Ricki-Lee Coulter facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ricki-Lee Coulter
Coulter in 2012
Born	Ricki-Lee Dawn Coulter (1985-11-10) 10 November 1985 (age 39) Auckland, New Zealand
Other names	Ricki-Lee
Occupation	Singer songwriter television presenter radio presenter
Years active	2000–present
Spouse(s)	Jamie Babbington ​ (m. 2007⁠–⁠2008)​ Richard Harrison ​ (m. 2015)​
Musical career
Origin	Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Genres	R&B pop dance
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	Shock (2004–2011) Ministry of Sound EMI (2011–2015) Universal (2016–2020) Black Label (2023–)

Ricki-Lee Dawn Coulter (born 10 November 1985) is an Australian singer, songwriter, and a popular television and radio host. She was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and grew up in Gold Coast, Queensland. Ricki-Lee started performing when she was 15 years old.

She became famous in 2004 after appearing on the second season of Australian Idol. Even though she finished seventh, she quickly signed a record deal. Her first album, Ricki-Lee (2005), had hit songs like "Hell No!" and "Sunshine". These songs sold so well they were certified gold, meaning they sold over 35,000 copies each!

In 2006, Ricki-Lee joined a pop girl group called Young Divas. She left the group in 2007 to focus on her solo music again. Her second album, Brand New Day (2007), also did very well. It included the hit song "Can't Touch It", which sold over 70,000 copies and was certified platinum.

Ricki-Lee has also had a successful career in television and radio. She returned to Australian Idol as a presenter and later became the host of Australia's Got Talent. In 2023, she became a co-host for the new season of Australian Idol. She also co-hosts a national radio show called Ricki-Lee, Tim & Joel.

Early Life

Ricki-Lee Dawn Coulter was born on 10 November 1985 in Auckland, New Zealand. Her mother, Loretta Sheerin, was a model from Tonga. Ricki-Lee's parents separated before she was born, and her mother raised her. When Ricki-Lee was just three months old, they moved to Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. Her grandfather, Rocky, was an important father figure in her early life.

Growing up, Ricki-Lee faced challenges. Her mother worked two jobs to support them, so Ricki-Lee often spent time alone. She played many sports in primary school, including swimming, touch football, and netball. When she was nine, her mother met John, who became her stepfather. Ricki-Lee has two younger half-sisters, Jodie and Emily.

At 15, Ricki-Lee had a serious knee injury that stopped her from playing netball. A few months later, her mother discovered Ricki-Lee's amazing singing voice. This led to Ricki-Lee performing with live bands in the Gold Coast and Brisbane areas. She also learned to play instruments like the tenor saxophone, flute, and trumpet. After finishing high school in 2002, she decided to focus completely on her music career.

Music Career

2003–2004: Australian Idol

In 2003, Ricki-Lee first auditioned for Australian Idol but didn't make it far. The next year, she tried out for Popstars Live and made it to the top sixty. Later in 2004, she auditioned again for the second season of Australian Idol. She sang "Don't Let Go (Love)" by En Vogue and made it to the semi-finals, then into the top twelve contestants.

During the show, Ricki-Lee was a fan favorite because of her powerful performances. She sang songs like "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" by Michael Jackson and "I Have Nothing" by Whitney Houston. She was eliminated when there were seven contestants left, which surprised many viewers.

2005–2007: First Album and Young Divas

Coulter on the red carpet of the 2006 ARIA Music Awards.

After Australian Idol, Ricki-Lee signed with Shock Records, an independent music label in Australia. Her first song, "Hell No!", came out in June 2005 and quickly reached number five on the music charts. It sold enough copies to be certified gold. Her second song, "Sunshine", released in September, also became a top-ten hit and was certified gold.

Her first album, Ricki-Lee, was released in October 2005. It reached number 30 on the album charts. Ricki-Lee worked with many talented producers and songwriters on this album. The third song from the album, "Breathe", was released in January 2006 and reached number 14.

