Diana Vickers
Diana Vickers |
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Diana Mae Vickers (born 30 July 1991) is an English singer-songwriter, actress and model.[2] Vickers initially rose to fame as a semi-finalist in the British television series The X Factor in 2008. From 8 October 2009 until 30 January 2010, Vickers starred in The Rise and Fall of Little Voice as the leading role of Little Voice marking her West End stage debut to which she has received positive rave reviews for her performance including recognition from Broadway.[3][4][5][6] Vickers' music career is to be officially launched in April 2010 in the UK when her debut single, "Once" and her debut album, "Songs From The Tainted Cherry Tree" will be released through RCA Records and will be promoted alongside a UK tour commencing 20 March 2010.[7]
Early life
Vickers was born in Accrington, Lancashire, England. She studied for A Levels in Theatre Studies, Classics, and Psychology at Westholme Private School.[8] Vickers had taken many singing lessons and participated in local competitions, but had never sung professionally.[9]
The X Factor
Vickers was a contestant in the 2008 series of The X Factor. Her performances were often unconventional, attracting both praise and criticism. Simon Cowell likened her to marmite, saying fans would either love or hate her singing.[10] She courted further controversy when she was unable to perform during week 5 of the contest due to illness.[11] She gained a lot of press attention for her relationship with fellow finalist Eoghan Quigg. She was eliminated in the semi final (week 9), much to the shock and upset of Quigg, who during Vickers' final performance, ran on stage to comfort Vickers. She achieved 4th place overall.[12]
Performances on The X Factor
Week | Song choice | Original artist | Theme | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
Week 1 | "With or Without You" | U2 | Number one hits in UK and US | Safe |
Week 2 | "Man in the Mirror" | Michael Jackson | Songs by Michael Jackson or The Jackson 5 | Safe |
Week 3 | "Smile" | Charlie Chaplin | Big band | Safe |
Week 4 | "Call Me" | Blondie | Disco | Safe |
Week 5 | N/A (unable to perform) | N/A | Songs by Mariah Carey | Given bye |
Week 6 | "Yellow" | Coldplay | Best of British | Safe |
Week 7 | "Patience" | Take That | Songs by Take That | Safe |
Week 8 | "I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman" | Britney Spears | Songs by Britney Spears | Safe |
"Everybody Hurts" | R.E.M. | American classics | ||
Semi-final | "Girlfriend" | Avril Lavigne | Mentor's choice | Fourth place |
"White Flag" | Dido | Contestant's choice |
Music career
Songs From The Tainted Cherry Tree
January 2009–April 2010
It was originally announced that Vickers would be signed up by Sony BMG under the Syco label but this plan was later dropped.[13] Vickers has since been signed to the RCA label and whilst being interviewed at the premiere of 17 Again, Vickers confirmed that she had begun work on her debut album.[14] Vickers commented that it wouldn't be rushed and that it would be "Diana style". Vickers has been working with Nerina Pallot, Ellie Goulding, Cass Lowe, Savan Kotecha, Starsmith, Alexis Strum,[15] Patrick Wolf and Dev Hynes aka Lightspeed Champion.[16] Guy Sigsworth and Chris Braide are set to produce the album. A song entitled "Jumping Into Rivers", written by Vickers, Ellie Goulding and Guy Sigsworth[17], was leaked in July 2009. It is unknown whether or not Vickers plans to put this on her album.[18] Vickers' debut single and debut album are to be released in April 2010 with the debut single titled "Once" co-penned by Cathy Dennis and Eg White[19] and produced and mixed by Mike Spencer.
