Louisa Johnson (born 11 January 1998), also known mononymously as Louisa, is an English singer. In 2015, she won the twelfth series of The X Factor.[1] She subsequently released her winner's single "Forever Young", which peaked at number nine on the UK Singles Chart. In 2016, she was featured on Clean Bandit's UK top five single "Tears".
Louisa Johnson | |
|---|---|
 Johnson in 2017 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Louisa Johnson |
| Born | 11 January 1998 Thurrock, Essex, England |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2015–present |
| Labels |
|
| Website | www |
Early life
editLouisa Johnson was born on 11 January 1998 in Thurrock, Essex[2] to David Johnson[3] and Lisa Hawkyard.[4] Her father is a construction worker from Essex and her mother is a driving instructor from Chafford Hundred.[5] She was raised in Thurrock.[6] Johnson attended St. Thomas of Canterbury primary school in Grays, Essex and The Harris Academy secondary school in Chafford Hundred.[7]
Career
edit2015: The X Factor
editIn 2015, Johnson auditioned for the twelfth series of The X Factor, singing American pop music family group The Jackson 5's "Who's Lovin' You". She picked this record because "it is a really really hard song to sing, but I wanted to make a good impression".[8] She received a standing ovation from all four judges and the audience afterwards and progressed through to "bootcamp". At the first challenge at "bootcamp", she sang "Proud Mary" with 4th Impact (formerly known as 4th Power), Sherilyn Hamilton-Shaw, Neneth Lyons, Jasmine Leigh Morris and Andre Batchelor, and was sent through to the next challenge.[9] She sang "Lay Me Down" in the second challenge and made it through to the six-chair challenge.[10]
Johnson competed in the "girls" category at "bootcamp" and was mentored, at the decision of the public, by Rita Ora.[8] She successfully made it past the six-chair challenge to "judges' houses", singing "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" by Jennifer Hudson; when Johnson arrived, all six chairs had been filled, and Ora described the atmosphere as "like a zoo".[8] At judges' houses, she sang "Respect" by Aretha Franklin in front of Ora and American musician Meghan Trainor in Los Angeles;[8] this performance gained media attention, as Johnson wore two separate pairs of shoes, with some viewers inferring some sort of faking.[11] Two weeks after that performance was recorded,[8] she was chosen by Ora for the live shows, along with Lauren Murray and Kiera Weathers; that category's Monica Michael later returned as a wildcard entry.[12]
Following the eliminations of Weathers in the second week, Michael in the third week and Murray in the semi-final, Johnson advanced to the final along with Reggie 'n' Bollie and Ché Chesterman singing a cover version of "I Believe I Can Fly" by R Kelly; additionally becoming the final female in the competition. On 12 December, she duetted with her mentor, Ora. The following night, she sang her winner's single, a cover of "Forever Young" by Bob Dylan.[13] On 13 December 2015, she won The X Factor, becoming the first winner in the Girls category since Alexandra Burke in 2008, and also the youngest winner ever, overtaking Joe McElderry, who was 18 years old when he won in 2009.[14]
| The X Factor performances and results (2015) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Show | Song choice | Theme | Result |
| Auditions | "Who's Lovin' You"[10] | — | Through to bootcamp |
| Bootcamp – challenge 1 | "Proud Mary"[9] (with 4th Power, Sherilyn Hamilton-Shaw, Neneth Lyons, Jasmine Leigh Morris and Andre Batchelor) | Through to challenge 2 | |
| Bootcamp – challenge 2 | "Lay Me Down"[10] | Through to six-chair challenge | |
| Six-chair challenge | "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going"[10] | Through to judges' houses | |
| Judges' houses | "Respect"[10] | Through to live shows | |
| Live show 1 | "God Only Knows"[15] | This Is Me | Safe |
| Live show 2 | "Billie Jean"[16] | Reinvention | Safe |
| Live show 3 | "Everybody's Free (To Feel Good)"[17] | Movie week | Safe |
| Live show 4 | "Let It Go"[18] | Love & Heartbreak | Safe |
| Quarter-Final | "Love Yourself"[19] | Jukebox | Safe |
| "Jealous" | Judges' choice | ||
| Semi-Final | "The Power of Love"[20] | Songs to get me to the final | Safe |
| "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" | |||
| Final | "I Believe I Can Fly" | New song | Safe |
