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Una Healy
Healy in August 2015
Healy in August 2015
Background information
Birth nameUna Theresa Imogene Healy
Also known asUna Foden
Born (1981-10-10) 10 October 1981 (age 43)
Thurles, County Tipperary, Ireland
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, guitarist, dancer, television presenter
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, piano
Years active2004–present
LabelsPolydor, Fascination, Decca
Websiteunahealy.com

Una Theresa Imogene Healy (born 10 October 1981) is an Irish singer-songwriter, musician and television presenter. She rose to fame in 2008 as a member of five-piece girl group The Saturdays, who are signed to Fascination and Polydor Records. In 2006, Healy represented Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest, where she sang with Brian Kennedy on the song "Every Song Is a Cry for Love"; they placed tenth overall. Healy then successfully auditioned for the Saturdays in 2007, after struggling to find success in her native country. Once she had victoriously auditioned for the band, she began recording music and releasing a number of hits.

The group later gained another record deal with Geffen Records after having huge success in the United Kingdom. Healy and the rest of the group then signed a deal with Island Def Jam Records and Mercury Records to distribute their music in the United States,[1] which led to her first UK number one single "What About Us". Healy previously attempted a solo career in 2006, when she released her first extended play, Sorry. Although the EP was not successful, one of the tracks from the EP was re-recorded and used for the B-side of the band's track "Higher".

The Saturdays decided to take a hiatus in 2014, upon completion of their Greatest Hits Live! tour. This led to Healy taking on a number of television opportunities, including presenting Una's Dream Ticket, taking part in the second series of Splash! and becoming a judge on Let's Get Gold. She also became a judge on RTÉ's The Voice of Ireland where she remained on the judging panel for the fourth and fifth series; she was the winning mentor in her debut year (2015) with her act Patrick James, and placed third in the fifth season. While Healy was engaging in a television career she was also writing and recording her debut album, switching to a country music-influenced style as opposed to the pop and dance material performed by The Saturdays. Healy's album, The Waiting Game, was released in February 2017. She released a brand new single "Never See Me Cry" in March 2018.

Life and career

Early life and career beginnings

Healy was born in Thurles.[2] She comes from a musical background and is the niece of country singer Declan Nerney.[3] She is a cousin of Irish athlete Paul Hession.[4] At the age of 13, Healy gave up swimming (she was an All-Ireland champion swimmer at nine)[5] and decided to take up guitar, teaching herself to play using her mother's guitar, and from then on began to write songs of her own. After finishing school at 18, she decided to take a year out and worked as a medical secretary. She went on to study nursing and then primary teaching at Mary Immaculate College, but finally decided to pursue her music passion at 23 years old.[6]

Healy began her music career playing guitar and singing in pubs and clubs around Ireland, solo and in bands.[7][8] She won Ireland's Glinsk Song Contest in both 2004 and 2006.[9] She represented Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 as a backing singer for Brian Kennedy on "Every Song Is a Cry for Love".[10] Whilst she was slowly finding success in her native Ireland as an indie solo artist, she felt she did not have a firm direction in her career. Although in mid-2006, Healy recorded and released her first extended play, entitled Sorry, which track "Had It with Today" was re-recorded for The Saturdays' B-side single to "Higher".[11] which she self-produced. The album includes the songs "So Long", "Raider of My Sleep" and "I Love You".

In 2007, Healy – still struggling to find major success – flew to London to gain more exposure and experience as a performer, then landed an audition for The Saturdays, which was her first audition for a major label and her first abroad.[12]

In 2008, Healy wrote, produced and performed on the soundtrack to Christian Blake, written and directed by Eoin Macken. The music can be heard throughout the duration of the film, however the soundtrack was never officially released. Tracks include "Don't Leave Me Alone" and "Drops of Rain". "Don't Leave Me Alone" was the leading track from the soundtrack and the music video can still be found on YouTube.[13]

2007–2014: The Saturdays

The Saturdays from left-right: Mollie King, Healy, Rochelle Humes, Frankie Sandford and Vanessa White, on the set of Coronation Street in April 2009.

Since 2007, Healy has been a member of girl group The Saturdays. The group has achieved thirteen Top 10 hits and four Top 10 albums.[14][14][15] The girl group released their debut single "If This Is Love" in July 2008, and it peaked at number eight in the UK.[16] The group released a second single "Up" which charted at number five in the UK[16] and later the song was given a Silver Disc in the United Kingdom.[17] In late October 2008, the group released their first studio album Chasing Lights. It charted at number nine in the UK, and went platinum according to the BPI.[17] The band released a third single from the album, "Issues", which also went silver.[17] The Saturdays released a cover of "Just Can't Get Enough" by Depeche Mode. The song debuted at number two in the UK, behind Flo Rida's "Right Round". The fifth and final single from the album was "Work", which was the first single by the group to fail to reach the top 20.

