Diana Vickers

born on 30/7/1991 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom

Diana Vickers

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Diana Vickers
Birth name Diana Vickers
Born July 30 1991
Origin Blackburn, Lancashire, England
Genres Pop,[1] indie pop,[2] folktronica,[3] folk pop,[4] acoustic,[5] pop rock,[6] synthpop[7]
Occupations Singersongwriter, stage actress
Instruments Vocals, trumpet,[8] guitar
Years active 2008present
Labels RCA (2009present)
Website Diana Vickers

Diana Vickers (born 30 July 1991) is an English singersongwriter and stage actress who initially came to public attention as a semi-finalist on the fifth series of British talent show The X Factor in 2008. In January 2009, Vickers signed a record deal with RCA Records where she began work on her debut album, Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree, from January to September 2009.

From October 2009 to January 2010, Vickers played the title role in a West End revival of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice for which she won the award for "London Newcomer of the Year" in the Theatregoers' Choice Awards. Vickers' debut single, "Once", charted at number 1 in the UK Singles Chart after release on 19 April 2010. Vickers' debut album was released on 3 May 2010 in the United Kingdom achieving number 1 in the UK Albums Chart where the album has sold over 100,000 copies to date.[9]

Early life

Vickers was born in Blackburn, Lancashire, England and grew up in the village of Huncoat near Accrington.[10] She studied for A Levels in Theatre Studies, Classics and Psychology at Westholme School in Blackburn.[11] Vickers has been singing since the age of 11[12] taking singing lessons and participating in local competitions, but had never sung professionally.[13]

The X Factor

In 2008, Vickers auditioned for the fifth series of The X Factor, singing "The Blower's Daughter" by Damien Rice where Louis Walsh commented that she resembled a "little hippy"[14] eventually making it to the live shows. Vickers was selected for the live shows and was mentored by Cheryl Cole along with fellow competitors, Alexandra Burke and Laura White.

Vickers' live show performances were often unconventional, attracting both praise and criticism. Judge Simon Cowell likened her to marmite, saying fans would either love or hate her unusual singing style, stating that he "loved it".[15]

On her first live show Vickers sang U2s "With or Without You". Vickers then covered Michael Jacksons "Man in the Mirror", for which she received nothing but praise with Dannii Minogue describing it as "box fresh" and Simon Cowell remarking she was "the one to beat". The following week Vickers performed Charlie Chaplin's "Smile" which again received much praise and the judges were even more impressed with her version of Blondies "Call Me".

In week 5 of the live show stages, Vickers missed the live show without performing following a bout of Laryngitis.[16] She had wanted to perform the Mariah Carey song "Always Be My Baby" up until a few hours before the show, but her doctor advised her not to, saying Vickers could do permanent damage to her vocal chords. This is the first time the producers have ever excused any act from performing.

in week 6, Vickers returned to the programme performing Coldplay's "Yellow" to which she received a negative reaction from the judges where Dannii Minogue commented that she did not "love the song choice" where Cowell did not think Vickers was still well enough to perform. In week 7 Vickers performed Take That's "Patience" commenting that she felt 100% once again and hoped to deliver her best performance to date. During the show, guest Gary Barlow offered to sign her if Cowell did not, to which Cowell responded, "We will not be accepting Gary Barlows kind offer for a recording contract. Leona [Lewis] has done fine with me, thank you Gary."

In the week 9 semi finals of the competition, Vickers performed Avril Lavignes "Girlfriend" as her first song and received excellent comments from all the judges where Cheryl Cole said that "she had got that sparkle back". She followed this with Didos "White Flag" but was subsequently voted out of the competition, to the shock and upset of her fellow contestants.[12]

Vickers was the Bookies favourite to win the competition for the first 8 live shows.[17] She was eliminated in the semi-final (week 9), achieving fourth place overall.[18] Following the end of the series, she went on tour with the rest of the final eight contestants on The X Factor Live tour between February and March 2009. While on the show, her trademark was to perform in her bare feet. Vickers additionally gained national attention for her hand gestures on stage coining the nickname "The Claw".[19][20]

