|
Charlotte Church Profile |
|
-
Birth Date: February 21, 1986
-
Birth Place: Llandaff, Cardiff, Wales, UK
-
Birth Name: Charlotte Maria Reed
-
Height: 5'5"
|
|
|
Biography |
Charlotte Church hails from the Welsh town of Llandaff,
Cardiff. She had wanted to sing ever since she was 3 and a
half years old, when she belted out "Ghostbusters" at a
holiday camp and had to be dragged off the stage.
By the time she was 8, she was performing at local karaoke
competitions, and building her reputation as an incredible
vocalist along the way. When she heard an announcement by TV
personalities Richard and Judy that they were looking for
children with talent, Charlotte called them and volunteered
herself.
Once she sang "Pie Jesu" on the phone to the producers, they
immediately invited her onto the show. Not long after, she
appeared on TV yet again, on The Big, Big Talent Show. When
the host asked her to perform, audiences were blown away.
Her vocal chords spread like wildfire, and she was in
demand, most importantly by music producer/manager Jonathan
Shalit. He introduced Charlotte to the Sony Music UK
Chairman, who signed her to a multi-album contract on the
spot.
Her first album was released in 1998, when she was a mere 12
years of age. Voice of an Angel reached double platinum
status in the UK, and Charlotte became the youngest artist
to have a number one hit on the classical charts, and the
youngest to have a Top 5 hit in the UK -- beating out
Vanessa Mae by a few years.
Once the album crossed the pond and "Charlotte buzz" hit
North America, she was making her rounds on talk shows such
as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Late Show with David
Letterman and The Oprah Winfrey Show.
Voice of an Angel, which includes songs such as the one that
got it all started, "Pie Jesu", as well as "Ava Maria",
"When at Night I Go to Sleep", "A Lullaby", and "Amazing
Grace", reached the Top 30 on the US charts, again making
her the youngest artist to reach such success in America.
By the time Voice of an Angel was released, audiences had
the chance to see the young soprano live in concert, at
Cardiff Arms Park in Wales, the London Palladium, and Royal
Albert Hall. She was even invited to perform at the Vatican
and for the Prince of Wales.
Her sophomore album, the self-titled, Charlotte Church, was
released in 1999, while her latest album, 2000's Dream a
Dream, is a collection of Christmas songs, and even features
a duet with fellow prodigy Billy Gilman.
Making waves in America as well as the UK, Charlotte was
invited to perform at the Presidential Inauguration of
George W. Bush (she was also invited to perform for former
president Bill Clinton for a Christmas Special), along with
Ricky Martin, Jessica Simpson and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Charlotte also performed with Wyclef Jean for a special
fundraising concert in New York, the same month as the Bush
Inauguration, sharing the bill with Mary J. Blige, Whitney
Houston, Destiny's Child, and Eric Clapton.
Although Charlotte's vocals precede her age, she likes to
live the life of a normal young woman, loves shopping (she
has a wide array of shoes), and listens to singers such as
Puff Daddy, Natalie Imbruglia, The Corrs, and Gloria
Estefan.
She performed at Pavarotti's last UK concert, the summer of
2001 in Hyde Park.
While she has already broken music records, performed for
royalty, and has wowed critics and audiences alike with her
gifted voice, Charlotte still aspires to sing Madame
Butterfly (her favorite opera) in Milan, and get a standing
ovation. That doesn't sound like it will be too hard to
achieve.. |
|
|
Other
Information |
Signed an autobiography deal worth 800,000 pounds. Also made
300,000 pounds for doing the Ford car ad for which she also
became popular for singing its anthem entitled "Just Wave
Hello." The track is included in her self-titled second
album.
Celebrated her 15th birthday during the 43rd Annual Grammy
Awards, where the audience sang "Happy Birthday" to her. She
returned the favor by doing an impromptu song number for
them.
At 14, ranked 2nd among UK showbiz celebrities under 30
years old in gross income earned in the year 2000 with
6,500,000 pounds and 19th overall among all UK celebrities.
Her official fan site (www.charlottechurchfans.com) was
launched on the day she celebrated her 14th birthday.
Sang the soaring soprano vocals on the A Beautiful Mind
(2001) soundtrack.
Although she had already earned a total of 10,000,000
pounds, her mother used to give her only 50 pounds for a
monthly allowance.
Attended school at Howells, which is an exclusive girl's
school.
Her favorite pop stars include Natalie Imbruglia, the Corrs,
'Sean 'P. Diddy' Combs' , and Catatonia.
Her greatest ambition is to sing the lead part in Madama
Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini at La Scala in Milan and get a
standing ovation.
Louise Ryan is her singing coach.
Has given wildly applauded performances before Queen
Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, former US President Bill
Clinton, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Pope John
Paul II.
Her Voice of an Angel went double platinum in the UK and
gold in Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong.
Her stepfather, her mother's second husband, James Church,
adopted her as his daughter on October 1999, the year her
second, self-titled album was released.
She and Amanda Dunbar became friends when they both appeared
on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" (1986).
Is referred to in the press as an "opera star", yet has
never sung in any opera performances.
Admitted to once buying a dress for $ 7,000 US (£ 4,260 UK)
Sings soprano.
In May 2000 was named Artist of the Year at the first annual
Classical BRIT Awards
At 12 she was the youngest person at no. 1 in the classical
charts with the release of her album, Voice of an Angel.
Has a half-brother.
Younger step-sister of Elisha and Andrew Church
Has a younger half-brother, Luke Reed
Winner of the 2002 "Rear of the Year" Award, given by the
British press to the person with the best posterior.
Released first pop album in the UK, entitled 'Tissues and
Issues',on July 11, 2005
Was given a puppy for her 20th birthday by boyfriend Gavin
Henson. She has named the dog Tina.
Was considered for the role of Christine Daae for the 2004
movie "The Phantom of the Opera."
Sings soprano, although her actual vocal range is
mezzo-soprano. |
|
|
|