The group later went on a tour titled The Work Tour. In October 2009, the group released a second studio album, Wordshaker, which charted at number nine and was given a silver certification by the BPI.[17] The first single, "Forever Is Over", charted at number two in the UK. The Saturdays appeared in advertisements for several products including a brand of deodorant, tampons,[18] mobile phones, an operating system, and hair removal products.[19] But in early 2010, the girls released a second and final single from their second album, "Ego", which charted at number nine,[16] the single gained a certification of silver by the BPI.[17]

In summer 2010, the Saturdays released their first mini album (their third album overall) Headlines!,[20] which charted at number 3 in the UK and number 10 in Ireland.[16] The band released their eighth single, "Missing You", which charted at number three in the UK and number six in Ireland.[21] Rochelle Wiseman confirmed that the second single from the album would be "Higher"[22][23] It was later confirmed, by the band's official website that Flo Rida had recorded vocals for "Higher".[24][25] On Your Radar was the girls' third studio album, reaching a disappointing number 23 in the UK and spending only three weeks in the UK Top 75, but featured the top-ten hits, "All Fired Up" and "Notorious" as well as single, "My Heart Takes Over". In December 2011, the group went on their first headlining arena tour, All Fired Up Tour! The band released their first single taken from their fourth studio album "30 Days" in May 2012, which peaked at number seven. Later in the year, they temporarily moved from London to Los Angeles in hope to break America. Helping increase their single sales in America, E! Network broadcast Chasing The Saturdays, a reality TV show following the girls during their three-month stay in America. The show premiered in January 2013, and was cancelled after one series. The band released "What About Us" (featuring rapper Sean Paul) in March 2013, which became their first number one single and was the biggest selling single of the year (at that point). Later on in the year, "Gentleman" and "Disco Love" were released; with both of them charting in the top 15. Their album Living for the Weekend became the band's fourth top ten album. The final single taken from the album was a fan favourite. The radio mix of "Not Giving Up" was released in April 2014 and was their seventeenth top 40 single. The band went on hiatus in 2014, and released a greatest hits album Finest Selection: The Greatest Hits the same year. The only single released from the album, "What Are You Waiting For?" charted at number thirty-seven, making it their lowest-charting single to date.

2014–2017: The Voice of Ireland and The Waiting Game

Una Healy at RTÉ Winter Season Launch in August 2015

Healy's first solo endeavour away from the group was when RTÉ selected her to present her own television programme, entitled Una's Dream Ticket.[26] The programme was not renewed for a follow up season.[26] Healy was also drafted in to become a judge on sport reality television competition, Let's Get Gold[26] Healy was on the judging panel alongside Martine McCutcheon, Andrew Flintoff and Rio Ferdinand.[26] During the show fifteen sporting teams go against one another as they attempt to transform their sport into the most spectacular, entertaining and inspiring routine.[27] The winners of the show would receive a grand prize of £100,000, with Healy's aim as a judge is to find groups with the best technique and skill and creativity.[27][28][29] The programme experienced poor ratings and therefore was not renewed for a second season.[30] In 2014, Healy was announced as a contestant on the second series of UK version of diving competition, Splash!.[31] Healy's involvement gained some criticism due to Healy previously having experience in swimming and diving, due to Healy being an All Ireland champion swimmer at the age of nine.[5] Despite this, Healy was eliminated twelfth and placed eighth overall in the competition.

