Nathan James Sykes (born 18 April 1993)[2] is an English singer, best known as a member of the boy band The Wanted. In 2013, Sykes appeared with his bandmates in the E! channel reality television series The Wanted Life.[3] After the band's hiatus in 2014, Sykes embarked on a solo career. His debut single, "Kiss Me Quick" was released in July 2015. It reached number-one on the US Dance Club Songs chart.[4]

Nathan Sykes
Sykes in 2016
Born
Nathan James Sykes

(1993-04-18) 18 April 1993 (age 31)
Gloucester, England
OccupationSinger
Years active2003–present
PartnerCharlotte Burke (engaged)
Musical career
Genres
LabelsGlobal
Websitenathansykesofficial.com

Early life

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Sykes was born on 18 April 1993 in Gloucester to Harry and Karen Sykes, who is a music teacher.[5] He has a younger sister, Jessica Sykes, who is also a singer.[6]

He started singing and performing at the age of six and attended Sylvia Young Theatre School from the age of 11. After completing his GCSEs and graduating from Sylvia Young, he returned to Gloucester to attend sixth form at the selective Ribston Hall High School; however he did not complete his A-levels due to band commitments.[7]

In 2002 and 2003, Sykes won various competitions, including Britney Spears Karaoke on The Saturday Show and one of the categories at the Cheltenham Competitive Festival of Dramatic Art. In 2004, he appeared on ITV's Ministry of Mayhem, and won the Door Youth Project's "Undiscovered Youth Talent Contest" where he performed "Mack the Knife" in Stroud,[8] and he attempted to represent United Kingdom in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2004 that was held in Lillehammer. In the finals, he finished in third place with the song, "Born to Dance", behind Cory Spedding and runner-up Andrew Merry.[9] In 2008, he performed for the music competition "Live and Unsigned".[10][11]

Career

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2009–2014: The Wanted

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Sykes at Changi Airport, Singapore in 2010

In 2009, at the age of 16, Sykes auditioned for the boy band The Wanted. The auditions were held by Jayne Collins. Sykes was chosen to be one of those five members for a group. He joined bandmates Max George, Siva Kaneswaran, Tom Parker and Jay McGuiness. The band achieved 10 UK top 10 singles as well as 3 UK top 10 albums. The group has sold more than 12 million records worldwide.

After being on voice rest for almost a month, Sykes went in for surgery to remove a nodule in his throat on 18 April 2013.[12] During episodes of The Wanted Life, he talked about his throat hurting and burning.[13] The day manager had him see a specialist, who concluded he had a nodule on his throat and suggested that it be removed. The band announced that they would continue their promotional commitments without Sykes for the time being in order to allow him to recover from the surgery.

Sykes made his return in June 2013 when the Wanted opened the Capital FM Summertime Ball, during a performance of "I Found You".[14] Following his return to the band, Sykes confirmed that he would be joining the rest of his bandmates for their upcoming summer gigs and events, while also stating that he still has some recovering to do. Speaking with Heart Radio for an interview, Sykes told the audience: "I'm not quite fully recovered yet but it's quite a long process. I'm at the stage where I can sing and get back with the lads, so I'm very excited to be back and I'm working very hard for a change."[15] As part of the recovery process, it has been reported that Sykes still has to undergo speech and vocal therapy in order to sing with his full vocal range without causing any more damage to it.[16]

After enjoying much mainstream international success, in 2014, the band decided to take a break and pursue their personal endeavours after a tour of the United Kingdom and the United States.[17]

At the same time, Sykes and American singer Ariana Grande released their collaborative single, "Almost Is Never Enough".[18] In 2014, Sykes signed a record deal with Global Entertainment (a part of the Global Group, along with Capital's owner Global Radio).[19] In June 2014, he joined singer Jessie J onstage for Capital's Summertime Ball to perform "Calling All Hearts".[20]

Sykes reunited with his bandmates on 20 September 2021, seven years since their hiatus in support of bandmate Tom Parker for his charity concert 'Tom Parker: Inside My Head' in aid of raising money for Stand Up To Cancer and The National Brain Appeal at the Royal Albert Hall.

The Wanted's first record since 2014; Rule The World will be released 13 September 2021 to accompany their greatest hits record 'Most Wanted - The Greatest Hits' out 12 November 2021.

2015–present: Unfinished Business

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On 21 June 2014, Sykes appeared solo as a special guest performer at the Capital FM Summertime Ball alongside Jessie J to perform "Calling All Hearts" with DJ Cassidy. This marked his first official solo performance since the band's hiatus and his fifth consecutive year as part of the Summertime Ball lineup. He is currently working on music for his debut solo album. Sykes plans to release his debut single in spring 2015, with his debut album being released towards the end of the year.

On 28 January 2015 MTV revealed that Sykes had played them previews of his upcoming material co-written with producers Harmony and LDN Noise[21] including "Money", "Famous" and "Kiss Me Quick".

