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Emily Williams

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For the voice actress, see Emily Williams (voice actor).
For the architect, see Emily Williams (architect).

Emily Williams
File:Emily Williams at Soundcheck in 2011.jpg
Background information
Birth nameEmily Williams
Born (1984-10-08) 8 October 1984 (age 40)
South Auckland, New Zealand
GenresPop, R&B
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
InstrumentVocals
Years active2005–present
LabelsSony BMG (2005-07)
Websiteemilywilliams.net

Emily Williams (born 8 October 1984), is a New Zealand-born Australian singer and songwriter, who rose to fame on the third season of Australian Idol in 2005, and became runner-up of the season. After Idol, Williams signed with Sony BMG and became a member of all-girl pop group Young Divas, known for their singles "This Time I Know It's For Real" and "Happenin' All Over Again". Following the disbandment of the group in 2008, Williams turned to songwriting and penned hits for many renowned recording artists both in Australia and internationally. She wrote her younger brother J. Williams' single "Ghetto Flower" (2008). In 2010, Williams' released her debut solo single "Spellbound", independently. Her debut solo album Uncovered was released in February 2012.

Early life

Emily Williams was born on 8 October 1984 in South Auckland, New Zealand to a Samoan family.[1] Williams' has an older sister — Lavina Williams, who was a contestant on Australian Idol in 2006 and also a younger brother — J.Williams, a singer/dancer in New Zealand.[1] During Willams' early years, her father was very strict when it came to devoting yourself to religion and music.[1] Before appearing on Idol, she worked as a forklift operator from Inala, Queensland.[2]

Australian Idol

Williams auditioned for the third season of Australian Idol in 2005. During the season, she scored three touchdowns from judge Mark Holden.[3] On 15 November 2005, betting agency Centrebet announced their final-week prediction that Williams would win the competition, with her odds at $1.36 and Kate DeAraugo at $3.00.[4] However, on 21 November 2005, it was announced that the winner was DeAraugo.[5]

Round Song choice Original artist
Audition "Rock with You" Michael Jackson
Theatre Week (Round 1) "Can't Help Falling in Love" Elvis Presley
Theatre Week (Round 2) "Finally" CeCe Peniston
Theatre Week (Round 3) "Fallin'" Alicia Keys
Top 30 "Make It Happen" Mariah Carey
Wildcard "To Zion" Lauryn Hill
Top 13 "Buses and Trains" Bachelor Girl
Top 11 "Respect" Aretha Franklin
Top 10 "Bohemian Rhapsody" Queen
Top 9 "Hero" Mariah Carey
Top 8 "All the Way" Frank Sinatra
Top 7 "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" Whitney Houston
Up Close & Personal "How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore?" Prince
Top 6 "River Deep – Mountain High" Ike Turner & Tina Turner
Top 5 "I'm Every Woman" Chaka Khan
Top 4 "Can't Help Falling in Love" Elvis Presley
"Blue Suede Shoes"
Top 3 "...Baby One More Time" Britney Spears
"I Will Always Love You" Whitney Houston
Top 2 "Since U Been Gone" Kelly Clarkson
"Emotion Samantha Sang
"Maybe Tonight" (winners single) Kate DeAraugo

After Australian Idol

2006–07: Young Divas

Main article: Young Divas

In January 2006, Sony BMG Australia announced that William's had signed a recording contract with their label, and that she would release her debut album later in the year.[3] She re-located to Melbourne to begin writing and co-writing tracks with both local and international songwriters.[3] However, Williams' album was never released.

In May 2006, Williams was asked by her record label to be part of an all-girl band concept, which included previous Australian Idol contestants, Paulini Curuenavuli, Ricki-Lee Coulter and Kate DeAraugo for a 17-date national tour to promote all four singers as solo artists.[6] Alongside the national tour, they released a cover of the Donna Summer classic "This Time I Know It's For Real", under the name Young Divas.[6] The song peaked at number two on the ARIA Singles Chart and was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).[7][8] A second single soon followed after—a cover of Lonnie Gordon's disco classic "Happenin' All Over Again". It peaked at number nine on the ARIA Singles Chart and was certified gold.[7][9] Following on from the success of their two singles and tour, the Young Divas released their self-titled debut album of remakes of classics, on 14 November 2006.[10] The album debuted at number four on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified double platinum.[7][11]

In May 2007, Williams contested the New Zealand reality television show Pop's Ultimate Star, and came fourth.[12]

In September 2007, it was revealed that season-four Australian Idol runner-up Jessica Mauboy was the new member of the Young Divas, replacing Coulter, who left the group to resume her solo career.[13] They then went on to release their second studio album, New Attitude, on 26 November 2007.[14] The lead single "Turn Me Loose" peaked at number fifteen on the ARIA Singles Chart.[7] The album reached number ten on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified gold.[7][11] Young Divas later disbanded in 2008.