In June 2014, Healy hosted the first ever Irish version of Pride of Britain Awards.[32] Healy said she was "overwhelmed" by all of the stories and it was tough choosing between such worthy contenders.[32] Healy said "I’d love to give everyone who entered an award. It’s such an honour to be host and a part of this. I’ve attended the Pride of Britain three times with the girls so I know what it’s all about. I think it’s amazing that it has come to Ireland.”[32] Despite this, Healy began writing her solo debut album.[33] Healy began heavy writing sessions during the Greatest Hits Live! tour with The Saturdays as she knew the band were going on hiatus.[33] Healy said that her children inspired her in many different ways creatively when she began to write the album.[33] Healy also said she wanted to continue to record and perform music to help support them in the life they deserved.[33] Healy said she wrote "Stare at the Moon" about her eldest child, Aoife Belle, as she knows all the words to the band's songs.[33] It was reported in early 2016 that Healy had recorded a track with Nashville star Sam Palladio.[34] It was also announced that she had been working with Sacha Skarbek, Amy Wadge and Ben Earle from country music duo The Shires.[34][35] Healy later performed "Perfect" with Kelly Mongan on the second series of The Voice of Ireland.[36] In 2014, Reebok announced that they were teaming up with Healy to launch a Women's Fitness Collection.[37] When performing on the second series of The Voice of Ireland, Healy impressed producers and fans.[36] This led to Healy being asked to become a judge on the fourth series of the show starting in January 2015, alongside Kian Egan, Bressie and Rachel Stevens.[38] In April 2016, Healy revealed her album would be influenced by country and indie-inspired music and "Staring At the Moon" the song she wrote for her daughter would be performed live on the semi-final of The Voice of Ireland.[39] Healy was the winning judge on the fourth series of The Voice of Ireland when the act she mentored, Patrick James, won the show.[40] Healy returned to The Voice of Ireland to judge the fifth series of the show. Nigel Connell was the last member of Team Una to be in the competition where he placed third. In August 2016, Healy confirmed she had signed a solo deal with Decca, with the intention of releasing a solo album in 2016.[41] However, In October 2016, Healy announced that her debut album would not be realised until 2017.[41] In late 2016, Healy announced the record to be titled The Waiting Game.[42] Healy said that album's title came from waiting to record her own solo record since she was eight years old.[42] She also revealed that she co-wrote the full album and it was nice to get back to her "roots" of songwriting.[33] Healy released the lead single from her debut album, "Stay My Love", in January 2017.[43] The single was a collaboration with Sam Palladio, which had been reported previously.[33] The music video for the song was directed by Urban Strom.[44] Healy also took part in the "Forever Country Covers Series", which celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Country Music Association Awards. She performed Forever and Ever, Amen, originally a hit for CMA winner Randy Travis.[45] The Waiting Game was released in February 2017. She performed at Europe's largest country music festival, C2C: Country to Country, in both 2017 and 2018, opening for country legend Reba McEntire in Dublin on 12 March. In January 2018, Una participated in And They're Off! in aid of Sport Relief.

2018–present: 'Never See Me Cry', shoe range and Country Hits Radio

In March 2018, she released a brand-new single entitled 'Never See Me Cry'. In April, Healy unveiled her first shoewear collection 'Una Healy Original' available in over 100 stores throughout the UK and Ireland with a dedicated online store. The shoe range was decided and developed by Healy herself in collaboration with a team of industry professionals.

On 15 March, Una released her new single, Strangers.

On 5th April 2019, Healy announced via her Instagram that she had joined the Bauer Media's Country Hits Radio team - hosting the Breakfast Show on a Saturday morning.

Personal life

Healy married international Rugby Union fullback Ben Foden on 30 June 2012 in her native Ireland after four years of dating.[46][47] She continued using the professional name Una Healy until October 2013, when she started using her legal name, Una Foden, because using multiple names was "confusing".[48] In March 2016, Healy announced that she would be reverting to her maiden name of Una Healy in her professional life.[49][50] In July 2018, it was announced that Healy and Foden had separated.[51] In December 2018, Healy confirmed her relationship with ex-Na Piarsaigh and Limerick Hurler David Breen, via an Instagram post.[citation needed]

Healy and Foden have two children, daughter Aoife Belle (born 13 March 2012) and son Tadhg John (born 2 February 2015).[52][53]

Healy won "Hottest Female 2009" in the Virgin Media Music Awards.[54] She appeared in the January 2010 edition of FHM along with the other members of the Saturdays.[55] She was ranked number 19 and number 41 in FHM's Sexiest Women poll in 2010 and 2011, respectively.[56][57] In FHM's 2012 poll, she had dropped down to 66th place.[58] Healy previously ran her own blog where she spoke about family life, The Saturdays and herself.[59]

Discography

See also: The Saturdays discography

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions
IRE
[60] 		UK
[61] 		SCO
[62]
The Waiting Game 12 28 13

Extended plays

Title Details
Sorry

Singles

As lead artist

Year Title Peak chart positions Album
IRE
 UK
 SCO
[66]
2017 "Stay My Love"
(with Sam Palladio) 		- - 56 The Waiting Game
"Battlelines" - - -
2018 "Never See Me Cry" - - - -
2020 "Wild Grasses" 13 - 65 -
Year Title Peak chart positions Album
IRE
 UK
 SCO
2017 "In Case You Didn't Know"
(Brett Young featuring Una Healy) 		- - - -
2018 "With a Little Help from My Friends"
(as part of NHS Voices) 		- 89 26 -
"Take Me Dancing"

