Una Healy
Encyclopedia
Una Theresa Imogene Healy (born 10 October 1981) is an Irish singer-songwriter
and musician, best known for being one fifth of girl group
The Saturdays
. Prior to joining the group, Healy was a solo artist in her own right and released a solo studio EP
, entitled Sorry which was self-written and self-produced.
, Ireland to Anne and John Healy, a nurse and a GP
. She has a sister, Deirdre, And Una is also pregnant with Ben and are having a baby girl together.
Healy comes from a musical background and is the niece of country singer Declan Nerney
. She is a cousin of Irish athlete Paul Hession
.
At 13, she gave up swimming (she was an All-Ireland champion swimmer at 9) and decided to teach herself to play using her mother's guitar and from then on began to write songs of her own.
After finishing school at 18, she decided to take a year out and became a medical secretary, and from then went on to study nursing and then primary teaching, but decided finally to go ahead and pursue her music passion at 23 years old. She began her music career playing guitar and singing in pubs and clubs around Ireland, solo and in bands.
Whilst she was slowly finding success in her native Ireland as an indie solo artist, she felt she didn't have a firm direction in her career. Therefore, in the summer of 2007 she flew over to London to gain more exposure and experience and landed an audition for The Saturdays
, which was her first audition for a major label and abroad.
Song Contest in both 2004 and 2006, and her self-produced EP, "Sorry" was released in 2006.
She represented Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2006
as a backing singer for Brian Kennedy
on "Every Song Is a Cry for Love
".
" in July 2008, where it peaked at number 8 in the UK. The band released a second single "Up
" where it charted at number five in the UK, and later the song enjoyed a certification of Silver
in the United Kingdom. In late October 2008, the band released their first studio album, Chasing Lights
, where it charted at number nine in the UK, and also achieved a certifications of Platinum by BBI. The band released a third single from the album, "Issues", which also received a silver certificate by the BBI. The Saturdays released a cover of "Just Can't Get Enough" by Depeche Mode; the song debuted at number 2 in the UK, behind Flo Rida's "Right Round". The fifth and final single from the album was "Work
", which was the first single by the band to not reach the top 20. The band later went on a tour titled "The Work Tour
." and she did
In October 2009, the band released a second studio album, Wordshaker
, which charted at number nine in United Kingdom and was given a silver certification by the BBI. The first single, "Forever Is Over
", charted at number two in the UK. The Saturdays appeared in advertisements for several products including a brand of deodorant, tampons, mobile phones, an operating system, and hair removal products.
But in early 2010, the band released a second and final single from their second debut album, "Ego
", which charted at number nine. Although the song became the second lowest single to chart by the band, it became one of their highest selling singles[specify], after getting a certification of silver by the BBI.
In summer 2010, the band released their first mini album, their third album overall, Headlines!
, which charted at number 3 in the UK and number 10 in Ireland. The band released their eighth single, "Missing You
", which charted at number three in the UK and number six in Ireland. Rochelle Wiseman confirmed that the second single from the album would be "Higher
" After Flo Rida beat the group to number one for the second time, the American rapper offered to do a collaboration with the band. It was later confirmed, by the band's official website that Flo Rida
had recorded vocals for "Higher".
's Sexiest Women poll in 2010 and 2011.
Ben Foden
since 2008. On 16 September 2011, Healy announced she is pregnant and will still be going on tour in December 2011. On 7 November 2011, Healy and Foden revealed that she is expecting a baby girl.
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
and musician, best known for being one fifth of girl group
Girl group
A girl group is a popular music act featuring several young female singers who generally harmonise together.Girl groups emerged in the late 1950s as groups of young singers teamed up with behind-the-scenes songwriters and music producers to create hit singles, often featuring glossy production...
The Saturdays
The Saturdays
The Saturdays are a British and Irish pop girl group based in London, United Kingdom. The group consists of five members Una Healy, Mollie King, Frankie Sandford, Vanessa White and Rochelle Wiseman. In 2007 the band were formed through Fascination Records which gave them an instant record deal with...
. Prior to joining the group, Healy was a solo artist in her own right and released a solo studio EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, entitled Sorry which was self-written and self-produced.
Early life and family
Una Healy was born in ThurlesThurles
Thurles is a town situated in North Tipperary, Ireland. It is a civil parish in the historical barony of Eliogarty and is also an ecclesiastical parish in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly...
, Ireland to Anne and John Healy, a nurse and a GP
GP
- Business and media :* Georgia-Pacific LLC, a manufacturer and marketer of tissue, packaging, paper, pulp and building products* Gestair's IATA airline designator* Girard-Perregaux, a luxury brand of Swiss watches...
