Ricki-Lee Coulter

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Ricki-Lee Coulter
Ricki-Lee on stage in February 2008
Ricki-Lee on stage in February 2008
Background information
Birth name Ricki-Lee Coulter
Born October 10, 1985 (1985-10-10) (age 22)
Auckland, New Zealand
Origin Queensland, Australia
Genre(s) Pop, R&B
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter
Years active 2004–present
Label(s) Shock Records (2004–present)
Pony Canyon (2007–present)
Ministry Of Sound(2007–present)
Website Official Site

Ricki-Lee Coulter (born November 10, 1985) is a New Zealand-born Australian pop singer. She came to fame in 2004 as a contestant on the second series of Australian Idol, before signing a record deal with Australian Independent Label, Shock Records. Ricki-Lee relocated to Melbourne temporarily for 6-months whilst working on her first gold selling S-T album, 'Ricki-Lee' which was released in 2005. In 2006, Ricki-Lee began her 15-month involvement as a part of Young Divas project, with whom she toured the country and released a self-titled album. Ricki-Lee decided to leave mid-2007 in order to concentrate on her solo independent music career. After a 2-month international writing junket across London, New York & LA (which was also Ricki-Lee's first international trip outside of NZ), on August 11, 2007, Coulter released her sophmore gold selling album Brand New Day. As of December 2007, Ricki-Lee has been signed by two international record labels, the first is a major Japanese Independent Record label Pony Canyon and the second is the highly respected UK Dance Label Ministry Of Sound. Her first single with Ministry Of Sound, "U Wanna Little Of This" ( a remixed and re-titled version of Cant Touch It) debuted at # 1 on the UK Commercial Club Pop Charts. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early life

Coulter was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and moved with her father [John] and mother [Loretta] to Queensland, Australia when she was 3 weeks old. In Queensland, her younger sister Jodie was also born. Ricki-Lee developed a keen passion for playing netball and came close to playing for Australia. A serious knee injury requiring reconstructive surgery however took away the chance of furthering her netball career. Coulter soon embellished her hidden singing ability and pursued drama, music and theatre throughout her high school years. Ricki-Lee auditioned for the second series of Australian Idol where she became a defined crowd favourite. Considered a major contender to win the Australian Idol competition, Ricki-Lee was unexpectedly voted out in 7th place in a scenario in which the judges described her departure as 'misguided voting'.

[edit] Australian Idol performances

[edit] 2005–2006: Ricki-Lee, S-T Album

Debut Album: Ricki-Lee
Debut Album: Ricki-Lee

After declining a deal from Sony BMG, Coulter signed with Australia's biggest Independent Label, Shock Records, and released her first single "Hell No!" in June 2005. The single, written in collaboration with Audius Mtawarira, debuted at # 5, spent three weeks in the Top 10 and 3-months in the Top 40. Her second single "Sunshine" also went Top 10, peaking at # 8 and spent four months in the Top 40. "Breathe", her third single release, debuted Top 20, peaking at #14. The S-T album Ricki-Lee debuted in the Top 30 and was certified gold.

[edit] Early TV Apperances

In 2005, Coulter also performed with legendary Marcia Hines on the television program, An Audience With Marcia Hines, which was broadcast on FOXTEL. Rick-Lee was one of the celebrity performers on the Nine Network's series, Celebrity Circus. She also appeared on several TV shows, including Channel 10's Friday Night Games, Rove Live, Sunrise, TODAY Show and in Bert's Family Feud Celebrity Challenge.

[edit] Young Divas Project

In 2006, Coulter joined Australian Idol, Paulini Curuenavuli, Emily Williams, and Kate DeAraugo, to form Young Divas project. Their first single "This Time I Know It's For Real", a remake of the Donna Summer 1989 song, was a major success, reaching # 2 on the Australian charts, while the self titled album reached # 4. On June 23, 2007, Coulter officially announced she would be leaving the group. After months of rumours and speculation of infighting, she stated that she was leaving to focus on her solo career, saying "I just couldn't do it all - I really had to get back to doing what I love doing, and that's my solo career."

[edit] 2007–present: Brand New Day

In August 2007, Coulter released her first single (from her second album), "Can't Touch It", which took the charts by storm and debuted at # 2 in the ARIA Charts. "Can't Touch It" achieved Platinum Status through ARIA. Ricki-Lee's second solo album, entitled Brand New Day was released on August 11 and went Top 40, achieving gold status. The album was re-released with a bonus second CD - her first S-T album Ricki-Lee, in December 2007. The second single from the Brand New Day album was Love Is All Around. This single debuted at # 5, making it the second highest new entry for the week after Kylie Minogue. The single was actually # 1 on the ARIA physical chart, which meant that if digital sales were not counted, Coulter would've had her first # 1 single. "Can't Sing A Different Song" became Ricki's third consecutive Top Ten single from her current album when it debuted into the ARIA Chart at #8: making it her sixth consecutive Top 20 single since she hit the charts in 2005.

Ricki-Lee's "Brand New Day" album has reached Gold status in Australia.[citations needed]

[edit] 2007 ARIA Awards Broadcast Performance

Ricki-Lee was given the honour of opening the 2007 ARIA Awards Broadcast, performing a surprise ten-dancer-deep choreographed red carpet strut of her platinum selling single, Cant Touch It. This was televised on Channel Ten on 28th October, 2007.

