Anthony Callea

Infobox musical artist
Name = Anthony Callea


Img_capt = Callea performing at Highpoint
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Anthony Cosmo Callea
Born = birth date and age|df=yes|1982|12|13
Died =
Origin = Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Instrument =
Genre = Pop
Occupation = Singer-songwriter - actor Musical theatre
Years_active = 2004–present
Label = Sony BMG (2004–present)
URL = [http://www.anthonycallea.com.au Official Website]

Anthony Cosmo Callea (born 13 December 1982 in Melbourne to Italian parents) is an ARIA Award-winning Australian singer and was the runner-up in the 2004 season of Australian Idol. Anthony currently holds the record for both the highest and fastest-selling single in Australia for his debut release, "The Prayer".

Biography

Early Years

Callea, credited as Anthony De Fazio, appeared in an episode of "Funky Squad", "The Wrong Side of the Tracks", in 1995.

"Australian Idol"

Callea began entering talent contests as a child and trained with the Johnny Young Talent School. He auditioned and was selected for the final 30 in the television series Australian Idol in 2004. Based on viewer votes, he did not make it through the first round of competition, but was invited back as a "Judge's Choice Wildcard", where his performance earned him a place in the final twelve.

Over the weeks of the competition, his popularity with the Australian public grew. During his run on the show, he gave several performances that earned him high praise from the judges, including his rendition of Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge over Troubled Water", Foreigner's "I Want to Know What Love Is" and Andrea Bocelli and Céline Dion's duet "The Prayer." Judge Ian 'Dicko' Dickson said Callea's performance of the latter was the finest he had seen during his two years with the show. The competition concluded in November 2004 with Callea finishing as runner-up to Casey Donovan. He cited Cosima De Vito as his favourite contestant of the first series of Australian Idol.

Australian Idol Performances

* Melbourne Auditions: "Wishes" by Human Nature
* Top 30: "Angels" by Robbie Williams
* Wildcard: "The Reason" by Hoobastank
* Top 12: Australian Made - "Heaven Knows" by Rick Price
* Top 11: Pop Night - "Ignition" by R. Kelly
* Top 10: 60's Night - "Gimme Some Lovin'" - Spencer Davis Group
* Top 9: Disco Night - "Car Wash" by Rose Royce
* Top 8: Idol's Choice - "The Prayer" by Andrea Bocelli and Céline Dion
* Top 7: Beatles Night - "I Saw Her Standing There" by The Beatles
* Top 6: 80's Night - "I Want to Know What Love Is" by Foreigner
* Top 5: R'n'B Night - "Back at One" by Brian McKnight
* Top 4: Big Band Night - "Fever" and "(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66" by Nat King Cole
* Top 3: 70's Night - "Hold the Line" by Toto and "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon and Garfunkel
* Top 2: "Listen with Your Heart" (Winner's Single) by Diane Warren, "Walking Away" by Craig David and "Glory of Love" by Peter Cetera
* Grand Final: "The Prayer" by Andrea Bocelli and Céline Dion

Post Idol

2005-2006: "Anthony Callea"

Callea was immediately signed to Sony/BMG Records, and his first single,"The Prayer" was released in December 2004. It debuted on the ARIA Singles Chart at number one, and remained there for five consecutive weeks. Within seven weeks, it had become the highest-selling Australian single of all time, as it was certified four times platinum, selling in excess of 280,000 copies.cite web|title=ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2004 Singles|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-accreditations-singles-2004.htm|work=Australian Recording Industry Association|accessmonthday=November 14 |accessyear=2006] His next single, the double A-side "Rain / Bridge over Troubled Water" spent two weeks at number one. His self-titled album debuted at number one on the week of 4 April 2005, and remained at the top of the chart for three weeks. His third single "Hurts So Bad" debuted at number ten on the ARIA Charts, while the album's final single, "Per Sempre (For Always)" debuted at number five.

Callea's DVD "Live in Concert" was released on 7 November 2005. It debuted at #3 in the ARIA DVD Chart and awarded Platinum status.

2006-2007: "A New Chapter"

Callea released the single "Live for Love" on 4 November 2006, the first from his second album "A New Chapter", the only song on the album which he did not co-write. Both the single and the album, released on 25 November 2006, debuted at number 9. The album contains a mix of genres characteristic to Callea, including power ballads and more up-tempo songs.Callea also contributed his version of the Brian McKnight song, "Home", to the compilation album "", which was released in order to raise funds for BeyondBlue, an anti-depression organisation. The second single "Addicted to You" debuted at No 19 when released in February 2007.

2008: "Currently working on 3rd album"

Anthony Callea is currently working on his third album with SonyBMG due for release later in 2008, refer anthonycallea.com.au biography.

Charity Work

Callea has been involved with many charities. He was part of the Tsunami Relief Telethon and was also invited to perform at the Red Cross Ball in the presence of Prince Frederik and Princess Mary of Denmark. Callea has also worked with The Starlight Foundation, the Royal Melbourne Children's Hospital, The Mirabel Foundation and The Salvation Army. More recently, Callea was the ambassador for the 2007 Perth Telethon for the Royal Children's Hospital, and in November 2007 was appointed the official ambassador for Vision Australia.

Personal life

On 27 March 2007, after speculation and tabloid rumours dating back to his "Idol" appearances, Callea publicly acknowledged that he was gay by issuing a statement confirming his sexuality and thanking his fans and his then-partner, Paul.