In March 2015, Sykes debuted his first solo music video for "More Than You'll Ever Know" on Vevo.[22] Sykes went on his first solo tour "Intimate" on 8 April 2015, which included six sold-out shows in the United Kingdom. Sykes announced via the app Periscope that his debut single would be called "Kiss Me Quick", co-written with LDN Noise and Ali Tennant.[23][24] The single was released on 5 July 2015.[citation needed] On 21 May 2015, Sykes released his music video for his debut single, "Kiss Me Quick" on Vevo.[25] The song peaked at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart and number 19 on the Scottish Singles Chart. The song also reached the number 1 spot on the US Dance Club Songs chart.

In October 2015, Sykes announced his second single, called "Over and Over Again". The music video for the song was released in the UK on 28 October 2015. It was released worldwide on 20 November 2015. It was also announced that Sykes would support Little Mix on their The Get Weird Tour in March 2016. Sykes announced that his third single, called "Give It Up", would be released on 13 May 2016.[citation needed] The music video for "Give It Up" was released on 27 April 2016, and was later banned from television after featuring numerous scenes which came across as unsuitable for most audiences.

On 11 June 2016, Sykes performed at Capital's Summertime Ball for the seventh consecutive time (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 with The Wanted, 2014 as Jessie J's guest, 2015 and 2016 as a solo performer).[26][27][28]

On 11 July 2016, Sykes announced via Twitter that he would be joining Alessia Cara on her Know-It-All headlining tour in the United States.[citation needed] On 12 October 2016, Sykes announced via Twitter that his debut studio album, Unfinished Business, would be out worldwide on 11 November 2016.[citation needed]

During September 2021, The Wanted returned with all 5 members of the band,[29] up until bandmate Tom Parker died in 2022.[30]

Personal life

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In the summer of 2012 he dated Dionne Bromfield.[31] He also dated Ariana Grande from August to December 2013.[32]

In December 2022, Sykes announced his engagement to his long-term girlfriend, Charlotte Burke.[33]

Filmography

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Television
Year Title Role Notes
2013 Chasing the Saturdays Himself Episode: "DeepFriedSats"
The Wanted Life
Film
Year Title Role
2007 The Magic Door Elf Warrior

Discography

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Albums

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Title Details Peak chart positions Certifications
UK
[34]
SCO
[35]
US Heat.
[36]
Unfinished Business
  • Released: 11 November 2016
  • Label: Global Entertainment
  • Formats: CD, digital download
11 19 2

Singles

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Title Year Peak chart
positions
Certifications Album
UK
[34]
SCO
[38]
US
Dance

[39]
"Kiss Me Quick" 2015 14 19 1 Unfinished Business
"Over and Over Again"
(solo or featuring Ariana Grande)
8 6 1
"Give It Up"
(featuring G-Eazy)
2016 56 32 39
"Famous" 28 10
"There's Only One of You" 65 29
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Promotional singles

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Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
UK
[34]
IRE
[40]
SCO
[38]
US
[41]
"Almost Is Never Enough"
(with Ariana Grande)
2013 49 56 60 82 The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones and Yours Truly
"More Than You'll Ever Know" 2015 Unfinished Business
"Twist" 2016
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" Non-album single
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Music videos

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Title Year Director
"Almost Is Never Enough" 2013 Nev Todorovic[42]
"More Than You'll Ever Know" 2015 Thomas Bryant[43]
"Kiss Me Quick" Emil Nava[44]
"Over and Over Again" Frank Borin[45]
"Give It Up" 2016 Thomas Bryant[46]
"Famous" Ivanna Smyrnova[47]
"There's Only One of You" Thomas Bryant[48]
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" Unknown

Tours

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Headlining

  • Nathan Sykes Live (2015)

