Birdy (singer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Birdy
Birdy in 2013
Background information
Birth name	Jasmine Lucilla Elizabeth Jennifer van den Bogaerde
Born	(1996-05-15) 15 May 1996 (age 29) Lymington, Hampshire, England
Genres	Indie folk indie pop folk-pop
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter
Instruments	Vocals piano guitar
Years active	2008–present
Labels	Lady of the Lake 14th Floor Warner Bros. Atlantic Warner

Jasmine Lucilla Elizabeth Jennifer van den Bogaerde (born 15 May 1996), known as Birdy, is a British singer and songwriter. She became famous after winning the music competition Open Mic UK in 2008, when she was just 12 years old.

Her first big hit was a cover song, "Skinny Love" by Bon Iver. This song became very popular across Europe and Australia. Her first album, Birdy, came out in 2011. It was also a huge success, reaching number one in Australia, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

Birdy has released several more albums. These include Fire Within (2013), Beautiful Lies (2016), Young Heart (2021), and Portraits (2023). In 2014, she was nominated for Best British Female Solo Artist at the 2014 Brit Awards.

About Birdy's Early Life

Birdy was born on May 15, 1996, in Lymington, England. Her father, Rupert Oliver Benjamin van den Bogaerde, is a writer. Her mother, Sophie Patricia, is a pianist. Birdy has said that listening to classical music and her mother's songs greatly influenced her own music style.

She grew up in a family home called Pylewell Park near Lymington. Her great-uncle was the famous actor Sir Dirk Bogarde. Birdy's stage name, "Birdy," came from a nickname her parents gave her as a baby. She would open her mouth wide like a little bird when she was being fed!

Birdy's Music Career

Starting Out: 2008–2012

Birdy at the 2012 Champs-Élysées Film Festival

In 2008, when Birdy was 12, she won the UK talent show Open Mic UK. She beat 10,000 other people and won both the under-18s category and the Grand Prize. She performed her own song, "So Be Free," for 2,000 people.

In 2011, at age 14, Birdy released her cover of Bon Iver's "Skinny Love". This song became her first hit in the UK. A radio DJ, Fearne Cotton, chose it as "Record of the Week." The song was also featured in an episode of The Vampire Diaries. "Skinny Love" reached number one in the Netherlands.

Birdy also covered other songs, like "The A Team" by Ed Sheeran and "Shelter" by the xx. Her cover of "Shelter" was also used in The Vampire Diaries.

Her first album, Birdy, came out in November 2011. It included mostly cover songs and one original song. The album was very successful, reaching number one in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Australia.

In 2012, Birdy worked with Mumford & Sons on the song "Learn Me Right" for the Pixar movie Brave. This song earned her a Grammy Award nomination. She also performed at the opening ceremony of the London Paralympic Games.

New Music and Tours: 2013–2015

Birdy at the SWR3 New Pop Festival in Baden-Baden 2013

In 2013, Birdy announced her second album, Fire Within. This album featured her own original songs. The first song from the album, "Wings", was released in July 2013. "Wings" was also featured in The Vampire Diaries. The album came out in September 2013 and received good reviews.

Birdy toured America and Australia in 2013. People praised her amazing piano playing and powerful voice during her concerts. She also performed "Wings" on TV shows like Sunrise.

In 2014, Birdy won the Best International Rock/Pop Artist award at the Echo Music Prize. She also contributed three songs to the soundtrack for the movie The Fault in Our Stars: "Tee Shirt," "Best Shot," and "Not About Angels". Her song "Wings" was also used in advertisements for Lloyds Bank.

Beautiful Lies and Young Heart: 2016–2021

Birdy performing at Frequency Festival 2017

In January 2016, Birdy released "Keeping Your Head Up", the first song from her third album, Beautiful Lies. She started writing this album in 2014. The album was released on March 25, 2016. Birdy later said she was most proud of this album. She explained that it was about growing up and accepting changes in life.

Birdy toured a lot after Beautiful Lies came out, including tours in the United States and Asia. She found Asian audiences very quiet during her shows, which made her wonder if they liked her. But after the shows, they would be very excited and loud!

In 2016, Birdy was featured on the song "Beautiful Birds" by Passenger and "Find Me" by Sigma. "Find Me" reached number one on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.

After taking a break, Birdy released a new song, "Open Your Heart," in September 2020. She also announced a new collection of songs called Piano Sketches, which came out in November 2020.

Birdy's fourth album, Young Heart, was released on April 30, 2021. It has 16 songs.

Portraits: 2023–Present

On February 24, 2023, Birdy announced her fifth album, Portraits. The album was released on August 18, 2023. It includes songs like "Raincatchers," "Heartbreaker," "Your Arms," and "Paradise Calling."

Birdy's Music in Movies

Birdy's songs have been used in several movies and their soundtracks. These include:

• The Hunger Games (2012)
• Brave (2012)
• The Fault in Our Stars (2014)
• Beyond the Lights (2014)
• The Edge of Seventeen (2016)

Awards and Nominations

Birdy has received several awards and nominations for her music:

Birdy's Albums

• Birdy (2011)
• Fire Within (2013)
• Beautiful Lies (2016)
• Young Heart (2021)
• Portraits (2023)

See also

In Spanish: Birdy para niños