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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). For the American historian of mathematics and writer, see Emily Coddington Williams.

Emily Williams
Born (1984-10-08) 8 October 1984 (age 40)
South Auckland, New Zealand
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active2005–present
Children1
RelativesJ.Williams (brother)
Musical career
Genres
InstrumentVocals
LabelsSony BMG
Websitewww.emilywilliams.com.au

Emily Williams (born 8 October 1984) is a New Zealand-born Australian singer and songwriter. She rose to fame in 2005 on the third season of Australian Idol and became the runner-up of the competition. After Idol, Williams signed with Sony BMG Australia and enjoyed commercial success as a member of the Australian girl group Young Divas. The group released two top-ten albums, Young Divas (2006) and New Attitude (2007), and achieved three top-fifteen singles, including the hugely successful "This Time I Know It's for Real". After the Young Divas disbanded in 2008 and Williams' contract with Sony BMG ended, she began releasing her solo music independently. Williams' debut solo single "Spellbound" was released in 2010, followed by the release of her debut solo album Uncovered in 2012.

Early life

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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]

Career

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2005: Australian Idol

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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]

2006–08: Young Divas

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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 that 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 early 2006, Williams was asked by her record label to be part of a girl group concept, with previous Australian Idol contestants Paulini, 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" in May 2006, 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) for shipments of 70,000 units.[7][8] A second single followed in November 2006—a cover of Lonnie Gordon's disco classic "Happenin' All Over Again". It peaked at number nine and was certified gold for shipments of 35,000 units.[7][9] Following on from the success of their singles and tour, the Young Divas released their self-titled debut album, featuring remakes of disco classics, on 14 November 2006.[10] The album debuted at number four on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified double platinum for shipments of 140,000 units.[7][11] A cover of Hazell Dean's 1983 hit "Searchin'" was released as the group's third single in March 2007, and reached number 40.[7]

In May 2007, Williams became a contestant on the New Zealand reality television show Pop's Ultimate Star, and placed fourth in the competition.[12] In September 2007, it was revealed that Australian Idol season four 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 album debuted at number 10 and was certified gold, while its lead single "Turn Me Loose" peaked at number 15.[7][11] In August 2008, it was announced that both Paulini and Mauboy had quit the Young Divas in order to resume their solo careers, leaving DeAraugo and Williams as the only remaining members.[15] However, both DeAraugo and Williams also resumed their solo careers, and the Young Divas officially disbanded. Following the group's disbandment, Williams' contract with Sony BMG ended.

2009–present: Solo career

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In 2010, Williams became a reading ambassador for The Pyjama Foundation, which raises awareness and support to help children improve their literacy skills.[16] On 21 October 2010, she made a television appearance on Ready Steady Cook with fellow Australian Idol contestant Cosima De Vito.[17] On 1 November 2010, she released her debut solo single "Spellbound", independently.[18] The single was promoted by Williams through a live televised performance on The Morning Show.[19] She also performed the song at clubs in Brisbane and Sydney, and also toured shopping malls in Melbourne and Gold Coast.[20] The music video premiered on YouTube on 4 November 2010.[21] In December 2010, Williams received a nomination for "Australian Female Artist of the Year" at the PopRepublic.tv IT List Awards.[22] Williams' second single "You're Mine" was made available for download on 14 February 2011, to coincide with Valentine's Day.[23][24] She performed the song on The Morning Show.[25] On 1 March 2011, she released a ballad titled "Never Alone", to raise support for the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake.[26][27] All proceeds from the single went to the New Zealand Red Cross.[27]

Williams' debut solo album Uncovered was released independently on 10 February 2012.[28] In June 2012, she was featured on dance music producer The Popstar's single "Spotlight", which also appeared on her album Uncovered.[29][30] In April 2013, Williams released her fourth lead single "Get It".[31] In 2013, Williams was featured on British rapper and The Valleys star Leeroy Reed's single "Can't Get Enough" and scored her second nomination at the PopRepublic.tv Awards for "Favourite Australian Female Artist".[32][33] In January 2014, she was featured on Geordie Shore star Gaz Beadle debut single "Party Like a Rockstar (Up Your Game)" with UK group The Risk.[34][35] In July 2015, Williams released her fifth lead single "The Way It Is", which debuted at number seven on the AIR 100% Independent Singles Chart.[36][37] This was followed up by the release of her sixth lead single "Get Your Life" in October 2016, earning her another nomination at the PopRepublic.tv Awards for "Favourite Australian Female Artist".[38][39]

