Bianca Ryan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bianca Ryan
Bianca Ryan at the Hollystock Music and Arts Festival in Mount Holly, New Jersey, in August 2015
Background information
Birth name	Bianca Taylor Ryan
Born	(1994-09-01) September 1, 1994 (age 30) Ocean City, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres	Pop neo soul R&B
Occupation(s)	Musician singer songwriter
Instruments	Vocals guitar piano
Years active	2006–present
Labels	Syco Music/Columbia Music Forever Tuned in Music and Media Bianca Ryan Records, LLC

Bianca Taylor Ryan (born September 1, 1994) is an American musician, singer, and songwriter. She is from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Bianca became famous as the first winner of NBC's America's Got Talent. She won the show when she was just eleven years old.

Bianca sang two Broadway songs during the competition. She was announced as the winner of season one on August 17, 2006. Her first album, named after herself, came out later that year. She then released two Christmas albums. After a break for school, Bianca returned to music. She released new songs and EPs, like The Reintroduction, Pt. 1 in 2019. She has also acted in movies and music videos.

Early Life and Discovering Her Voice

Bianca Ryan is the second of five children. Her parents, Shawn and Janette Ryan, moved to Philadelphia when Bianca was three. Her father named her after Mick Jagger's ex-wife, Bianca. Bianca says she is a mix of different backgrounds, calling herself "basically just America... the melting pot."

It was a surprise to her family when Bianca started singing. As a child, she was an award-winning tap dancer. Bianca said she didn't try to sing until she was eight years old. She started enjoying country music, especially LeAnn Rimes. Her father shared his music collection, and Bianca fell in love with rhythm and blues and soul music.

She began practicing singing with her father every night. Bianca convinced him to take her to an audition for Star Search. Her performance of "Think" amazed the judges and her father. She later won Amateur Kids Night on Showtime at the Apollo. Bianca has also sung the Star-Spangled Banner for many professional sports teams. These include the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Knicks.

Winning America's Got Talent

In 2006, Bianca learned that Simon Cowell was producing a new show called America's Got Talent. The tryouts in New York City were on the same day as a family trip. Bianca almost left without performing. She saw other contestants, like a lady with a long beard juggling torches. Her father told her the grand prize was US$1 million, so she decided to stay.

For her TV audition, Bianca chose the song "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" from the musical Dreamgirls. Her powerful voice surprised everyone. The video of her audition quickly became very popular online.

In the semi-finals, Bianca sang "Piece of My Heart". The judges liked her performance but felt the song wasn't quite right for her. For the finals, she sang "I Am Changing", also from Dreamgirls. Judge David Hasselhoff called her "the best" in the competition. Piers Morgan predicted she would win. On August 17, 2006, 11-year-old Bianca Ryan was announced as the winner of season one.

Bianca also made a short appearance during the show's second season finale in 2007. She wished good luck to the top two finalists in a video.

Music Career

Early Albums and Tours

Ryan performing during the Nextfest Tour in July 2007

One week after winning America's Got Talent, Bianca announced she was meeting with record labels. She signed a five-album deal with Sycomusic, part of Columbia Records, on September 18, 2006. She was the first U.S. artist to sign with SYCOmusic. Simon Cowell called her "potentially one of the best singers I have ever heard."

Bianca recorded her first CD in Los Angeles. Her self-titled album came out on November 14, 2006. It included cover songs like "The Rose" and "I Believe I Can Fly". It also had original songs like "I Wish That". The album debuted at No. 57 on the Billboard charts. Reviewers praised her strong voice.

A month later, she released a short album called Christmas Everyday! as a gift. She also performed for President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush at a Christmas event. In 2007, Bianca went on her first concert tour across the United States. She released the single "That's Not Me" in August 2007.

In 2008, Bianca left SYCOmusic/Columbia Records. She released her second holiday album, True Meaning of Christmas, in November 2009. This album included new versions of classic Christmas songs.

New Music and Videos

Ryan performs at the 2015 Hollystock Music and Arts Festival in Mount Holly, New Jersey

In 2010, Bianca wrote and recorded "In My Head," a song inspired by the movie Twilight: New Moon. She released it digitally and performed it live.