RCA Records intend to market the album as, "one of the sparkiest and most unique pop records of recent years".[20] According to a press release from concert promoters SJM, "Once" is a "quirky, synth-based single" featuring the hook: "I'm only going to let you kill me once."[19] On 15 January 2010, "Once" was the Popjustice Song of the Day stating the debut single was, "more than just pop - a debut single that sounds odd and instantly familiar, fragile and bold at the same time".[21] Digital Spy said, "It's called 'Once' and that's precisely the number of times we had to listen to it before deciding it was brilliant," adding it was a "cracking pop track" and "something a little bit special".[22] Songs confirmed for the album are "Once", "Remake Me and You", "The Boy Who Murdered Love" written by Vickers and Chris Braide[17], "My Hip", "Me and You" and "Put It Back Together Again".[23] Other recorded songs include: "Four Letter Clover" written by Vickers and Chris Braide[24] and "Ferris Wheel" written by Vickers, Adam Argyle and Martin Brammer.[17]
On 26 January 2010, it was confirmed that Vickers had also collaborated with Gary Lightbody, the frontman of the alternative rock band Snow Patrol on her debut album.[25] On 31 January 2010, "Once" premiered on Radio 1 on the Sunday Switch show.[26] On 4 February 2010, Vickers filmed the music video for "Once".[27] A competition was opened to fans on 7 January 2010 through Vickers' official website allowing the winner to visit the set of Vickers' video shoot in London.[28] On 12 February 2010, it was confirmed that Vickers' debut album will be titled "Songs From The Tainted Cherry Tree".[29]
Tours and Concerts
The X Factor Live Tour
Vickers went on tour with the Final 8 of the 2008 series of The X Factor spanning from February to March 2009. Due to a high demand for the tour, the tour organisers added a host of extra dates.[30] In March 2009, one of Vickers' live tour tour performances of "Call Me" originally by Blondie was interrupted for a competition winner in the Birmingham LG Arena's audience by Ant and Dec for Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway on ITV1.[31]
March 2010
On 21 December 2009, Vickers announced via her official website that she would be appearing in her first official UK tour commencing 20 March 2010.[7] Vickers, who releases her lead single, "Once", on 19 April 2010[32], will be showcasing material from her anticipated debut album penned for release on 26 April 2010.[33] The tour includes a performance in her home town of Blackburn, Lancashire at King George's Hall.[34]
Acting career
This young girl is a natural actress. The moment she read the part, it was magic. A frisson ran through the room. Diana Vickers is the real deal. She is Little Voice.[35]
— Jim Cartwright whilst commenting on Diana Vickers
Vickers made her professional acting debut in the title role of a new revived West End production of Jim Cartwright's The Rise and Fall of Little Voice on 8 October 2009 at the Vaudeville Theatre, on The Strand, London.[36][37] Vickers plays Little Voice, who hides a talent as an impersonator of singers such as Shirley Bassey.[35] Take That's Mark Owen wrote the play's final song, titled "Sunlight", specifically for Vickers to sing.[38][39][40][41]
Vickers took a break from recording her debut album to star in the production.[42] She has been nominated for London Newcomer of the year in the "Whats on Stage Awards"which will be held in London on February 14, 2010,for her performance in the play "Little Voice".
Discography
Studio albums
Year | Title | Peak chart positions | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
UK | IRE | EU | ||
2010 | Songs From The Tainted Cherry Tree | — | — | — |
Singles
Year | Single | Peak chart positions | Album | |||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UK | IRE | EU | ||||||||||||||||||||
2010 | "Once" | — | — | — | Songs From The Tainted Cherry Tree | |||||||||||||||||
As featured artist | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2008 | "Hero" (with The X Factor finalists) | 1 | 1 | 8 | Charity Single |
Promotional singles
Year | Song | Writers | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2009 | "Jumping Into Rivers" | Vickers, Goulding, Sigsworth | Offered as free promotional download from Vickers' website in July 2009. |
Music videos
Year | Title | Director(s) |
---|---|---|
2008 | "Hero" | Unknown |
2010 | "Once" | TBA |
Awards and nominations
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2009 | "Hero" (with The X Factor finalists) | BRIT Award for Best British Single | Nominated |
"Little Voice" (The Rise and Fall of Little Voice) | Theatregoers' Choice Award for The London Newcomer of the Year[43] | Pending |
References
- ^ http://www.dianavickersmusic.com/global/blog/global/2009/11/24/catch_up_blog
- ^ http://www.models1.co.uk/details.asp?subid=4323&modelid=472694
- ^ http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/25955/the-rise-and-fall-of-little-voice
- ^ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/reviews/article-1221896/Delighted-Diana-Vickers-steals-opening-night-Little-Voice.html
- ^ http://www.whatsonstage.com/reviews/theatre/london/E8831256116510/The+Rise+&+Fall+of+Little+Voice.html
- ^ http://westend.broadwayworld.com/article/THE_RISE_AND_FALL_OF_LITTLE_VOICE_With_Diana_Vickers_Opens_At_The_Vaudeville_Theatre_On_108_20091007
- ^ Wiley, Jennifer. "X Factor stars are only paid a measly £40-a-week | Showbiz|X Factor". News Of The World. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
- ^ "Diana Vickers". Diana Vickers. 2009-03-28. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
- ^ "Diana Princess of Wails". thesun.co.uk. 2008-10-15. Retrieved 2009-07-28.
