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In July 2005, Goodrem embarked on her first headline [[concert tour]] of Australia, [[The Visualise Tour]]. The tour came under criticism when tickets were put on sale for $99 Australian dollars ($199 for VIP tickets); higher than most international acts touring Australia at the time and this led to initially slow sales.<ref>[http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/goodrem%20concert%20struggles Contact Music]"Goodrem concert struggles", December 12, 2004. Retrieved November 27, 2006.</ref> By the time the concerts were due to take place, many venues sold out after tickets were reduced to $60. Once the tour concluded, over 80,000 tickets had been bought in total<ref>[http://www.deltagoodrem.com/newsEvents/home.do?newsId=20030829002224 Official site] "It's A Wrap! Delta's Visualise Tour Concludes", July 28, 2005.</ref> making The Visualise Tour one of Australia's highest selling local tours. The ''[[The Visualise Tour: Live in Concert]]'' DVD was released in November 2005 and became Goodrem's second #1 on the ARIA DVD chart.
In July 2005, Goodrem embarked on her first headline [[concert tour]] of Australia, [[The Visualise Tour]]. The tour came under criticism when tickets were put on sale for $99 Australian dollars ($199 for VIP tickets); higher than most international acts touring Australia at the time and this led to initially slow sales.<ref>[http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/goodrem%20concert%20struggles Contact Music]"Goodrem concert struggles", December 12, 2004. Retrieved November 27, 2006.</ref> By the time the concerts were due to take place, many venues sold out after tickets were reduced to $60. Once the tour concluded, over 80,000 tickets had been bought in total<ref>[http://www.deltagoodrem.com/newsEvents/home.do?newsId=20030829002224 Official site] "It's A Wrap! Delta's Visualise Tour Concludes", July 28, 2005.</ref> making The Visualise Tour one of Australia's highest selling local tours. The ''[[The Visualise Tour: Live in Concert]]'' DVD was released in November 2005 and became Goodrem's second #1 on the ARIA DVD chart.

Delta's music is not, as some have said, crap.


====2005&ndash;present: Post-''Mistaken Identity'' activities====
====2005&ndash;present: Post-''Mistaken Identity'' activities====

Revision as of 19:34, 2 April 2007

Delta Goodrem

Delta Lea Goodrem (born November 9, 1984) is a multi-ARIA Award winning Australian singer-songwriter, pianist and Logie Award winning actress.

Signed to Sony at the age of 15, Goodrem rose to prominence in 2002 as a result of her role in the Australian television series Neighbours. She has become one of Australia's highest selling recording artists, her albums Innocent Eyes and Mistaken Identity both entering the Australian charts at number one with multi-platinum sales. Goodrem has to date, achieved seven number one singles and in mid-2005, embarked on The Visualise Tour, her debut concert tour of Australia. In 2003, at the age of 18, amidst her blooming career, Goodrem was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a form of cancer. She has since made a full recovery.

Biography

Childhood and discovery

Goodrem was born on November 9, 1984 in Sydney, New South Wales to parents Denis and Lea Goodrem and has a younger brother named Trent. Goodrem, who showed a strong interest in music and performing from a very young age, attended The Hills Grammar School, though due to its curriculum placing strong emphasis on sport (Goodrem taking part in netball, running and swimming), music was primarily kept separate.[1] At the age of seven, she appeared in an American commercial for the Galoob toy company, starring alongside fellow Australian Bec Cartwright[2] and began piano at ten years of age while taking up singing, dancing and acting lessons. She appeared in numerous commercials for companies such as Optus and Nesquik, and had several minor roles in episodes of successful Australian shows including Hey Dad...!, A Country Practice and Police Rescue. Some of the money earned from these roles went towards recording a demo CD.[3]

