Diana Vickers facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Diana Vickers
Vickers in April 2010
Background information
Birth name	Diana Vickers
Born	(1991-07-30) 30 July 1991 (age 33)
Origin	Accrington, Lancashire, England
Genres	Pop
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter actress
Instruments	Vocals trumpet acoustic guitar
Years active	2008–present
Labels	RCA So Recordings

Diana Vickers (born 30 July 1991) is an English singer, songwriter, and actress. She became well-known after reaching the semi-finals of the TV show The X Factor in 2008. After the show, Diana signed a record deal with RCA Records. She also toured with other finalists and starred in a play called The Rise and Fall of Little Voice in London's West End.

In 2010, Diana's first song, "Once", became number one on the UK Singles Chart. Her first album, Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree, also reached number one on the UK Albums Chart. Her next songs, "The Boy Who Murdered Love" and "My Wicked Heart", were also very popular. Diana's second album, Music to Make Boys Cry, came out in 2013.

Diana also launched her own fashion line in 2011. Her unique style, often described as boho-chic, has been praised by fashion magazines. She started acting in films and TV shows in 2014. Her first film was "The Perfect Wave" and her first TV show was Give Out Girls.

Early life

Diana Vickers was born in Blackburn, Lancashire, England. She studied subjects like Theatre Studies, Classics, and Psychology at Westholme School in Blackburn. Diana has been singing since she was 11 years old. She took singing lessons and joined local competitions. However, she did not sing professionally until she was older.

Music career

2008–2009: The X Factor

In 2008, Diana auditioned for the fifth series of The X Factor. She sang "The Blower's Daughter" by Damien Rice. The judges were impressed, and she was chosen for the live shows. Cheryl Cole was her mentor in the girls' category.

During the live shows, Diana's performances got a lot of attention. She often sang with bare feet. She also became known for her special hand gestures on stage, which people nicknamed "The Claw".

In her first live show, Diana sang U2's "With or Without You". In her second show, she sang Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror". The judges really liked this performance. One judge, Simon Cowell, even said she was "the one to beat". Later, Diana performed Charlie Chaplin's "Smile" and Blondie's "Call Me".

In week five, Diana could not perform because she had laryngitis. This meant her vocal cords were sore. Her doctor told her not to sing to avoid hurting her voice. This was the first time a contestant was excused from performing on the show.

Diana returned in week six, singing Coldplay's "Yellow". Some judges felt she was still not well enough. But in week seven, she performed Take That's "Patience" and said she felt much better.

In the semi-final, Diana sang Avril Lavigne's "Girlfriend" and then Dido's "White Flag". She received good comments from the judges. However, she was voted out of the competition, finishing in fourth place. After the show, she joined the other finalists on The X Factor Live tour in 2009.

2009–2010: Record deal and Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree

Diana signed a record deal with RCA Records, which is part of Sony Music. She started working on her first album in January 2009. She wanted the album to be in her own "Diana style". She worked with many talented people like Cathy Dennis and Ellie Goulding.

Diana performing live in 2010

In March 2010, Diana began her first tour, called the Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree Tour. A second part of the tour happened in May 2010. This was when her first album, Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree, was released. The album went straight to number one on the UK Albums Chart. It has sold over 100,000 copies, earning a gold award from the BPI.

Diana's first song, "Once", was released in April 2010. It quickly became number one in the UK. She also performed an acoustic version of "Once" and a cover of Snow Patrol's "Just Say Yes" for Radio 1's Live Lounge.

Her second song, "The Boy Who Murdered Love", reached number 36 in the UK. In mid-2010, Diana performed at many music festivals. She also supported Mika at the Eden Sessions in June 2010.

Diana's third song was "My Wicked Heart". She helped write this song and played the trumpet on it. It was released in October 2010 and reached number 13 in the UK. There were some discussions about how similar its chorus was to the Red Hot Chili Peppers' song "Under the Bridge". Diana said she had listened to "Under the Bridge" before working on her song. She also mentioned that she had written many new songs and was almost ready for her second album. By the end of 2010, Diana was RCA's most successful artist in the UK.

2011–2015: Music to Make Boys Cry and side projects

In June 2010, Diana announced she was starting to prepare songs for her second album. She worked with artists like Nerina Pallot and Starsmith. In January 2011, Diana went to Los Angeles to write songs with John Shanks and Diane Warren. She also performed her first show in the USA.

Diana helped write the song "Mouth 2 Mouth" for Enrique Iglesias and Jennifer Lopez in 2011.

In June 2011, Diana shared that she had left RCA Records. This was because she wanted to make more indie music, which is less commercial. She released two new songs, "Music to Make Boys Cry" and "Kiss of a Bullet", for free online in December 2011. In early 2013, she signed a new record deal with So Recordings.

