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Sinitta
Sinitta in 2012
Born
Sinitta Malone

Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Nationality
  • American
  • British
Occupation(s)Singer, television personality, actress
TelevisionGrease Is the Word
Spouse
Andy Willner
​
​
(m. 2002; div. 2010)​
Children2
Parent(s)Miquel Brown (mother)
Anthony (father)
RelativesAmii Stewart (aunt)
Musical career
OriginLondon, England
Genres
InstrumentVocals
Years active1981–present
Labels
Websitesinitta.com

Sinitta Malone known mononymously as Sinitta, is a British-American singer. She initially found commercial success in the mid-1980s with the single "So Macho" and had several other hits during the decade. In the 2000s, she became known for television appearances, including Loose Women, The Xtra Factor and This Morning. She took part in the ITV show I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in 2011.

Early life

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She was born in Seattle, Washington.[1] Sinitta's mother is Miquel Brown, who was a popular Canadian disco-soul singer in the 1970s and 1980s and a member of the cast of Hair. Sinitta's father's name is Anthony.[2][3]

She has a sister, Gretta, who was adopted by a relative. Sinitta was born and raised in Seattle and later Detroit, but frequently travelled with her mother on tour including to Sydney. Her mother then directed the London production of Hair; Sinitta was sent to boarding school in East Sussex, and ballet school in Tunbridge Wells from the age of 9.[2] She auditioned for musical roles in London, performing in The Wiz at age 12 while still in school.[2]

Career

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Early career

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In 1981, Sinitta appeared in the film Shock Treatment as Frankie, credited as Sinitta Renet.[4][5] Sinitta continued her career by appearing in several West End productions, notably the first production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Cats.[6][7] She also later appeared in Little Shop of Horrors.

1986–1988: Sinitta! and "So Macho"

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In 1986, Sinitta released the single "So Macho", which debuted at 59 on the UK charts;[8] the single remained rather low in the charts but, later that year, reached number 16, climbing to number 5 the following week.[9][10] The subsequent week, "So Macho" reached number 2 in the UK, scoring its highest position on the charts and also giving Sinitta her first Top 3 charting single.[11][12][13] "So Macho" spent the following six weeks in the Top 20 in the UK. Alongside this success in the UK, "So Macho" also reached the Top 20 in Sweden, Australia and Austria. "So Macho" subsequently became the highest-charting of Sinitta's career to date. Sinitta's second single "Feels Like the First Time" was less commercially successful, charting at number 45.

In 1987, Sinitta released the lead single from her upcoming debut album, after seeking the help of producers Stock Aitken Waterman (SAW).[14] The product of that collaboration, "Toy Boy", was based on a tabloid headline about Sinitta's love life, and featured a rap written by the singer.[14] It debuted at number 41 and climbed to number 4 in the UK, where it remained for three consecutive weeks.[15][16] The single remained in the Top 20 for eight weeks. The track also reached number 3 in Switzerland, reaching the Top 20 in Ireland, Belgium, Sweden, Finland and Germany. Sinitta then released the second single from the album, "GTO"; the single reached number 15 on the UK chart.[17]

"GTO" also became Sinitta's first hit in Spain, reaching number 3. The track reached number 11 in Switzerland, number 9 in Norway and number 13 in Ireland. The success of the track came despite the singer initially expressing her dissatisfaction with the subject matter of the song when first presented with the idea by record label boss, Simon Cowell.[18] Fearing that the title would mean nothing to her core audience of gay men and younger record buyers, Sinitta had unsuccessfully begged producers Stock Aitken Waterman to retitle the track before recording.[18] Sinitta later released her debut album Sinitta!, which performed moderately, charting at number 34 in the UK.[19] This album also reached number 69 in Australia.

In 1988, Sinitta released "Cross My Broken Heart", taken from Sinitta!, which reached number 6 in the UK and number 7 in Ireland. The track charted at number 12 in Spain, becoming her second Top 20 single in Spain.[20] Sinitta then released "I Don't Believe In Miracles", which reached number 22 in the UK.

