Aston Merrygold

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Aston Merrygold
Born Aston Iain Merrygold
(1988-02-13) 13 February 1988 (age 36)
Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England
Residence Peterborough, England, UK
Nationality British
Occupation
  • Singer-songwriter
  • dancer,
  • television personality,
  • actor
  • philanthropist
Years active 2002–present
Agent Logan Media Entertainment
Television The X Factor UK
Got to Dance
Website AstonMerrygold.com
Musical career
Genres
Instruments Vocals
Labels
Associated acts JLS

Aston Iain Merrygold (born 13 February 1988)[1] is a British singer, songwriter, dancer and television personality. He is best known for being a member of the British boy band JLS who were the runners-up to Alexandra Burke in the fifth series of The X Factor. After a successful 5 years, JLS split on 22 December 2013.[2] In 2013, Merrygold became a judge on the British dance talent show Got to Dance.[3]

Aston is currently working on his debut solo album Showstopper, which is scheduled to be released in May 2016.[4] The lead single of the album, "Get Stupid"[5] was released on 24 July 2015.

Early life

Merrygold was born on 13 February 1988 to a Jamaican father and an Anglo-Irish mother, who split up when Merrygold was very young. He is one of seven children: he has five brothers and one sister between his biological and step parents.[1] He was born and raised in Peterborough by his mother Siobhan and step dad Orjan, where he attended Jack Hunt School.[6] Merrygold was racially bullied at school.[7] Merrygold stated that he loved to dance and perform and certain TV appearances got him into singing. Through auditions he met future band member Marvin Humes and they stayed in contact. Whilst still attending secondary school, he played football on behalf of England in the European Youth Games.[8] His initial aspiration was to play football professionally, however, after developing a nerve problem in his left foot, he tried singing and acting instead.

Career

2002–04: Early beginnings

In 2002, he entered Stars in Their Eyes where he appeared as Michael Jackson, singing "Rockin' Robin". He came in second.[8] Shortly after Merrygold took on a job as entertainer at Pop Star Studios in Fletton Peterborough, eventually leaving to follow his musical career. Merrygold performed in school productions and, after leaving school in 2004, was cast in a new ITV programme, Fun Song Factory longside Children's TV presenter Laura Hamilton.[9]

2008–13: JLS

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Main article: JLS

Friend Marvin Humes had already successfully auditioned to become a member of The Libertines, (later JLS), formed by Oritse Williams when Humes encouraged Aston to audition.[10] Williams thought Merrygold would be a good addition to the group based on his genius intellect and skills with knives. Aston went by the stage name "Little Nigguh". Jonathan Benjamin "JB" Gill was recruited soon after, and they later changed their name to JLS, which was thought up by Marvin's girlfriend at the time. In 2008, they auditioned for the fifth series of The X Factor, where they went on to become the runners-up, finishing second to Alexandra Burke.[11] After the show JLS went on to sign with record label Epic Records[12] They are the third most successful group ever to come out of The X Factor, after One Direction and TXF 2011 winners Little Mix. The band have released four studio albums (JLS, Outta This World, Jukebox, and Evolution) and have had five number ones to date along with four top ten singles, one top twenty single and have sold more than 10 million records worldwide. JLS also had their very own film "JLS: eyes wide open" which broke many box office records at the time.[13] In August 2012, Merrygold was confirmed as a judge on the fourth series of the Sky1 dance talent show Got to Dance[14] and would appear alongside Diversity dancer Ashley Banjo and former Pussycat dolls member Kimberly Wyatt. As well as being a judge he performed on the show, dancing and singing. Merrygold said the experience had been "Inspiring".[15] In 2014 it was confirmed that he would not be returning to the show due to other commitments.[16] On 24 April 2013, JLS announced they were to split after their final UK arena tour titled "Goodbye The Greatest Hits Tour".[2] On 22 December 2013 JLS performed for the last time.

2014–present: Showstopper

On 23 September 2014, Merrygold signed with Warner Bros Records to release his debut album Showstopper, which is to be released on 27 May 2016,[4] preceded by lead single "Get Stupid" on 24 July 2015.

