Bardot
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Bardot | ||
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| Background information | ||
| Origin | Australia | |
| Genre(s) | Pop, Dance, R&B | |
| Years active | 2000 – 2002 | |
| Label(s) | Warner (2000-2002) | |
| Members | ||
| Tiffani Wood Sophie Monk Sally Polihronas Belinda Chapple Katie Underwood |
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- For the French actress and animal rights activist, see Brigitte Bardot.
Bardot was an Australian female pop group consisting of Tiffani Wood, Sophie Monk, Belinda Chapple, Sally Polihronas and Katie Underwood. The group formed in 2000 on the original Australian reality television series of Popstars and remains the most successful winning act of all four Australian seasons, recording two multi-platinum, gold selling albums, Bardot and Play It Like That, as well as six consecutive top twenty charting singles. Bardot also achieved considerable success outside its homeland, charting in a number of international markets including parts of Asia, New Zealand, India and the UK. The group parted ways in May 2002.
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[edit] History
[edit] 1999 - 2000: Popstars
Bardot evolved from the Seven Network's, original Australian (and only second ever, following New Zealand) series of Popstars, a television talent show which promised to create "Australia's very own Spice Girls". The shows design was simple: a panel of judges would tour the country in search of five talented girls who would form a pop group. In addition, the winning group would be sponsored by the Austereo radio network, New Idea Magazine and Warner Music records. In 1999, advertisements for the auditions attracted thousands of girls from across the country, hoping to fulfill their dream of one day breaking into the music industry.
The audition process was judged by three industry personal - Australian radio broadcaster Jackie O, Warner Music executive Chris Moss and Grant Thomas Management representative Michael Napthali (who would manage the group's career). After numerous rounds of singing and dancing workshops, Sophie Monk, Sally Polihronas, Belinda Chapple, Katie Underwood and Chantelle Barry were chosen to fly to Sydney to record their debut single. The girls moved in together, however due to mysterious circumstances, Barry was asked to leave the group. Rumours filled magazines and newspapers, suggesting that Barry had been caught stealing items from the other members. As a result of her sudden departure, the judges had to select a new fifth member who would complement the rest of the group in terms of vocals and looks. Newcastle singer, Tiffany Wood (now spelt Tiffani Wood) was selected and Bardot (named after French actress Brigitte Bardot) was formed.
Cameras continued to follow the group during its recording sessions, photoshoots, the filming of its first music clip, on the promotional trail for its debut single and behind the scenes of its first performance and instore signing session. A special one-hour episode screened a selection of songs from Bardot's first full-scale live concert at the Sydney State Theatre.
In February 2006, on the Seven Network program Where Are They Now?, Barry spoke publicly for the first time over her removal from the group. She claims she accidentally kept Monk's money allowance with the intention of giving it back to her. She however forgot to do this and was therefore forced to leave the group.
[edit] 2000 - 2001: Bardot
The Popstars program rated in its millions and quickly became one of the most successful television programs of 2000. This exposure triggered off the Bardot phenomenon - the media reported on the girls daily and the band's instore signings attracted thousands of fans who hoped to personally meet their new "idols". This overwhelming attention translated into major record sales.
The debut single "Poison", entered at #1 with platinum sales, remaining top spot for two consecutive weeks on the ARIA singles chart. Their self titled debut album also entered the charts at #1, Bardot going down in the Australian music history books for becoming the "first Australian act to debut at the #1 position for both its debut single and debut album". The album would go on to sell double platinum copies and was the 20th highest selling album in Australia for 2000. Bardot was also an instant success in New Zealand, where both the single and album peaked at #1. The album charted at #2 in Singapore. Second single, "I Should've Never Let You Go", was accompanied by a music video which saw the girls transform into animated superheroes and made its television debut at the end of the final episode of Popstars. The single debuted at #15 and eventually peaked at #14 on the ARIA singles chart. The group made a promotional trip to Singapore where the album and debut single had both performed extremely well, "I Should've Never Let You Go" reaching #1 on the Singaporean charts. The album's third and final single "These Days" debuted and peaked at #19. Bardot's live performance of "These Days" at the 2000 ARIA Awards gained them much praise and proved the girls were more than just "pretty faces". The group was nominated in three separate categories: "Highest Selling Single", "Highest Selling Album" and "Best Video". In August, Bardot embarked on its first national tour of Australia.
In March 2001, Bardot moved to the UK to release "Poison" and appeared on a number of shows including SMTV Live, Top of the Pops and Pepsi Chart (UK). The single however, proved to be of only limited success, peaking at #45 on the UK Singles chart. The girls put this disappointing result down to bad timing as the UK Popstars group Hear'Say were at its peak which meant little worthy media attention for anyone else.
[edit] 2001 - 2002: Play It Like That
In July 2001, Bardot released "ASAP", the first single from their forthcoming second album. The new single was marked as a "comeback" for the group which had been out of the Australian media spotlight for a few months due to promotional and recording commitments in the UK. During that period, several changes in the Bardot camp had occurred. Underwood decided to quit the group in pursuit of a role in the musical Hair (which fell through before production commenced) and Bardot parted ways with Grant Thomas Management (the team which selected them during the Popstars program), signing with Caplice Management for greater control of their careers.