1989–1990: Wicked and "Right Back Where We Started From"

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In 1989, Sinitta moved away from working directly with producers Stock Aitken Waterman amid creatives differences and the producers' changing priorities following the rise of their in-house superstar Kylie Minogue.[21] However, Sinitta did continue to work with Pete Hammond, Phil Harding and Ian Curnow with PWL,[22] in co-operation with German producer Ralf-René Maué who was responsible for such hits of the Hamburg-based eurodisco duo London Boys as "Harlem Desire", "Requiem" and "London Nights". The second album was confirmed as Wicked. The lead single of the album was a cover of Maxine Nightingale's "Right Back Where We Started From", which debuted at number 19 in the UK and rose to number 6.[23][24] The following week the track climbed to number 4 in the UK, holding this position for the subsequent week.[25][26]

For the subsequent four weeks, the single remained in the Top 40. It also charted across the rest of Europe, including reaching number 7 in Finland and the Top 40 in Denmark, Spain and Germany. "Right Back Where We Started From" also charted successfully in Oceania, reaching number 7 in Australia and number 2 in New Zealand, thus becoming her highest charting single in both countries. In addition to this success, the track made the year-end charts, at number 45 in Australia, number 38 in New Zealand and number 49 in the UK.[27][28][29] As a follow-up single, Sinitta released "Love on a Mountain Top", which charted at number 20 in the UK and number 81 in Australia.[30]

The final single of the album, however, was the least successful out of the three, failing to chart.[citation needed] In 1990, Sinitta released the single "Hitchin' a Ride", which performed moderately, charting at number 20 in the UK, whilst "Love and Affection" peaked at number 62.

1992–1997: "Shame Shame Shame" and "Naughty Naughty"

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In July 1992, "Shame Shame Shame" debuted at number 31 in the UK,[31] and later peaked at number 28.[32]

The following April, Sinitta released the 4 track EP The Supreme, containing covers of 4 songs originally by The Supremes[33] which charted at number 49 in the UK.[34] In 1995, Sinitta released a covers album called Naughty Naughty, which was also the only album of hers to be released in Asia.[citation needed]

She appeared on the cast recording album for What a Feeling, a live recording taken from the Apollo Playhouse Theatre, Edinburgh, in May 1997, and replaced Irene Cara to tour with Sonia (a fellow former SAW artist) and Luke Goss (formerly of Bros) in the rock and pop musicals concert, What a Feeling[35] the same year.

In 1997, Sinitta recorded vocals for a cover of the Limmie & Family Cookin' hit "You Can Do Magic" with Mike Stock and Matt Aitken, believing it to be her comeback single.[21] However, the track was in fact an elaborate stunt by TV show The Cook Report, which aimed to expose alleged chart rigging by attempting to hype the track into the charts.[36] The record was fronted by reporter Debbie Currie, who pretended to sing to Sinitta's vocal. Sinitta only discovered this when the show was aired, leaving her feeling used and betrayed.[21]

2004–2023: The X Factor era, television and judging

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In 2004, Sinitta made her premiere appearance on The X Factor in the first series, when she assisted Simon Cowell at the Judges' Houses stage, helping to select his final three acts for the live show, choosing Verity Keays, Rowetta Satchell and the eventual series winner Steve Brookstein.[37][38] In 2005, Sinitta helped Cowell once more during the second series, this time choosing the final four groups Addictiv Ladies, 4Tune, The Conway Sisters and Journey South. In 2006, she returned in the third series and helped Cowell select his final four acts including Ashley McKenzie, Nikitta Angus, Ray Quinn and Leona Lewis, who became the second winner chosen by them, with Lewis becoming one of the most successful acts from the show.[39][40][41] In 2009, Sinitta returned to the show again during the sixth series for the Judges' Houses stage, and then helped Cowell select Jamie Archer, Danyl Johnson and Olly Murs. In 2007, Sinitta became a judge on the ITV show Grease Is the Word.[42][43][44]

