Delta Goodrem

Delta Lea Goodrem (born in Sydney on November 9, 1984) is an Australian musician, singer, and actress. She was launched into popularity starring as Nina Tucker on the popular television soap opera Neighbours. She has released two number one albums, Innocent Eyes and Mistaken Identity, enjoying the second most weeks of an Australian album in the number one position in Australia, and has had seven number one singles in Australia.


Early Life

Born in Sydney on November 9, 1984, Goodrem had an interest in music from a very young age, despite coming from a sports-based family. She attended Hills Grammar in the Sydney suburb of Dural, where she took up piano as a hobby and focused on her music. She strived to be a performer, delivering mini-concerts in her street for neighbours, friends and relatives to watch her sing and dance.

Goodrem appeared in numerous television commercials and shows in Australia. At the age of seven, Goodrem appeared in an American commercial for Galoob Toys with her friend Bec Cartwright. She also was signed up to be the Nesquik girl. Goodrem has also made cameos in Australian television episodes of Hey Dad...!, A Country Practice and Police Rescue.

At the age of 12, Goodrem recorded a demo CD with five songs she had written. She included her version of the Australian national anthem and sent the CD to managers around Australia. It landed in the hands of the legendary Australian manager, Glenn Wheatley, the man who guided the Little River Band and John Farnham to mega success. In 2001, when Goodrem was 15, she signed to Sony Records Australia, and recorded an album of tracks, some self-penned, some written for her, and some bought in by the label. Sony launched her career with an unsuccessful 'bubblegum' pop single in November 2001, called "I Don't Care", which peaked at #64 on the ARIA Music Charts . The track was a cover of a single originally recorded by Angela Via, which was never released outside of America. The music video for "I Don't Care" is included on her first DVD, entitled "Delta" in Australia, and "Innocent Eyes" internationally.


Innocent Eyes

In 2002, whilst starring in Neighbours, Goodrem released her official first single, entitled "Born To Try". A drastic change from her debut single, the adult contemporary Piano pop track debuted at #3, and climbed to the number one spot. This was fuelled by the song's inclusion in the show, in which her character, Nina Tucker, was also trying to launch a music career.

Goodrem soon became a household name, and Australia's newest sweetheart, with a girl-next-door image that rivalled that of Britney Spears in her early career.

After winning a Silver Logie for "Most Popular New Female Talent" for her role of Nina Tucker in Neighbours, Goodrem released her second single, "Lost Without You". It debuted at #1, staying there for two weeks. She also released her debut single outside of Australia at this time, releasing "Born To Try" in the UK, where it debuted at #3.

Her debut album Innocent Eyes was released on March 3, 2003, producing a record five #1 singles in Australia. She has writing credits on nearly every song on the album, including tracks written solely by her, making her the only international act or Australian female performer in history to be credited as performer and writer on four ARIA #1 hits.

The third single from the album was the title track; "Innocent Eyes". It debuted at #2, and peaked at #1 after two weeks at #2. In the UK, "Lost Without You," and the album, "Innocent Eyes" were being released, with the single debuting at #4, and the album debuting at #2, where it went onto sell over 750,000 copies.

In June 2003, Goodrem appeared on Channel V, an Australian lifestyle/music cable TV channel, performing a mini-concert of seven songs from her album (which had already been certified 6x Platinum at the time). The concert was well received, and was included on her DVD, "Delta"/"Innocent Eyes".


Cancer

On July 8, 2003, Goodrem announced that she had Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a form of cancer, shocking fans in Australia and the UK. In the weeks and months after the announcement, sales of her album rose by 40%, remaining at #1 six months after its release. Goodrem's management team were criticised for using her illness to attract favourable media coverage. Goodrem later revealed: "I was sitting there trying to get my head around the fact I could die and I was being told that I could somehow use this to my advantage."

There were even rumours that the cancer was a deliberate hoax to gain publicity. Although completely unfounded, these had likely stemmed from the fact that she had continued to make public appearances, and very much remained in the public eye, for several months after the diagnosis. It is worth bearing in mind, however, that Goodrem had already achieved major chart success prior to her illness with four successive #1 releases to her name.

Early on in her treatment, Goodrem recorded a few new songs, and a video clip for her fourth single, "Not Me, Not I". When asked why Goodrem worked so hard to promote the album in spite of her illness, she said, '"Not Me, Not I" is so special to me that I had to film a clip for it, just as I did for the other singles from the album.'

When "Not Me, Not I" reached #1 on the Australian charts, she became the only female artist to have four #1 singles from her debut album, besting the previous effort of three #1's from Kylie Minogue's Kylie album. "Innocent Eyes" was also released in the UK, where it debuted at #2.