At the age of thirteen, Goodrem recorded a demo CD of five songs. It was sent to the Sydney Swans Football Club (of which Goodrem is a supporter) and they passed it onto Glenn Wheatley,[4] the manager behind successful Australian artists, Little River Band and John Farnham. Interested in Goodrem's potential as a recording artist, Wheatley signed Goodrem an artist development deal with independent label, Empire Records.[5] Between June 1999 to September 2000, she worked with producers Paul Higgins and Trevor Carter on thirteen tracks for an album called Delta, which saw "an ambitious 15-year-old keen to emulate the pop sound of the Spice Girls, Britney Spears and Mandy Moore".[6] The album has yet to surface, Goodrem preventing its release years later via civil action in 2004.[7]. Delta also participated in the Kool Skools program, which is run by Paul Higgins' and Trevor Carter's studio.

Music career

2001–2003: Career launch and Innocent Eyes

File:Normal lwy108.jpg
The success of "Lost Without You" (2003) cemented Goodrem's rising popularity.

At the age of fifteen, Goodrem landed a record deal with Sony and began work on an album of pop-dance songs including the unsuccessful debut single "I Don't Care" which peaked at number sixty-four on the ARIA Singles chart[8] in November 2001. The album and proposed second single "A Year Ago Today" were pushed aside as a result, allowing Goodrem and Sony to re-evaluate her future musical direction.

One year later, Goodrem released a piano-based ballad as the first single from her debut album called "Born to Try". The single became her first number-one on the ARIA Singles chart and was the third highest selling single of 2002. In the UK, it reached number three. In January 2003, "Lost Without You" also topped the ARIA charts and reached number four in the UK, cementing Goodrem's popularity with the general public. Her largely self-penned debut album Innocent Eyes, was released in March 2003 and debuted at number-one, breaking Australian records previously held by John Farnham's Whispering Jack (1986) by staying at number-one for 25 consecutive weeks, while tieing with Neil Diamond's Hot August Night (1972) as the second longest charting number-one album with a total of 29 weeks at top spot. It was the highest selling album in Australia of 2003[9] and sold over a million copies in Australia alone, three million worldwide.

"Not Me, Not I", released following the announcement that Goodrem had been diagnosed with cancer, became her fourth consecutive ARIA number-one single, overtaking the previous effort of three number-one's from Kylie Minogue's debut Kylie album.[10] Goodrem took a break from the industry to begin cancer treatment and in early October, announced she would not renew her contract with Glenn Wheatley, Lea Goodrem replacing him as her manager. Later that month, Goodrem won seven ARIA Awards, including "Best Female Artist", surpassing Natalie Imbruglia's previous record of six awards in 1999.[11] Too unwell to perform at the ceremony, singer Darren Hayes performed a rendition of "Lost Without You" as a tribute, bringing an overwhelmed Goodrem to tears. In December, the final Australian single from Innocent Eyes, "Predictable", became her fifth consecutive number one.

2004–2005: Mistaken Identity and The Visualise Tour

File:Deltabluecap.jpg
"Out of the Blue" (2004) re-launched Goodrem's singing career after a year off battling cancer.

After announcing in late December 2003 that she was in remission, Goodrem began work on her second album. In October 2004, she released the first single, "Out of the Blue", which was co-written with British songwriter-producer Guy Chambers. The single was well received, debuting at number-one in Australia while peaking at number nine in the UK. Goodrem's second album Mistaken Identity was released in early November and debuted at number-one in Australia while charting top ten in New Zealand, but peaked at a disappointing number twenty-five in the UK. The album is noted for its darker lyrics and mature themes, many of the songs (most notably "Extraordinary Day") detailing the hardships of Goodrem's previous twelve months while undergoing cancer treatment.[12] "Almost Here", a duet with Irish singer Brian McFadden reached number three in the UK and became her seventh Australian number-one. Singles released only in Australia - "Mistaken Identity", "A Little Too Late" and "Be Strong" - were moderately successful. In October 2004, Goodrem launched her own lingerie line titled "Delta by Annabella".[13]

In July 2005, Goodrem embarked on her first headline concert tour of Australia, The Visualise Tour. The tour came under criticism when tickets were put on sale for $99 Australian dollars ($199 for VIP tickets); higher than most international acts touring Australia at the time and this led to initially slow sales.[14] By the time the concerts were due to take place, many venues sold out after tickets were reduced to $60. Once the tour concluded, over 80,000 tickets had been bought in total[15] making The Visualise Tour one of Australia's highest selling local tours. The The Visualise Tour: Live in Concert DVD was released in November 2005 and became Goodrem's second #1 on the ARIA DVD chart.