Performances on The X Factor

Week Song choice Original artist Theme Result
Audition "The Blower's Daughter" Damien Rice Contestant's choice Through
Bootcamp "Hallelujah" Leonard Cohen Contestant's choice Through
"Chasing Cars" Snow Patrol Contestant's choice
Judges' houses "Carry You Home" James Blunt Contestant's choice Through
"Nothing Compares 2 U" The Family Contestant's choice
Live show 1 "With or Without You" U2 Number one hits in UK and US Safe
Live show 2 "Man in the Mirror" Michael Jackson Songs by Michael Jackson or The Jackson 5 Safe
Live show 3 "Smile" Charlie Chaplin Big band Safe
Live show 4 "Call Me" Blondie Disco Safe
Live show 5 "Always Be My Baby" Mariah Carey Songs by Mariah Carey Unable to perform
Live show 6 "Yellow" Coldplay Best of British Safe
Live show 7 "Patience" Take That Songs by Take That Safe
Live show 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

Main article: Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree

After The X Factor it was initially announced that Vickers would be signed by Sony Music under the Syco label along with JLS and Eoghan Quigg but this plan for her to join Syco was later dropped.[21] Instead, she signed to Sony Music's RCA Records.[22] She began work on her debut album, Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree, in January 2009,[23] commenting that it would not be rushed and that it would be "Diana style". She worked with Nerina Pallot, Ellie Goulding, Cass Lowe, Guy Sigsworth, Chris Braide, Savan Kotecha, Starsmith, Alexis Strum,[24] Patrick Wolf and Dev Hynes aka Lightspeed Champion.[25] In March 2010, Vickers' first official UK tour took place, where she showcased material from the album.[26]

Vickers' debut single, "Once", written by Cathy Dennis and Eg White, was produced by Mike Spencer and released in the UK on 19 April 2010,[27] after it was playlisted on Radio 1 and the music video premiered via Channel 4's Freshly Squeezed music programme.[28][29] On 22 April 2010, Vickers performed an acoustic version of debut single "Once" and a cover of Snow Patrol's "Just Say Yes" on Radio 1's Live Lounge. On 25 April 2010, "Once" entered the UK Singles Chart at number 1 selling approximately 70,000 copies in the first week of release.[30]

On 15 April 2010, plans for Vickers' second single were confirmed.[31] The video for the second single written and produced by Chris Braide, "The Boy Who Murdered Love" was shot on the week commencing 26 April 2010 in London.[32][33] She is due to appear at the 2010 V Festival, The Live Lounge Stage at Radio 1's Big Weekend 2010, Stoke Festival, T4 on the Beach, T in the Park, 2010 Oxygen Festival and 2010 Sundae Festival[34][35][36] and will also support JLS on their debut tour.[37][38] Vickers embarked on another UK Tour in May 2010 promoting her newly released album, Songs From The Tainted Cherry Tree, which on 9 May 2010, charted at number 1 on the UK Albums Chart selling approximately 36,000 copies in the first week of release. On 25 July 2010, the album returned to the Top 15 on the UK Albums Chart, rising 29 places from number 42 to number 13.[39]

On 22 May 2010, Vickers performed her singles, "Once" and "The Boy Who Murdered Love" as well as one of her album tracks, Notice, on the first episode of the second series of The Hollyoaks Music Show along with Chiddy Bang.[40] Vickers will also support Mika at the Eden Sessions this summer. On 23 May 2010, Vickers performed an acoustic version of "The Boy Who Murdered Love" and Biffy Clyro's "Many of Horror" at Radio 1's Big Weekend. Vickers performed on The Graham Norton Show on 31 May 2010 and gave a short interview.[41] Vickers released her second single "The Boy Who Murdered Love" on 18 July 2010.[42]

On the week commencing 12 July 2010, Vickers began to promote her second single "The Boy Who Murdered Love" by appearing on the Chris Moyles Breakfast Show on Radio 1, The 5 O'clock Show on Channel 4 and The National Lottery Show on BBC One. The following week she performed on Loose Women, did an interview for Hot Desk on ITV2 and had her own programme, Diana Vickers' Postcard from T4 on the Beach. She also performed on ITV1's Magic Numbers hosted by Stephen Mulhern and performed Once, The Boy Who Murdered Love and album tracks N.U.M.B and Notice for a live session for MTV. Vickers' second single has currently peaked at number 36 on the UK Singles Chart.

