Oritsé Williams

Oritsé Jolomi Matthew Soloman Williams (born 27 November 1986) is an English singer-songwriter, dancer and record producer, best known as the founding member of the boyband JLS, who were runners-up to Alexandra Burke on the fifth series of The X Factor in 2008 and for winning the ITV dancing competition Stepping Out in 2013.

Early life

Since the age of 12, Williams has cared for his mother, who was diagnosed with MS, and his three brothers and sister. He attended St Edward's School in West London, where he was known as Music Boy.

Career

2006–2013: JLS

JLS in Chicago, April 2010

In 2007, Williams and his brother came up with a "grand plan" to cure their mother's MS. His brother was studying to be a scientist to find a cure for the condition, whilst Williams was going to back him up through his love of music. Williams then set up a boy band called UFO ("Unique Famous Outrageous") with Aston Merrygold, Marvin Humes and J.B. Gill. In 2008, UFO auditioned for the fifth series of The X Factor, but changed their name to JLS ("Jack the Lad Swing") as there was already a rock band called UFO. JLS made it all the way to the final, finishing as runners-up behind Alexandra Burke.^[1]

Since being on The X Factor, JLS have sold over 10 million records worldwide and had four UK top three albums and five UK number-one singles. They have also won five MOBO Awards and two BRIT Awards. In September 2010, they launched a range of condoms called "Just Love Safe".^[2] In February 2011, they teamed up with Burke to release a clothing range as well.^[3]

On 24 April 2013, JLS made the announcement that they would split after the release of their fifth album, Goodbye – The Greatest Hits. In a statement, they said: "We wanted to make sure that you heard it from the four of us, that we have decided to bring our time as a band to an end."^[4] When they appeared on Alan Carr: Chatty Man to discuss splitting up, Williams remained silent at first whilst bandmates Merrygold, Humes and Gill spoke, but he finally broke down in tears and had to be comforted by Humes.^[5]

2012–present: O-Street Entertainment

In 2012 Williams founded O-Street Entertainment

2013: Stepping Out

In August and September 2013, Williams and his girlfriend Aimee Jade "AJ" Azari took part in the ITV dancing show Stepping Out, reaching the final against Brian McFadden and his wife Vogue. Williams and Azari went on to win the series on 28 September 2013.^[6]

• Note: In Week 4, The week's challenge was for each celebrity to dance with someone else's partner in the "Wife Swap" challenge. Oritsé danced once with AJ and the second time with Brian's partner Vogue, her scores are not displayed on the chart below.

Other Ventures

Product and endorsements

In september 2010 an "Oritse doll" was launched, along with the other 3 members of JLS.^[7] Updated Dolls where produced for the launch of JLS' 2nd Album outta this world.

Durex Teamed up with JLS to produce a condom range called "Just Love Safe", with each member of the group having they're own box.^[8] Oritse's box being red. JLS also released they're iconic hoodie range, with Oritse's Hoodie being, again, red.

In 2010 Williams alongside Gill, Humes and Merrygold endorsed Nintendo Wii Party apearing in 7 different TV adverts.^[9] JLS where also part of the Walkers crisps "Make sandwich more exiting" advertising campaign, they're performance at Sandwich Technology School appeared on the television ad alongside other celebrities such as Gary Lineker, Pamela Anderson and Jenson Button.^[10]

Philanthropy

Oritse and the other 3 members founded "The JLS Foundation"^[11] a foundation that sets out to raise money for 6 different charities: Cancer Research UK, Rays of Sunshine, Brook, Childline, Beat Bullying and the MS Society. Despite the split, the foundation still exists and all members are stillcommited to continue the foundation. Oritse is a ambassador for the MS society, a charity that helps raise money and awareness of Multiple sclerosis ; an illness that Oritse's mum was diagnosed with when he was younger.^[12]

WAll sales from the JLS number one single Love You More (JLS song) went to Children In Need.^[13] In 2012 JLS performed at the "children in need rocks Manchester" concert performing Take a Chance on Me (JLS song).^[14] In 2013 Aston appeared on Children In Need for the last time as a member of JLS where the group sang a medley of JLS songs at the Eastenders set.^[15]

Oritse, along with the rest of JLS, have also helped raise money for comic relief, apearing in comedy sketches with both Miranda Hart^[16] and James Corden.^[17]

In 2012 all the JLS members visited Uganda for Sport Relief appearing in emotional VT's across the night.^[18] The same year JLS released the official sport relief Charity single proud (JLS song) which peaked at number 6 in the chart,^[19] as well as hosting a special charity concert "JLS sing for Sport Relief"^[20] and doing the Sport Relief Mile.^[21]

In total JLS have appeared in 5 charity singles: A cover of Hero (Mariah Carey song) as part of the X Factor 2008 finalists (for Help for Heroes), Wishing On A Star Xfactor finalists ft. JLS and One Direction (For organization Together for Short Lives) Love You More (JLS song) (for Children In Need) and Proud (JLS song) (for Sport Relief)and Everybody hurts (for Helping Haiti). 4 out of 5 of these charity singles got to number one on the UK singles chart.

References

External links

• Oritsé's Official Website
• JLS Official Website