In 2006, Ricki-Lee joined a new girl group called Young Divas with other former Australian Idol contestants: Paulini, Emily Williams, and Kate DeAraugo. They released a cover of "This Time I Know It's for Real" in May 2006, which became a huge hit, reaching number two and selling over 70,000 copies (platinum certified). They released another hit, "Happenin' All Over Again", in November 2006.

Because of their success, Young Divas released a full album of classic disco and pop covers in November 2006. The album was very popular, reaching number four and selling over 140,000 copies (double platinum). In June 2007, Ricki-Lee announced she was leaving Young Divas to focus on her solo career and her upcoming wedding. Jessica Mauboy took her place in the group.

2007–2010: Brand New Day and More Music

Coulter performing in Tea Tree Gully, South Australia in February 2007.

Ricki-Lee released "Can't Touch It" in August 2007 as the first song from her second album, Brand New Day. This song was a massive success, reaching number two on the charts and becoming her most popular single. It was certified platinum in 2008.

Her album Brand New Day was released in August 2007. Ricki-Lee won 'Fave Female Singer' at the 2007 Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards. Another song from the album, "Love Is All Around", was released in November 2007 and reached number five. Ricki-Lee also signed record deals in the UK and Japan. In 2008, she supported Hilary Duff on her Australian tour. The third song from the album, "Can't Sing a Different Song", reached number eight. Ricki-Lee then went on her first solo tour, the Brand New Day Tour.

In September 2008, Ricki-Lee released "Wiggle It", which reached number 11. This song was from her first collection album, The Singles, released in November 2008.

In 2009, Ricki-Lee released "Don't Miss You" and "Hear No, See No, Speak No". She had planned a third album, but decided not to release it because these songs didn't do as well on the charts. In 2010, her song "Can't Touch It" was featured in the movie soundtrack for ... and the City 2. Ricki-Lee also took a break from music to work as a full-time radio host for Nova 96.9 in Sydney.

2011–2014: Fear & Freedom and Dance in the Rain

Ricki-Lee Coulter at "Water for Elephants" Sydney premiere, May 2011

Coulter performing tracks from her third album, Fear & Freedom, at the Beresford Hotel, Sydney in May 2012.

In 2011, Ricki-Lee signed a new record deal with EMI Music Australia. Her song "Raining Diamonds" was released in October 2011 and reached number 19, earning a platinum certification. This was the first song from her third album, Fear & Freedom. The second song, "Do It Like That", released in March 2012, reached number 13 and was also certified platinum. It even became a top-ten hit in Japan!

Her album Fear & Freedom was released in August 2012 and debuted at number seven, becoming her first album to reach the top ten. Ricki-Lee then went on her Fear & Freedom Tour in Australia. She won 'Singer of the Year' at the 2012 Cosmopolitan Fun, Fearless, Female Women of the Year Awards.

In August 2013, Ricki-Lee released "Come & Get in Trouble with Me", which reached number 28. In 2014, she supported Jason Derulo on his Australian tour. In May 2014, she released "All We Need Is Love", which reached number 39, from her fourth album, Dance in the Rain. The album was released in October 2014 and reached number 14.

2015–Present: New Music and On My Own

After a break from releasing music, Ricki-Lee released the song "Not Too Late" in September 2017. In April 2018, she performed at both the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast. She released another song, "Unbothered", in October 2018.

In May 2019, Ricki-Lee started her "Ricki-Lee: Live in Concert Tour" to celebrate 15 years in music. She performed songs from her career, including her time on Australian Idol and with Young Divas. In June 2020, she released the song "Last Night".

In March 2023, Ricki-Lee released "On My Own", the first song from her fifth album. The album, also called On My Own, was released in March 2024. It debuted at number three on the ARIA Albums Chart, making it her highest-charting album ever!

Musical Style and Influences

Ricki-Lee's music includes different styles like R&B, pop, electro, rock, and dance. Her first album, Ricki-Lee, had catchy R&B-influenced pop songs. Her second album, Brand New Day, featured upbeat dance songs with elements of disco, reggae, and jazz.