On 19 July 2010, Vickers confirmed that the music video for her yet to be confirmed third single will be shot in Los Angeles, United States.[43]

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.

— Jim Cartwright on Vickers[44]

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.[45][46] She played Little Voice, who hides a talent as an impersonator of singers such as Shirley Bassey, Edith Piaf and Judy Garland.[44][47]

Mark Owen of Take That wrote "Sunlight", the final song in the play for Vickers to sing.[48][49] "Sunlight" was featured as a B-Side for her debut single, "Once". Vickers took a break from recording her debut album to star in the production.[50]

Vickers' performance received a good review in The Guardian[51] and was deemed "magical" in The Daily Telegraph.[52] She won the Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers' Choice Award "London Newcomer of the Year" in February 2010 for her performance, with 34.5% of the vote.[53][54][55]

Tours

  • The X Factor Live (2009)
  • UK headline tour in support of Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree (March 2010)
  • UK headline tour in support of Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree (May 2010)
  • UK tour supporting JLS in support of Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree (July 2010)
  • UK and Ireland headline tour in support of Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree (November 2010)

Discography

Studio albums

Year Title Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales thresholds)
UK
[56]
IRE
[57]
KOR
[58]
EU
[59]
2010 Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree
  • Debut studio album
  • Released: 3 May 2010
  • Label: RCA Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download
1 7 16 4 UK: Gold[9]

Extended plays

Year Title
2010 iTunes Live - London Festival 2010: Diana Vickers

  • Released: 12 August 2010[60]
  • Label: RCA Records
  • Formats: Digital download

Singles

Year Single Peak chart positions Album
UK
[56]
IRE
[61]
EU
[62]
KOR
[58]
AUS
[63]
2010 "Once" 1 3 5 39 52 Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree
"The Boy Who Murdered Love" 36 16
As featured artist
2008 "Hero" with The X Factor finalists 1 1 8 Single-only release

Promotional singles

Year Song Album Notes
2009 "Jumping Into Rivers" Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree Offered as free promotional download from Vickers' website in July 2009 after the leak of the track.

Music videos

Year Title Director(s)
2008 "Hero" Unknown
2010 "Once" Harvey Brown[64]
"The Boy Who Murdered Love" James Copeman[65]

Awards and nominations

Year Nominated work Award Result Ref
2009 "Hero" (with The X Factor finalists) BRIT Award for Best British Single Nominated [66]
2010 "Little Voice" (The Rise and Fall of Little Voice) Theatregoers' Choice Award for The London Newcomer of the Year Won [67]
Diana Vickers The Clothes Show Style Award for Best Dressed Woman of the Year Nominated [68]
"Once" The 2010 Popjustice £20 Music Prize Pending [69]

See also

  • List of The X Factor finalists (UK series 5)
  • The Rise and Fall of Little Voice

