Jack Vidgen

Jack Vidgen (born 17 January 1997)[3] is an Australian singer, best known for winning the fifth season of Australia's Got Talent as a teenager. He subsequently signed a recording contract with Sony Music Australia with his debut single, "Yes I Am", and studio album, of the same name, were released in August 2011. The album debuted at number three on the ARIA Albums Chart, and was certified gold. His second studio album, Inspire, was released in April 2012, reaching number 23 on the ARIA Albums Chart. In 2019 Vidgen auditioned for The Voice (Australian season 8), and appeared on America's Got Talent: The Champions.

Jack Vidgen
Vidgen in 2012
Background information
Born (1997-01-17) 17 January 1997
OriginMona Vale, New South Wales, Australia[1]
GenresPop, soul
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
InstrumentsGuitar, piano, violin[2]
Years active2011–present

Early life

Vidgen is the son of Steve Vidgen and Rachel Hayton.[4] From 2007 to 2010, Vidgen performed at various events in Sydney, including Schools Spectacular, Eisteddfod, and the local Christmas carols.[5] He also taught himself how to play the piano and guitar.[5] He attended Balgowlah Boys High School.[5] Following his win on Australia's Got Talent in 2011, Vidgen withdrew from his high school to continue by distance education.[6] In March 2014, it was reported that he had a lesion removed from behind his eye.[7]

Career

2011: Australia's Got Talent
Main article: Australia's Got Talent (season 5)

Vidgen auditioned for the fifth season of Australia's Got Talent in 2011, singing a rendition of Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing".[8] The performance earned a standing ovation from both the judges and the audience.[8] Judge Kyle Sandilands said before the audition, "You're either gonna be amazing or dreadful – both I will enjoy", while judge Brian McFadden was so moved by the performance he ran up on stage to kiss Vidgen's cheek once it was over.[8] The performance has received over 23 million views on YouTube.[9] Vidgen was dubbed Australia's answer to Justin Bieber and inundated with international and local interest.[10][11][12] He also attracted the attention of celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton, who posted several blogs of Vidgen's performances on his website.[13]

Vidgen performed on the first semi-final show, singing a cover of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" from the Dreamgirls soundtrack.[14] After the performance, he earned another standing ovation from the judges and audience.[14] Sandilands told Vidgen that he made him believe in reincarnation as he was sure Vidgen had a black woman inside him,[14] while McFadden said Vidgen had one of the best voices he had ever heard.[14] After winning the public vote from the first semi-final show, Vidgen progressed through to the next round, the final showdown. During this round, Vidgen performed a cover of Adele's "Set Fire to the Rain".[15] After his performance, judge Dannii Minogue said, "Your voice lifts everybody who listens to it", while McFadden joked that he was jealous of Vidgen because he spelled the end for other guys in the music industry.[15] Vidgen once again won the public vote, which made him progress through to the grand final. During this round, Vidgen performed an original song titled, "Yes I Am".[16] A few days later, Vidgen was the centre of criticism over the song when it was revealed that it was co-written with two other people. Critics questioned how involved Vidgen was in the writing of the song.[17] On 7 August 2011, Vidgen appeared on Sunday Night and said, "I sort of wrote the lyrics, and then I took them to vocal coach Erana Clark's studio, and we had the producer – I didn't write the music, I can say that, but I did write the lyrics."[18]

Vidgen was announced as the winner of the season during the grand final decider show, which aired on 2 August 2011.[19] He was awarded a prize of $250,000.[19]

2011–2014: Record deal, Yes I Am and Inspire

Following his win on Australia's Got Talent, Vidgen signed a recording contract with Sony Music Australia.[19] "Yes I Am" was released for digital download on 3 August 2011, as Vidgen's debut single.[20][21] The song peaked at number 35 on the ARIA Singles Chart.[22] Vidgen co-wrote the gospel soul-inspired[23] song with former Australian Idol vocal coach Erana Clark and producer A2, who also penned the song, "Fly", for Vidgen's debut studio album also titled Yes I Am.[20] The album was rush-released on 19 August 2011.[20] It contained cover versions Vidgen performed on Australia's Got Talent, which were all produced by musical director Chong Lim,[20] as well as the two original songs.[20] The album debuted and peaked at number three on the ARIA Albums Chart,[22] and was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), for shipments of 35,000 units.[24]

Vidgen's second studio album, Inspire, was released on 27 April 2012.[25] It featured more covers of songs from artists including Michael Jackson, Bill Withers, Cyndi Lauper, John Lennon, and Beyoncé.[25] The album peaked at number 23 on the ARIA Albums Chart, failing to match the success of his debut album.[22] Vidgen's second single "Finding You", which was written by The Potbelleez' IIan Kidron, was released digitally on 10 July 2012.[26][27] He performed the song on Australia's Got Talent the next day.[27] As of 2014, Vidgen is no longer signed to Sony Music Australia.[28]

2019: The Voice and Australia Decides
Main articles: The Voice (Australian season 8) and Eurovision - Australia Decides

On 2 June 2019, Vidgen returned to television on The Voice Australia. In an interview with Who magazine, Vidgen said “"After winning Australia’s Got Talent there was Facebook pages with death threats... life was hard..." adding "I stopped singing five years ago. I think I just burnt out. I just fell out of love with singing." [29] Vidgen was selected to coach Guy Sebastian's team, eventually finished as a semi-finalist.