The following year, Sinitta joined the cast of the daytime ITV show Loose Women as a presenter.[45][46] In 2010, Sinitta returned to The X Factor for series 7 and helped Cowell again by choosing F.Y.D, Belle Amie and One Direction who have since become the biggest act to have come out of the X Factor.[47][48][49][50] In 2011, however, Sinitta assisted Louis Walsh for the first time, rather than Cowell, when she returned in series 8, selecting Jonjo Kerr, Sami Brookes, Johnny Robinson and Kitty Brucknell. In November that year, Sinitta was confirmed to be taking part in the eleventh series of I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! as one of the contestants and she entered the jungle on Day 3.[51][52]

In 2013, Sinitta helped Walsh on series 10 of The X Factor to select Sam Callahan, Luke Friend and Nicholas McDonald, who eventually finished second. That same year, she appeared in the music video for a cover of a-ha's 1984 hit "Take On Me" on Children in Need.[53] In December, she appeared on Celebrity Come Dine with Me, alongside Danniella Westbrook, Louie Spence and Hugo Taylor.[54][55]

The following year, Sinitta was announced as joining the cast of the first series of the Channel 4 reality TV show The Jump.[56] Sinitta was eliminated fourth overall, placing seventh.[57][58][59][60]

Sinitta returned to her music career in 2014, with her comeback single being a cover of her mother Miquel Brown's song "So Many Men, So Little Time".[61] She later performed the single at Pride in London.[62][63][64] Sinitta returned to The X Factor on series 11 to assist Simon Cowell again that year, when she helped to choose Jay James, second place finalist Fleur East and eventual winner Ben Haenow.[65][66][67]

In 2009, Sinitta became one of the main presenters on The Xtra Factor, on which she interviewed the contestants' friends and family.[68] In 2011, she returned to the show during the live show stages as one of the presenters who visited the finalists' home towns. Her segment on the show became regular, and carried on into 2012 and subsequently 2013 and 2014. In 2016, she was announced as the producer and one of the lead presenters of the Xtra Factor; she stated that she had "revamped" the whole show.[69][70]

Sinitta appeared in the hit reality TV show Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway as a recurring character in 2016.[71][72] Alongside this, Sinitta became a series regular on the chat show Up Late with Rylan,[73][74] and also made appearances on Celebrity Masterchef as a contestant, although she was eliminated in Week 1.[75]

Sinitta's first Christmas track, "I Won't Be Lonely This Christmas", was released on 3 December 2021.[76]

Sinitta took part in the 11th series of Celebs Go Dating but opted to leave the show in episode 14 after failing to find love. The final episode in the series took place in Cyprus, where Sinitta appeared for a surprise performance.[77]

Personal life

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Sinitta was married from 2002 to 2010 to Andy Willner, and has two adopted children.[78] A series of autobiographical videos document her life, and a book is due to follow.[when?][2] Her past relationships and documentation of sexual assaults received media attention in 2018.[citation needed]

Discography

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Main article: Sinitta discography
Studio albums