The new single presented the general music public with a more mature, sophisticated and confident Bardot. This R&B, fast tempoed track, about a partner's interfering mother, was produced by Swedish hit-makers Murlyn and provided the group with its second Top 5 ARIA hit and fourth gold single. In August, Bardot performed a cover of the Village People classic "Go West" at the opening ceremony of the 2001 Goodwill Games in Brisbane. In September, Bardot performed "ASAP" on the grand final edition of the AFL Footy Show at Rod Laver Arena. Following single, the dancefloor smash "I Need Somebody" confirmed the groups staying power, peaking Top 5 and becoming Bardot's biggest hit since "Poison". The bands second album, Play It Like That received critical acclaim upon release, debuting at #16 having already shipped gold status. This time around, several of the album's tracks were co-written by the members themselves. Chapple co-wrote the edgy "Don't Call Me, I'll Call You" and with fellow member Wood penned the dance number "Girls Of The Night". Polihronas co-wrote the soulful, R&B track "You Got Me Feeling" and with Monk wrote the boppy "Feel Right". Producers chosen by the girls for the album included Murlyn, Ray "Madman" Hedges, Ollie J, Phil Burton and Michael Szumowski (who produced their debut single "Poison"). Bardot performed their hits to its biggest crowd of 90,000 music lovers at the Sydney and Melbourne Rumba music festivals. On Christmas Eve, Bardot performed in front of 30,000 people at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl for the annual Carols by Candlelight.
In February 2002, the group released its final single, the mid-tempo ballad "Love Will Find A Way" which completed Bardot's string of consecutive Top 20 hits peaking at #18. In March, the girls embarked on their second national tour with Australian boy band Human Nature, playing their hits and tracks from their latest album to packed crowds in theatres across the country. In early April, the group travelled to Malaysia where they performed at the International Indian Film Academy Awards, followed by a tour of India.
[edit] The split
By April 2002, a couple of members had expressed their desire to leave Bardot and after a lot of media speculation, the group announced its decision to split, much to surprise of many industry spectators who believed Bardot was in the process of establishing a strong and credible reputation. Their official statement wrote that the girls "have cited a well earned break following what has been a phenomenal two and a half year explosion onto the Australian music scene". Rumours soon circulated that the split was pre-empted by Monk's desire to begin a solo career. The rapidity at which Monk's solo career was launched after the demise of the group suggests that there may have been some truth in these rumours, though Monk has denied this. Wood however has confirmed that both she and Chapple were keen to continue as Bardot. Fans were devastated by the band's decision to break up and this was evident at their final, highly emotional concert performed live at Channel V where the group performed six songs and where showered with gifts, flowers and encouragement from hundreds of screaming fans. While trying to introduce their final song for the night, Wood broke into tears, unable to sing her verses and the crowds took to the microphone. The group made its final appearance together for a charity event on May 2nd in Sydney. Each of the members have since commenced solo careers with varying levels of success.
[edit] Court case
In April 2004, Bardot's original management team Grant Thomas Management sued the Popstars producer Screentime and its joint venture company Five Divas, for up to $750,000 for breach of contract and loss of earnings. In November 2000, Bardot sacked Grant Thomas Management midway through a three year contract because according to Screentime, Bardot had "lost all confidence" in the ability of Grant Thomas Management to effectively manage their careers. Grant Thomas believed they were unfairly dumped and was successfully awarded $129,561.
[edit] Tours
Bardot completed two Australian concert tours.
2000 National Tour
- August 13 - Perth, Entertainment Centre
- August 15 - Adelaide, Entertainment Centre
- August 16 - Melbourne, Festival Hall
- August 18 - Hobart, Derwent Centre
- August 19 - Launceston, Silverdome
- August 21 - Canberra, Royal Theatre
- August 22 - Wollongong, Entertainment Centre
- August 24 - Sydney, Hordern Pavillion
- August 25 - Brisbane, Festival Hall
- August 26 - Newcastle, Workers Club
2002 'Here and Now' Tour
- March 1 - Newcastle, Civic Theatre
- March 2 - Canberra, Royal Theatre
- March 3 - Brisbane, Concert Hall
- March 5 - Perth, Concert Hall
- March 8 - Sydney, State Theatre
- March 9 - Sydney, State Theatre
- March 11 - Newcastle, Civic Theatre
- March 12 - Melbourne, Palais Theatre
- March 13 - Melbourne, Palais Theatre
- March 15 - Hobart, Derwent Entertainment Centre
- March 17 - Adelaide, Clipsal 500
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
 2×Platinum (140,000+) |
 Gold (35,000+) |
[edit] Singles
| Year | Cover | Single | Album | Australia | Australasia | United Kingdom | Singapore | New Zealand |
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| 2000 |  |
"Poison" | Bardot |
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| 2000 |  |
"I Should've Never Let You Go" | Bardot |
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| 2000 |  |
"These Days" | Bardot |
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| 2001 |  |
"ASAP" | Play It Like That |
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| 2001 |  |
"I Need Somebody" | Play It Like That |
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| 2002 |  |
"Love Will Find A Way" | Play It Like That |
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[edit] Videos
Popstars: The Making Of Bardot
- Released: 22 May 2000
- Running Time: Approx. 82 minutes
- Features:
- "Poison" music video
- Highlights from episodes 1-7
- Bonus unseen footage
Bardot: The Adventure Continues
- Released: 7 August 2000
- Running Time: Approx. 57 minutes
- Features:
- "I Should've Never Let You Go" music video
- Highlights from episodes 7-15
- Sydney State Theatre concert (Five selected songs)
[edit] References
- Bardot back from oblivion - but in court — Sydney Morning Herald, April 20, 2004
- Former Bardot Manager Wins Court Case — Undercover, 22 September 2004
[edit] External links
- Bardot MySpace — Fan MySpace page
- Warner Music Australia: Bardot — Features music samples of album tracks
Tiffani Wood • Sophie Monk • Belinda Chapple • Sally Polihronas • Katie Underwood
Studio albums: Bardot (2000) • Play it Like That (2001)
Singles: "Poison" • "I Should've Never Let You Go" • "These Days"
"ASAP" • "I Need Somebody" • "Love Will Find a Way"