Bianca explained in 2012 that she didn't choose the songs for her first album. She wanted to sing songs that felt more like her. She also wanted to write her own music. Bianca took a break from the spotlight during her teen years to go to school. She wanted to "live a life, and have purpose and things to write about." She describes her music as a mix of neo soul, R&B, and pop.

In 2014, Bianca started her own record label, Bianca Ryan Records LLC. This allowed her more artistic freedom. She also began uploading new videos to her YouTube channel. Her cover of "All of Me" was uploaded in March 2014.

In 2015, Bianca released a music video for "Alice," an original song she wrote. The video featured dancer Chloe Lukasiak. Bianca also released her cover of "God Bless the Child" in July. She performed at the Hollystock Music and Arts Festival in August 2015.

Bianca's plans were put on hold in October 2016 due to health issues. After recovering, she released her single "One Day" in May 2017. She followed this with "What I Gotta Do" and "Man Down" in June. "Man Down" was called "the ultimate breakup anthem." She also released "Don't Wanna Come Down" in October and "Remember" in May 2018. The video for "Remember" used old family videos.

In 2019, Bianca released her EP The Reintroduction, Pt. 1. Her single "They Wanna Be Us Now" came out a day later. The music video for this song featured America's Got Talent performer Merrick Hanna. In November 2020, Bianca released a Christmas EP called What the World Needs Now Is Love. It included six songs and new music videos.

Return to America's Got Talent

In October 2018, Bianca announced she would compete in America's Got Talent: The Champions. This show featured winners and finalists from Got Talent shows around the world. Bianca was the first act to perform on the premiere episode. She sang "Say Something" and received a standing ovation. The judges praised her return. Simon Cowell said she helped make the show a success.

Bianca was also a guest performer during the first live results show of AGT's 14th Season in 2019. She performed alongside other talented artists. She released her single "Plastic Lovers" on the same day.

Broadway

Bianca sang in the 2017 Broadway show "Home For the Holidays." The show ran from November 17 to December 30 at the August Wilson Theatre. Other singers from American Idol and The Voice also performed.

Acting Career

Ryan at the 2014 premiere of We Are Kings, her first co-starring role in a feature film

Bianca tried acting early in her career. She appeared in the 2005 film 12 and Holding. Her character sang a line from "Oh! Susanna" at a school event. Five years later, she played the main role in the music video for "About to Fall" by The Wrecking.

In 2012, Bianca joined the cast of We Are Kings, an independent film. She played Layla Knuckles, one of two homeless musicians. They team up with a runaway rapper to help an older bluesman. Bianca and her co-stars wrote their own songs for the movie. Her first song from the film, "Broken Down House," was released in November 2014.

Health Journey

In 2016, Bianca had two vocal surgeries and an abdominal surgery. A doctor told her she was at high risk for esophageal cancer. One of her vocal cords was paralyzed, and she was told she might never sing again. The first surgery was successful, and she felt like she had a "new" voice. The second surgery was for blood vessels on her vocal cords, which was also successful. Being out of the public eye during this time made her feel like people were forgetting about her.

Her song "One Day" was originally planned for 2016. After her surgeries and other challenges, Bianca changed the lyrics. She said the song finally told her own story.

Discography

Studio albums

• Bianca Ryan (2006)

Extended plays

• Christmas Everyday! (2006)
• True Meaning of Christmas (2009)
• The Reintroduction, Pt. 1 (2019)
• What the World Needs Now Is Love (2020)

Soundtrack albums

• We Are Kings (2014)

Filmography

Images for kids

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  Bianca Ryan at the Hollystock Music and Arts Festival in Mount Holly, New Jersey, in August 2015

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  Ryan performing during the Nextfest Tour in July 2007

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  Ryan performs at the 2015 Hollystock Music and Arts Festival in Mount Holly, New Jersey

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  Ryan at the 2014 premiere of We Are Kings, her first co-starring role in a feature film

See also

In Spanish: Bianca Ryan para niños