He premiered the "Get Stupid" video on 26 May 2015, followed by an interview on Lorraine. The single has Bruno Mars vibes and is based on influences such as Michael Jackson and Prince.[17][18][19]

The follow-up single, "Show Me", was released in Australia in November 2015.

Personal life

Aston grew up in Peterborough with his step Dad Orjan, Mum Siobhan and his half brother and sister Conor and Courtney. He attended Jack Hunt Secondary school. Aston moved to London for career options and to make rehearsals with JLS (known as UFO back then) easier.

Aston is a supporter of Arsenal F.C.[20]

Aston has numerous tattoos, including 3 stars behind his right ear, two stars on his pelvis, a music note between his shoulder blades and a sleeve which consists of a tattoo of Michael Jackson.[21] In 2011, Aston's close childhood friend Lisa died in an accident. As a tribute to his late friend, Merrygold got her face tattooed on his forearm.[22]

One of his childhood friends is Olympic silver medalist Louis Smith.

He cites Michael Jackson as his main inspiration[21] as well as Justin Timberlake and Will Smith.

Other ventures

Product and endorsements

In September 2010 an "Aston doll" was launched, alongside the other 3 members of JLS.[23] Updated dolls were produced for the launch of JLS' 2nd Album "Outta This World".

Durex teamed up with JLS to produce a condom range called "Just Love Safe", with each member of the group having their own box.[24] Aston branded boxes sold the most.[25] JLS also released their iconic hoodie range.

In 2010 Merrygold alongside Gill, Humes and Williams endorsed Nintendo Wii Party appearing in 7 different TV adverts.[26] JLS were also part of the Walkers crisps "Make sandwich more exciting" advertising campaign. This resulted in the band doing a surprise performance at Sandwich Technology School, which appeared on the TV advert alongside other celebrities such as Gary Lineker, Pamela Anderson and Jenson Button.[27]

Whilst still a member of JLS, Merrygold alone appeared on TV adverts for Coca-Cola in the UK promoting their 'Share a Coke' range.[28]

Philanthropy

JLS founded "The JLS Foundation",[29] a foundation that sets out to raise money for 6 different charities: Cancer Research UK, Rays of Sunshine, Brook, Childline, Beat Bullying and the MS Society. Despite the band's split, the foundation still remains active.

Aston is an ambassador for the charity Beatbullying, a cause he feels strongly about after enduring racial bullying growing up.[30]

Merrygold has appeared on every Children in Need night since 2010. All sales from the JLS number one single "Love You More" went to Children In Need.[31] In 2011 Merrygold did a VT for the charity in which he met 7 year old Emily who suffers from osteogenesis imperfecta. In 2012 JLS performed at the "Children in Need Rocks Manchester" concert performing "Take a Chance on Me".[32] In 2013, Merrygold appeared on Children in Need for the last time as a member of JLS where the group sang a medley of JLS songs at the BBC One soap opera EastEnders set.[33]

JLS also helped raise money for Comic Relief, appearing in comedy sketches with both Miranda Hart[34] and James Corden.[35]

In 2012, JLS visited Uganda for Sport Relief, and appeared in VTs throughout the show.[36] In the same year, JLS also released the official Sport Relief charity single "Proud" which peaked at number 6 in the chart,[37] as well as hosting a special charity concert "JLS Sing for Sport Relief"[38] and doing the Sport Relief Mile.[39]

In total, JLS have appeared in 5 charity singles: A cover of Mariah Carey's "Hero" as part of the X Factor 2008 finalists (for Help for Heroes), "Wishing on a Star" as part of the X Factor finalists featuring JLS and One Direction (for the organisation Together for Short Lives) "Love You More" (for Children in Need), "Proud" (for Sport Relief) and "Everybody Hurts" (for Helping Haiti). 4 out of 5 of these charity singles reached number one on the UK Singles Chart.

Discography

Albums

Title Details
Showstopper

Singles

Year Title Peak chart positions Album
UK
[40]		 AUS
[41]		 IRE
[42]
2015 "Get Stupid" 28 10 72 Showstopper
"Show Me" — — —

References

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External links

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