. She has a sister, Deirdre, And Una is also pregnant with Ben and are having a baby girl together.
Healy comes from a musical background and is the niece of country singer Declan Nerney
Declan Nerney
Declan Nerney is an Irish singer of country and Irish genre. Born in the town of Drumlish in County Longford, he started at the age of 16 in local band the "The Hi-Lows"...
. She is a cousin of Irish athlete Paul Hession
Paul Hession
Paul Hession is an Irish international track and field athlete who specialises in the sprinting events, particularly the 200 metres...
.
At 13, she gave up swimming (she was an All-Ireland champion swimmer at 9) and decided to teach herself to play using her mother's guitar and from then on began to write songs of her own.
After finishing school at 18, she decided to take a year out and became a medical secretary, and from then went on to study nursing and then primary teaching, but decided finally to go ahead and pursue her music passion at 23 years old. She began her music career playing guitar and singing in pubs and clubs around Ireland, solo and in bands.
Whilst she was slowly finding success in her native Ireland as an indie solo artist, she felt she didn't have a firm direction in her career. Therefore, in the summer of 2007 she flew over to London to gain more exposure and experience and landed an audition for The Saturdays
The Saturdays
The Saturdays are a British and Irish pop girl group based in London, United Kingdom. The group consists of five members Una Healy, Mollie King, Frankie Sandford, Vanessa White and Rochelle Wiseman. In 2007 the band were formed through Fascination Records which gave them an instant record deal with...
, which was her first audition for a major label and abroad.
Early career
Healy won Ireland's GlinskGlinsk
Glinsk is a small village in County Galway, in the west of Ireland, between Creggs and Ballymoe. Glinsk is located approximately 68 km from Galway city and approximately 30 km from Roscommon. It is located in valley of the River Suck, which has a 60 mile hiking trail. Nearby is the...
Song Contest in both 2004 and 2006, and her self-produced EP, "Sorry" was released in 2006.
She represented Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2006
Eurovision Song Contest 2006
The Eurovision Song Contest 2006 was the 51st Eurovision Song Contest, held at the Olympic Indoor Hall in Athens, Greece on 18 May and 20 May 2006 . The hosting national broadcaster of the contest was Ellinikí Radiofonía Tileórasi . The Finnish band Lordi won the contest with the song "Hard Rock...
as a backing singer for Brian Kennedy
Brian Kennedy (singer)
Brian Edward Patrick Kennedy is an Irish singer-songwriter and author, known for his ballads, and has represented Ireland at Eurovision 2006. He is the younger brother of musician Bap Kennedy.-Personal life:...
on "Every Song Is a Cry for Love
Every Song Is A Cry For Love
"Every Song is a Cry for Love" was the Irish entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006, which was written and sung by Brian Kennedy in English. He came 10th in the final, and his performance in the semi-final marked the 1000th Eurovision song of all time...
".
2007-present: The Saturdays
Healy has been a member of the girl group The Saturdays. The band have enjoyed eight top ten hits, and three top ten album hits The girl band released their first debut single, "If This Is LoveIf This Is Love
"If This Is Love" is a song performed by British-Irish recording girl group The Saturdays from their debut studio album, Chasing Lights . It was co-written by Joe Belmaati, Michaela Breen, Vince Clarke, Mich Hansen, Alison Moyet, John Reid, Remee and Ina Wroldsen. The song was produced by Belmaati...
" in July 2008, where it peaked at number 8 in the UK. The band released a second single "Up
Up (The Saturdays song)
"Up" is a song performed by British-Irish recording girl group The Saturdays from their debut studio album, Chasing Lights . It was co-written by the track's producers, Josef Larossi and Andreas Romdhane of Quiz & Larossi, in collaboration with Ina Wroldsen...
" where it charted at number five in the UK, and later the song enjoyed a certification of Silver
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
in the United Kingdom. In late October 2008, the band released their first studio album, Chasing Lights
Chasing Lights
Chasing Lights is the debut album by British-Irish girl group The Saturdays, released on 27 October 2008 by Fascination Records. The album was re-issued on 16 March 2009 to include their cover of Depeche Mode's 1981 song "Just Can't Get Enough"....