2008–present: Solo career and Uncovered

Following the disbandment of the Young Divas, Williams revisited her hometown in New Zealand, and turned to songwriting.[15] While she created her own music, she penned hits for many renowned recording artists both in Australia and internationally.[15] She wrote her younger brother J. Williams' single "Ghetto Flower" (2008).[16] In 2010, Williams became a reading ambassador for The Pyjama Foundation, which allows her to raise awareness and support to help children improve their literacy skills.[17] On 21 October 2010, she made a television appearance on Ready Steady Cook with fellow Australian Idol contestant Cosima De Vito.[18]

On 1 November 2010, she released her debut solo single "Spellbound", independently.[19] The single was promoted by Williams through a live televised performance on The Morning Show.[20] She also performed the song at clubs in Brisbane and Sydney, and also toured shopping malls in Melbourne and Gold Coast.[21] The music video premiered on YouTube on 4 November 2010.[22] In December 2010, Williams received a nomination for 'Australian Female Artist of the Year' at the IT List Awards.[23] Williams' second single "You're Mine" was made available for download on 14 February 2011, to coincide with Valentine's Day.[24][25] She performed the song on The Morning Show.[26] On 1 March 2011, she released a ballad titled "Never Alone", to raise support for the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake.[27][28] All proceeds from the single went to the New Zealand Red Cross.[28] The Popstar remix of "Spellbound" was released digitally on 24 June 2011.[29] Williams' debut solo album Uncovered was released on 10 February 2012.[30]

Personal life

Williams' has a daughter named Asia with Richie Lio. She separated from Lio in 2007.[31]

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected details
Title Album details
Uncovered[30]

Singles

List of singles
Title Year Album
"Spellbound" 2010 Uncovered
"You're Mine" 2011

Promotional singles

List of promotional singles
Title Year
"Never Alone" 2011

Album appearances

Song Year Album
"Buses and Trains"[A] 2005 Australian Idol 3: The Final 13
"Ready"[B]
"I Will Always Love You"[C] 2006 Young Divas

See also

Notes

  • A A cover of the Bachelor Girl song performed by Williams.[32]
  • B Performed with twelve finalists from the third season of Australian Idol[32]
  • C A cover of the Dolly Parton song performed by Williams and was added as bonus track to the Young Divas self-titled debut album.[10]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Hip Hop/R&B: J.Williams - New Zealand Musicians & Bands". Muzic.net.nz. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  2. ^ Rachel Browne and Rachel Wells (20 November 2005). "Divas to do battle at Opera House". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Digital. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  3. ^ a b c "Emily Williams Signs To Sony BMG". SonyMusic.com.au. 12 January 2006. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  4. ^ "Kiwi is Oz Idol Favourite". Scoop News. Scoop Media. 15 November 2005. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  5. ^ Wilkes, Neil (23 November 2005). "New 'Australian Idol' winner announced". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi Médias. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  6. ^ a b "Girls get their acts together". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Digital. 7 May 2006. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Discography Young Divas". australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  8. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2006 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 17 October 2010.
  9. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2007 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 17 October 2010.
  10. ^ a b "Young Divas – Album". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  11. ^ a b "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2007 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 17 October 2010.
  12. ^ "Pop's Ultimate Star". Television New Zealand. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  13. ^ "Jessica Mauboy is the new Young Diva". Herald Sun. Herald and Weekly Times. 27 September 2007. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  14. ^ "New Attitude – Album". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  15. ^ a b "Emily Williams - Biography". Emily Williams Official Site. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
  16. ^ Dennehy, Luke (11 July 2010). "Young Diva goes solo". Herald Sun. Herald and Weekly Times. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  17. ^ Scott, Alana (1 June 2010). "Pyjama party for Corinda preppies". Quest Community Newspapers. New Community Media. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  18. ^ "Ready, Steady, Cook". Throng.com.au. 25 October 2010. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  19. ^ "Spellbound – Single". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  20. ^ "Emily Williams performs live on The Morning Show". Svelt PR. 7 December 2010. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  21. ^ "Emily Williams launches single "Spellbound"". Svelt PR. 25 October 2010. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  22. ^ "Emily Williams - Spellbound (Official Video Clip)". YouTube. 4 November 2010. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  23. ^ Manser, Rob (20 December 2010). "IT LIST Awards Nominees Announced". PopRepublic.tv. Archived from the original on 7 March 2011. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
  24. ^ "You're Mine - Emily Williams - Australia". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
  25. ^ "Emily's Valentines Gift". Auspop. 8 February 2011. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  26. ^ "Young diva returns". Yahoo! TV. Yahoo! Inc. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  27. ^ "Never Alone - Emily Williams - Australia". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  28. ^ a b "Emily Sends Support Home". Auspop. 1 March 2011. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  29. ^ "Spellbound (The Popstar Remix)". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
  30. ^ a b "Uncovered – Album". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
  31. ^ Mollard, Angela (23 November 2007). "Young Divas: The truth about Ricki-Lee". Woman's Day. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  32. ^ a b "Australian Idol 3: The Final 13". Allmusic. Macrovision. Retrieved 27 March 2009.

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