On October 4 of that year, while Goodrem was still undergoing treatment, it was announced that she would not renew her contract with manager Glenn Wheatley. Goodrem's mother, Lea Goodrem, subsequently replaced Wheatley.

Goodrem capped off a professionally successful, though personally traumatic, year by winning a seven ARIA Music Awards on October 21, 2003, which nearly broke the previous record of ten, held by Savage Garden. She was too unwell to perform at the ARIAs, although she did attend, wearing a wig. Darren Hayes, formerly of Savage Garden, performed her second number one hit, "Lost Without You," as a moving tribute to her.

In the first week of December 2003 Innocent Eyes broke John Farnham's Australian record of 25 consecutive weeks at #1 (Whispering Jack (1986)). In total, Innocent Eyes spent 29 weeks at #1, tied with Neil Diamond's Hot August Night (1972), as the second longest charting number-one album in Australian history. Innocent Eyes has been certified over 14x platinum in Australia alone, with sales in the United Kingdom reaching nearly 1 million, having debuted at #3 in the album chart.

Goodrem released her debut DVD entitled Delta (Innocent Eyes internationally) which was a success in music DVD charts in Australia and the UK, featuring music videos, her Channel V mini-concert, behind the scenes footage and more. The DVD broke Australian records, selling in excess of half a million copies. She also released "Not Me, Not I" in the UK, where it went top 20, as a Christmas single, backed with two Christmas B-sides. "Predictable" was also released as the final single from "Innocent Eyes" in Australia, again hitting the #1 spot. A promo single of a remix of "Throw It Away", co-written by Cathy Dennis and former Take That star Gary Barlow was released to UK media early the following year, but was not released commercially.


After cancer

After announcing in late December/early January that she was in remission, Goodrem began to go back into the studio and write and record new songs, for her second album. There were rumours at the time that she was dating tennis player, Mark Philippoussis. The rumours proved to be true, and the couple seemed to be smitten with each other. Goodrem had previously been romantically linked with fellow Neighbours star Blair McDonough.

In January 2004, Goodrem attended the 2004 Australian Open at length, where she prominently supported her boyfriend, Australian player, Mark Philippoussis. She continued her support during the Wimbledon tournament, and later, the Athens Olympics.


Hating Alison Ashley

In February 2004 it was announced Goodrem had won the title role in the Australian comedy film Hating Alison Ashley, the movie based on the novel Hating Alison Ashley by Robin Klein, a prominent Australian author. The film subsequently performed poorly at the box office in comparison to movies that were screening at the time.

It earned less than $2 million despite being based on a successful book and screening in 180 Australian cinemas during the Easter holidays.

While Hating Alison Ashley was seen by 60,000 people in its first weekend, takings dropped 28% the following week, suggesting that word of mouth was rather negative.

Critics also generally gave negative reviews to the movie; Some critics claiming that Goodrem's acting was too robotic and detached; however they did highly credit actress Saskia Burmeister, who played Erica Yurken, for her role in the movie.


Out Of The Blue

In October, Goodrem released the debut single from her second album, Mistaken Identity. The song, written with UK writer/producer, Guy Chambers (former cohort of Robbie Williams) was called "Out Of The Blue". The single was well received by the public, and shot to #1, and subsequently went platinum. In the UK, "Out Of The Blue" debuted at #9, also charting in Germany and other European countries. Goodrem also performed "Out Of The Blue" for the first time at the 2004 ARIA awards. In October, shortly after the single's release, Goodrem's relationship with Philippoussis was over after Paris Hilton allegedly announced to the media that she was Philippoussis' new love interest, much to the surprise of Goodrem and her fans. This was later confirmed by Philippoussis, though he stated that Hilton was not the cause of the break-up.


Mistaken Identity

Goodrem's second album Mistaken Identity was released on November 7, 2004 and debuted at #1 in Australia, also charting in the UK, Germany and Switzerland. The album saw Goodrem once again working with songwriters such as Cathy Dennis, Gary Barlow and Matthew Gerrard ("Lost Without You") among others including Billy Mann (who has worked with P!nk and Jessica Simpson).

In Australia, "Mistaken Identity" the album's title track, debuted and peaked at #7 in January 2005. The track was not promoted as Goodrem was in the UK at the time, promoting "Almost Here" with Brian McFadden. "Mistaken Identity" went Gold, but did not stay in the chart for as long as her previous singles. In the UK, "Almost Here" debuted at #3, her equal best, although no further singles were released from "Mistaken Identity". "Almost Here" also debuted at #1 in Australia, going Platinum.
On May 29, 2005, she released her fourth single from "Mistaken Identity" - the up-tempo track, "A Little Too Late". It debuted and peaked at #13, whilst Goodrem was touring the country. A fifth single, the ballad "Be Strong", was released on September 26, albeit as a digital-only release. The B-Sides featured live performances of "Be Strong" and "Last Night On Earth" from the tour. Goodrem also became the face of Pepsi cola in Australia, recording a follow up to a campaign that had starred Britney Spears, P!nk, Enrique Iglesias and Beyoncé Knowles.


