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 34)
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 first became famous in 2008 as a semi-finalist on the TV talent show The X Factor, where she finished in fourth place.

After the show, Vickers signed a record deal with RCA Records. She released her first single, "Once", in 2010. It went straight to 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. She has also had a successful acting career, starring in plays in London's famous West End theatre district.

Vickers is also known for her unique fashion style, often described as boho-chic. She has appeared in movies and TV shows, including her film debut in The Perfect Wave (2014) and the comedy series Give Out Girls (2014).

Early Life

Diana Vickers was born in Blackburn, a town in Lancashire, England. Before becoming a professional singer, she studied subjects like Theatre Studies and Psychology in school. She started taking singing lessons when she was 11 years old and sang in local competitions.

Music Career

2008–2009: Competing on The X Factor

In 2008, Vickers auditioned for the fifth series of the popular British TV show The X Factor. For her audition, she sang "The Blower's Daughter" by Damien Rice. The judge Louis Walsh said she looked like a "little hippie". She made it to the live shows, where her mentor was the singer Cheryl Cole.

During the live shows, Vickers became known for her unique performances. She often sang with bare feet and used special hand gestures that fans nicknamed "The Claw".

Her performances of songs like Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror" were praised by the judges. Judge Simon Cowell even said she was "the one to beat". However, in the fifth week, she couldn't perform because she had laryngitis, which is an illness that affects the voice. Doctors told her that singing could permanently damage her vocal cords.

She returned the next week but was eventually voted out in the semi-finals. After she was eliminated, she sang "White Flag" one last time, and the other contestants joined her on stage for an emotional goodbye. After the series ended, she toured the UK with the other top eight contestants from the show.

2009–2010: A Number-One Album

After The X Factor, Vickers signed a contract with RCA Records. She started working on her first album, Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree.

Vickers performing live in 2010

Her first single, "Once", was released in April 2010 and went straight to number one in the UK. Her album was released soon after and also hit the number-one spot. The album was very successful and was certified gold in the UK, which means it sold over 100,000 copies.

She released two more singles from the album, "The Boy Who Murdered Love" and "My Wicked Heart". During the summer of 2010, she performed at many big music festivals, including T in the Park and the V Festival.

Her third single, "My Wicked Heart," caused some discussion because some people thought the chorus sounded very similar to the song "Under the Bridge" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Vickers said she had been listening to that song before she wrote hers and had noticed the similarity.

2011–2015: Music to Make Boys Cry

In 2011, Vickers left her record label, RCA Records, because of "creative differences." This means she and the company had different ideas about the kind of music she should make. She wanted to create a more indie sound that was less mainstream.

She signed a new record deal with So Recordings in 2013. Her second album, Music to Make Boys Cry, was released in September 2013. The album's release was delayed because she was busy filming a movie. It reached number 37 on the UK Albums Chart. The main singles from this album were "Cinderella" and "Music to Make Boys Cry".

During this time, Vickers also worked on other projects. She co-wrote a song for Enrique Iglesias and Jennifer Lopez. She was also the singer in a TV commercial for the band One Direction's first perfume.

2020–Present: Theatre and Podcasts

In recent years, Vickers has focused more on her acting career. In 2021, she toured in a play called Dial M for Murder.

Since 2022, she has co-hosted a podcast called Ki & Dee: The Podcast. In 2023, she starred in a UK tour of the play Steel Magnolias.

Musical Style

Diana Vickers has a unique musical style. Her music ranges from simple songs with piano or guitar to faster indie rock and pop songs. Her singing voice is often described as breathy and raspy.

She has said her musical influences include artists like Florence + The Machine, Kate Bush, and Regina Spektor.

For her first album, she wanted to make a record that was personal to her and showed her songwriting skills. For her second album, she was inspired by 1980s pop stars like Blondie and Madonna. She felt this music was more mature and truly represented who she is as an artist.

Other Work

Acting Career

This young girl is a natural actress. The moment she read the part, it was magic. A frisson ran through the room. Diana Vickers is the real deal. She is Little Voice.

Vickers is also a talented actress. In 2009, she made her professional acting debut in a West End play called The Rise and Fall of Little Voice. She played the main character, Little Voice, who could perfectly imitate famous singers like Shirley Bassey and Judy Garland.

Her performance was a huge success. A review in The Guardian newspaper said her singing was "impressive." She won the "London Newcomer of the Year" award for her role.

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

In 2014, she made her movie debut in The Perfect Wave, where she played a surfer. To prepare for the role, she traveled to South Africa and learned how to surf. That same year, she also starred in her first TV series, a comedy called Give Out Girls.

She has continued to act in plays, films, and TV shows. In 2019, she toured the UK in a production of the play The Entertainer.

Fashion

Vickers is known for her unique sense of style, which is often called boho-chic. She is famous for her messy, back-combed hair and her love for vintage clothes. Magazines like Grazia and Look have praised her fashion choices. In 2011, she was chosen to be the face of the makeup brand Collection 2000.

Charity Work

Vickers has used her fame to help others. In 2010, she performed at a concert for the Teenage Cancer Trust, a charity that helps young people with cancer. She has also supported charities that fight bullying and poverty. In 2011, she ran a competition to raise money for Comic Relief.

Discography

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

Filmography

Film

Television

See also

In Spanish: Diana Vickers para niños

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