"Yes, I am gay," Callea said. "I have no issue with my sexuality now, but it's taken time to become confident with who I am and happy with who I am. I'm comfortable enough to come clean now. It's a weight off my shoulders".cite web|url=http://www.anthonycallea.com.au/newsEvents/home.do?newsId=20030829004424 | title =Anthony Callea's Official Site|accessdate=2007-03-27]

Callea's confirmation of his sexuality came after his accidental on-air 'outing' by Sydney radio station Edge 96.1. In March 2007, breakfast traffic reporter Vic Larusso stated that he had met Callea and his partner at a party the previous weekend. Edge 96.1 later apologised, claiming that Larusso hadn't realised Callea's sexuality was not common knowledge to the Australian public. Callea had previously denied being gay and refused to discuss his private life, a denial for which he later expressed regret.cite web |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/11/06/1099547430072.html?from=storyrhs |title=Anthony dismisses Idol gossip |work=The Age |date=2004-11-07 |accessdate=2007-03-17 |last=Benns |first=Matthew]

On 30 March, 2007, Australian High Court judge Justice Michael Kirby described Callea as an "admirable Australian" for coming out. Justice Kirby added, "In terms of influencing popular culture and understanding of the reality of human sexual diversity, I would trade ten judges for one popular singer."cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/sundayheraldsun/story/0,,21477361-661,00.html |title=Gay Idol receives high praise| work=Sunday Herald Sun|date= 2007-03-31 |accessdate=2007-04-01 |last=Ross |first=Norrie]

Callea has also admitted to suffering from depression in his teenage years, saying, "I went through major depression. I hated myself. I had to see a psychologist. I wasn't talking to anyone. My parents didn't know what was wrong with me."cite web |url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/03/27/1174761391314.html |title=Anthony Callea comes out |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date= 2007-03-27 |accessdate=2008-01-04 |last=AAP] Callea has since supported beyondblue, an Australian initiative against depression, by contributing his version of a Brian McKnight song, "Home", to a compilation album, "" by various Australian artists to raise funds and bring attention to the organisation and its cause.

On 5 December, 2007, Callea told Brisbane's Courier Mail that he had split with his partner of three years and was "officially single as of a week-and-a-half ago." [http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22872147-5012980,00.html] Rumours then began circulating that Callea was dating former "Home and Away" actor Tim Campbell [ [http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,23663,22885005-10388,00.html Anthony Callea's new support act ] . "NEWS.com.au". Retrieved on Dec 12, 2007.] , but it was not until 13 February 2008 that the rumours were confirmed, with Campbell telling a breakfast radio show that "we have gotten to a point where we are very happy together." [ [http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,26278,23206150-10388,00.html Tim Campbell confirms romance with Anthony Callea ] . "NEWS.com.au". Retrieved on Feb 13, 2008]

Tours

Anthony Callea Tour 2005

In July 2005, Callea embarked on an extensive east coast tour adding dates along the way. Supporting Callea on tour was Tina Cousins.

Westlife Face To Face Tour 2006

During the Australian leg of Westlife's Face To Face Tour, Callea performed as their support act.

Diana Ross I Love You Tour 2006

During the Australian leg of Diana Ross's I Love You Tour, Callea performed as her support act.

A New Chapter Tour 2007

From July to September 2007, Callea embarked on his "A New Chapter" Tour with his four-piece band. Callea performed the songs in his album "A New Chapter" as well as some of his classic songs, playing eighteen shows across the country.

Other

*"I Wanna Know What Love Is" (studio recording Track 3 of "Australian Idol: The Final 12 2004")
*"Listen with Your Heart" (released as bonus CD to a limited number of debut albums)
*"Wanna Be The One" (b-side to "Rain/Bridge Over Troubled Water CDS")
*"Don't Tell Me" (b-side to "Rain/Bridge Over Troubled Water CDS")
*"The Healing of a Heart" ("Bambi 2 Soundtrack")
*"Meant for Love" (b-side to Addicted To You)
*"Try" (b-side to Addicted To You)
*"Whatever It Takes" (iTunes exclusive cover made by Edyta Gorniak)
*"Home" (on "" compilation)
*"The Christmas Song" (on "The Spirit of Christmas 2005" compilation)
*"Far From Over" (itunes special)

Videography

DVD

*Anthony Callea: Per Sempre (For Always) "(DVD single)"

Music videos

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKJbi5rIYmQ The Prayer]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSjN7Dfsv9Y The Prayer (Live on Idol Top 8)]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33nWmscQGLw Rain]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCATfpi2-mM Bridge over Troubled Water (LIVE on Idol)]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GRsHT6M2hM Hurts So Bad (LIVE)]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKPFw6NMdwM Per Sempre(for Always)]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7XO1tc1VAE Live for Love]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhBCUsSqBaY Addicted to You]

Awards

References

External links

* [http://www.anthonycallea.com.au Official Website]
* [http://forums.anthonycallea.com.au Official Forum]
* [http://www.myspace.com/anthonycallea Official MySpace Page]
* [http://www.sonybmg.com.au/artist/info.do?artistId=101558 Sony BMG profile]
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1693319/ IMDb Anthony Callea profile]

Navbox
name = Anthony Callea
title = Anthony Callea
background = Artist
group1 = Studio albums
list1 = "Anthony Callea"• "A New Chapter"
group2 = Singles
list2 = "The Prayer"• "Rain/Bridge Over Troubled Water"• "Hurts So Bad"• "Per Sempre (For Always)"• "Live For Love"• "Addicted To You"
group3 = Related articles
list3 = Australian Idol• It Takes Two"