- ^ "Diana Vickers' X scandal". Myparkmag.co.uk. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
- ^ "Diana Vickers Leaves X Factor & Eoghan Quigg Rushes Onto Stage @ Unreality TV". Unrealitytv.co.uk. 2008-12-06. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
- ^ Alison Boshoff (2008-12-15). "ALISON BOSHOFF: Don't be fooled, Simon Cowell is the real winner | Mail Online". Dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
- ^ "Music - News - Vickers, Quigg sign to RCA". Digital Spy. 2009-01-29. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
- ^ http://www.popjustice.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3952&Itemid=9
- ^ "Lightspeed Champion working with 'X Factor' contestant - exclusive | News". Nme.Com. 2008-12-16. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
- ^ a b c Harry Fox Songfile
- ^ http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/stage/theatre/article6861894.ece
- ^ a b http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a192494/diana-vickers-single-details-revealed.html
- ^ http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk/news/s/1187748_x_factor_star_to_tour
- ^ http://www.popjustice.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4340&Itemid=243#ixzz0chwrILUQ
- ^ http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/thesound/a200736/have-you-heard-the-diana-vickers-single-yet.html
- ^ http://www.popjustice.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4355&Itemid=206
- ^ "FOUR LETTER CLOVER". ASCAP. Retrieved 2010-01-19.
- ^ http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3202596&id=27637789620
- ^ http://www.dianavickersmusic.com/global/news/global/2010/01/29/exclusive_first_play_of_once_on_radio_1_don_t_miss_it_
- ^ http://twitter.com/diana_music/status/8622395523
- ^ http://www.dianavickersmusic.com/global/news/global/2010/01/07/win_the_chance_to_visit_the_set_of_diana_s_video_shoot_
- ^ http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=314107269152&comments&ref=mf
- ^ http://xfactor.itv.com/2008/stories/story-detail/item_100528.html
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XxgMfLNtG4
- ^ http://www.themonto.com/listings_detail.php?listings_id=1492
- ^ a b http://twitter.com/diana_music/status/7067222859
- ^ http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/Diana-Vickers-tickets/artist/1021663?tm_link=edp_Artist_Name
- ^ a b Baracaia, Alexa (2009-07-09). "X Factor's Diana Vickers wins West End role". thelondonpaper.com. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
- ^ "X Factor's Diana Vickers to Star in West End Revival of Jim Cartwright's THE RISE AND FALL OF LITTLE VOICE". Broadwayworld.com. 2009-07-09. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
- ^ "Showbiz - News - Diana Vickers lands role in West End musical". Digital Spy. 2009-07-09. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
- ^ http://www.unrealitytv.co.uk/x-factor/mark-owen-wrote-little-voice-song-for-diana-vickers/
- ^ http://broadwayworld.com/article/Take_Thats_Mark_Owen_Is_CoWriter_Of_New_Song_For_LITTLE_VOICE_20091016
- ^ Take That's Mark Owen writes song for X Factor 2008 finalist Diana Vickers
- ^ http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a182254/mark-owen-pens-vickers-little-voice-song.html
- ^ Published: 10:22AM BST 10 Jul 2009 (2009-07-10). "X Factor's Diana Vickers to star in West End". Telegraph. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
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: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ http://www.whatsonstage.com/surveys/fillsurvey.php?sid=29 [dead link]