(Jake Carter featuring Una Healy)

- - - -
"Honour Among Thieves"

(Gunship featuring Una Healy)

- - - Dark All Day
"Symmetrical"

(Gunship featuring Una Healy)

- - -

Other appearances

Year Title Credits Album
2008 In Your Eyes Written by Una Healy & Eoin Macken

Produced by Kevin Whyms

Christian Blake Soundtrack
Darkroom Written and produced by Una Healy
Stalk & Kill Written by Una Healy

Produced by Una Healy & Kevin Whyms

Don't Leave Me Alone Written by Una Healy & Eoin Macken

Produced by Kevin Whyms

Docks Can Kill Written and produced by Una Healy
Crying Over a Scene Written and produced by Una Healy
Drops of Rain Written by Una Healy & Eoin Macken

Produced by Kevin Whyms

Videography

Music Videos
Year Title Director Album
2008 Don't Leave Me Alone Eoin Macken Christian Blake Soundtrack
2017 Stay My Love

(Featuring Sam Palladio)

Urban Strom The Waiting Game
Battlelines Oscar Sansom
2018 Never See Me Cry Jordan Rossi TBA

References

  1. ^ "The Saturdays sign joint record deal in America". BBC. Archived from the original on 2 December 2017. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
  2. ^ "Here come the girls – to Thurles". Irish Examiner. 25 April 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  3. ^ "Saturdays star Una is singer Nerney's niece" 25 January 2008, Evening Herald; accessed 2 February 2012.
  4. ^ "Declan Nerney, The Saturdays and the Athenry connection", TuamHerald.ie; accessed 2 February 2012.
  5. ^ a b "Una Healy — One of a five" Archived 23 April 2010 at the Wayback Machine at FHM web site; accessed 2 February 2012.
  6. ^ Profile, metro.co.uk, 15 August 2010.
  7. ^ "SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER: BEAUTY Una is tipped to be the next Nadine as she targets chart success with her new girlband", herald.ie, 28 July 2008; accessed 2 February 2012.
  8. ^ "Thurles Girl In Top UK Band" Archived 19 September 2012 at archive.today Tipperary Star, 2 August 2008; accessed 2 February 2012.
  9. ^ "Glinsk Song Contest". Glinsk.ie. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  10. ^ "Una Healy - on her music and career". 19 February 2017.
  11. ^ "iTunes – Música – Sorry de Una Healy". Itunes.apple.com. 18 August 2006. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  12. ^ "Don't call me a Spice Girl – I'm one of The Saturdays", independent.ie, 12 August 2010; accessed 2 February 2012.
  13. ^ "Soundtracks: Christian Blake (2008)". imdb.com. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  14. ^ a b The Saturdays OfficialCharts.com. Retrieved 4 August 2010.
  15. ^ Balls, David. "The Saturdays: 'Wordshaker'". Retrieved 5 August 2010.
  16. ^ a b c d "The Saturdays Official Charts Companying".
  17. ^ a b c d e The Saturdays certifications Archived 17 January 2010 at WebCite
  18. ^ "The Saturdays are the new faces of Tampax Pearl". Sugarscape.
  19. ^ "The Saturdays are new faces of Veet". 22 May 2009.
  20. ^ "Interview with Una Healy – RTÉ Ten". Rte.ie. 24 June 2010. Retrieved 31 August 2010.
  21. ^ "The Saturdays Missing You CD Single Release". Universal Music. Retrieved 27 June 2010.
  22. ^ "Music – News – Wiseman 'reveals next Saturdays single'". Digital Spy. 5 August 2010. Retrieved 31 August 2010.
  23. ^ Ann Lee for Metro. "The Saturdays all confirm Higher as next single". Metro.
  24. ^ "Future Releases". Galaxy FM. Archived from the original on 23 September 2010. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
  25. ^ The Saturdays record a track with Flo Rida Archived 4 September 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  26. ^ a b c d Heath, Olivia (18 September 2013). "The Saturdays' Una Healy lands job as a children's TV presenter". Reveal magazine. Nat Mags. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
  27. ^ a b "Vernon Kay to host new ITV sports challenge show | News | TV News | UK Drama | What's on TV". whatsontv.co.uk. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  28. ^ "Rio Ferdinand, Freddie Flintoff, Una Healy for ITV's 'Let's Get Gold'". Digital Spy. 11 June 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  29. ^ "Vernon Kay on This Morning talking about Let's Get Gold". ITV Player. 21 June 2012. Archived from the original on 26 January 2013. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  30. ^ "Vernon Kay to host ITV sports entertainment show 'Let's Get Gold' - TV News". Digital Spy. 8 May 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  31. ^ "Tom Daley's Splash!: Danielle Lloyd, Paul Young for heat three - Splash News - Reality TV". Digital Spy. 30 November 2012. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  32. ^ a b c De-Burca, Demelza (17 April 2014). "Pride of Ireland Awards: The great and the good humbled by the nation's heroes". www.irishmirror.ie. Irish Mirror. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  33. ^ a b c d e f g "Una Healy of The Saturdays Announces Debut Solo Album". Hotpress. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  34. ^ a b "Una Healy - The Waiting Game (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