Delta's music is not, as some have said, crap.

2005–present: Post-Mistaken Identity activities

File:Japan album cover.jpg
Goodrem's Japanese album, Innocent Eyes.

In April 2005, Goodrem's international record contract was extended to the United States with Columbia Records, and she relocated herself in New York to a re-worked version of "Lost Without You". Reports circulated that Columbia had issued an ultimatum with Goodrem, asking to drop mother Lea Goodrem as her manager,[16] though this was denied by both Goodrem and her mother who stated there had always been plans to hire a new manager for the US.[17] "Lost Without You" was released as a digital single in June 2005 but was only a limited success, peaking at number eighteen on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart but failing to enter the Billboard Hot 100. Plans to release a hybrid of her first two albums, entitled Born to Try have since been terminated and Goodrem looks to have put America on hold.

On March 15, 2006, Goodrem performed a new song "Together We Are One" at the opening ceremony of the 2006 Commonwealth Games in front of 80,000 spectators and up to 1.5 billion television viewers worldwide. "Together We Are One" was released as an Australian single, reaching number two. In June, Goodrem signed to Modest! Entertainment for her world-wide management.[18] In later 2006, Goodrem began promoting in Japan with the release of her album Innocent Eyes, a compilation of songs from her two studio albums and the single "Flawed" which appears in the Japanese film, Adiantum Blue. The album has to date peaked at number eight on the Japanese international chart (excluding Japanese artists) and number nineteen on the official Japanese album chart (including Japanese artists). In November, Goodrem appeared with Westlife on The X Factor to perform a duet titled "All Out of Love" and was in Melbourne on Christmas Eve to perform at the annual Carols by Candlelight.[19] She is currently writing and producing material for her third studio album, due for release mid 2007. A promo of a song, which has not been comfirmed as being on the third studio album is called 'Reaching Out'. A snippet can be heard here http://www.reverbxl.com/leafsongs/index.htm (song four on the list)

Acting career

See also: Delta Goodrem filmography

In 2002, Goodrem took up the role as shy school girl and aspiring singer Nina Tucker in the long-running Australian soap Neighbours. Like former Neighbours actresses turned successful pop singers, Kylie Minogue and Natalie Imbruglia, the show helped Goodrem launch her career as a singer. Her single "Born to Try" premiered on the show when Tucker's secret singing talents are discovered. Goodrem ceased work on the show when diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in mid-2003, but following her recovery, made a brief return to the show. Goodrem's role scored her a Silver Logie for "Most Popular New Talent" at the 2003 Logie Awards and two other nominations at the 2004 Logie Awards. Since Neighbours, Goodrem has appeared in the last two episodes of short-lived American series, North Shore, playing a singer named Taylor Ward.

In March 2005, she starred in her first film role of Hating Alison Ashley, a movie based on the popular children's novel, Goodrem acting the title character. Despite a #4 debut on the Australian box office charts, the film performed poorly overall. Some critics accused Goodrem's performance of being too robotic and detached.[20]

Personal life

Cancer

On July 8, 2003, at the age of 18, Goodrem was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a form of cancer which attacks the body's immune system. As a result, she was forced to put all working commitments on hold while undertaking treatment for the disease. In an exclusive interview with the Australian Women's Weekly, Goodrem revealed that her body had been giving warning signs since 2002. Symptoms included a head to toe rash, fatigue, weight loss, night sweats and the appearance of a lump on her neck.[21] "I was doing sit-ups when I felt something pop in my neck. I reached down and I felt a small lump at the base of my throat. It wasn't sore, it wasn't visible, but I could feel it."[22] As part of her treatment, Goodrem undertook chemotherapy, which resulted in the loss of her hair, and radiation therapy.[23]

