Jade Louise Ewen(born 24 January 1988) is a British singer, actress and a former member of the girl groupSugababes.She began her singing career in a girl group named Trinity Stone, which signed withSony BMGin 2005 but disbanded in 2007 without releasing an album. In 2009, afterwinningthe right, she represented the United Kingdom in the2009 Eurovision Song Contestby performing theAndrew Lloyd Webber/Diane Warrenpenned "It's My Time".She finished in fifth place.
Jade Ewen | |
|---|---|
 Ewen in 2018 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Jade Louise Ewen |
| Born | 24 January 1988 |
| Origin | Plaistow, Newham,London, England |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Labels | |
| Formerly of | Sugababes |
Ewen controversially replacedKeisha Buchananin the group Sugababes in September 2009. After becoming a member of the group, the group achieved twoUKtop-ten singles and a top-fifteen album before disbanding in 2011.
In 2015, Ewen made her West End debut, playing Vanessa in the original London cast ofIn the Heights,following a brief run off-West End the previous year. She went on to playPrincess Jasminein 2016, as part of the original cast of Disney's production ofAladdin.
Early life
editEwen was born on 24 January 1988 and grew up inPlaistow,London, the child of Trevor and Carol Ewen. Her mother isJamaicanwhile her father is Scottish and has Italian ancestry.[1]Trevor is blind and partially deaf, while Carol is visually impaired. Because of her parents' disabilities, Ewen is a caregiver to both of her parents as well as her two younger siblings, Shereen and Kiel.[2][3]Ewen started singing and taking dance classes before she was even four. She attendedNew City Primary SchoolthenBrampton Manor Academybefore transferring to theSylvia Young Theatre School(SYTS) after receiving a scholarship. While a student at SYTS, she appeared in the television productionsThe Bill,Casualty,Mr. Harvey Lights a CandleandThe Ghost Hunter.At the age of ten, Ewen went to an open audition forThe Lion King.She was offered the part of Young Nala.[4]
Career
edit2002–2009: Early career and Eurovision
edit
Ewen appeared in the children's dance DVD,How To Dance.She was briefly featured in the video forBusted's "What I Go to School For".From 2003 to 2004, she appeared in theNogginseriesOut There.[5]In 2005, Ewen became a member of the girl group Trinity Stone, which signed with Sony BMG.[2][3]The group disbanded in 2007.[5]She later recorded with rapperKwamé,who was impressed with her work onMySpace.[2]She released a digital single, "Got You", in 2008 under Kwame's Make Noise label.[5]Ewen co-wrote the song "A Little Bit" for the girl groupBooty Luv,as well as the song "Let Me Be Me"forJessica Mauboy.In early 2009, Ewen acted in the first episode of the seriesMyths.
In January 2009, Ewen was approached for and participated in the process to select the UK representative for theEurovision Song Contest 2009.[2][5]She was selected to represent the UK with her performance of the song "It's My Time", composed byAndrew Lloyd Webber,who accompanied her on piano.[2]Ewen finished in fifth place at Eurovision, which was highest placing for the UK from2002until 2022, when Sam Ryder ended 2nd.[6]Having already signed with Polydor Records before the Eurovision selection, Ewen began working on her debut album.[5]
2009–2011: Sugababes and solo projects
edit
In September 2009, Ewen joined the groupSugababesas the replacement for Keisha Buchanan.[7]While her single, "My Man",had been released the week she joined the trio, promotional activities for it were cancelled. Nonetheless, it debuted at number 35 on the UK Singles Chart.[8]In an interview with theBBC,Ewen confirmed her commitment to the Sugababes was her main priority and that her solo album had been put on hold. Ewen did not meet the members of the Sugababes until two days before the video shoot for their single "About a Girl"in Los Angeles, having been flown there without being notified that she would be replacing Buchanan.[9]"About a Girl" debuted at number eight in the UK.[10]Sweet 7was released in early 2010 after multiple delays during 2009, and charted at number 14 on the UK Albums Chart. The second single to feature Ewen's vocals, "Wear My Kiss", peaked at number 7 in the UK.[11]