| "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" (with Rita Ora) | Celebrity duet | ||
| "It's a Man's Man's Man's World"[13] | Favourite performance | Winner | |
| "Forever Young" | Winner's single | ||
After winning The X Factor, Johnson released "Forever Young". The day after her victory, she plugged the single on The X Factor judge Nick Grimshaw's radio show, Good Morning Britain, Lorraine and This Morning, consecutively.[8] Her version of the song entered the UK Singles Chart on 18 December 2015 at number 9, and became the lowest ever position on entry for a debut single from an X Factor winner. This can be attributed, in part, to the movement of the chart day from Sunday, when she was announced as the winner, to Friday, resulting in her single only receiving four days' sales.[21] The single dropped to number twelve the following week becoming the lowest ranking X Factor winner's song ever on the Christmas Day chart.[22] Overall, the single is the lowest charting X Factor winner's single to date as all other winner's singles managed to top the chart or at least reach the top five. On 18 December 2015, Johnson performed "Forever Young" on the 2015 Text Santa broadcast.[23]
2016–present: Debut studio album and collaborations
editThere were indications that her debut studio album would be released as quickly as possible, maybe as early as February 2016,[24] and would include her debut single "Forever Young". However, the singer later declared: "If I don't like it, no way is it going out. People are going to know me through that album – so it needs to be perfect."[24]
In May 2016, Johnson released a single with British band Clean Bandit called "Tears". The song was a commercial success, reaching the top five in Scotland and the UK, and charting in many other European countries. It was also certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).[25] In June, she performed "Tears" with Clean Bandit and a new version of the song "Over and Over Again" with Nathan Sykes at the Summertime Ball.[26][27] She co-headlined the concert the following year, and appeared as a guest performer in 2018.[28][29]
Johnson released her second solo single, "So Good", in November 2016.[30] The single peaked at number 13 in the UK, and received a gold certification from BPI.[31][25] The following month, Johnson co-headlined both nights of the annual Jingle Bell Ball at London's O2 Arena; she co-headlined the concert for second consecutive year in 2017.[32][33] Her third single, "Best Behaviour" was released in March 2017.[34] It charted at number 48 in the UK, and was certified silver by BPI.[31][25] In 2017, she also featured on Olly Murs' single "Unpredictable",[35] which reached number 32 on the official UK singles chart and received a silver certification from BPI.[31][25] In March 2018, Johnson released her fourth single, "Yes", a collaboration with the American rapper 2 Chainz, which peaked at number 65 in the UK.[36][31]
On 13 July 2018, Johnson announced via social media that she had left Syco.[37] She also announced the release of her new single for early August with Ministry of Sound.[37] The single "Between You & Me", recorded in collaboration with One Bit, was released on 10 August 2018.[38] Later that month, she was featured on Mars Moniz's single "999".[39] In 2019, she collaborated with Sigma on the single "Here We Go Again" which charted in the UK at number 98.[31] She also featured on Kream and Eden Prince's single "Ain't Thinkin Bout You", and released "Ain't Got You" with Steve Void in 2019.[40]
In January 2020, Johnson announced a collaboration with fitness clothing brand USA Pro.[41] Following the announcement, she released "Like I Love Me" to promote the collaboration.[42] For the artwork of the single, Johnson posed completely nude, being photographed sitting down in front of a plain backdrop, with one leg raised towards her and the other one spread out.[43]
In September 2022, she released a collaboration with Jonas Blue titled "Always Be There".[44]
Personal life
editIn 2017, Johnson spoke about her friendship with former X Factor mentor Rita Ora, stating that she was "still in touch with Rita".[45]
In 2018, Johnson faced backlash for multiple homophobic tweets she had made as a schoolgirl in 2013, which included the repeated use of the homophobic slur "faggot". She apologised for the tweets, saying, "I was young and foolish, and hanging around with the wrong crowd & didn’t know any better."[46][47]
