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Kimberley Walsh
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Kimberley Jane Walsh (born 20 November 1981) is an English singer-songwriter,
dancer,[2] model, television presenter and actress. She is best known for being
a member of girl group Girls Aloud, formed through ITV's reality television
programme Popstars: The Rivals.[3] The group has marked their success by
achieving twenty consecutive top ten singles (including four number ones) in the
UK, five studio albums which have all been certified platinum by the British
Phonographic Industry (BPI), two of which went to number one in the UK, and
accumulating a total of five BRIT Award nominations.
Walsh fronts the 2009 Autumn/Winter collection for the fashion chain New Look.
In July 2010, Walsh became a presenter on music talk-show, Suck My Pop.
****
Background information
Birth name Kimberley Jane Walsh
Born
20 November 1981 (1981-11-20) (age 30)[1]
Origin Bradford, West Yorkshire, England[1]
Genres Pop, R&B
Occupations Singer, songwriter, actress, model, television presenter, dancer
Instruments Vocals
Years active 2002–present
Labels Polydor, Fascination
Associated acts Girls Aloud
****
Early life
Walsh was born in Bradford[4] to Diane and John Walsh. She grew up with elder
sister Sally, younger brother Adam and younger sister Amy in the suburb of
Allerton.[1] Sally appeared on the soap opera, Emmerdale, between 1997 and 2000,
playing the role of Lyn Hutchinson.[1]
Walsh attended Sandy Lane First School, Stoney Lee Middle School and near
Bingley at Beckfoot Grammar School, and had her first taste of fame appearing in
an advert as a child along with sister Sally in a George for ASDA advert. She
starred as Young Cosette in a regional production of Les Misérables and starred
in ITV's The Book Tower.[5] Walsh also attended the Bradford based theatre
school Stage 84 for many years and was also, briefly, a teacher there.
Music career
2002-2009: Girls Aloud
Walsh auditioned for the reality television show Popstars The Rivals in 2002
with the song "Where Do Broken Hearts Go".[6] Several thousand applicants
attended auditions across the UK in hope of being selected. Ten girls and ten
boys were chosen as finalists by judges Pete Waterman, Louis Walsh and Geri
Halliwell. Walsh did not initially make it into the group of ten female
contestants who were to appear on the show. However, when another contestant was
disqualified on a technicality, she found herself on the show. These finalists
then took to the stage participating in weekly Saturday night live performances
which alternated weekly between the girls and boys. Each week, the contestant
polling the fewest phone votes was eliminated, until the final line-ups of the
groups emerged. Walsh joined Nadine Coyle, Sarah Harding, Nicola Roberts, and
Cheryl Cole to comprise the new girl group Girls Aloud, formed through the show
by a public vote on 30 November 2002.
The
group's debut single "Sound of the Underground" peaked at number one on the UK
Singles Chart, becoming the 2002 Christmas number one.[7] Girls Aloud hold the
record for the shortest time between formation and reaching number one.[8] The
group released their debut album Sound of the Underground in May 2003,[9] which
entered the charts at number two and was certified platinum by the British
Phonographic Industry (BPI) later the same year.[10] Since 2003, Girls Aloud
have released twenty additional singles, with all but one charting within the
top ten, and fifteen reaching top five positions. Their singles "I'll Stand by
You", "Walk This Way", and "The Promise" have charted at number one. Two of
their albums have reached the top of the UK Albums Chart: their greatest hits
album The Sound of Girls Aloud and 2008's Out of Control, both of which entered
the chart at number one, with over one million copies of the former being
sold.[11] All five of their studio albums have been certified platinum by the
BPI.[citation needed] They have been nominated for five Brit Awards, and in 2009
won "Best British Single" at that year's Brit Awards for "The Promise".[12] The
group has sold ten million records worldwide.[13] Girls Aloud have become one of
the few UK reality television acts to achieve continued success, and had amassed
a fortune of £25 million by May 2009.[14] The 2007 edition of Guinness World
Records listed them as "Most Successful Reality TV Group",[citation needed]
while they also hold the record for "Most Consecutive Top Ten Entries in the UK
by a Female Group" in the 2008 edition.[citation needed]
In
July 2009, Girls Aloud announced they would take a year-long hiatus in the
pursuit of solo projects, but would reunite for a new studio album in 2010.[15]
In August 2010, bandmate Nicola Roberts revealed that she wasn't anticipating a
reunion of the band until 2012.[16] Kimberley Walsh has revealed that she does
not think it is possible Girls Aloud will ever "officially break up". She
explained that they are planning to tour again and will probably take breaks
from time to time, doing solo projects but they will never permanently go their
separate ways.[17]
2010-present: Actual
projects
It
was first rumoured that Walsh was about to make a record deal with her band's
record label, Fascination Records,[18] although nothing has been confirmed. Soon
after the rumour, Walsh confirmed on Suck My Pop, a programme that she co-hosts
on the digital TV station Viva, that she will feature on English rapper Aggro
Santos' upcoming single, "Like U Like". The track will be her first step away
from Girls Aloud as a singer. Walsh was asked for OK! Magazine: "Kimberley,
there are rumours, that you will be releasing a solo album..." and Walsh said:
"Gosh! I haven't got any plan to do that. Gary Barlow signed Aggro Santos and he
asked me to sing Like U Like, and I've done a song for the Horrid Henry film
that I'm in. I'm not sure about doing anything big on my own just yet."