News of her diagnosis appeared on the front pages of newspapers and an outpour of support was shown by fans and the general public alike, Goodrem thanking them during The Visualise Tour for all the letters and well wishes she received. Reflecting on that period of her life, Goodrem says, "It's weird to see pictures of that time. In some ways the fact that I was so sick was so out there, and yet I kept it really private. No-one saw me on the days I was really sick...I was 18 when I was diagnosed and I had a number one album and single in the country. And in the UK, I was number two. It was such a bipolar year".[24]

On the 2nd February 2007 Goodrem was admitted to a hosptial in Dublin with a "mystery illness". The Illness was suspected to be Appendicitis. It was confirmed that it did not have any relation to the cancer Delta was diagnosed with in July 2003.

Relationships

Goodrem has to date been involved in three high-profile relationships. During her time on Neighbours, she was romantically linked with fellow cast member Blair McDonough. Goodrem's song "Not Me, Not I" is widely speculated to be written about their breakup.[25] In 2004, while going through remission, Goodrem began a nine month relationship with Australian tennis player Mark Philippoussis. Her first released song from her second album Mistaken Identity, Out of the Blue was written about her devotion to Mark who supported her during Delta's sickness. However, the relationship ended in controversy, when Mark was photographed with party girl, socalite Paris Hilton and included nude pictures as well.

File:Deltabriancap.jpg
"Almost Here" (2005), McFadden and Goodrem in the music video for their duet.

On the Mistaken Identity album, Goodrem collaborated with Irish singer Brian McFadden on the duet "Almost Here". In early January 2005, reports suggested the pair were romantically engaged after being photographed together on a beach resort in South Africa, although both denied this.[26] A week later, the Sunday Mirror reported that McFadden had admitted the relationship.[27] The couple underwent weeks of tabloid scrutiny, focusing particularly on the fallout of McFadden's marriage with former Atomic Kitten star Kerry Katona. Press speculation suggested that the pair had embarked on their affair before McFadden had separated with Katona. This was denied by both Goodrem[28] and McFadden.[29] There have been numerous rumours that McFadden and Goodrem have become engaged, but these have been denied.[30] The couple's relationship faced further scrutiny in May 2006 when a newspaper claimed that Goodrem's mother had advised her to end her relationship with McFadden.[31] In January 2007, McFadden appeared on Tubridy Tonight and when asked by the presenter what was the best thing that had ever happened to him. In one word he answered "Delta" and when asked about marriage, said someday hopefully and stated his devotion to Goodrem.

Charity work

Goodrem is a member of RADD (Recording Artists, Actors And Athletes Against Drink Driving), a group of celebrities using their position to rally, and raise awareness of the risks of drink driving. She has recorded a message, which has aired on Australian television and radio, about the risks of drink driving.

Goodrem also uses her experience with cancer to raise awareness for other young people affected by the disease, helping to launch a UK web site specifically aimed at young teenagers affected, in mid 2005. She is a well-known ambassador for Research Australia's Thank You Day, which celebrates the country's health and medical researchers. She makes regular appearances at local charity events; on November 7 2005, Goodrem received a Thank You Day Celebrity Advocacy Award "in recognition of her efforts in raising funds and awareness for Australian medical research and charities." She has established the Delta Goodrem Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research Trust Fund, created to help raise funds for Hodgkin's patients. A percentage of all CDs, concert tickets from her Mistaken Identity Comeback Tour and merchandise sold goes towards the charity.

