Jonathan Leong facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jonathan Leong, 梁偉鑛
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Jonathan Leong
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Jonathan Ken Leong, 梁偉鑛 |
| Also known as | Jon Leong |
| Born | 6 June 1982 |
| Origin | Singapore |
| Genres | Rock, Pop, Alternative rock, Jazz, Swing |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, actor |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, piano |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Labels | Hype Records |
Jon Leong (born Jonathan Leong on June 6, 1982) is a singer, songwriter, and actor from Singapore. He started his music journey playing in bands. He became famous after being the runner-up in Singapore Idol, a popular TV singing competition.
Jon also starred as "The Boy" in a big circus musical called Voyage De La Vie. This show ran for over three years, making it Singapore's longest-running show at the time. He released a full music album in 2011. Later, Jon moved into the banking and finance world.
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Early Life and Music Beginnings
Jon Leong grew up in Singapore. His father owned a newspaper stand, and his mother worked in airline ticket sales. Jon went to Nan Hua Primary School and St. Joseph's Institution. He won his first singing contest at St. Joseph's in 1997. He later studied at Serangoon Junior College and the National University of Singapore. He earned a degree in Political Science in 2007.
Jon was also very good at sports, especially fencing. He won many national fencing competitions. He even represented Singapore on the national team from 2000 to 2001.
Love for Music
Jon started learning electric organ and classical piano when he was young. His family, especially his father, greatly influenced his love for music. His father used to sing in a band, and their home often had music jam sessions. Jon grew up listening to old pop, classic rock, heavy metal, and hard rock. He has said that singers like Rob Thomas, Elvis Presley, and Frank Sinatra inspired his singing style.
His first big moment on stage was winning a school singing contest at age 15. This led to his first solo performance. He once said he joined the contest to avoid detention, not to win. But it changed his path!
First Bands and Modeling
After his military service, Jon formed a rock band called Reverie. He was the lead singer. The band played in pubs and clubs for four years while he was at university. They even recorded a song for a World Harmony Day event.
In late 2004, Jon also started modeling. He performed as a solo singer at fashion events. These included store launches and fashion shows. He also performed at a concert in the Singapore Botanic Gardens.
Singapore Idol Journey
Jon Leong became widely known after joining Singapore Idol. He auditioned with thousands of others. He made it to the finals, which were held at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. He competed against Hady Mirza, who won the season.
Key Performances
Early in the competition, Jon sang "If You're Gone" by Matchbox Twenty. This performance helped him get into the top 12. During "jazz week," his version of Nat King Cole's "Unforgettable" made him a strong favorite. However, his performance of "Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol truly won over the audience. Many people thought he would win the title.
Jon finished as the first runner-up. The finals were held in the Singapore Indoor Stadium in front of over 12,000 people.
After the Competition
The TV show made Jon's unique baritone voice famous in Singapore. It was no surprise when he was offered a record deal a year later. The chief judge of Singapore Idol, Ken Lim, had said Jon had what it took to be a "regional star."
Jon gained a large group of fans during the competition. They called themselves the 'Jonatics'. Jon prefers to call them "supporters" instead of "fans." His supporters know he loves animals. They have even adopted a dog and a monkey in his name at animal shelters.
Life After Idol
After Singapore Idol, Jon continued to be active in entertainment.
TV and Campaigns
In December 2006, Jon hosted a holiday TV show called "Wish Upon A Star." He hosted it with Hady Mirza and Gurmit Singh. He was also named "Man of the Year 2006" by The New Paper. Mediacorp's Channel 5 also gave him the title of "Best Hunk 2006."
In 2007, Jon became an ambassador for the Motorola Singapore (RED) Campaign. This campaign, started by Bono of U2, helps fight HIV in Africa. That same year, Jon sang a Mandarin song for an album. The album celebrated 25 years of local Mandarin TV shows on Channel 8.
In September 2008, Jon acted in an episode of Calefare. He played a popular singer named Johnny Chia, a character similar to himself. He also appeared as a celebrity guest on the Singaporean version of Don't Forget the Lyrics!. He helped raise $25,000 for charity. He was also an ambassador for the Passion Card campaign.
Theatrical Circus Career
In April 2010, Jon announced he would star in a new show called "Voyage De La Vie." He got the main role of "The Boy" after several auditions.
Jon was the only Singaporean performer in "Voyage De La Vie." This show was like a Cirque Du Soleil performance. It combined circus acts, amazing sets, costumes, and original music.
Solo Album and Online Presence
On September 22, 2011, Jon released his solo album, 神秘英雄 (Mysterious Hero). The album was mostly in Mandarin. However, it included one English song called For You. His song 多一次机会 reached number 7 on the Top 20 Countdown chart on Y.E.S. 93.3FM, a popular radio station.
In August 2011, Jon started a blog called "Life in Stereo - Jonathan Leong's guide to Life." He also launched a monthly podcast show. You could download it for free from his website.
Personal Life
Jon has often said that his family, loved ones, pets, and close friends are his top priority outside of work. He loves films and good writing. He enjoys writing, reading, and art.
Jon Leong married Jeneen Goh on December 26, 2015.