Filmography

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Films and television

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Year Title Role Notes
1981 Shock Treatment Frankie
1983 American Playhouse Free Space company Episode: "The Files of Jill Hatch: Part III"
1985 The Wall Game Team Leader (Herself) Series 1 only
1986 Foreign Body Lovely indian girl
1988 The Little and Large Show Herself Episode: "Episode #8.5"
1995 To Die For Quilt Documentary narrator Uncredited voice cameo
2004–2018 The X Factor Guest mentor / Guest judge 31 episodes
2010 Dancing on Ice Contestant Season 5
2017 Tracey Ullman's Show Coffee Episode: "Episode 2"
2017 Who Shot Simon Cowell? Party guest Special
2018 Dead Ringer Tiffany Devale
2019 The Seven Ms. Keen
2021 R.I.A. Dr. Tonya Smithe
2022 Celebs Go Dating Herself Series 11
2023 Richard Osman's House of Games Series 7, Week 7
2024 Celebrity Big Brother Series 23, Episode 16
2024 Late Night Lycett Series 2, Episode 2
2024 Celebrity Bridge of Lies Series 2, Episode 3[79]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 2280. ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
  2. ^ a b c d "What is a Vook?". Sinitta.com. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  3. ^ "Exclusive interview with Sinitta". Northernlifemagazine.co.uk. 11 August 2017. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  4. ^ Harper, Jessica; Young, Cliff De; O'Brien, Richard; Quinn, Patricia (30 October 1981), Shock Treatment, retrieved 3 April 2017
  5. ^ "Celebrity birthdays: Sinitta turns 46". Hello!. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  6. ^ "Sinitta reminisces at Cats press night". Newsflare.com. 11 December 2014. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  7. ^ "Sinitta reminisces at Cats press night". MSN. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  8. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 99 | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  9. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100 | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  10. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100 | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
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  12. ^ "Sinitta: Top 10 things you need to know about the Dancing On Ice star". Daily Mirror. 8 January 2010. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  13. ^ "So Macho / Cruising – Sinitta | British Chart Singles". Britishchartsingles.com. Retrieved 3 April 2017.[permanent dead link]
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  15. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100 | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  16. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100 | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
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  18. ^ a b "A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman: Ep 30: Let's Get Together Tonite to I Can't Help It on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
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  20. ^ "A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman: Ep 32: That's The Way It Is to Cross My Broken Heart on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
  21. ^ a b c "A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman: Ep 37: Love, Truth And Honesty to All Of Me on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  22. ^ "Cherry Red Records – Sinitta Wicked (Deluxe Edition) Cherry Pop". Cherryred.co.uk. Archived from the original on 12 October 2013. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
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  26. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100 | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  27. ^ "australian-charts.com – Forum – Top 100 End of Year AMR Charts – 1980s (ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts)". 6 October 2014. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  28. ^ "Top 100 1989 – UK Music Charts". Uk-charts.top-source.info. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  29. ^ "The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Nztop40.co.nz. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  30. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100 | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  31. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 75 | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  32. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 75 | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  33. ^ "the supreme ep | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Official Charts.
  34. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 75". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  35. ^ "Sinitta: Did she ever find her "Toy Boy"?". Thebubbleburst.co.uk. Archived from the original on 14 January 2010.
  36. ^ "What's cookin'?". The Independent. 1 June 1997. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  37. ^ Thornton, Kate; Cowell, Simon; Osbourne, Sharon; Walsh, Louis (16 October 2004), Judges' Houses, retrieved 3 April 2017
  38. ^ Aitkenhead, Decca (5 December 2014). "Steve Brookstein, The X Factor's first winner: 'Simon Cowell is irrelevant'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  39. ^ Yaqoob, Janine (6 August 2016). "Has Simon Cowell dumped best pal Sinitta from X Factor? She fears so". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  40. ^ "The X Factor's 5 biggest selling acts". Digital Spy. 25 September 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  41. ^ "Who's the biggest X Factor star of them all? We count up the stats and crown the REAL winner". Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  42. ^ Ball, Zoë; Friedman, Brian; Gest, David; Ian, David (7 April 2007), Grease Is the Word, retrieved 4 April 2017