On 5
October 2011, Walsh took over from Amanda Holden as Princess Fiona in the West
End production of Shrek the Musical.[19]
Television
Walsh appeared in her own documentary for Sky 1 named Kimberley Walsh: Blue Jean
Girl which aired on Wednesday, 17 June 2010. On the same day, Kimberley appeared
on This Morning to promote the show. Walsh became a presenter of new music
talk-show, titled Suck My Pop, on Viva. Walsh also starred as a judge for ITV's
Entertainment show Born To Shine during week 1.
Acting
Before Walsh became a member of Girls Aloud, she had worked in theatre and
acting.[20] In 2000 Walsh appeared in the television series This Is Personal:
The Hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper as Gillian Oldfield, and starred in a BBC
Educational Schools programme called Focus. In the same year, Walsh applied for
the role of Maria Sutherland in Coronation Street. However, she lost out to
Samia Smith.[21] In 2001, Walsh played Tracy in Dream Back. In 2007, alongside
her fellow bandmates she appeared in St. Trinian's playing a school band member.
In 2008 she and fellow band mate Nicola Roberts had a small part in Britannia
High, in which they played themselves. Walsh has recently stated that she would
like to star in a musical in the future, playing a stage role.[22] In late 2010,
Walsh landed a role in the live-action 3D family comedy film Horrid Henry: The
Movie as the titular character's overactive cousin Prissy Polly, with the film
being released on 29th July 2011. On 24th August 2011, it was revealed that
Walsh will take over the role of Princess Fiona from Amanda Holden in Shrek the
Musical, from October 5, due to Holden's pregnancy announcement.[23] Walsh also
starred in Horrid Henry the movie in 2011.
Presenting
Walsh appeared in Let's Dance for Sport Relief as a panelist and also fronted
coverage of the BAFTA Awards for MTV on her own programme Kimberley Walsh At The
BAFTAS in 2010 and in the summer of 2010 hosted sky 1 documentary "Girl In The
Blue Jeans". She also presented coverage for The X Factor live from South
Shields on the day of the final in 2009 for Joe McElderry.[clarification needed]
On June 17 – 18 2010, Kimberley hosted Channel 4's The 5 O'Clock Show with
Stephen Mulhern. On 9 July, it was revealed that Walsh will be presenting Suck
my pop, a music program on Viva, with Will Best.
Other work
Walsh climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in aid of Comic Relief in March 2009.[24] The
climb, organised by Gary Barlow, was also undertaken by fellow Girls Aloud
member Cheryl Cole, Alesha Dixon, Fearne Cotton, Denise Van Outen, Chris Moyles,
Ben Shephard, Ronan Keating and Barlow himself. Between 3 February and 23 March
2009, Walsh, Tweedy, Barlow, Moyles and Cotton also raised money for Comic
Relief by providing the voice for the BT Speaking Clock.[24] As of 26 August
2009, Walsh is modeling for the clothing line New Look following in the
footsteps of Lily Allen and Alexa Chung.[25] Kimberley became OK! magazine's new
weekly columnist in August 2010. The column is called "Kimberley Calls The
Shots".[26] Kimberley Walsh was also named as the new face and hair of
Schwarzkopf for a reported 6 figure deal.[27] In March 2011, Walsh teamed up
with Tess Daley and Joanna Page to work with Maltesers to promote Red Nose Day
2011.[28] In January 2011, Walsh was revealed as the new face of Puma AG
BodyTrain fitness toner wear.[29] In May 2011, Kimberley Walsh was named as the
face of Right Guard's Xtreme Dry Range.[30]
Discography
Singles as Featuring
artist
2011 "Like U Like" (with Aggro Santos)
Awards
She
placed number 37 in FHM’s annual list of "100 Sexiest Woman in the World"in 2009
ahead of fellow bandmates Nadine Coyle, Nicola Roberts and Sarah Harding who
were placed at 57, 58 and 87 respectively.[33] Walsh also won the Yorkshire
Woman of the Year award 2009 in recognition not only for her professional
success but also for her role as celebrity ambassador for the Breast Cancer
Haven charity, which has a branch in Leeds. She was too awarded with the
Cosmopolitan Ultimate Woman's award in 2009. Walsh has also who Yorkshire Women
of the year in 2009.
