Jack Vidgen

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Jack Vidgen

Vidgen at The Sapphires Australian Premiere in August 2012.
Background information
Born (1997-01-17) 17 January 1997
Origin Mona Vale, New South Wales[1]
Genres Pop, soul
Occupations Singer-songwriter
Instruments Guitar, piano, violin[2]
Years active 2011–present
Labels Sony Music Australia (2012-present)
Associated acts Australia's Got Talent
Website jackvidgen.com

Jack Vidgen (born 17 January 1997)[3] is an Australian singer, best known for winning the fifth season of Australia's Got Talent. He subsequently signed a recording contract with Sony Music Australia. His debut single, "Yes I Am", was released for digital download on 3 August 2011. Vidgen's debut studio album, also titled Yes I Am, was released on 19 August 2011. The album debuted at number three on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified gold by the ARIA. His second studio album, Inspire, was released on 27 April 2012, and was less successful than its predecessor, only reaching number 23 on the ARIA Albums Chart.

Early life

Jack Vidgen is the son of Steve Vidgen and Rachel Hayton.[4] From 2007 to 2010, Vidgen performed at various events in Sydney, including Schools Spectacular, Eisteddfod, and the local Christmas carols.[5] Vidgen also taught himself how to play the piano and guitar.[5] He attended Balgowlah Boys High School.[5] Following his win on Australia's Got Talent in 2011, Vidgen withdrew from his high school to continue by distance education.[6]

Career

2011: Australia's Got Talent

Vidgen auditioned for the fifth season of Australia's Got Talent in 2011, singing a rendition of Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing".[7] The performance earned a standing ovation from both the judges and the audiences.[7] Judge Kyle Sandilands said before the audition, "You're either gonna be amazing or dreadful – both I will enjoy", while judge Brian McFadden was so moved from the performance he ran up on stage to kiss Vidgen's cheek once it was over.[7] The performance has received over 23 million views on YouTube.[8] Vidgen was since dubbed Australia's answer to Justin Bieber and had been inundated with international and local interest.[9][10][11] He also attracted the attention of celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton, who posted several blogs of Vidgen's performances on his website.[12]

Vidgen performed on the first semi-final show, singing a cover of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" from the Dreamgirls soundtrack.[13] After the performance, Vidgen earned another standing ovation from the judges and audience.[13] Sandilands told Vidgen that he made him believe in reincarnation as he was sure Vidgen had a black woman inside him,[13] while McFadden said Vidgen had one of the best voices he had ever heard.[13] After winning the public vote from the first semi-final show, Vidgen progressed through to the next round, the final showdown. During this round, Vidgen performed a cover of Adele's "Set Fire to the Rain".[14] After his performance, judge Dannii Minogue said, "Your voice lifts everybody who listens to it", while McFadden joked that he was jealous of Vidgen because he spelled the end for other guys in the music industry.[14] Vidgen once again won the public vote, which made him progress through to the grand final. During this round, Vidgen performed an original song titled, "Yes I Am".[15] A few days later, Vidgen had been the centre of criticism over the song that he claimed to have written himself when it was revealed that he co-wrote the song with two other people. Critics questioned how involved Vidgen was in the writing of the song.[16] On 7 August 2011, Vidgen appeared on Sunday Night and said, "I sort of wrote the lyrics, and then I took them to [vocal coach Erana Clark's] studio, and we had the producer — I didn't write the music, I can say that, but I did write the lyrics."[17]

Vidgen was announced the winner of the season during the grand final decider show, which aired on 2 August 2011.[18] He was awarded a prize of $250,000.[18]

Police investigated a threat made against Vidgen posted on Facebook, offering a $500,000 cash reward for anyone who could inflict a "slow, painful and horrible" death on him. The site warned the offer was not a joke and included a photograph of a gun being held to Vidgen's head. Manly Police acting inspector, Gemma Phillips, said they would launch a full investigation into the Facebook site if a formal complaint was lodged by a member of Vidgen's family, and would take action if sufficient evidence was available.[16]