  35. ^ "The Waiting Game by Una Healy on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Apple Music Inc. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  36. ^ a b "Una Healy performs with Kelly Mongan on The Voice final". iTunes Store. Hmongbuy.net. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
  37. ^ "REEBOK Teams up with Una Healy to launch its FW13 Women's Fitness Collections". Her.ie. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  38. ^ "Una Foden joins The Voice of Ireland". RTE. 14 October 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  39. ^ "The Saturdays' Una Healy premieres her first solo track during The Voice Ireland's semi-final". Digital Spy. 18 April 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  40. ^ "Una Healy is the winning judge after her act Patrick Donoghue wins the show". Irish Mirrior. 26 April 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
  41. ^ a b "The Saturdays' Una Healy announces she has signed a solo record deal". The Mirror. 5 August 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  42. ^ a b Houghton, Rianne (18 October 2016). "Una Healy: 'The Saturdays love my new solo music'". Digital Spy. United Kingdom: Hearst Corporation. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  43. ^ Houghton, Rianne (15 February 2017). "Una Healy: 'The Saturdays love my new solo music'". Digital Spy. United Kingdom: Hearst Corporation. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  44. ^ "Una Healy - Stay My Love (Official Video) ft. Sam Palladio". YouTube. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  45. ^ "Una Healy attends 50th Annual Country Music Association". YouTube. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  46. ^ Amy Duncan (29 June 2012). "Una Healy and Ben Foden bid farewell as they prepare for wedding day". Metro.co.uk. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  47. ^ Wheeler, Rachael (29 June 2012). "Una Healy and Ben Foden's last kiss before their big wedding". Mirror.co.uk. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  48. ^ "The Saturdays' Una Foden explains name change: 'It got confusing'". Digital Spy. 28 October 2013.
  49. ^ Smith, Andrea (24 April 2016). "Una Healy reveals 'Foden is my real name, but it doesn't suit me as a singer'". Irish Independent. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  50. ^ Una Healy [@UnaHealy] (18 March 2016). "I just would like to clarify that I am a very happily married Mrs Foden but have decided to go as Una Healy from now on with work X" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  51. ^ Anderton, Joe (28 July 2018). "The Saturdays' Una Healy splits from husband Ben Foden". Digital Spy. United Kingdom: Hearst Communications. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  52. ^ "Una Healy: My precious moments". gurgle.com.
  53. ^ "It's uncanny! Una Foden shares adorable pic of Aoife and Tadhg as babies". evoke.ie. 15 April 2015.
  54. ^ "Cheryl Cole snatches back Hottest Female title Archived 20 April 2010 at the Wayback Machine, thisislondon.co.uk, 11 February 2010.
  55. ^ "The Saturdays light up this month's FHM!". fhm.com. Archived from the original on 27 December 2013. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  56. ^ "Full list of FHM's top 100 world's sexiest women 2010", metro.co.uk, 29 April 2010.
  57. ^ "FHM 100 Sexiest 2012 voting has closed!" Archived 30 December 2011 at the Wayback Machine 29 March 2012, FHM web site
  58. ^ "FHM's 100 Sexiest Women In The World 2012: The full list!" Archived 5 May 2012 at the Wayback Machine, fhm.com, 2 May 2012.
  59. ^ "Una Healy's exclusive blog for HELLO!". Blog.hellomagazine.com. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  60. ^ "Irish Albums Chart: 17 February 2017". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
  61. ^ "The Official UK Top 40 Albums Chart". Radio 1. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
  62. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100 - Official Charts Company". www.OfficialCharts.com. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
  63. ^ Kitchener, Shaun (13 January 2017). "Una Healy goes solo: Saturdays star on charts, reunion, and the band's best and worst hits". Sunday Express. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  64. ^ "Sorry by Una Healy". iTunes.
  65. ^ "Sorry EP physical". Popjustice.
  66. ^ "Chart Archive > 17 February 2017 - 23 February 2017". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 February 2017.

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