Personal life
On 8
June 2006, Walsh publicly apologised for smoking cannabis after being caught on
camera smoking a spliff. She immediately owned up to it when questioned about
the photo, which was taken on 31 December 2005, whilst she was attending a
friend's party. She told The Sun newspaper that she had got caught up in the
moment and was deeply sorry, and that she realised what she did was wrong,
especially since she is in a position where young fans look up to her.[34]
However, it was reported on 9 June 2006 that Walsh's father, John, denied that
she had ever smoked cannabis, and that she was just holding a rolled up
cigarette that was not even lit. He also claimed that Victoria Newton at The Sun
pressured Walsh into apologising for something that she had not done,
threatening that if she did not then Newton would make the story worse.[35]
Despite this, Walsh admitted in an interview with The Times, on 20 October 2006,
that she had taken a couple of puffs on the spliff, but claimed that "it hardly
makes me Pete Doherty".[36]
References
1.^
a b c d Kimberley Walsh Biography
2.^
"Kimberley wants to star in musical - Entertainment, Breaking News".
Belfasttelegraph.co.uk. 2010-06-18. http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/breaking-news/entertainment/kimberley-wants-to-star-in-musical-14848030.html?r=RSS.
Retrieved 2010-12-16.
3.^
"Popstars girl group picked". BBC News (BBC). 2 December 2002. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/2529373.stm.
Retrieved 28 February 2009.
4.^
"Kimberley Walsh biography, information, news, links, pictures (pics) and
products (music)". Popstarsplus.com. http://www.popstarsplus.com/music_kimberleywalsh.htm.
Retrieved 2010-12-16.
5.^
"Kimberley Walsh covers up her curves in a pretty sundress as she lunches in
LA". The Daily Mail (London). 23 June 2009. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1194904/Kimberley-Walsh-glows-pretty-sundress-enjoys-lunch-boyfriend.html.
Retrieved 2009-09-21.
6.^
Day, Elizabeth (9 November 2008). "The nation's new sweetheart". The Guardian
(London: Guardian Media Group). http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/nov/09/girlsaloud-thexfactor.
Retrieved 12 November 2008.
7.^
"Girls Aloud top festive chart". BBC News (BBC). 23 December 2002. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2599721.stm.
Retrieved 24 February 2008.
8.^
"Cheryl Cole Attending Kimberley Walsh 26th Brithday Party". The Insider. 26
November 2007. http://www.theinsider.com/news/489272_Cheryl_Cole_Attending_Kimberley_Walsh_26th_Brithday_Party.
Retrieved 11 June 2010.
9.^
Wilkes, Neil (30 April 2003). "Girls Aloud prepare for album release". Digital
Spy. Hachette Filipacchi Médias. http://www.digitalspy.com/popstars/a11004/girls-aloud-prepare-for-album-release.html.
Retrieved 9 May 2010.
10.^
"Certified Awards - Sound of the Underground (Platinum)". British Phonographic
Industry. 28 November 2003. http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=32027.
Retrieved 9 May 2010. [dead link]
11.^
"Take That shine among IFPI Platinum elite". Music Week. United Business Media.
29 January 2009.
http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=1036788&c=1.
Retrieved 30 January 2009.
12.^
"Girls Aloud win Best British Single at the BRITs". NME. IPC Media. 18 February
2009. http://www.nme.com/news/brit-awards-2009/42882. Retrieved 21 August 2009.
13.^
"BBC - Music - Girls Aloud". BBC Online. BBC.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/artists/a0b2f210-cd3a-453d-937d-e4f2658d17c7.
Retrieved 9 May 2010.
14.^
"The 10 richest reality TV stars". The Times. 31 May 2009.
http://timesbusiness.typepad.com/money_weblog/2009/05/the-20-richest-reality-tv-stars.html.
15.^
"Girls Aloud deny split rumours". NME. IPC Media. 16 July 2009.
http://www.nme.com/news/girls-aloud/46150. Retrieved 3 September 2009.