Brian McFadden

On the "Mistaken Identity" album, Goodrem also collaborated with Irish singer Brian McFadden, formerly of boyband Westlife on a duet entitled "Almost Here". In early January 2005, newspaper reports suggested the pair were romantically engaged after being photographed together on a beach resort in South Africa, although both denied this. A week later on January 10, 2005, the Sunday Mirror reported that McFadden had admitted the relationship.

The couple underwent weeks of tabloid scrutiny, focusing particularly on the fallout of McFadden's marriage with former Atomic Kitten star Kerry Katona. Press speculation suggested that Goodrem and McFadden had embarked on their affair before McFadden had seperated with Katona. This was denied by both Goodrem and McFadden. A great deal of negative press followed the couple's announcement, including reports of the duo being booed off the stage at a Childline concert in Dublin, Ireland.

The negative press and tabloid rumour continued in the UK, made worse following increase in public affection for Katona after her victory on TV show I'm a celebrity get me out of here.
Rumours in April 2005 suggested that McFadden had proposed to Goodrem, although he denied this.


Breaking the American Market

In April 2005, Goodrem's international record contract was extended to the USA, with Columbia Records, an imprint of Sony Music, licensing the USA rights to her music. Reports soon began to circulate that Columbia had issued an ultimatum to Goodrem to drop her manager - mother Lea Goodrem . The rumour was denied by Goodrem and her mother, who stated that Lea was to remain as Delta's manager in Australia, and that Delta had always had plans to get a seperate manager in the US .


The Visualise Tour

In July 2005, Goodrem took part in her first headline tour, the "Visualise" tour, first performed in Perth, and subsequently in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra and other major Australian cities. The tour features a mixed set of tracks from both her #1 albums and more. The tour's opening act was an up-and-coming Canadian artist, seventeen-year-old Kyle Riabko. Brian Mcfadden, also performed with her on certain tour dates, duetting on "Almost Here" and "Flying Without Wings," a track he had recorded with his former band Westlife (it was also released in the USA by American Idol winner Ruben Studdard).

The tour came under criticism when tickets were put on sale for $100 Australian dollars; higher than most international acts touring in Australia at around the same time. It was thought that the price contributed to the slow sales at first, alongside the fact that people did not know what to expect from her show. By the time the concerts were due to take place, many venues were sold out, after tickets were reduced to $60, with the Adelaide show attracting almost 10,000 fans. After the tour concluded over 80,000 tickets had been bought in total, making the "Visualise" tour being one of Australia's highest selling local tours.

The "Visualise" tour DVD was released on Sunday, November 13, debuting at #1 on the ARIA sales chart and becoming the second DVD by Goodrem to reach number 1. The "Visualise" DVD features her live concert, recorded on July 24 at the Sydney Superdome, as well as a tour documentary, concert clips and a photo gallery. A clip for "The Analyst", recorded specifically for use as a backdrop to the concert performance, is also included.


Charity Work

Goodrem is a member of RADD (Recording Artists, Actors And Athletes Against Drunk Driving), a group of celebrities using their position to rally, and raise awareness of the risks of drink driving. She has recorded a message, which has aired on Australian radio, about the risks of drink driving. Goodrem also uses her experience with cancer to raise awareness for other young people affected by the disease, helping to launch a UK web site specifically aimed at young teenagers affected, in mid 2005.

Goodrem is a well-known ambassador for Research Australia's Thank You Day, which celebrates the country's health and medical researchers. She makes regular appearances at local charity events; on November 7, 2005, Goodrem received a Thank You Day Celebrity Advocacy Award "in recognition of her efforts in raising funds and awareness for Australian medical research and charities."


Born To Try

In December 2004, Goodrem announced she was planning to relocate to the United States in an attempt to break into the US market. In early 2005, Goodrem appeared on the North American soap opera North Shore.

On June 28, 2005, a new USA mix of Goodrem's hit "Lost Without You" was released to digital download stores, such as iTunes, receiving early spins on Adult Contemporary radio stations across the United States. It was officially released to CHR/Pop stations on August 30. She also attended the 2005 American Music Awards, and won the award for Highest Selling Australian Artist at the World Music Awards.

