Plenty of singer-songwriters use the rollercoaster ups and down of their own lives as inspiration for songs but Brian McFadden's highs and lows are on a different scale to most. In fact, if the 28-year-old Irishman's life was a movie it would be pretty hard to believe. A lucky break saw him go from performing arts school graduate and McDonald's security guard to international pop idol. "I was in the right place at the right time when I auditioned for Westlife," he says during a whistlestop visit to Auckland. "I didn't have time to have a back-up career because once we were signed we toured with Boyzone and then it took off." During McFadden's seven years with the boy band, Westlife sold more than 30 million albums and had 12 number one singles. Seven of these were consecutive, earning them the record for the most number one singles in a row on the UK charts. Through it all he enjoyed all the first-class fun of a millionaire lifestyle including a celebrity marriage to Atomic Kitten singer Kerry Katona and the birth of daughters Molly (now 7) and Lily (5).
But from the highs of Westlife success came some low years of personal distress. He left the band in March 2004 to spend more time with his family and pursue a solo career. But six months later his marriage was over. For two years he traded tabloid insults with Katona before they finalised their divorce in 2006. The pair are now battling over custody of their daughters. In all this turmoil he released his debut album Irish Son (2004) which was praised for its lyrical honesty and sold moderately well but not well enough for record label Sony BMG, which dropped him last year. This year McFadden is back on the up with Set in Stone, a self-funded album that is emotionally lighter and more musically diverse than his debut. "I have to use my own life as inspiration," he says. "The first album came from such a terrible place it was easy to write because it just spilled out. The second album was harder because I'm in such a different place. It is much harder to write happy love songs without being cliched." The source of his happiness is Australian singer Delta Goodrem whom he describes as an "angel" who has made his life a better place to be. The pair sang a duet on his debut album and collaborated on songs for her third album. They plan to get married next year although McFadden, who has homes in Sydney, London and California, says it will be years before they have kids of their own. "She's too young at the moment," he says. "She's only 23 and both of us are very focused on our careers at the moment. Perhaps when my two are teenagers it might be nice." If McFadden's extended family is anything to go by Goodrem had better be ready for a big family. While his only sibling is younger sister Susan (25), McFadden has 128 first cousins as both his parents have 10 siblings.
Wednesday 25 June 2008
Thursday 19 June 2008
Lost actress released from jail early
'Lost' actress Michelle Rodriguez has been released from jail after serving 17 days of a six-month sentence for probation violation.
The 29-year-old actress was freed from prison on Wednesday night, according to a statement released by the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department yseterday.
Last October a judge sentenced Rodriguez for violating her probation on previous drunken-driving and hit-and-run offences, saying that she should not be granted work furlough, early release or home confinement.
However, a Sheriff's official claimed that her early release was not unusual, saying that factors such as overcrowding and the severity of the crime are taken into consideration.
Rodriguez was previously sentenced to 60 days in jail for a probation violation in May 2006, but was released from prison after just four hours and 20 minutes.
The 29-year-old actress was freed from prison on Wednesday night, according to a statement released by the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department yseterday.
Last October a judge sentenced Rodriguez for violating her probation on previous drunken-driving and hit-and-run offences, saying that she should not be granted work furlough, early release or home confinement.
However, a Sheriff's official claimed that her early release was not unusual, saying that factors such as overcrowding and the severity of the crime are taken into consideration.
Rodriguez was previously sentenced to 60 days in jail for a probation violation in May 2006, but was released from prison after just four hours and 20 minutes.
The X Factor - Cheryl Cole Confirmed As New X Factor Judge
Cheryl Cole has been named as the new addition to the X Factor judging panel.
The Girls Aloud star has stepped in to replace Sharon Osbourne, who announced she was leaving the ITV1 reality show last week.
The 55-year-old had been due to sit alongside Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Dannii Minogue at the first round of London auditions on June 12th but pulled out shortly before filming was due to begin.
And with her experience of TV talent contests, having won a place in Girls Aloud on Popstars: The Rivals, Cole has been picked as the ideal replacement.
"I'm so excited to be part of such a great show and although it's scary joining a huge programme like the X Factor, it's a massive honour to be following in the footsteps of Sharon Osbourne," the 24-year-old said of her appointment.
"The rest of the girls have said they're right behind me, which is really important for me as it will be weird to be on the other side of the fence this time.
"So while we get started on the next album, it will be brilliant to be a judge on the X Factor."
After four years on the ITV1 show, Osbourne stepped down, saying it was "time to move on" despite the channel offering her "an obscene amount of money".
Spice Girl Mel B had been mooted as a potential replacement after Osbourne's departure, but Cole, who ITV controller of entertainment John Kaye Cooper called "an amazingly successful, sassy and talented woman", has been given the nod.
11/06/2008 09:52:26
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