Diana's second album, Music to Make Boys Cry, came out in September 2013. Its release was delayed because Diana was filming an independent movie. The album reached number 37 on the UK Albums Chart and was in the top ten on the UK Indie Chart. The first song from the album, "Cinderella", came out in July 2013. The second song, "Music to Make Boys Cry", was released with the album. Diana promoted the album by performing at music festivals in 2013. She even opened for fellow The X Factor star Olly Murs at some shows. The third song from the album, "Mad at Me", was released in December.

In 2013, Diana starred in a music video for the song "Derail" by the band Dinosaur Pile-Up. She also sang a cover of "My Favourite Things" for a One Direction perfume advertisement.

In August 2015, Diana released the song "Chains". This song was used to promote the film Awaiting, in which she starred.

2020-present: Dial M for Murder and podcasts

In 2021, Diana performed in a play called Dial M for Murder during its tour.

Since 2022, Diana has been hosting a podcast called Ki & Dee: The Podcast with Kiara Hunter.

From January 2023, Diana played the role of Shelby in a play called Steel Magnolias. This play was shown at the Richmond Theatre in London and then toured the UK.

Artistry

Diana Vickers' music style includes simple folk-like songs with keyboards and guitars. She also sings more energetic indie rock and synth-based songs with a full band. Her singing style is often described as breathy, raspy, and sometimes "hiccupy".

Diana has said that she is influenced by artists like Florence + The Machine, Kate Bush, Regina Spektor, and Kings of Leon. She has also described her second album as being like Kylie's music and inspired by 1980s artists such as Blondie, Cyndi Lauper, and Madonna. She feels her music has become "more mature and sophisticated".

Other ventures

Acting career

Diana made her first professional acting appearance in October 2009. She played the main role in a new version of Jim Cartwright's play The Rise and Fall of Little Voice. This play was performed at the Vaudeville Theatre in London. In the play, she played Little Voice, who could imitate famous singers like Shirley Bassey and Judy Garland. Mark Owen from Take That wrote the final song in the play, "Sunlight", for Diana to sing. This song was also a B-side for her first single, "Once".

Diana at the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe for I Wish You Well

Diana took a break from recording her first album to act in this play. Her performance received very good reviews. The Guardian newspaper said her singing was "impressive". The Daily Telegraph called her performance "magical". In February 2010, she won the Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers' Choice Award for "London Newcomer of the Year".

In 2012, it was announced that Diana would star in her first film, The Perfect Wave. She said the film was about surfing and the power of life and death. Diana traveled to Cape Town, South Africa, for filming. The movie was released in 2014.

In 2013, Sky Living confirmed that Diana would appear in a six-part comedy TV series called Give Out Girls. This was her first time acting on television. The series is about a group of girls who work in promotions. Diana played Gemma, the youngest girl, who is bright and a bit naive. The series was filmed in Manchester and first aired in October 2014.

From December 2013, Diana played Holly in the West End play The Duck House. This play was a funny political show based on the 2009 UK parliamentary expenses scandal.

In 2016, Diana played Nikki in the film To Dream. In 2015 and 2016, she also played Janet in Rocky Horror Show UK tour. She had the main role of Lauren in the 2015 film Awaiting.

In October 2017, Diana played a version of herself in Josh Widdicombe's comedy series, Josh.

She starred with Shane Richie in the 2019 tour of the play The Entertainer by John Osbourne.

From 2021 to 2022, Diana starred in a touring play called Dial M For Murder by Frederick Knott. She played the role of Sheila.

Fashion

Diana's fashion style is often described as boho-chic and inspired by hippie looks. Her signature style includes messy, "bird's nest" hair and vintage-inspired clothes. She looks up to fashion icons like Brigitte Bardot and Marilyn Monroe. Fashion blogs often feature her outfits, and Grazia magazine called her a "fashionista in the making". In October 2009, The Guardian named her "Fashionista of the Week". In June 2010, she was nominated for "Best Dressed Woman of The Year" at The Clothes Show Style Awards. Her fashion choices have been praised by magazines like Grazia, Look, and Harpers Bazaar.

In September 2011, Diana became the face of Collection 2000's autumn and winter make-up line.

Philanthropy

Diana has also used her fame to help others. In March 2010, she supported JLS at a charity concert for the Teenage Cancer Trust in London. This event raised money for teenagers with cancer. In July 2010, Diana performed at a charity event called "Give Tilly a Hand". This helped raise money for Tilly Lockley, a girl who suffered from meningitis.

For anti-bullying week in the UK in 2010, Diana posted a video on her website. She encouraged young people to stand up to bullies. In September 2010, Diana played a small concert as part of the Oxjam Festival. This festival raised money for the charity Oxfam.

In March 2011, Diana launched an eBay competition for Comic Relief. People could bid to become Diana's "best friend" on Twitter, with all money going to charity.

Discography

• Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree (2010)
• Music to Make Boys Cry (2013)

Filmography

Film

Television

See also

• List of The X Factor finalists (UK series 5)