Ricki-Lee has co-written many of her own songs. She grew up listening to artists like Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston, and she says Whitney Houston was a big influence. She also looks up to Michael Jackson and Beyoncé, calling Beyoncé "the Michael Jackson of this generation" because of her drive and constant improvement. Critics have even compared some of Ricki-Lee's songs and music videos to Beyoncé's work. She also admires other female artists like Madonna, Pink, Lady Gaga, and Katy Perry.

Other Ventures

Television

Ricki-Lee has appeared on many TV shows. In 2005, she was a contestant on Celebrity Circus. In 2008, she was a mentor on the singing show It Takes Two. Later that year, she returned to Australian Idol as a host and reporter for two seasons. This role earned her a nomination for 'Most Popular New Female Talent' at the 2009 Logie Awards.

In 2012, Ricki-Lee became a mentor on the first season of The Voice Australia, working with coach Seal. In 2014, she was a contestant on Dancing with the Stars Australia and finished in third place. She also hosted a show called Life Changing Adventures in 2017.

Since 2019, Ricki-Lee has been the host of Australia's Got Talent. In 2022, it was announced that she would be a co-host for the new Australian Idol series, starting in 2023.

Radio

Coulter performing at Nova 96.9's Fitzy and Wippa's For the Love of Sydney Party at The Standard, Darlinghurst, New South Wales in October 2011.

Ricki-Lee started her radio career in January 2008, joining the breakfast team on Brisbane's B105 FM. In 2010, she became a full-time radio host for Sydney's Nova 96.9 breakfast show. She was nominated for 'Best Newcomer on Air' at the 2010 Australian Commercial Radio Awards.

In October 2022, Ricki-Lee began filling in as a host on Nova's national drive radio show Kate, Tim & Joel. In March 2023, Nova announced that she would permanently join the show as a co-host. The show was then renamed Ricki-Lee, Tim & Joel.

Endorsements

Ricki-Lee has worked with several brands. In 2008, she became the face of Hold Me Tight, an Australian clothing line. In 2012, she was the face of the Woolworths Supermarkets Earn & Learn program, which helps schools get educational resources. She also became the new Australian face for the international makeup brand CoverGirl.

In 2013, Ricki-Lee partnered with Cotton on Body to create her own line of dancewear and intimates called Ricki-Lee Army.

Philanthropy

Ricki-Lee has supported many charities. In 2007 and 2008, she was an ambassador for McHappy Day, which raises money for Ronald McDonald House Charities to help sick children and their families. In 2008, she was the face of Jeans for Genes Day in Australia, which supports research into childhood genetic diseases. She raised $100,000 for the campaign.

In November 2011, Ricki-Lee became a spokeswoman for the annual Australian red ribbon appeal, raising money to fight HIV and AIDS. In December 2011, she performed at a charity event to raise money for The Smith Family, which helps disadvantaged children. In 2015, she became an ambassador for McHappy Day again.

Personal Life

When Ricki-Lee was 15, she met Jamie Babbington. They started dating and married on 7 September 2007. Ricki-Lee took his last name, becoming Ricki-Lee Babbington. They separated in October 2008. Ricki-Lee later shared that she experienced depression during that time.

In September 2009, Ricki-Lee began dating her manager, Richard Harrison. They announced their engagement in January 2013. After being engaged for two years, Ricki-Lee and Richard married in Paris, France, on 5 August 2015.

Ricki-Lee is a strong supporter of the LGBT community. She has performed at many gay nightclubs and events, including the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. She has always supported gay rights and issues, including same-sex marriage in Australia.

Discography

• Ricki-Lee (2005)
• Brand New Day (2007)
• Fear & Freedom (2012)
• Dance in the Rain (2014)
• On My Own (2024)

Tours

Headlining

• The Brand New Day Tour (2008)
• Fear & Freedom Tour (2012)
• Ricki-Lee: Live in Concert Tour (2019)

Co-headlining

• Young Divas Tour with Paulini, Emily Williams and Kate DeAraugo (2006)

Supporting act

• Hilary Duff's Dignity Tour: Australian leg (2008)
• Backstreet Boys' This Is Us Tour: Australian leg (2010)
• Jason Derulo's Tattoos World Tour: Australian leg (2014)
• Take That's This Life on Tour: Australian leg (2024)

Television

Awards and Nominations