Joe McElderry: Difference between revisions

Joseph McElderry (born 16 June 1991) is an English singer, who won the sixth series of The X Factor.

Joseph McElderry (born 5th June 1991)^{[citation needed]} is an English singer from South Shields, Tyne and Wear, England who won the sixth series of the ITV show The X Factor. ^[1]

McElderry had previously auditioned for The X Factor in 2007, but felt too young compared to the other contestants and opted to walk away.^[2] He was the Pride of South Tyneside's Young Performer of the Year in 2008.^[2] McElderry studies a BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts at Newcastle College Performance Academy. He is being backed by the college to win The X Factor.^[3] He took the role of Danny in Grease performed at Harton Technology College.^[4] McElderry attended Harton Technology College in Lisle Road, South Shields, before joining South Tyneside College to study AS levels, and Newcastle College to study performing arts.^[4]

McElderry auditioned in Manchester singing Luther Vandross's "Dance With My Father".^[5] The audition was televised on 22 August 2009. He earned a standing ovation from the audience.^[6] Following this performance, he quickly progressed through boot-camp to judges houses.^[7] He travelled to Marrakesh in Morocco with Cheryl Cole^[7], and guest judge Will Young,^[8] and was picked as one of her final three in the boys’ category to progress to the live shows.^[9]

In the first live show, he performed "No Regrets" by Robbie Williams. This performance bought positive comments from the judges, with Simon Cowell calling him a "dark horse in this competition". Following the performance, he made it through to the second week of the show, "diva week".^[10]

In the second live show, he sang Whitney Houston's song "Where Do Broken Hearts Go". This performance once again bought rave reviews from the judges. Simon Cowell was left speechless, saying “It pains me to say it, but that was actually note perfect". He said the only criticism he had for McElderry is that he needed to know how to perform a bit better. He made it through to the third week, Big Band week.^[11]

In the third live show, Big Band week, saw the remaining contestants take to the stage with the backing of a 35-piece orchestra. McElderry sang Michael Buble's hit "Sway" with a choreographed dance routine. This bought positive comments from the judges. Simon Cowell said ""I have to give it to you. Whatever is thrown up at you, you just rise up to the challenge". However he said his performance "wasn't authentic" and that McElderry "has as much latin flair as a dolphin, because that's not you". Cheryl Cole, his mentor, told him: "You were sparkly and sexy. I thoroughly enjoyed the performance". Louis Wlahs said that McElderry will be in the competition to the very very end. He has made it through to the fourth round of the show, Rock songs.^[12]

In the fourth live show, Rock music, McElderry sang "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey. Dannii Minogue said he was “an absolute star” and Louis Walsh told him he expected to see him in the final. Simon Cowell said that while the singing was excellent, it was "manufactured". He also received praise from his mentor Cheryl Cole. McElderry sailed through to the fifth week, songs from movies.^[13]

In the fifth live show, songs from movies, McElderry sang "Circle of Life" by Elton John from the movie The Lion King. Dannii Minogue told him: “You are the best male vocalist in the competition”. Louis Walsh however said “I think you’re more musical theater than pop star,” he said, “and we are looking for a pop star.” Simon Cowell said that McElderry had to stop with "stage school swaying". He was also praised by his mentor Cheryl Cole. He made it through to the next live show, songs by Queen.^[14]

In the sixth live show, songs by Queen, McElderry sang "Somebody to Love" by Queen. He was backed by a gospel choir for his performance, which Cheryl Cole labeled “a vocal roller coaster”. She said McElderry was “technically the best singer in this competition”. Dannii Minogue praised him for tackling “one of the biggest Queen songs” which she said was even tough for ex-frontman Freddie Mercury to sing. Louis Walsh also praised McElderry’s performance, saying, “That was a really really big song for a little guy from the north of England”. However, Walsh suggested McElderry might have broken the rules by performing with a choir. “The only problem I have is that I think the choir helped you a lot,” he said. “That’s maybe breaking the rules.” Simon Cowell commented that McElderry sang better the previous week. McElderry progressed to the seventh week.^[15]

Along with The X Factor finalists, McElderry recorded a charity single, a cover of Michael Jackson's hit "You Are Not Alone". It was released in aid of London's Great Ormond Street Hospital. McElderry went to the hospital with his fellow finalists to cheer up young cancer patients.^[16] The finalists premiered the song live on the November 15 edition of the programme; the single was available for digital download that day and a physical release followed the day after.^[17]

In the seventh live show, songs by George Michael and Wham!, McElderry sang George Michael's version of "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" by Elton John.^[18] McElderry was given a standing ovation by all four judges, which was the first time in the entire series all four judges have given a standing ovation (though they gave Danyl Johnson a standing ovation during his audition. The audience also gave McElderry a standing ovation after the performance.^[19] Dannii Minogue said that there was "such passion and honesty to your voice". Louis Walsh said that while it was 'the best performance of the night, her said his mentor Cole had broken the rules as the theme was George Michael and Wham!, and he sang an Elton John song.^[20] Simon Cowell hit back at Walsh, saying "Here's a new rule. We're going to stop you from speaking. After this young kid gets up on stage and does the performance of his life, absolutely 100per cent nailed the song, and you've got the audacity to sit there with your silly stupid rule book and say he only sang half the song. Who cares what you think?". Cole, his mentor, said she 'could burst with pride'.^[21] McElderry made it to the final five of the show, where the contestants had to sing two tracks each, and where the theme is songs by Take That and Elton John.^[22][23][24]

In the eighth live show, McElderry sang "Could It Be Magic" by Take That. His second song was "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word" by Elton John (which he had previously sung at the judges houses stage), which bought McElderry his second standing ovation of the series. The four judges praised McElderry on both performances, with Simon Cowell saying he was 'absolutely gobsmacked by his second performance. McElderry made it through to the semi-finals of the show, along with Olly Murs, Danyl Johnson and Stacey Solomon, at the expense of Lloyd Daniels.^[1] The theme for the semi final was Michael Jackson songs, and a song chosen by their mentor.^[25] McElderry reached the grand final of the show, along with Olly Murs and Stacey Solomon.^[26]

McElderry's first song in the final, the theme being songs the contestants sang in their audition, he sang Luther Vandross's "Dance With My Father", the song he sung in his audition.^[27] His second song of the night, was a duet with George Michael of "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me".^[27] His third song was "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word", which he had sung at the judges houses stage and the eighth live show.^[27] During his performances, Dannii Minogue dubbed McElderry a "brilliant performer", and Simon Cowell said that he is "really special".^[28] McElderry secured his place in Sunday night's final after winning the public vote alongside Olly Murs.^[29] Stacey Solomon narrowly missed out in a place despite giving her most confident performances of the whole series.^[29] They will both perform the winner's song "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus in Sunday night's final.^[30] McElderry is being backed by Louis Walsh to win the competition.^[29]

McElderry has performed through all nine weeks so far of The X Factor live finals; below is a list of his performances.

On the 13th of December 2009 Joe McElderry beat Olly Murs in the final and won the XFactor. Over 10 million people voted for the final 2.

• The X Factor at itv.com

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