Robert Arnold
Encyclopedia
Robert Allan Arnold commonly known as Rob Arnold, is a postie from Wellington
, New Zealand
, who achieved fame in a New Zealand boy band, Boyband
, as the gay boy. Their debut single, a remake of the classic Kinks
song "You Really Got Me
", debuted at #1 on the New Zealand Music Charts on 9 October, 2006.
Before Boyband, Rob had auditioned for every series of New Zealand Idol
, as well as achieving minor notoriety by auditioning twice on reality show “Showstoppers”, the second time in disguise, incurring the anger of judge Michael Hurst
. He also appeared on the ill-fated TV Reality TV Show "The Ultimate Challenge". He has also appeared on Maori Television
's "Te Mika Show" in 2006 and TVNZ’s "How Normal Are You".
Growing up in Porirua
, Rob is the youngest of five children. He and his older sister Jaime Arnold, who was the previous holder of the "Ms Gay Downunder" title and a former columnist for UP magazine
, controversially won the Cutest Couple award at the Glammies (a Wellington gay community award ceremony), in which Rob also took home the "Spunkiest Boy" Award. In the same year he was crowned "Queer Idol", as part of the UniQ
Pride Week celebrations.
He has done numerous modeling jobs, appeared in small roles a number of feature-length films, and appeared on the cover of “Capital Times” as a male cheerleader.
Rob has recently being working on a new TV venture for Gibson Group, a large New Zealand television production company, and is rumoured to be working on a new feature film. He also has a small cameo in the 2007 New Zealand film "The Devil Dared Me To
". Rob is also currently working on a solo album, with the first single scheduled for release in early 2008.
Rob has resurged in popularity in Europe, primarily due to his recent appearances in Amsterdam in preparation for Eurovision 2012.
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, who achieved fame in a New Zealand boy band, Boyband
Boyband (New Zealand band)
Boyband are a New Zealand pop group created in September 2006 from the winners of The Edge radio station's promotion to manufacture New Zealand's first boy band. The Edge Radio station hosted auditions across the New Zealand to find the best males for the band...
, as the gay boy. Their debut single, a remake of the classic Kinks
The Kinks
The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in 1964. Categorised in the United States as a British Invasion band, The Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock acts of the era. Their music was influenced by a...
song "You Really Got Me
You Really Got Me
"You Really Got Me" is a rock song written by Ray Davies and performed by his band, The Kinks. It was released on 4th August 1964 as the group's third single, and reached Number 1 on the UK singles chart the next month, remaining for two weeks...
", debuted at #1 on the New Zealand Music Charts on 9 October, 2006.
Before Boyband, Rob had auditioned for every series of New Zealand Idol
New Zealand Idol
NZ Idol, more commonly known as New Zealand Idol, was the New Zealand version of the Idol series originated as the hit British TV series Pop Idol. New Zealand first saw the Idol format when TV2 aired American Idol 2, which garned impressive ratings...
, as well as achieving minor notoriety by auditioning twice on reality show “Showstoppers”, the second time in disguise, incurring the anger of judge Michael Hurst
Michael Hurst
Michael Eric Hurst, ONZM is a New Zealand actor, director and writer, mostly on stage and television. He is probably best known internationally for playing Iolaus in the television programs Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and companion series Xena: Warrior Princess...
. He also appeared on the ill-fated TV Reality TV Show "The Ultimate Challenge". He has also appeared on Maori Television
Maori Television
Māori Television is a New Zealand TV station broadcasting programmes that make a significant contribution to the revitalisation of the Māori language and culture . Funded by the New Zealand Government, the station started broadcasting on 28 March 2004 from a base in Newmarket.Te Reo is the...
's "Te Mika Show" in 2006 and TVNZ’s "How Normal Are You".
Growing up in Porirua
Porirua
Porirua is a city in the Wellington Region of New Zealand, immediately north of the city of Wellington, with their central business districts 20 km apart. A large proportion of the population commutes to Wellington, so it may be considered a satellite city. It almost completely surrounds...
, Rob is the youngest of five children. He and his older sister Jaime Arnold, who was the previous holder of the "Ms Gay Downunder" title and a former columnist for UP magazine
UP magazine
UP magazine was a New Zealand youth-orientated magazine for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community of New Zealand.The first issue of UP appeared in 2002 as an A3 tabloid newspaper specifically for the Wellington, New Zealand gay community. It expanded to nationwide coverage in...
, controversially won the Cutest Couple award at the Glammies (a Wellington gay community award ceremony), in which Rob also took home the "Spunkiest Boy" Award. In the same year he was crowned "Queer Idol", as part of the UniQ
UniQ
In New Zealand, UniQ is the Queer Students Association at New Zealand Tertiary Institutions.UniQ is active at most New Zealand universities and several polytechnics...
Pride Week celebrations.
He has done numerous modeling jobs, appeared in small roles a number of feature-length films, and appeared on the cover of “Capital Times” as a male cheerleader.
Rob has recently being working on a new TV venture for Gibson Group, a large New Zealand television production company, and is rumoured to be working on a new feature film. He also has a small cameo in the 2007 New Zealand film "The Devil Dared Me To
The Devil Dared Me To
The Devil Dared Me To is a New Zealand film written by and starring Chris Stapp and Matt Heath. The film revolves around a fictional stuntman, Randy Cambell, who aspires to be the greatest living New Zealander in that profession...
". Rob is also currently working on a solo album, with the first single scheduled for release in early 2008.
Rob has resurged in popularity in Europe, primarily due to his recent appearances in Amsterdam in preparation for Eurovision 2012.
See also
- www.theedge.co.nz - The Edge Radio station created Boyband
- http://promo.theedge.co.nz/boyband/#story - Boyband's webpage
- Brand new kiwi Boyband: Spot the gay one, GayNZ.com, September 24, 2006. Accessed April 20, 2007