, where it charted at number nine in the UK, and also achieved a certifications of Platinum by BBI. The band released a third single from the album, "Issues", which also received a silver certificate by the BBI. The Saturdays released a cover of "Just Can't Get Enough" by Depeche Mode; the song debuted at number 2 in the UK, behind Flo Rida's "Right Round". The fifth and final single from the album was "Work
Work (The Saturdays song)
"Work" is the fifth single from British-Irish girl group The Saturdays. The pop song was written by Ina Wroldsen, Harry Sommerdahl and Kalle Engström. "Work" was released as the final single from the group's debut album, Chasing Lights...
", which was the first single by the band to not reach the top 20. The band later went on a tour titled "The Work Tour
The Work Tour
The Work Tour is the debut headlining theatre tour by British girl group The Saturdays. The tour became the bands first headlining tour, but their second time actually touring, after they spent part of 2008 as support act for Girls Aloud on their Tangled Up Tour. The tour opened on 2 June 2009, and...
." and she did
In October 2009, the band released a second studio album, Wordshaker
Wordshaker
"Wordshaker" generated generally favorable reviews amongst critics upon its release. Allmusic's Matthew Chisling awarded the album three out of five stars, praising the girls and the album for "combining aggressive basslines and vocals that are a pinch of prowess". Chisling's praised tracks like...
, which charted at number nine in United Kingdom and was given a silver certification by the BBI. The first single, "Forever Is Over
Forever Is Over
"Forever Is Over" is a single by British-Irish girl group The Saturdays. The track was released by digital download on October 3, 2009, and CD single the following day. The song was written by, Louis Biancaniello, Sam Watters, James Bourne and produced by The Runaways...
", charted at number two in the UK. The Saturdays appeared in advertisements for several products including a brand of deodorant, tampons, mobile phones, an operating system, and hair removal products.
But in early 2010, the band released a second and final single from their second debut album, "Ego
Ego (The Saturdays song)
"Ego" is the second official single from girl group The Saturdays' second studio album, Wordshaker, and their seventh single overall. The song is a strong electropop song. The song was written by Steve Mac and co-written by Ins Wrolsen and Rhys Barker, who has previously worked on the bands...
", which charted at number nine. Although the song became the second lowest single to chart by the band, it became one of their highest selling singles[specify], after getting a certification of silver by the BBI.
In summer 2010, the band released their first mini album, their third album overall, Headlines!
Headlines!
Headlines! is the first extended play and third major release by British-Irish girl group The Saturdays. It was released in Ireland on 13 August 2010 and in the United Kingdom on 16 August 2010 by Fascination Records...
, which charted at number 3 in the UK and number 10 in Ireland. The band released their eighth single, "Missing You
Missing You (The Saturdays song)
"Missing You" is a song performed by British-Irish girl group The Saturdays, taken from their first mini album, Headlines!. Written by Alexander Kronlund and Lukas Hilbert with production from Hilbert and James Reynolds, the song was released as the collection's lead single on 5 August as a digital...
", which charted at number three in the UK and number six in Ireland. Rochelle Wiseman confirmed that the second single from the album would be "Higher
Higher (The Saturdays song)
"Higher" is the award winning song performed by British-Irish girl group The Saturdays taken from their mini-album, Headlines!. Written by Ina Wroldsen and co-written & produced by Arnthor Birgisson, the song confirmed to be the mini-album's second single when it was released on 1 November 2010 by...
" After Flo Rida beat the group to number one for the second time, the American rapper offered to do a collaboration with the band. It was later confirmed, by the band's official website that Flo Rida
Flo Rida
Tramar Dillard , better known by his stage name Flo Rida , is an American rapper and singer-songwriter. He released his debut album, Mail on Sunday, in March 2008. His debut single "Low", featuring T-Pain, was a #1 hit for ten weeks in United States in early 2008. Two other singles resulted from...
had recorded vocals for "Higher".
Recognition
Healy won "Hottest Female 2009" in the Virgin Media Music Awards. She was ranked number 19 and number 41 in FHMFHM
FHM, originally published as For Him Magazine, is an international monthly men's lifestyle magazine.- History :The magazine began publication in 1985 in the United Kingdom under the name For Him and changed its title to FHM in 1994 when Emap Consumer Media bought the magazine, although the full For...
's Sexiest Women poll in 2010 and 2011.
Personal life
Healy is in a relationship with England national rugby union playerEngland national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
Ben Foden
Ben Foden
Benjamin Foden is a rugby union footballer who plays for Northampton Saints and England. He plays at fullback or scrum-half, but can also operate on the wing...
since 2008. On 16 September 2011, Healy announced she is pregnant and will still be going on tour in December 2011. On 7 November 2011, Healy and Foden revealed that she is expecting a baby girl.
External links
- Profile The Saturdays Website