In December 2019, Vidgen was announced as a participant in Australia Decides 2020; in an attempt to represent Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 with the song "I Am King I Am Queen".[30] The song placed 8th in a field of 10.

Discography

Studio albums
List of albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Details Peak chart
positions		 Certifications
AUS
[22]
Yes I Am 3
Inspire
  • Released: 27 April 2012[25]
  • Format: CD, digital download
  • Label: Sony Music Australia
 23

Singles
List of singles, with selected chart positions
Year Title Peak chart
positions		 Album
AUS
[22]
2011 "Yes I Am" 35 Yes I Am
"And I Am Telling You (I'm Not Going)"[32] —
2012 "Finding You" — Non-album single
2019 "I Am King I Am Queen"[33] — Australia Decides

Awards and nominations
Year Type Award Result
2011 Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards[34] Aussie Musos Nominated
IT List Awards[35][36] Single of 2011 ("Yes I Am") Nominated
Album of 2011 (Yes I Am) Nominated
Australian Male Artist Nominated
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gollark: That's a good source.
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References
  1. "Jack Vidgen, Australian's "Baby Bieber" mobbed at local mall". International Business Times. 10 May 2011. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
  2. Johnson, Roanne (12 May 2011). "Young Jack's got talent". townsvillebulletin.com.au. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
  3. "Jack Vidgen Awesome Aussie Vocalist". rivenmaster.com. 9 January 2011. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
  4. Bennett, Rod (3 August 2011). "Jack's got talent: Teen releases debut single". Manly Daily. News Limited. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  5. Corbett, Bryce (3 August 2011). "Jack Vidgen: Australia's answer to Justin Bieber". The Australian Women's Weekly. Archived from the original on 10 September 2011. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  6. Neil, Alicia (3 August 2011). "Jack Vidgen: I Hope to Win a Grammy". Who. Pacific Magazines. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  7. "Australia's Got Talent winner Jack Vidgen doing OK after tumour surgery". 3 March 2014. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  8. "14-year Jack Vidgen wows judges on old Australia's Got Talent with a Whitney Houston rendition". The Daily Telegraph. 4 May 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  9. Obermeder, Sally (12 July 2011). "Australia's newest star". Today Tonight. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
  10. Byrnes, Holly (5 May 2011). "Australia's Jack Vidgen has a smidgen of that Justin Bieber mojo". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  11. Coster, Alice (2 June 2011). "Blond bombshell Jack Vidgen tipped to be the next Bieber". Herald Sun. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  12. Corbett, Bryce (3 June 2011). "Jack Vidgen: Australia's answer to Justin Bieber". The Australian Women's Weekly. Archived from the original on 31 July 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  13. "Gossip king Perez Hilton meets the boy from Oz". Herald Sun. 15 July 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  14. "VIDEO: Jack Vidgen shows Australia he's got talent, again". Manly Daily. 1 June 2011. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  15. "Video of Jack Vidgen Singing Adele's "Set Fire to the Rain" on Australia's Got Talent Final". Popsugar.com.au. 13 July 2011. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  16. Allen, Floyd (28 July 2011). "Jack Vidgen Takes 'AGT Grand Final Risk with Original Song". International Business Times. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  17. Frost, Carleen (29 July 2011). "Police investigate Facebook attack on Jack Vidgen". Manly Daily. Archived from the original on 1 May 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  18. "Video of Jack Vidgen and Kyle Sandilands Interview on Sunday Night Addressing Songwriting Controversy". POPSUGAR Celebrity Australia. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
  19. "Australia's Got Talent grand final highest rating show so far this year". Herald Sun. 3 August 2011. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  20. McCabe, Kathy (3 August 2011). "No time for celebrating as AGT winner Jack Vidgen gets straight to work". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  21. "Yes I Am – Single". iTunes Store. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  22. "Discography Jack Vidgen". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  23. "Jack Vidgen is guaranteed a record deal whether he wins or loses Australia's Got Talent". The Daily Telegraph. 28 July 2011. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  24. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2011 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 28 August 2014. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
  25. "Buy Inspire Jack Vidgen, Pop, CD". Sanity.com.au. Archived from the original on 12 May 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
  26. "Finding You – Single". iTunes Store. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
  27. Harris, Amy; Christie, Joel (10 July 2012). "Australia's Got Talent winner Jack Vidgen returns to TV show with new look and new sound". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
  28. "Local Roster – Featured Artists". Sony Music Australia. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
  29. "The Voice's Jack Vidgen Reveals His Most Uncomfortable Interview Ever". www.who.com.au. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  30. "4 more artists and first song for 'Eurovision - Australia Decides'". Eurovision TV. 16 December 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  31. "Yes I Am (SIGNED COPY) – Jack Vidgen". Sanity.com.au. Archived from the original on 2 February 2016. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  32. "And I Am Telling You (I'm Not Going) [Live] – Single by Jack Vidgen". iTunes. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
  33. "I am King I Am Queen - single". Apple Music. 16 December 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  34. Barnett, Sophie (15 August 2011). "Aussie KCA's 2011!". MTV Australia. MTV Networks. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  35. Manser, Robert (31 December 2011). "2011 IT List Awards Nominees Announced". Poprepublic.tv. Archived from the original on 2 January 2012.
  36. Manser, Robert (11 February 2012). "2011 IT List Awards Winners Announced". Poprepublic.tv.
Preceded by
Justice Crew		 Winner of Australia's Got Talent
2011		 Succeeded by
Andrew De Silva
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