  43. ^ "Grease is the Word ITV – Choosing who will play Sandy and Danny". Thisistheatre.com. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  44. ^ "Grease Is The Word Final 2007 Edited Highlights". 27 August 2016. Archived from the original on 12 December 2021. Retrieved 4 April 2017 – via YouTube.
  45. ^ "Sinitta the new Loose Woman – Page 2". Digital Spy. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  46. ^ Brambles, Jackie; Malone, Sinitta Renet; McGiffin, Carol; McDonald, Jane (10 April 2008), Episode #12.151, retrieved 6 April 2017
  47. ^ "How One Direction stayed the world's biggest band even after it stopped existing". The Verge. 13 December 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  48. ^ Smith, Mikey (10 February 2016). "The best ever X Factor contestants – where are they now?". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  49. ^ "X Factor final: One Direction booted off, Rebecca and Matt left". Metro. 12 December 2010. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  50. ^ "One Direction the biggest winners from X Factor – despite coming third". Walesonline.co.uk. 7 December 2012. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  51. ^ "Sinitta IS Joining The Jungle After All! Along With Pat Sharp". HuffPost. 15 November 2011. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  52. ^ "Sinitta voted out of the I'm A Celebrity 2011 jungle | I'm A Celebrity 2017 | TellyMix". Tellymix.co.uk. 25 November 2011. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  53. ^ "PICTURES: Harry Takes On Sinitta To Re-Enact a-Ha's Legendary Video". HuffPost. 6 November 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  54. ^ "Festive Come Dine With Me celebs revealed". Digital Spy. 22 November 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  55. ^ "Come Dine with Me serves up a celebrity Christmas feast". Channel 4. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  56. ^ "The Jump: Meet Sinitta". Radio Times. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  57. ^ "Sinitta is eliminated from 'The Jump'". Attitude Magazine. Retrieved 6 April 2017.[permanent dead link]
  58. ^ Pocklington, Rebecca (30 January 2014). "Sinitta is latest celebrity to be eliminated from Channel 4's winter sports show The Jump". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  59. ^ "Sinitta and Melinda leave The Jump – Channel 4 – Info – Press". Channel 4. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  60. ^ "Who was eliminated from The Jump?". Digital Spy. 29 January 2014. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  61. ^ "So Many Men, So Little Time: Pop star Sinitta revives 80s hit at London Gay Pride". Gay Star News. 24 June 2014. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  62. ^ "Shayne Ward: Newcastle Pride, Sinitta and The X Factor". ITV News. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  63. ^ Daniel Welsh (30 June 2014). "And You Thought The 'Leaves' Outfit Was Bold". HuffPost. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  64. ^ "Sinitta – So Many Men, So Little Time |LIVE AT LONDON GAY PRIDE". 3 July 2014. Retrieved 6 April 2017 – via YouTube.
  65. ^ Heritage, Stuart (15 December 2014). "Ben Haenow winning X Factor is a great result – for Fleur East". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  66. ^ O'Neill, Kara (14 December 2014). "Ben Haenow wins X Factor 2014 after wowing judges with superstar vocals". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  67. ^ "Fleur East is enjoying international success with 'Sax'". Digital Spy. 14 April 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  68. ^ "The Xtra Factor 2009. Episode 11: Live Show 1". 7 June 2013. Archived from the original on 12 December 2021. Retrieved 4 April 2017 – via YouTube.
  69. ^ "Sinitta: 'I've revamped the Xtra Factor'". Celebsnow.co.uk. 9 October 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  70. ^ "Sinitta: 'I've revamped the Xtra Factor' – CelebsNow". Celeb Fresh. Archived from the original on 4 April 2017. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  71. ^ "Sinitta in a leaf bikini steals the show in Who Shot Simon Cowell? sketch". Radio Times. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  72. ^ "Who shot Simon Cowell in Ant & Dec's funny skit?". Digital Spy. 26 February 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  73. ^ "Up Late with Rylan". Sinitta.com. Archived from the original on 20 May 2017. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  74. ^ "Up Late With Rylan (May 16): Who is on tonight's show? Emilia Fox, Jess Wright, Sinitta & more..." Unrealitytv.co.uk. 16 May 2016. Archived from the original on 4 April 2017. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  75. ^ "Who is on Celebrity MasterChef 2016? The full line-up and verdict so far". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  76. ^ "Sinitta announces new festive single "I Won't Be Lonely This Christmas"". retropopmagazine.com. 28 October 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  77. ^ "Celebs Go Dating", channel4.com, 15 December 2023, archived from the original on 19 August 2013, retrieved 28 May 2024
  78. ^ "Sinitta gives an emotional interview about her 'devastating' abortion during her relationship with Simon Cowell". Hello!. 4 October 2013. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  79. ^ Digitalbox. "Celebrity Bridge of Lies - BBC One Yorkshire HD". TV Guide. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
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