Jonathan Leong facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jonathan Leong, 梁偉鑛
|
|
|---|---|
Jonathan Leong
|
|
| 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 is also known by his Mandarin name, 梁偉鑛 (Liang Wei Kuang).
He first became famous as the runner-up in the second season of the TV show Singapore Idol. He also starred as the main character, "The Boy," in the popular circus musical Voyage De La Vie. This show was a huge success and ran for over three years in Singapore.
In 2011, Jon released his own studio album. A few years later, in 2013, he began a new career in banking and finance.
Contents
Early Life and School Days
Jon Leong was born and raised in Singapore. His father, Joseph, owned a newspaper stand, and his mother, Mary, worked for an airline. Jon grew up in a Catholic family. He went to Nan Hua Primary School, St. Joseph's Institution, and Serangoon Junior College. In 2007, he graduated from the National University of Singapore with a degree in Political Science.
Passion for Music and Sports
From a young age, Jon loved music. He learned to play the electric organ and classical piano. He has said that his family, especially his father who was once in a band, inspired his love for music. His early musical tastes included pop, classic rock, and hard rock. He was influenced by famous singers like Elvis Presley, David Bowie, and Bono.
His first time singing on stage was at age 15 when he won a school singing contest. He later said he only entered the contest to get out of detention, but winning it changed his life.
Besides music, Jon was also a talented athlete. He was very good at fencing and won many national competitions. He was even part of Singapore's national fencing team from 2000 to 2001.
Starting a Band
While serving in the military, Jon formed a rock band called Reverie with some friends. He was the lead singer. For four years, while he was in university, the band played in pubs and clubs to earn money. They became quite popular and were hired for private parties and events.
Journey on Singapore Idol
Jon's big break came when he auditioned for Singapore Idol, a famous reality TV singing competition. He competed against thousands of other hopefuls and made it all the way to the finals.
In the show, his performance of "If You're Gone" by Matchbox Twenty secured his spot in the top 12. He quickly became a favorite with the audience and the media. His version of the classic song "Unforgettable" was a huge hit. However, his performance of "Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol truly captured the hearts of people across Singapore.
Jon finished the competition as the runner-up to the winner, Hady Mirza. The final show was held at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in front of a crowd of over 12,000 people. The show made his unique baritone voice famous and made him a well-known star in Singapore.
Career After Idol
After Singapore Idol, Jon Leong became a very busy performer. He appeared at major events like the Miss Singapore Universe pageant and the President's Star Charity Singapore.
In 2006, he co-hosted a TV special called "Wish Upon A Star" with Hady Mirza and Gurmit Singh. That same year, he was voted "Man of the Year" by The New Paper and "Best Hunk" by Channel 5.
Jon also used his fame to help others. In 2007, he became an ambassador for the Motorola Singapore (RED) Campaign. This project, started by Bono from the band U2, helps fight the spread of HIV in Africa.
Starring in a Circus Musical
In April 2010, Jon took on a new challenge: acting in a major theatrical show called Voyage De La Vie. He landed the lead role of "The Boy." The show was similar to a Cirque Du Soleil performance, with amazing circus acts, incredible sets, and original music. Jon was the only Singaporean performer in the main cast.
Solo Music Album
On September 22, 2011, Jon released his solo album, titled 神秘英雄 (which means Mysterious Hero). Most of the songs are in Mandarin, but it also includes one English song called For You. One of his singles, 多一次机会, became a top 10 hit on the popular Singapore radio station Y.E.S. 93.3FM.
Personal Life
Jon has often said that his family, pets, and close friends are his top priorities outside of work. He enjoys writing, reading, and art.
On December 26, 2015, Jon married Jeneen Goh.