In early 2007 Goodrem and McFadden arrived in Ireland to open a new children's ward in the Capital's main children's hospital. She has been helping people from all over the world

Discography

For a comprehensive listing of all Delta Goodrem releases: Delta Goodrem discography

Albums

Number-one singles

The following singles reached number one in Australia and/or Ireland and/or New Zealand.
Year Single Peak positions
AUS IRE NZL
2002 "Born to Try" 1 13 1
2003 "Lost Without You" 1 15 4
"Innocent Eyes" 1 25 14
"Not Me, Not I"
 1 25 11
"Predictable" 1 — —
2004 "Out of the Blue" 1 15 14
2005 "Almost Here"
(with Brian McFadden) 		1 1 —

Awards and accolades

Main article: List of Delta Goodrem awards and accolades

Footnotes

  1. ^ TV Hits Delta Magazine (p.17) "Friends and school days", 2003.
  2. ^ TV Hits Delta Magazine (p.43) "Child stars", 2003.
  3. ^ TV Hits Delta Magazine (p.10) "Born to sing", 2003.
  4. ^ SAIN Magazine (Issue 42, p. 35) "Delta's loves", December 2001.
  5. ^ Empire Records "Empire artists". Retrieved November 27, 2006.
  6. ^ Sunday Herald Sun "Delta's secret songs surface" by Nui Te Koha, March 28, 2004.
  7. ^ Sydney Morning Herald "Delta's legal quickstep", August 1, 2004. Retrieved November 16, 2006.
  8. ^ IMDb"Delta Goodrem Biography" Retrieved November 16, 2006.
  9. ^ Herald Sun "Year of Delta's dawn" by Cameron Adams, December 30, 2003.
  10. ^ Herald Sun "Delta blitz tops Kylie" by Cameron Adams, 2003.
  11. ^ Herald Sun "Delta crowned Oz music queen" by Cameron Adams, October 22, 2003.
  12. ^ Official site "Biography", 2004.
  13. ^ Herald Sun "Delta's brief encounter" October 14, 2004.
  14. ^ Contact Music"Goodrem concert struggles", December 12, 2004. Retrieved November 27, 2006.
  15. ^ Official site "It's A Wrap! Delta's Visualise Tour Concludes", July 28, 2005.
  16. ^ "Delta looks for new manager". 2005-04-27. Retrieved 2006-07-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  17. ^ "Goodrem team is still intact". The Sunday Herald. 2005-05-02. Retrieved 2006-07-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  18. ^ "Delta Signs Worldwide Management Deal With Modest! Entertainment". Retrieved 2006-07-14.
  19. ^ Herald Sun "Delta's Down Under carols" by Cameron Adams, December 9, 2006. Retrieved December 10, 2006
  20. ^ Sydney Morning Herald "The Tribal Mind" by David Dale, April 5, 2005. Retrieved November 29, 2006.
  21. ^ Australian Women's Weekly (p.20,22) "Delta's darkest hour" by Michael Sheather, May 2004.
  22. ^ Australian Women's Weekly (p.22) "Delta's darkest hour" by Michael Sheather, May 2004.
  23. ^ Australian Women's Weekly (p.24,27) "Delta's darkest hour" by Michael Sheather, May 2004.
  24. ^ OK! (Issue 1, p.37) "Delta Goodrem" by Jean Kittson, October 2004.
  25. ^ Herald Sun "Delta sings again" by Luke Dennehy, 2003.
  26. ^ The Mirror "Kerry on regardless", January 3, 2005. Retrieved November 29, 2006.
  27. ^ The Mirror "Kerry's ex admits to new lover" by Cameron Robertson, January 10, 2005. Retrieved 29 November 2006.
  28. ^ The Mirror "Delt's a goody", January 21, 2005. Retrieved November 29, 2006.
  29. ^ The Mirror "McFadden's at war", January 19, 2005 Retrieved November 29, 2006.
  30. ^ The Mirror "Delta's Romeo", April 22, 2005. Retrieved November 29, 2006.
  31. ^ The Mirror "Delta's mum: ditch loser Brian" by Kiki King, Eva Simpson and Caroline Hedley, May 30, 2006. Retrieved November 29, 2006.

See also

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