16.^
Sales, Dan (30 August 2010). "Girls Aloud will not perform for two years".
London: Daily Star.
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view/151475/Girls-Aloud-will-not-perform-for-two-years/.
17.^
"Girls Aloud Won't Officially End". 2011-02-06.
http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/girls-aloud-wont-officially-end_1198538.
Retrieved 2011-02-06.
18.^
Kimberley Walsh record deal?
19.^
Bull, Sarah (23 September 2011). "Shrek-tacular! First picture of Kimberley
Walsh as Princess Fiona as she prepares to take over from Amanda Holden". Daily
Mail (London).
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2040651/Shrek-The-Musical-First-picture-Kimberley-Walsh-Princess-Fiona.html.
20.^
"Kimberley wants to star in musical - Entertainment, Breaking News".
Belfasttelegraph.co.uk. 2010-06-18.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/breaking-news/entertainment/kimberley-wants-to-star-in-musical-14848030.html.
Retrieved 2010-12-16.
21.^
"Kimberley Walsh - Coronation Street trivia - 10 things you didn't know about
Corrie". Virgin Media. 2009-02-26.
http://www.virginmedia.com/tvradio/soaps/coronation-street-trivia.php. Retrieved
2010-12-16.
22.^
"Showbiz - News - Kimberley Walsh: 'I'd star in a musical'". Digital Spy.
2010-06-18.
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/news/a229365/kimberley-walsh-id-star-in-a-musical.html.
Retrieved 2010-12-16.
23.^
"Amanda Holden to be replaced by Kimberley Walsh in Shrek the Musical".
Kimberley Walsh takes over Shrek role. 3am.
http://www.3am.co.uk/amanda-holden-to-be-replaced-by-kimberley-walsh-in-shrek-the-musical-/29249/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter.
24.^
a b "Comic Relief is Summit Special". The Sun (London). 2 February 2009. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/article2195086.ece.
Retrieved 2009-09-21.
25.^
Deborah Arthurs (26 August 2009). "Girls Aloud's Kimberley Walsh set to be the
face of High Street store New Look, thanks to her 'real girl' appeal". Daily
Mail (London). http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1209776/Kimberley-Walsh-announced-face-New-Look-thanks-real-girl-appeal.html.
Retrieved 2009-08-26.
26.^
"OK! Magazine: First For Celebrity News :: Latest Celebrity News :: Kimberley
Walsh Exclusive: Chantelle is still so hurt over Preston". Ok.co.uk. 2010-09-14.
http://www.ok.co.uk/celebnews/view/26316/Kimberley-Walsh-Exclusive-Chantelle-is-still-so-hurt-over-Preston/.
Retrieved 2010-12-16.
27.^
"OK! Magazine: First For Celebrity News :: Latest Celebrity News :: Kimberley
Walsh talks to OK! about Glee, Girls Aloud and her naughty drawer". Ok.co.uk.
2010-09-15. http://www.ok.co.uk/celebnews/view/26348/Kimberley-Walsh-talks-to-OK-about-Glee-Girls-Aloud-and-her-naughty-drawer-/.
Retrieved 2010-12-16.
28.^
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/showbiz/article-23919494-tess-daly-kimberley-walsh-and-joanna-page-reach-for-the-stars.do
29.^
http://www.metro.co.uk/lifestyle/851719-kimberley-walsh-gets-her-running-shoes-on-as-new-face-of-puma
30.^
http://www.theredpages.co.uk/News/CelebrityNews/CZr/Right-Guard-names-Kimberley-Walsh-as-Ambassador
31.^
UK singles chart
32.^
"Aggro Santos Irish discography". Irish Recorded Music Association. Hung Medien.
http://irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Aggro+Santos. Retrieved
2009-04-21.
33.^
"FHM's Sexiest Women In The World Poll 2009". FHM. http://www.virginmedia.com/music/pictures/toptens/fhm-sexiest-women-2009.php?ssid=4/.
Retrieved 2009-09-21.
34.^
"Kimberley: I'm a big dope". The Sun (London). 8 June 2006. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/article51170.ece.
Retrieved 2009-09-21.
35.^
"'My daughter doesn't smoke dope'". Telegraph & Argus. 2006-06-09. http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/789774.my_daughter_doesnt_smoke_dope/.
Retrieved 2008-01-16.
36.^
Paphides, Pete (20 October 2006). "Girls Aloud: The Trojan Horse of Pop". Times
Online (London). http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/article606260.ece.
Retrieved 2009-09-21.
****
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