Chico Slimani facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chico Slimani
Slimani in 2007
Background information
Birth name	Yousseph Slimani
Also known as	Chico
Born	1971 (age 53–54) Bridgend, Wales
Genres	Pop, Latin
Occupation(s)	Singer, actor
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	2005–present
Labels	Sony BMG

Yousseph "Chico" Slimani (born in 1971) is a British singer and entertainer. He became famous in the United Kingdom after appearing on the TV talent show The X Factor in 2005. In 2006, he had a number one hit song called "It's Chico Time". He has also appeared in various TV shows and films.

Early Life and Beginnings

Yousseph Slimani was born in Bridgend, Wales. When he was two years old, he moved to Morocco with his father. They lived on a family farm there. He returned to the United Kingdom with his father at age 14. After school, he trained to be an electrical engineer.

Chico always wanted a career in entertainment. He joined a dance group called "Extreme Force." Later, he became a singer and host for another group. He also wrote and recorded his own songs from a young age. In 2004, Chico worked as an actor. He also helped write, produce, and create the music for a short film called Winner Takes All. This film was even nominated for a BAFTA award.

Music Career and The X Factor

Becoming Famous on The X Factor

Chico Slimani first auditioned for The X Factor in 2005. One of the judges, Simon Cowell, actually walked out during his first audition! However, the other judges, Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne, voted him through.

Sharon Osbourne became his mentor for the "Over 25s" category. She chose him to go to the live TV shows. This happened after a memorable performance at her home, where he jumped into a pool and danced while still holding his microphone.

At first, some people made fun of Chico in the news. But he changed his style and started to make fun of himself a little. This helped him win over the audience. He also became the first person on a Simon Cowell show to sing his own original song. This song was the fun and well-known "It's Chico Time." It was named after his famous saying: Chico would ask, "What time is it?" and the audience would shout, "It's Chico Time!"

Even Simon Cowell changed his mind about Chico during the show. He said that Chico was a "born entertainer." Chico was voted off the show in the quarter-finals in December 2005. Shayne Ward won that series.

Chico's X Factor Performances

During his time on The X Factor, Chico performed many songs. Here are some of them:

• Audition: "If I Ever Fall in Love" (by Shai) / "Kiss" (by Prince)
• Judges' House: "Livin' la Vida Loca" (by Ricky Martin)
• Week 2: "Play That Funky Music" (by Wild Cherry)
• Week 3: "Livin' la Vida Loca" (by Ricky Martin) – He was in the bottom two but was saved.
• Week 4: "Kiss" (by Prince)
• Week 5: "Hero" (by Enrique Iglesias)
• Week 6: "It's Chico Time" (his own song)
• Week 7: "Billie Jean" (by Michael Jackson) – He was in the bottom two again but was saved.
• Quarter-Final: "I Got You (I Feel Good)" (by James Brown) and "Time Warp" (from The Rocky Horror Picture Show) – He was eliminated after getting the fewest votes.

After The X Factor

Chico had planned to release "It's Chico Time" as a single in late 2005. But he had to wait because of his contract. The song was finally released in February 2006. It went straight to number one on the UK Singles Chart on March 5, 2006. It even knocked Madonna off the top spot! The song stayed at number one for two weeks. In early 2006, Chico also joined the nationwide X Factor tour.

His next single was a cover of the song "D.I.S.C.O." It reached number 24 in August 2006. Chico changed some of the lyrics to include his name, singing "C.H.I.C.O. on D.I.S.C.O."

His third single, "Curvy Cola Bottle Body," came out in October 2007. It reached number 45. X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne and her husband Ozzy Osbourne appeared in the music video. Money from this song went to the British Eating Disorders Association.

Since The X Factor, Chico has made many public appearances across the UK. He performed full 45-minute shows with a live band and dancers at Butlins resorts. He also sang Islamic songs at Muslim events.

In 2010, Chico recorded a song to support the English Football Team for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It was called "It's England Time," using the same tune as "It's Chico Time" but with new lyrics. The music video was filmed at Pinewood Studios. Money from this song went to the Rainbow Child Foundation, which helps children in Africa.

Television and Acting Roles

Chico has appeared in many TV shows and films.

• In May 2006, he was on The Weakest Link game show.
• In December 2007, he appeared on the music comedy show Never Mind the Buzzcocks.
• He made a guest appearance in the 2007 Christmas special of Ricky Gervais' TV series Extras. He was part of a fake Celebrity Big Brother segment.
• In 2008, he was on Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway. He also appeared on the CBBC show Hider in the House.
• Later in 2008, he was a celebrity on the reality TV show CelebAir and finished in third place.
• He returned to Never Mind The Buzzcocks in November 2009.
• Chico has starred in several pantomimes (family stage shows) as Aladdin and Jack in Jack and the Beanstalk.
• He appeared on BBC One's Celebrity Total Wipeout in 2011, coming in second place.
• On October 20, 2011, he was a special guest on the ITV2 show Celebrity Juice.
• He competed in ITV's Dancing on Ice in 2012, replacing another celebrity due to injury. He finished in third place in the finals.
• He appeared on the BBC Two comedy series Room 101 in early 2012.
• Chico was a contestant on Pointless on BBC One in October 2012. He and his partner, Sinitta, won £500 for charity.
• In 2024, he was a guest on Jimmy Carr's Celebrity I Literally Just Told You.

Film Work

Chico is involved with a film company called Unity Films. His daughter appeared in one of their short films, Left Holding Baby, and Chico wrote the music for it. He also acted in the BAFTA-nominated short film Winner Takes All in 2004. In 2009, Chico appeared in 45, a boxing movie.

Personal Life

Chico Slimani is married to Daniyela Rakic-Slimani. Her brother is Nenad Zimonjić, a famous tennis player. Chico and Daniyela have a daughter named Lalla-Khira and a son named Zacharia.

In September 2018, when he was 47 years old, Chico had a stroke.

Charity Work

Chico is very involved in charity work.

• In May 2006, he appeared at The Prince's Trust 30th Birthday Concert.
• He started the Rainbow Child Foundation with his wife Daniyela and his brother JC Mac. They made a video to promote the foundation and help open an orphanage in Cambodia.
• He also worked on another Rainbow Child Foundation project in Malawi and South Africa. This project helped install "Play Pumps," which are merry-go-rounds that pump clean water while children play.
• Chico's song "Curvy Cola Bottle Body" was a protest against the "size zero" trend, which promotes being extremely thin. He worked with the British Eating Disorders Association (BEAT) charity for this song. Profits from the single were given to the charity.
• As mentioned, money from his 2010 single "It's England Time" went to the Rainbow Child Foundation to help children in Africa.
• In February 2015, Chico was a judge at the "Dancing Strictly 2015" charity show. This event raised over £20,000 for the North London Hospice charity.

Discography

Singles

Music Videos

Filmography

Actor

• 2004: Winner Takes All as Narrator
• 2005: Hell to Pay as tripper (Video)
• 2008: Ten Dead Men as himself
• 2009: 45 as Banks
• 2009: 31 North 62 East (also known as Too Close to the Truth (UK alternative title))

Composer

• 2004: Winner Takes All
• 2007: Left Holding Baby

Producer

• 2004: Winner Takes All (producer)
• 2007: Left Holding Baby (executive producer)