2011–present: Record deal, Yes I Am and Inspire

Following his win on Australia's Got Talent, Vidgen subsequently signed a recording contract with Sony Music Australia.[18] "Yes I Am" was released for digital download on 3 August 2011, as Vidgen's debut single.[19][20] The song peaked at number 35 on the ARIA Singles Chart.[21] Vidgen co-wrote the gospel soul-inspired[22] song with former Australian Idol vocal coach Erana Clark and producer A2, who also penned the song, "Fly", for Vidgen's debut studio album also titled Yes I Am.[19] The album was rush-released on 19 August 2011.[19] It contained cover versions Vidgen performed on Australia's Got Talent, which were all produced by musical director Chong Lim,[19] as well as the two original songs.[19] The album debuted and peaked at number three on the ARIA Albums Chart,[21] and was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), for shipments of 35,000 units.[23]

Vidgen's second studio album, Inspire, was released on 27 April 2012.[24] It featured more covers of songs from artists, including Michael Jackson, Bill Withers, Cyndi Lauper, John Lennon, and Beyoncé, among others.[24] The album debuted and peaked at number 23 on the ARIA Albums Chart, failing to match the success of his debut album.[21] Vidgen's second single "Finding You", which was written by The Potbelleez' IIan Kidron, was released digitally on 10 July 2012.[25][26] He performed the song on Australia's Got Talent the next day.[26]

Discography

Studio albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart
positions		 Certifications
AUS[21]
Yes I Am 3
Inspire
  • Released: 27 April 2012[24]
  • Format: CD, digital download
  • Label: Sony Music Australia
 23

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions
Year Title Peak chart
positions		 Album
AUS[21]
2011 "Yes I Am" 35 Yes I Am
2012 "Finding You" — TBA

Promotional singles

List of promotional singles
Year Title Album
2011 "And I Am Telling You (I'm Not Going)"[28] Yes I Am

Awards and nominations

Year Type Award Result
2011 Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards[29] Aussie Musos Nominated
IT List Awards[30][31] Single of 2011 ("Yes I Am") Nominated
Album of 2011 (Yes I Am) Nominated
Australian Male Artist Nominated