In 2017, Williams made her musical theatre debut in the Australian production of The Bodyguard, as the alternate lead for Paulini, playing the lead role of Rachel Marron at certain performances.[40][41][42] Williams also made a cameo appearance in the 2017 Australian horror film Boaras a passenger.[43][44][45]

In 2021, during the lockdown, Williams collaborated with international DJs Ricci-G and Josh Goodwill to release "Ride with Me."[46] Later, there was another collaboration for the track "All I Need" with Kisch, which was signed to Love and Other Records UK.[47]

In 2022, Williams headlined a tour in Australia named Synthony 2022/23.[47][48] Subsequently, Williams began her own solo tour in Australian venues called Woman of Colour.[49] During the tour, she performed a range of songs from various artists.[49]

In 2023, producers Michael Harrison and David Ian revealed that Emily Williams would play Rachel Marron in the UK tour of 'The Bodyguard' Musical.[50][51] She is the first woman of Polynesian descent to score a leading role in a UK musical.[52]

In September 2023, Emily was recognized as the Global Ambassador for Women of Colour Australia.[53]

In October 2023, Williams released "What Am I Gonna Do" with DJ John Course, which reached #8 on the ARIA Charts.[54]

Personal life

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Williams' has a daughter named Asia with Richie Lio. She separated from Lio in 2007.[55]

Discography

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See also: Young Divas discography

Studio albums

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List of studio albums, with selected details
Title Album details
Uncovered[28]

Singles

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As lead artist

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List of lead singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Albums
AUS
Indie
[37]
"Spellbound"[18] 2010 — Uncovered
"You're Mine"[23] 2011 —
"Never Alone"[26] — —
"Get It"[31] 2013 — Uncovered
"The Way It Is"[36] 2015 7 —
"Get Your Life"[38] 2016 —
"—" denotes a single that did not chart.
[edit]
List of featured singles
Title Year Album
"Spotlight"[29]
(The Popstar featuring Emily Williams) 		2012 Uncovered
"Can't Get Enough"[32]
(Leeroy featuring Emily Williams) 		2013 —
"Party Like a Rockstar (Up Your Game)"[34]
(Gaz & Olabean featuring The Risk and Emily Williams) 		2014

Album appearances

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Title Year Album
"Buses and Trains" 2005 Australian Idol 3: The Final 13[56]
"Ready"
"I Will Always Love You" 2006 Young Divas[10]

Music videos

[edit]
List of music videos
Title Year Director(s)
"Spellbound"[21] 2010
"Get It"[57] 2013

Awards and nominations

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Year Type Recipient Award Result
2006 Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards Young Divas Fave Group Nominated
"This Time I Know It's for Real" with Young Divas Fave Song[58][59] Won
2010 PopRepublic.tv Awards Emily Williams Favourite Australian Female Artist[22] Nominated
2013 Emily Williams Favourite Australian Female Artist[33] Nominated
2016 Emily Williams Favourite Australian Female Artist[39] Nominated