Her USA album, which will be released in the winter of 2006 (delayed from October 2005 and January 2006), will be a hybrid of her first two albums, entitled Born To Try, after her first UK single. The album will feature several tracks from each of her albums, including "Almost Here," "Mistaken Identity," "Not Me, Not I" and "Out Of The Blue," many being remixed and changed for the US audience. In addition, she has filmed new videos for both "Lost Without You" and "Born To Try", which will be the second USA single. The album will be available on both standard CD and also on DualDisc format, which will feature video footage, such as a specially recorded live acoustic set, featuring "Last Night On Earth" (a track written with Billy Mann), which does not otherwise appear on the album tracklist. She has also written an exclusive track for America entitled "Never Fades Away".

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Goodrem was dissatisfied with the lack of airplay for her singles on U.S. radio stations, and opted to wait until Columbia Records publicized her more for a CD release.


Beyond

In a bid to break into the US market, Columbia lined up an impressive trail of promotion, all coinciding with the release of Born To Try. Early performances given at the Today Show, the World Music Awards, and Bloomingdale Dinner for Colonic Cancer Treatment (to predominantly American audiences) have been very well received. Goodrem even rated a special mention in Billboard magazine, with the writer calling her a "tigress of talent". She also appeared on the show, North Shore, as a famous celebrity, performing album tracks, sparking interest.


Trivia

* Goodrem has been said to have an English accent, but linguistics experts state it as a "Cultivated Australian" accent.
* Goodrem is a chocoholic, favouring Cadbury's Top Deck.
* Goodrem is extremely fond of her little girl dog, Bobbi, as last seen on Sunset Blvd in December, 2005.
* Goodrem sometimes posts on her official forum.
* Goodrem had a fish named Goody, a variant of Goodrem.
* At 13 she was asked to move to the United States to persure a career in cross-country skiing.



Awards

2003:

* 4 ARIA No.1 Awards
* 7 ARIA Awards
* 1 MTV Video Music Award
* 1 Channel [V] Oz Arist Of The Year Award

2004:

* 3 ARIA No.1 Awards
* 1 ARIA Award
* 1 World Music Award: Highest Selling Australian Artist

2005:

* 3 ARIA No.1 Awards
* 2 MTV Australia Video Music Awards
* The John Farnham Award
* 1 World Music Award: Highest Selling Australian Artist




Discography


Albums

* "Innocent Eyes" - (2003) Australia #1 14x Platinum (Australian), UK #2 (x2 Platinum)
* "Mistaken Identity" - (2004) Australia #1 5x Platinum, UK #25
* "Born To Try" - (2006) USA Release Only



Singles

* "I Don't Care" - (2001) Australia #64

From "Innocent Eyes":

* "Born To Try" - (2002) Australia #1 (Platinum x3) , UK #3, NZ #1, NETHERLANDS #19, IRE #13
* "Lost Without You" - (2003) Australia #1 (Platinum x2) , UK #4, NZ #1,Netherlands #42 SPAIN #10, SWE #37, GER #27, IRE #15
* "Innocent Eyes" - (2003) Australia #1 (Platinum) , UK #9, NZ #14
* "Not Me, Not I" - (2003) Australia #1 (Platinum), UK #18, NZ #11
* "Predictable" - (2003) Australia #1 (Platinum x2), NZ #2

From "Mistaken Identity":

* " Out Of The Blue" - (2004) Australia #1 (Platinum), UK #9 , GRE #14, NZ #14, IRE #15
* "Mistaken Identity" - (2005) Australia #7 (Gold)
* "Almost Here" (duet with Brian McFadden) - (2005) Australia #1 (Platinum) , UK #3, IRE #1, DEN #2 , IND #19, NORWAY #3, SWEDEN #29, GER #32, AUSTRIA #34, CHINA #4
* "A Little Too Late" - (2005) Australia #13
* "Be Strong" - (2005) (Digital Release Only)

From Born To Try:

* "Lost Without You" - US #18 (Adult Contemporary)
* "Born To Try" - US #202 (Adult Contemporary)



Videos/DVDs

* "Delta"/"Innocent Eyes" - (2003) Australia #1 (Platinum x12)
* "The Visualise Tour" - (November 14 2005) Australia #1 (Platinum x4)



Miscellaneous Discography

* "Say", an unreleased song recorded at the age of 15
* "Do You Hear What I Hear?" featured on the "Spirit of Christmas" CD of 2002 - an Australian-made CD, in which proceeds go towards the Salvation Army
* "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" featured on the "Spirit of Christmas" CD of 2003

* "I Can Sing a Rainbow" - (2004), Advertisement Song for [10]Tourism Australia (Aired internationally in the USA, Europe, Hong Kong & Singapore; not commercially released)
* "Four Short Words" - (2005), A song recorded for the promotion of the soft drink, "Pepsi Cola"



Filmography

Movies

* "Hating Alison Ashley" - 2005 (#4 on the Australian Movie Charts)

Television

* "Neighbours" - Nina Tucker 2002-2003, 2004, 2005
* " North Shore" - Taylor Ward 2004