Diana Vickers

Diana Mae Vickers (born 30 July 1991) is an English singer, 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 United Kingdom 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 and grew up in Huncoat near Accrington^[8]. She studied for A Levels in Theatre Studies, Classics, and Psychology at Westholme Private School in Blackburn.^[9] Vickers had taken many singing lessons and participated in local competitions, but had never sung professionally.^[10]

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, with Cowell stating that he "loved it".^[11] She courted further controversy when she was unable to perform during week 5 of the contest due to illness and was given a Bye to the next round.^[12] She gained a lot of press attention for her relationship with fellow finalist Eoghan Quigg, although they both denied they were in a relationship during the competition, but later had a short relationship after the competition ended, and after she had split up from her steady boyfriend. 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 her, and also much to the shock of nation and the Bookies, who had had her down as the favourite to win from the very beginning. She achieved 4th place overall.^[13]

Performances on The X Factor

Music career

2010-present: Songs From The Tainted Cherry Tree

It was originally announced that Vickers would be signed up by Sony BMG under the Syco label but this plan was later dropped.^[14] 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.^[15] 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,^[16] Patrick Wolf and Dev Hynes aka Lightspeed Champion.^[17] 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^[18], was leaked in July 2009. 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]

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.^[23] On 31 January 2010, "Once" premiered on Radio 1 on the Sunday Switch show.^[24] On 4 February 2010, Vickers filmed the music video for "Once".^[25] 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.^[26] On 12 February 2010, it was confirmed that Vickers' debut album will be titled "Songs From The Tainted Cherry Tree".^[27] On 17 February 2010, Vickers confirmed that the track listing for her debut album had been finalised.^[28] On 19 February 2010, the track listing for Songs From The Tainted Cherry Tree was announced on Vickers' official Facebook. Vickers' debut album features 13 tracks including her debut single "Once" and "Jumping Into Rivers" which leaked in July 2009.^[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. Vickers sang Take That's "Patience" and Blondie's "Call Me" from her X Factor performances on the tour. Vickers additionally performed a duet of Mariah Carey's "Anytime You Need A Friend" with fellow X Factor finalist Eoghan Quigg.^[30] Due to a high demand for the tour, the tour organisers added a host of extra dates.^[31] 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 Saturday Night Takeaway on ITV1.^[32]

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^[33], will be showcasing material from her anticipated debut album penned for release on 26 April 2010.^[34] The tour includes a performance in Blackburn, Lancashire at King George's Hall.^[35] On 8 February 2010, it was confirmed that she will be accompanied by a live band and dancers on her first headline tour where Vickers will be running auditions on who will be gigging with her.^[36]

Diana Vickers' March 2010 UK tour dates in full:

• March 19 - Bath, Moles^[37]
• March 20 - Bristol, Cooler
• March 22 - Birmingham, Glee Club
• March 23 - London, Water Rats
• March 25 - Manchester, Deaf Institute
• March 26 - Glasgow, Classic Grand
• March 27 - Blackburn, King Georges Hall
• March 29 - London, Borderline

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.^[38]

— Jim Cartwright on 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.^[39][40] Vickers played Little Voice, who hides a talent as an impersonator of singers such as Shirley Bassey, Edith Piaf and Judy Garland.^[41][38] Take That's Mark Owen wrote the play's final song, titled "Sunlight", specifically for Vickers to sing.^{[42][43][44][45]}

She took a break from recording her debut album to star in the production.^[46] Vickers won the Award for "London Newcomer of the Year" in the Theatregoers' Choice Awards which was held in London on 14 February 2010 for her leading role in the West End revival of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice with 34.5% of the vote triumphing over West End newcomers including Patina Miller, Lenny Henry and Skins star Nicholas Hoult.^[47][48][49] Vickers mentioned in her acceptance speech for the award that she was "really nervous and had not won anything before" concluding that "it is tough in the theatre world".^[50]

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

Promotional singles

Music videos

Awards and nominations

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Diana Vickers.

• Diana Vickers Official Website
• Diana Vickers on Twitter
• Diana Vickers on Facebook
• Diana Vickers on Bebo
• Diana Vickers on Flickr
• Diana Vickers at IMDb