Support

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Tipler, Clare (9 November 2015). "Nathan Sykes breaks from old boy band and creates own music". rubiconline.com. The Rubicon. Retrieved 3 September 2022. Sykes wanted to "keep the album as a pop album while bringing in elements like soul and jazz and R&B as well," he said in a Rolling Stone interview.
  2. ^ "Nathan Sykes Biography". biography.com. 12 March 2015. Archived from the original on 1 February 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
  3. ^ Siegel, Melissa (24 June 2013). "NATHAN SYKES NEARLY QUIT 'A WANTED LIFE'! WHY DID WANTED SINGER WANT OUT OF E! REALITY SHOW? [VIDEO]". hollywoodtake.com.
  4. ^ "Dance Club Songs. The Week of August 22, 2015". Billboard. 11 August 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  5. ^ "The Wanted: Official Website: The Band: Sykes". thewantedmusic.com. Archived from the original on 28 November 2010. Retrieved 21 September 2010.
  6. ^ "VIDEO: Move over Nathan Sykes, sister Jess proves singing talent". Gloucester Citizen. 8 March 2013. Archived from the original on 15 March 2015.
  7. ^ "Nathan Sykes". Glamour. 12 March 2015. Archived from the original on 2 December 2014.
  8. ^ "Nathan Sykes from The Wanted won Stroud talent show". Stroud News & Journal. 11 August 2010. Archived from the original on 6 April 2012.
  9. ^ "Clock Face singing "Born to Dance" at the British qualifying round to the Junior Eurovision Song Contest". 31 May 2012 – via YouTube.
  10. ^ "As a young boy Nathan Sykes would dream of stardom". This Is Gloucestershire. 3 May 2011. Archived from the original on 14 January 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  11. ^ "Gloucestershire teenager aims for the stars with boy band The Wanted". This Is Gloucestershire. 19 July 2010. Archived from the original on 3 May 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  12. ^ "The Wanted's Nathan Sykes to Undergo Vocal Surgery". Billboard. 17 April 2013. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
  13. ^ Sampson, Izzy (13 June 2013). "The Wanted's Nathan Sykes talks about his throat surgery: "I was pretty scared"". Mirror.co.uk. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  14. ^ "The Wanted Open Summertime Ball 2013 With Return Of Nathan Sykes". Capital FM. 9 June 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
  15. ^ "Chester Rocks 2013 The Wanted". Heartnews. 15 June 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2013 – via YouTube.
  16. ^ "The Wanted's Nathan Sykes undergoes vocal rehab". Press Party. 16 May 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  17. ^ "Nathan Sykes: 'The Wanted Split Will Be Lengthy'". MTV. 1 March 2014.
  18. ^ Vena, Joselyn (25 August 2013). "Ariana Grande Admits The Wanted's Nathan Sykes 'Sang The Hell Out Of' Duet". MTV. Archived from the original on 7 May 2014.
  19. ^ "Nathan Sykes". Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  20. ^ Davidson, Amy (24 June 2014). "Watch Nathan Sykes of The Wanted join Jessie J and DJ Cassidy on stage". Digital Spy.
  21. ^ "The Wanted's Nathan Sykes Has A Solo Album Coming... But Is It Any Good?". MTV UK. 28 January 2015. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  22. ^ Roth, Madeline (12 March 2015). "Nathan Sykes Oozes Sex Appeal in New Video: Watch". MTV. Archived from the original on 14 March 2015.
  23. ^ Sykes, Nathan (8 April 2015). "Nathan Sykes Announces Debut Single 'Kiss Me Quick released in June'". Archived from the original on 26 December 2021.
  24. ^ "Nathan Sykes announces debut single 'Kiss Me Quick'". Pop Scoop!. 9 April 2015. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  25. ^ Sykes, Nathan (21 May 2015). "Nathan Sykes releases music video for debut single 'Kiss Me Quick'". YouTube.
  26. ^ "Kiss Us Quick Nathan! The UK Singing Sensation Joins Our Summertime Ball Line Up". Capital. 22 May 2015.
  27. ^ "Nathan Sykes Gives The #CapitalSTB Crowd A Surprise Duet… With X Factor's Louisa Johnson!". Capitalfm.com.
  28. ^ "Nathan Sykes – Nathan Sykes performs to over 80,000 people at the Capital FM Summertime Ball!!". Nathansykesofficial.com. Archived from the original on 23 October 2017. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  29. ^ "The Wanted Music". The Wanted Music.
  30. ^ "The Wanted singer Tom Parker dies of brain tumor at 33". ABC News.
  31. ^ Sperling, Daniel (16 April 2013). "Dionne Bromfield confirms Nathan Sykes split: 'No hard feelings'". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 25 July 2015. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
  32. ^ Pocklington, Rebecca (31 January 2014). "Ariana Grande opens up about split from Nathan Sykes and says it happened 'a while ago'". mirror. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  33. ^ Blanchet, Brenton (9 December 2022). "The Wanted's Nathan Sykes Engaged to Girlfriend Charlotte Burke: 'She Said Yes!'". People. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  34. ^ a b c Peak positions in the United Kingdom:
  35. ^ "Chart Archive > 18 November 2016 – 24 November 2016". Officialcharts.com/. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  36. ^ "Nathan Sykes – Chart History: US Heat". Billboard.
  37. ^ a b c "British certifications – Nathan Sykes". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 16 June 2023. Type Nathan Sykes in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  38. ^ a b Peak positions for singles in Scotland:
  39. ^ "Nathan Sykes – Chart History: Dance Club Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  40. ^ "Discography Nathan Sykes". Irish Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
  41. ^ Peak positions for singles in the US:
  42. ^ "Ariana Grande's New Music Video Has a Lot of Problems". To Borrow or Buy. Archived from the original on 24 November 2018. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
  43. ^ "Nathan Sykes Goes High Glam In 'More Than You'll Ever Know' Video". Pop Dust. 12 March 2015. Archived from the original on 24 November 2018. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
  44. ^ "Nathan Sykes - Kiss Me Quick". Entertainment Focus. 21 May 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
  45. ^ "Nathan Sykes - Over and Over Again". MSN. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
  46. ^ "Nathan Sykes - Give It Up". Entertainment Focus. 12 March 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
  47. ^ Currinn, Jonathan. "Nathan Sykes - Famous". CriticJonni. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
  48. ^ "Nathan Sykes - There's Only One of You". VEVO. 29 December 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
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