References

  1. Fletcher, Alex (31 March 2010). Diana Vickers: 'I have my dark days'. Digital Spy. Retrieved on 14 May 2010.
  2. Check out our exclusive Diana Vickers interview! | BT Vision. Btvision.bt.com. Retrieved on 14 May 2010.
  3. liammzxz wrote:, Album: Diana Vickers, Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree (RCA) - Reviews, Music - The Independent. URL accessed on 2010-05-17.
  4. Diana Vickers Interview : Celebrity Interviews - Access interviews with the world's biggest stars. Accessinterviews.com (2010-04-30). Retrieved on 2010-07-02.
  5. Diana Vickers - Album Review: Diana Vickers - 'Songs From The Tainted Cherry Tree' (Sony) - Album Reviews. Nme.Com (2010-05-07). Retrieved on 2010-05-17.
  6. Introducing Diana Vickers. Top40.about.com (2010-04-21). Retrieved on 2010-05-17.
  7. Diana Vickers to release debut single | TV | STV Entertainment. Entertainment.stv.tv (2009-12-23). Retrieved on 2010-05-17.
  8. Diana Vickers Blog (GLOBAL) Catch-up Blog. Dianavickersmusic.com (24 November 2009). Retrieved on 15 May 2010.
  9. 9.0 9.1 06:30 (2010-07-14). Radio 1 Programmes - The Chris Moyles Show, Wednesday - with Diana Vickers. BBC. Retrieved on 2010-07-22.
  10. X Factor star to tour. Accrington Observer. MEN Media (30 December 2009). Retrieved on 14 February 2010.
  11. Wiley, Jennifer. X Factor stars are only paid a measly £40-a-week | Showbiz|X Factor. News Of The World. Retrieved on 20 July 2009.
  12. 12.0 12.1 http://www.rcalabelgroup.co.uk/artist_spotlight/diana_vickers/biog/
  13. Diana Vickers. Diana Vickers (28 March 2009). Retrieved on 20 July 2009.
  14. Talking Shop: Diana Vickers, BBC News, 2010-03-31. URL accessed on 2010-05-31.
  15. Diana Princess of Wails. thesun.co.uk (15 October 2008). Retrieved on 28 July 2009.
  16. X Factor: Diana Vickers May Be Out Of Competition! at Unreality TV. Unrealitytv.co.uk (2008-11-13). Retrieved on 2010-06-10.
  17. Diana Vickers is the new X Factor fave | The Sun |Showbiz|TV|X Factor. The Sun (2008-10-20). Retrieved on 2010-07-22.
  18. Diana Vickers Leaves X Factor & Eoghan Quigg Rushes Onto Stage at Unreality TV. Unrealitytv.co.uk (6 December 2008-06). Retrieved on 20 July 2009.
  19. X Factor hopeful Diana Vickers' hand gestures mocked. mirror.co.uk. Retrieved on 2010-05-31.
  20. Diana finally explains the dreaded CLAW!. Heatworld.com (2008-12-02). Retrieved on 2010-05-31.
  21. Alison Boshoff (15 December 2008). ALISON BOSHOFF: Don't be fooled, Simon Cowell is the real winner | Mail Online. Dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved on 20 July 2009.
  22. Louise Cohen (6 October 2009). Diana Vickers: from X Factor to Little Voice. Times Newspapers Ltd. Retrieved on 12 March 2010.
  23. Music News Vickers, Quigg sign to RCA. Digital Spy (29 January 2009). Retrieved on 20 July 2009.
  24. A brief 'in the studio' report involving Diana Vickers. Popjustice (20 August 2009). Retrieved on 15 May 2010.
  25. Lightspeed Champion working with 'X Factor' contestant exclusive | News. Nme.Com (16 December 2008). Retrieved on 20 July 2009.
  26. Diana Vickers Official News (GLOBAL) Diana Vickers' 2010 Tour!. Dianavickersmusic.com (21 December 2009). Retrieved on 15 May 2010.
  27. Full Listings :: Monto Water Rats Theatre, London. Themonto.com (23 March 2010). Retrieved on 15 May 2010.
  28. Radio 1 Playlist. BBC (24 February 2007). Retrieved on 15 May 2010.
  29. Freshly Squeezed: We have the exclusive of the new Diana Vickers video. Twitter.com. Retrieved on 15 May 2010.
  30. Diana Vickers debuts at number one with Once | Music chart blog by Tellymix. Music.tellymix.co.uk (2010-04-25). Retrieved on 2010-05-06.
  31. Win The Chance To Visit Diana Vickers Next Video Shoot. Official News. Dianavickersmusic.com (15 April 2010). Retrieved on 15 May 2010.
  32. Diana Vickers Prize draw - Terms and Conditions (DOC). Sony Music Entertainment UK (7 April 2010). Retrieved on 2010-07-02.
  33. [1] music.uk.msn.com
  34. Diana at the Live Lounge Stage at the Big weekend Diana Vickers Forums. Dianavickersmusic.com. Retrieved on 15 May 2010.