[edit] Hilary Duff Tour Support

It has been announced that Ricki-Lee will the supporting act for Hilary Duff when she tours Australia next year on her Dignity Tour[5]

[edit] International Record Deals

On the 9th of December 2007 Ricki-Lee announced that she had signed with Japan's biggest independent label Pony Canyon stating "Japan is like the second-highest territory in the world, so that is a pretty big deal in itself" and also signed to the major UK label Ministry Of Sound after a representative of the label heard "Can't Touch It" on the radio and approached her management. "I am still in shock that this has actually happened and that I am signed to Ministry of Sound," she said. "It is a huge honour and it feels like it's a bit of a pat on the back as well." Coulter only found out last week that her management had negotiated the international deals. "It was kept a big secret from me, they didn't want to get my hopes up, and see me crash and burn if it didn't happen." The 22-year-old is looking forward to hearing Ministry of Sound remix one of her songs and can't wait to have it played in nightclubs around Europe. "I wouldn't have thought my music would even be eligible to be considered by a label like Ministry of Sound, they are so cutting-edge and are really renowned for making stuff happen. The big dream is ending up in Ibiza - that would be very cool, to end up playing in one of the biggest clubs in the world."

Ricki-Lee performing with her band in February 2008
Ricki-Lee performing with her band in February 2008

[edit] Radio Stint

It was also announced in January, 2008 that Ricki-Lee would be extending her skill-set and joining Brisbane radio station B105 FM 105.3 as part of their breakfast team for 6 weeks. After appearing on Hot 30 Countdown and impressing management, Ricki-Lee will join Labrat and Stav in mid-January in a split-shift role with Camilla Severi, who is a new mum. The former Big Brother contestant will return to the morning show early next year, but only for an hour each day working from home in a specially designed studio. Ricki-Lee will be in the chair for the rest of the time throughout the month of January & February.

[edit] Brand New Day Tour

Ricki-Lee annouced in January 2008 her Australian first solo tour, The Brand New Day Tour: kicking off in Queensland on March 6th, 2008 and finishing up in Sydney on March 31st, 2008 in Sydney.

[edit] It Takes Two

It was announced that Ricki-Lee is a new mentor on the hit celebrity singing show, It Takes Two on Channel 7. It was reported by the media that Ricki-Lee was taking the spot vacated by former band mate, Paulini, however Ricki-Lee claims "I had no idea Paulini was not doing the show until a journalist told me". Ricki will be mentoring former tennis star Scott Draper who is also a resident Queenslander. On Tuesday the 4th of March, Coulter and Draper were eliminated from It Takes Two. Both returned for the Grand Final episode on April 22nd, 2008.

[edit] Ricki-Lee Magazine Votes

Ricki-Lee was listed at # 3 in WHO Magazine's Most Beautiful People issue, after taking part in a dramatic underwater photoshoot with renowned photographer Alexia Sinclair, for the edition.

Ricki-Lee was voted, the following week, to have the 5th Hottest Body in Australia by OK Magazine.

[edit] New Idol Project

Ricki-Lee confirmed on Friday May 30th, 2008 that she will return to the next season of Australian Idol as part of the hosting team alongside James Matheson and Andrew G.[6]

[edit] Personal Life

Coulter married childhood sweetheart, Jamie Babbington in September 2007. A copy of the wedding invitation was printed in Australian women's magazine Woman's Day. Unfortunately they forgot to cover Coulter's personal mobile number, forcing her to obtain a new number. Coulter and Jamie currently reside on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. In May 2008 it was leaked to media that Geelong identity Phear Willman will be establishing a charity in support of the aspiring artist. 'She touches me in ways music never has before' Phear said in a heartfelt interview on Channel 31.

[edit] Discography

Main article: Ricki-Lee discography

[edit] Awards and nominations

Award Category About Result
2006
Urban Music Awards 2006 Best R&B Album Ricki-Lee Nominated
Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards Fave Aussie Artist Herself Won
Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards Fave Song This Time I Know It's For Real (Young Divas) Won
2007
Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards Fave Female Singer Herself Won
AIR Awards Best Performing Independent Single/EP Can't Touch It Nominated

[edit] References

  1. ^ Ricki-Lee goes global | The Courier-Mail
  2. ^ http://www.undercoverhd.com/news/Story.aspx?id=3617
  3. ^ Ministry of Sound Signs Ricki-Lee Coulter :: CentralStation.com.au
  4. ^ ポニーキャニオン
  5. ^ "Ricki-Lee", www.goldcoast.com.au, 2007-10-18. Retrieved on 2007-10-29. 
  6. ^ "Ricki-Lee returns to Idol", ninemsn. Retrieved on 2008-05-31. 

[edit] External links

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Ricki-Lee Coulter
Studio albums
Singles
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v • d • e
Australian Idol
Seasons
1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6
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Judges
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Winner's Singles
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Notable alumni
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v • d • e
Young Divas
Paulini Curuenavuli · Kate DeAraugo · Jessica Mauboy · Emily Williams
Ricki-Lee Coulter
Studio albums
Singles
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