The Sugababes began recording an eighth studio album in April 2010.[12]In late 2010, Ewen became the face ofMiss Ultimo lingerie.[13]In 2011, the group and their management, Crown Talent & Media Group, left their record label of ten years,Island Records,for a new three-album distribution deal withSony Music'sRCA Records.Crown Talent & Media Group was the acting record label.[14]A promotional single under the new label, "Freedom",was released for free on 25 September 2011.[15]
2013–present: West End, stage and television work
edit
On 15 March 2013, Ewen confirmed that Sugababes would record new music at some point during 2013, stating: "I think we will probably come back together again at the end of the year. There will definitely be more recording but, there is no release date anytime soon."[16]On 1 August 2013, she revealed the Sugababes were no longer recording in the studio together, stating the group was "pretty much done".[17]
In summer 2014, Ewen played the supporting role of Clara in theRegent's Park Open Air Theatreproduction ofPorgy and Bess.The musical opened to 4 and 5 star reviews, withThe Guardianwriting of Ewen's performance: "Jade Ewen brings a moving simplicity to Clara, who follows her heart and pays the price."[18]In April 2015, Jade was due to have a lead role inGodspellat theHackney Empire,before moving on to a 28-venue national tour. Ewen had to drop out due to ill health, saying she was "saddened" to withdraw.[19]In September 2015, it was announced that Jade would be joining the cast ofIn the Heightsin itsWest Endtransfer, in the role of Vanessa. The musical received positive reviews.[20]In November 2015, it was announced that she would play the role of Princess Jasmine in the musicalAladdinat thePrince Edward Theatre.[21]Ewen later sued Disney for over £200,000 alleging damage to her voice from having to sing too loudly to be heard over Matthew Croke who played Aladdin.[22]
Discography
editSingles
editAs lead artist
edit| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK [23] |
GER [24] |
SWE [25] |
SWI [26] | ||||||||||||||
| 2008 | "Got You" | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||
| 2009 | "It's My Time" | 27 | 75 | 34 | 75 | ||||||||||||
| "My Man" | 35 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||
| "—" denotes a single that did not chart or was not released. | |||||||||||||||||
As featured artist
edit| Year | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | "Fly" (Lost Witnessfeaturing Jade Ewen) |
— |
Music videos
edit| Year | Title | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | "It's My Time" | Pop Club[27] |
| "My Man" | Urban Strom[28] |
Filmography
editTelevision
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | The Ghost Hunter | Leonie Price | 5 episodes |
| 2003–04 | Out There | Aggie Thackery | 25 episodes |
| 2005 | Mr. Harvey Lights a Candle | Donna | |
| Casualty | Carrie Fletcher | 1 episode | |
| The Bill | Shanti Das | 2 episodes | |
| 2009 | Myths | Athene | 1 episode |
| Eurovision: Your Country Needs You! | Contestant | 5 episodes (Won) | |
| 2010 | Eurovision: Your Country Needs You! | Judge | 1 episode |
| 2013 | Splash! | Contestant | 1 episode |
| 2015 | Casualty | Billie-Jayne Lowe | 1 episode |
| 2016 | Tracey Ullman's Show | Various | 7 episodes |
| 2017 | Tracey Breaks the News | Various | 3 episodes |
| 2018 | Lovesick | Miranda | 1 episode |
| 2020 | There She Goes | Sam | 1 episode |
| 2021 | Luis Miguel: The Series | Mariah Carey | 5 episodes |
| 2023 | Paris Christmas Waltz | Giselle | Television movie |
Cinema
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | End of a Gun | Lisa Durant |
References
edit- ^"Sugababe singer Jade Ewen on her blindness torment and death threats",Eurovision,Daily Record,20 March 2010,archivedfrom the original on 2 May 2021,retrieved5 December2016
- ^abcde"About Jade Ewen",Eurovision,EBU,archivedfrom the original on 12 May 2019,retrieved4 December2009
- ^abEurovision Acts – Jade,BBC, archived fromthe originalon 8 September 2009,retrieved2 December2009
- ^Performer: Summer 2016
- ^abcdeKlier, Marcus (24 April 2009)."Part thirty-seven Introducing the 2009 entries: United Kingdom".esctoday.com. Archived fromthe originalon 1 February 2010.Retrieved23 May2009.