References

  1. ↑ "Jack Vidgen, Australian’s "Baby Bieber" mobbed at local mall". International Business Times. 10 May 2011. Retrieved 2 November 2011. 
  2. ↑ Johnson, Roanne (12 May 2011). "Young Jack's got talent". townsvillebulletin.com.au. Retrieved 27 September 2011. 
  3. ↑ "Jack Vidgen Awesome Aussie Vocalist". rivenmaster.com. 9 January 2011. Retrieved 27 September 2011. 
  4. ↑ Bennett, Rod (3 August 2011). "Jack's got talent: Teen releases debut single". Manly Daily. News Limited. Retrieved 4 August 2011. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Corbett, Bryce (3 August 2011). "Jack Vidgen: Australia's answer to Justin Bieber". Australian Women's Weekly. ACP Magazines. Retrieved 4 August 2011. 
  6. ↑ Neil, Alicia (3 August 2011). "Jack Vidgen: I Hope to Win a Grammy". Who. Pacific Magazines. Retrieved 4 August 2011. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "14-year Jack Vidgen wows judges on old Australia's Got Talent with a Whitney Houston rendition". The Daily Telegraph. News Limited. 4 May 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2011. 
  8. ↑ Obermeder, Sally (12 July 2011). "Australia's newest star". Today Tonight. Retrieved 7 February 2012. 
  9. ↑ Byrnes, Holly (5 May 2011). "Australia's Jack Vidgen has a smidgen of that Justin Bieber mojo". The Daily Telegraph. News Limited. Retrieved 27 July 2011. 
  10. ↑ Coster, Alice (2 June 2011). "Blond bombshell Jack Vidgen tipped to be the next Bieber". Herald Sun. Herald and Weekly Times. Retrieved 27 July 2011. 
  11. ↑ Corbett, Bryce (3 June 2011). "Jack Vidgen: Australia's answer to Justin Bieber". Australian Women's Weekly. ACP Magazines. Retrieved 27 July 2011. 
  12. ↑ "Gossip king Perez Hilton meets the boy from Oz". Herald Sun. Herald and Weekly Times. 15 July 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2011. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 "VIDEO: Jack Vidgen shows Australia he's got talent, again". Manly Daily. News Limited. 1 June 2011. Retrieved 4 August 2011. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Video of Jack Vidgen Singing Adele's "Set Fire to the Rain" on Australia's Got Talent Final". Popsugar.com.au. 13 July 2011. Retrieved 4 August 2011. 
  15. ↑ Allen, Floyd (28 July 2011). "Jack Vidgen Takes 'AGT Grand Final Risk with Original Song". International Business Times. Retrieved 4 August 2011. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Frost, Carleen (29 July 2011). "Police investigate Facebook attack on Jack Vidgen". Manly Daily. News Limited. Retrieved 4 August 2011. 
  17. ↑ http://www.popsugar.com.au/Video-Jack-Vidgen-Kyle-Sandilands-Interview-Sunday-Night-Addressing-Songwriting-Controversy-18636937
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 "Australia's Got Talent grand final highest rating show so far this year". Herald Sun. Herald and Weekly Times. 3 August 2011. Retrieved 4 August 2011. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 McCabe, Kathy (3 August 2011). "No time for celebrating as AGT winner Jack Vidgen gets straight to work". The Daily Telegraph. News Limited. Retrieved 4 August 2011. 
  20. ↑ "Yes I Am – Single". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 4 August 2011. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 "Discography Jack Vidgen". australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 August 2011. 
  22. ↑ "Jack Vidgen is guaranteed a record deal whether he wins or loses Australia's Got Talent". The Daily Telegraph. News Limited. 28 July 2011. Retrieved 4 August 2011. 
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2011 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 29 April 2012. 
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 "Buy Inspire Jack Vidgen, Pop, CD". Sanity.com.au. Retrieved 29 April 2012. 
  25. ↑ "Finding You – Single". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 18 July 2012. 
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Harris, Amy; Christie, Joel (10 July 2012). "Australia's Got Talent winner Jack Vidgen returns to TV show with new look and new sound". The Daily Telegraph (News Limited). Retrieved 18 July 2012. 
  27. ↑ "Yes I Am (SIGNED COPY) – Jack Vidgen". Sanity.com.au. Retrieved 6 August 2011. 
  28. ↑ http://itunes.apple.com/au/album/i-am-telling-you-im-not-going/id454974304
  29. ↑ Barnett, Sophie (15 August 2011). "Aussie KCA's 2011!". MTV Australia. MTV Networks. Retrieved 15 August 2011. 
  30. ↑ Manser, Robert (31 December 2011). "2011 IT List Awards Nominees Announced". Poprepublic.tv. Archived from the original on 2 January 2012. 
  31. ↑ Manser, Robert (11 February 2012). "2011 IT List Awards Winners Announced". Poprepublic.tv. 

External links

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jack Vidgen.
Preceded by
Justice Crew		 Winner of Australia's Got Talent
2011 		Succeeded by
Andrew De Silva
Jack Vidgen
Studio albums
Singles
  • "Yes I Am"
  • "Finding You"
Related
Series
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
Hosts
Current
Former
Judges
Current
Former
Guest
Winners
Runners-up
  • Herb Pattern
  • Jourdain Wongtrakun
  • Jal Joshua Lebumfacil
  • Cameron Henderson
  • Cosentino
  • The Wolfe Brothers
  • Greg Gould and The Chase
Other entrants
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