References

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  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. Archived from the original on 9 March 2011. 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). Archived from the original on 31 January 2012. Retrieved 17 October 2010.
  9. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2007 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 13 January 2012. Retrieved 17 October 2010.
  10. ^ a b "Young Divas – Album". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  11. ^ a b "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2007 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 15 May 2011. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
  12. ^ "Pop's Ultimate Star". Television New Zealand. Archived from the original on 19 November 2007. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  13. ^ "Jessica Mauboy is the new Young Diva". Herald Sun. 27 September 2007. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  14. ^ "New Attitude – Album". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  15. ^ "Paulini Curuenavuli quits Young Divas, Emily Williams, Kate DeAraugo left". Herald Sun. 25 August 2008. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  16. ^ Scott, Alana (1 June 2010). "Pyjama party for Corinda preppies". Quest Community Newspapers. New Community Media. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  17. ^ "Ready, Steady, Cook". Throng.com.au. 25 October 2010. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  18. ^ a b "Spellbound – Single". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  19. ^ "Emily Williams performs live on The Morning Show". Svelt PR. 7 December 2010. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  20. ^ "Emily Williams launches single "Spellbound"". Svelt PR. 25 October 2010. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  21. ^ a b Emily Williams – Spellbound (Official Video Clip). YouTube. 4 November 2010. Retrieved 6 March 2011.[dead YouTube link]
  22. ^ a b Manser, Rob (20 December 2010). "IT LIST Awards Nominees Announced". PopRepublic.tv. Archived from the original on 29 April 2011. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
  23. ^ a b "You're Mine – Emily Williams – Australia". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
  24. ^ "Emily's Valentines Gift". Auspop. 8 February 2011. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  25. ^ "Young diva returns". Yahoo! TV. Yahoo! Inc. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  26. ^ a b "Never Alone – Emily Williams". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  27. ^ a b "Emily Sends Support Home". Auspop. 1 March 2011. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  28. ^ a b "Uncovered – Album". iTunes Store. Apple. Archived from the original on 11 November 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
  29. ^ a b "Spotlight Remixes (feat. Emily Williams) by The Popstar". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  30. ^ "Spotlight Remixes (feat. Emily Williams) by The Popstar". CD Baby. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  31. ^ a b "Get It – Single by Emily Williams". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  32. ^ a b "Can't Get Enough (feat. Emily Williams) – Single by Leeroy". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  33. ^ a b Manser, Robert (25 January 2014). "Poprepublic.tv Awards Nominations Announced". Poprepublic.tv. AKA Entertainment. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014.
  34. ^ a b "Party Like a Rockstar (Up Your Game) (feat. The Risk & Emily Williams) – Single by Gaz & Olabean". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  35. ^ S, Leo (17 January 2017). "Gaz (Geordie Shore) & Emily Williams". Joy 94.9. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  36. ^ a b "The Way It Is – Single by Emily Williams". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  37. ^ a b "Singles Chart (100% Independent)". Australian Independent Record Labels Association. 27 July 2015. Archived from the original on 29 August 2017. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  38. ^ a b "Get Your Life – Single by Emily Williams". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  39. ^ a b Manser, Robert (9 January 2017). "Poprepublic.tv Awards – Nominees Announced and Voting Is Now Open". Poprepublic.tv. Archived from the original on 5 August 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  40. ^ "The Cast – Emily Williams". The Bodyguard. Archived from the original on 29 August 2017. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  41. ^ "Singer Paulini facing bribery charges". The Sydney Morning Herald. 11 August 2017. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  42. ^ "The Bodyguard – Rachel Marron schedule" (PDF). Queensland Performing Arts Centre. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  43. ^ "Homegrown horror movie 'boars' it up the coast". The Toowoomba Chronicle. 19 April 2017. Archived from the original on 1 October 2017. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  44. ^ "In the media with BOAR". Slaughter FX. Archived from the original on 1 July 2017. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  45. ^ "Boar (2017) – full cast & crew". IMDB. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  46. ^ "Young Diva Emily Williams Teams Up With Geordie Shore Star Ricci G For New Banger". Hit Network.
  47. ^ a b "Emily Williams". Emily Williams.
  48. ^ "Emily-Williams-Synthony-2022-RAC-Arena-170622-Linda-Dunjey(2)". X-Press Magazine - Entertainment in Perth. 21 June 2022.
  49. ^ a b "Emily Williams 'Woman of Colour' Tour". Memo Music Hall. 15 July 2022.
  50. ^ "New lead star Emily Williams announced for touring show of The Bodyguard which comes to Blackpool in November".
  51. ^ O'Loughlin, Mikie (12 September 2023). "The Bodyguard's Emily Williams on her iconic role, rise to fame on reality TV and music industry". RSVP Live.
  52. ^ "First Polynesian star for The Bodyguard Musical UK". Te Ao Māori News.
  53. ^ "Ambassadors".
  54. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Club Tracks Chart". www.aria.com.au.
  55. ^ Mollard, Angela (23 November 2007). "Young Divas: The truth about Ricki-Lee". Woman's Day. Archived from the original on 11 April 2011. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  56. ^ "Australian Idol 3: The Final 13". Allmusic. Macrovision. Retrieved 27 March 2009.
  57. ^ Emily Williams – 'Get It'. YouTube. 4 April 2013. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  58. ^ "Young Divas Score Fave Song of the Year; Debut Album + New Single Coming". Sony BMG Australia. 12 October 2006. Archived from the original on 5 September 2007. Retrieved 5 August 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  59. ^ DeMott, Rick (16 October 2006). "Simpsons Are Top Toon at Nick's Australian Kids' Choice Awards". Animation World Network. Archived from the original on 27 February 2015. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
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