I love that song. It's a bop! Let me know what you think!". Twitter. 21 May 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  41. ^ "I am very excited to be announcing my 2021 UK tour! That's right, an actual tour! THIS YEAR! Sign up here to get access to presale tickets when they go live Monday at 10am! Link in bio! General sale tickets are live Wednesday. I can't wait to see you all there!". Twitter. 28 May 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  42. ^ "Lucy Spraggan announces a huge UK tour!". tegmjr. 28 May 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  43. ^ "Lucy Spraggan Plots UK and Ireland Tour for Spring, Shares New Single Everything Changes - Stereoboard".
  44. ^ Lawes, Ruth (14 December 2022). "Lucy Spraggan directly addresses Simon Cowell about welfare of X Factor contestants". Metro. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  45. ^ "Lucy Spraggan - Balance". Spotify. 7 December 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  46. ^ "Lucy Spraggan Announces New Album". TotalNtertainment. 8 December 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  47. ^ Malt, Andy (9 December 2022). "One Liners: SZA, Paramore, Gorillaz, more". Complete Music Update. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  48. ^ Gage, Simon (13 January 2023). "Lucy Spraggan reveals the mixed emotions when writing her autobiography: 'It's been horrendous but wonderful'". Metro. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  49. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100 16 December 2022 - 22 December 2022". Official Charts Company. 9 December 2022. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  50. ^ "I am so happy to annouce [sic] my NEW single 'OCD' is OUT NOW! I hope that some of you can relate with this! Have a little listen and tell me what you think!". Twitter. 3 March 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  51. ^ "Lucy Spraggan - OCD". Apple Music. 3 March 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  52. ^ Forrest, Jo (19 April 2023). "LUCY SPRAGGAN RELEASES NEW SINGLE 'BODIES' Lucy Spraggan is back today with Bodies, the new single from her forthcoming album Balance". TotalNtertainment. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  53. ^ "Lucy Spraggan - Bodies". Apple Music. 19 April 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  54. ^ "Lucy Spraggan - Sober (feat. Robbie Williams)". Spotify. 2 May 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  55. ^ Logan, Philip (3 May 2024). "Lucy Spraggan & Robbie Williams share tender new duet 'Sober'". CelebMix. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  56. ^ "Lucy Spraggan teams up with superstar Robbie Williams". Music News. 17 April 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  57. ^ "X Factor hopeful Lucy Spraggan too 'niche' for Tulisa at Judges Houses?". X-Factor UK. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  58. ^ The X Factor UK (25 August 2012), Lucy Spraggan's audition - Last Night - The X Factor UK 2012, retrieved 13 May 2019
  59. ^ Anstey Spraggan (22 May 2010). "How to survive a stepfamily". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  60. ^ Methven, Nicola (26 August 2012). "X Factor's Lucy: Mum is thrilled that I'm gay - she thinks it makes her cooler". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  61. ^ "X Factor's Lucy Spraggan proposes to girlfriend Georgina on day her single comes out", Mirror Online, 13 April 2015
  62. ^ "The X Factor's Lucy Spraggan opens up about her near-death experience". The Metro. 29 September 2012. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  63. ^ Newman, Vicki (12 November 2019). "Lucy Spraggan and Georgina Gordon's love story as they split after six years". mirror. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  64. ^ Casey, Ian (31 March 2024). "X Factor star Lucy Spraggan says Simon Cowell will walk her down the aisle at wedding". BBC News. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  65. ^ Jobling, Phoebe (24 June 2024). "Simon Cowell 'nervous' and 'emotional' whilst walking X Factor star Lucy Spraggan down the aisle". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  66. ^ Hemmingham, Caroline (24 June 2024). "Simon Cowell walks X Factor star Lucy Spraggan down the aisle at 'perfect' Yorkshire wedding". Yorkshire Live. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  67. ^ Khomani, Nadia (15 July 2023). "Lucy Spraggan reveals she was sexually attacked during X Factor". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  68. ^ Willix, Pierra (15 July 2023). "Lucy Spraggan reveals she was raped during her time on The X Factor and was not given 'enough support' after quitting". Metro. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
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