- ^"London's Jade Ewen grabs fifth place for the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest",thelondonpaper,17 May 2009, archived fromthe originalon 19 May 2009,retrieved4 December2009
- ^Sugababes Statement,21 September 2009, archived fromthe originalon 10 November 2014,retrieved2 December2009
- ^Davies, Russell (21 September 2009),Official confirmation UK: Jade joins the Sugababes,esctoday.com,retrieved4 December2009[permanent dead link]
- ^Sugababes deny Keisha pushed out,BBC, 25 September 2009,archivedfrom the original on 28 September 2009,retrieved4 December2009
- ^Top 40 Singles Archive,The Official UK Charts Company,archivedfrom the original on 1 March 2010,retrieved29 November2009Week 47: 15 November 2009 – 21 November 2009
- ^"2010-03-06 Top 40 Official UK Singles Archive".Official Charts Company.6 March 2010.Archivedfrom the original on 1 August 2020.Retrieved11 August2012.
- ^"Music – News – Sugababes begin work on new album".Digital Spy.21 April 2010.Archivedfrom the original on 24 April 2010.Retrieved27 April2010.
- ^"Miss Ultimo".Ultimo.co.uk. Archived fromthe originalon 10 October 2011.Retrieved31 December2011.
- ^"Sugababes Sign To Sony RCA".Media Essentials. 7 June 2011. Archived fromthe originalon 30 August 2011.Retrieved30 October2011.
- ^"Singles Release Diary – Music".Digital Spy.Archived fromthe originalon 24 April 2012.Retrieved6 January2012.
- ^"Sugababes to record new music before the end of the year".Digital Spy.15 March 2013.Archivedfrom the original on 19 March 2013.Retrieved26 March2013.
- ^"Sugababes are" pretty much done ", Jade Ewen reveals".Digital Spy.1 August 2013.Archivedfrom the original on 4 August 2013.Retrieved9 August2013.
- ^"Porgy and Bess review – exquisitely sung Gershwin in the fresh air".TheGuardian.com.29 July 2014.Archivedfrom the original on 26 January 2016.Retrieved3 January2016.
- ^"Jade Ewen drops out of Godspell".20 March 2015.Archivedfrom the original on 26 January 2016.Retrieved3 January2016.
- ^"In the Heights review – utterly huggable musical lights up London".TheGuardian.com.14 October 2015.Archivedfrom the original on 11 December 2015.Retrieved3 January2016.
- ^Porteous, Jacob (23 November 2015)."Full Cast Announced For London Premiere of Disney's Aladdin – Tickets on Sale from 8:00 AM".London Theatre Direct.Archivedfrom the original on 23 November 2015.Retrieved23 November2015.
- ^Ames, Jonathan (5 March 2022)."Aladdin star Jade Ewen sues Disney over loud singing".The Times.Retrieved28 March2022.
- ^"Jade Ewen > UK Charts".Official Charts Company.Archivedfrom the original on 18 October 2020.Retrieved18 October2020.
- ^Hung, Steffen."Discographie Jade Ewen".German Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).Archivedfrom the original on 2 May 2021.Retrieved20 July2014.
- ^"Discography Jade Ewen".Swedish Charts Portal. Hung Medien.Archivedfrom the original on 21 October 2012.Retrieved4 July2009.
- ^"Discographie Jade Ewen".Swiss Charts Portal. Hung Medien.Archivedfrom the original on 19 December 2014.Retrieved20 July2014.
- ^Knight, David (21 April 2009)."Jade Ewen's It's My Time by Pop Club".Promo News. Archived fromthe originalon 17 October 2010.Retrieved27 June2009.
- ^Knight, David (14 September 2009)."Jade Ewen's My Man by Urban Strom".Promo News. Archived fromthe originalon 15 December 2009.Retrieved10 October2009.
External links
edit