  35. V Festival 2010: Diana Vickers and Tinie Tempah join line up. Metro.co.uk (13 April 2010). Retrieved on 15 May 2010.
  36. Music News Diana Vickers joins V Festival bill. Digital Spy (13 April 2010). Retrieved on 15 May 2010.
  37. Music - News - Diana Vickers announced as JLS support. Digital Spy (2010-04-16). Retrieved on 2010-06-10.
  38. Diana Confirms Plans for Second Album - Diana Vickers Forums. Dianavickersmusic.com (2010-05-12). Retrieved on 2010-05-31.
  39. http://www.chartstats.com/albuminfo.php?id=14747
  40. Hollyoaks Music Show! - Diana Vickers Forums. Dianavickersmusic.com. Retrieved on 2010-05-31.
  41. Graham Norton - Diana Vickers Forums. Dianavickersmusic.com. Retrieved on 2010-05-31.
  42. The Boy Who Murdered Love - Release Date!. Official News. Dianavickersmusic.com (2010-05-25). Retrieved on 2010-06-10.
  43. Diana Vickers: Diana's 'Single Out Now' Blog!. Facebook (19 July 2010). Retrieved on 2010-07-22.
  44. 44.0 44.1 Baracaia, Alexa (9 July 2009). X Factor's Diana Vickers wins West End role. thelondonpaper.com. Retrieved on 20 July 2009.
  45. X Factor's Diana Vickers to Star in West End Revival of Jim Cartwright's The Rise and Fall of Little Voice. Broadwayworld.com (9 July 2009). Retrieved on 20 July 2009.
  46. Diana Vickers lands role in West End musical. Digital Spy (9 July 2009). Retrieved on 20 July 2009.
  47. Reviewed: The Rise and Fall of Little Voice. Theatre News. Show and Stay (20 October 2009). Retrieved on 15 May 2010.
  48. Mark Owen wrote Little Voice song for Diana Vickers. Unrealitytv.co.uk (16 October 2009). Retrieved on 15 May 2010.
  49. Mark Owen pens Vickers 'Little Voice' song. Digital Spy (16 October 2009). Retrieved on 15 May 2010.
  50. X Factor's Diana Vickers to star in West End. The Daily Telegraph (10 July 2009). Retrieved on 20 July 2009.
  51. The Rise and Fall of Little Voice review. The Guardian (21 October 2009).
  52. The Rise and Fall of Little Voice at the Vaudeville Theatre, review. The Daily Telegraph (21 Oct 2009).
  53. Whatsonstage Awards The Theatregoers' Choice 2010. Awards.whatsonstage.com. Retrieved on 15 May 2010.
  54. Jude Law And Rachel Weisz Scoop Top Theatre Awards. Pass the Remote. Coventry Telegraph (22 February 1999). Retrieved on 15 May 2010.
  55. Diana Vickers proves she has X Factor at theatre awards| Showbiz. London Evening Standard (19 March 2010). Retrieved on 15 May 2010.
  56. 56.0 56.1 Diana Vickers. Chart Stats. Retrieved on 2010-07-22.
  57. Confessions of a Tortillera: Diana Vickers - "Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree". Latortilleraisback.blogspot.com (2010-06-23). Retrieved on 2010-07-22.
  58. 58.0 58.1 http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/
  59. Diana Vickers Album and Song Charts. Billboard.com (8 May 2010).
  60. http://itunes.apple.com/gb/preorder/itunes-live-london-festival/id380564021
  61. GFK Chart-Track. Chart-track.co.uk. Retrieved on 2010-07-22.
  62. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/Diana+Vickers/chart-history/1382920?f=349&g=Sngles
  63. http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Diana+Vickers&titel=Once&cat=s
  64. Diana Vickers Behind the Scenes AOL Music. Music.aol.co.uk. Retrieved on 15 May 2010.
  65. Tat Radcliffe. United Agents. Retrieved on 2010-06-10.
  66. Tuesday, January 20, 2009, 18:17 GMT (2009-01-20). Music - News - In full: Brit Awards 2009 nominees. Digital Spy. Retrieved on 2010-07-22.
  67. Diana Vickers - Star Snaps. Digital Spy. Retrieved on 2010-07-22.
  68. Diana Vickers - Style (GLOBAL) - Diana Nominated For 'Best Dressed Woman Of The Year'. Dianavickersmusic.com (2010-06-03). Retrieved on 2010-07-22.
  69. http://www.popjustice.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4880&Itemid=9

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Diana Vickers

  • Official Website
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  • Diana Vickers at MySpace
  • Diana Vickers at the Internet Movie Database
This page was last modified 05.08.2010 23:49:40

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