Discography
editSingles
editAs lead artist
edit| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK [31] |
IRE [48] |
SCO [49] | ||||
| "Forever Young" | 2015 | 9 | 5 | 2 | Non-album singles | |
| "So Good" | 2016 | 13 | 37 | 8 | ||
| "Best Behaviour" | 2017 | 48 | 71 | 22 |
| |
| "Unpredictable" (with Olly Murs) |
32 | 65 | 20 |
|
24 Hrs | |
| "Yes" (featuring 2 Chainz) |
2018 | 65 | 72 | 27 | Non-album singles | |
| "Between You & Me" (with One Bit) |
— | — | — | |||
| "Ain't Got You" (with Steve Void) |
2019 | — | — | — | ||
| "Like I Love Me"[42] | 2020 | — | — | — | ||
| "Always Be There" (with Jonas Blue) |
2022 | — | — | — | Together | |
| "Who You Are" (with Toby Gad) |
2024 | — | — | — | Piano Dairies | |
| "—" denotes items which were not released in that country or failed to chart. | ||||||
As featured artist
edit| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK [31] |
BEL (FL) Tip [50] |
GER [51] |
IRE [48] |
NLD [52] |
NZ Heat. [53] |
SCO [49] |
SWE [54] |
US Dance [55] | ||||
| "Tears" (Clean Bandit featuring Louisa Johnson) |
2016 | 5 | 24 | 95 | 21 | 26 | 10 | 3 | 45 | 17 | What Is Love? | |
| "Weak (Stay Strong Mix)" (AJR featuring Louisa Johnson) |
2017 | 58 | — | — | — | — | — | 23 | — | — | Non-album singles | |
| "Bridge over Troubled Water" (as part of Artists for Grenfell) |
1 | 26 | — | 25 | — | 4 | 1 | — | — |
| ||
| "With a Little Help from My Friends" (as part of NHS Voices) |
2018 | 89 | — | — | — | — | — | 26 | — | — | ||
| "999" (Mars Moniz featuring Wusu and Louisa) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Here We Go Again" (Sigma featuring Louisa) |
2019 | 98 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Hope | |
| "Ain't Thinkin Bout You" (Kream and Eden Prince featuring Louisa) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single | ||
| "—" denotes items which were not released in that country or failed to chart. | ||||||||||||
Concert tours
editCo-headliner
- The X Factor Live Tour (2016)
Supporting
- Olly Murs's Summer Tour (2017 – Leg 2)[59]
- Little Mix's The Glory Days Tour (2017)
- Westlife's The Wild Dreams Tour (2022)
References
edit- ^ Mohan, Isabel. "X Factor Final 2015 results: Louisa Johnson a worthy winner, why One Direction looked so miserable, plus full voting stats". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
- ^ "Louisa Johnson wins X Factor 2015 and One Direction play their last gig for a year – watch". NME. 13 December 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
- ^ Whale, James. "David, the Dad of Essex X-Factor hopeful Louisa Johnson, talks about her hopes for the future". BBC Essex. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
- ^ "Louisa Johnson News:@louisa with her beautiful mum @LisaHawkyard & brother @FynnJohnson!". Twitter. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
- ^ "X Factor 2015 star Louisa Johnson and family meet West Ham idols". Echo. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
- ^ Harmsworth, Andrei (14 December 2015). "Xstatic". Metro. p. 3.
- ^ Rice, Emma (8 December 2015). "Louisa comes home to Chafford Hundred ahead of X Factor final". Romford Recorder. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f "The X Factor's Winner's Story 2015". The X Factor UK 2015. 20 December 2015. ITV.
- ^ a b "Thurrock's Louisa Johnson makes next round of X Factor". Your Thurrock. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
- ^ a b c d e "The X Factor 2015: Who is Louisa Johnson?". Daily Express. 3 November 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
- ^ "The X Factor 2015: Louisa Johnson's shoes prove The X Factor is fake". Metro. 27 October 2015.
- ^ "X Factor 2015: Monica Michael to return as wildcard". London Evening Standard. 29 October 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
- ^ a b Mohan, Isabel (14 December 2015). "Reggie 'N' Bollie vs. Louisa Johnson – who will win? Plus what time is X Factor final results show on TV tonight?". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 December 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
- ^ "Louisa Johnson becomes youngest X Factor winner". The Belfast Telegraph. 13 December 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
- ^ Mohan, Isobel (3 November 2015). "Bupsi Brown, Alien Uncovered and 4 things we've learned from The X Factor". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
- ^ Mohan, Isabel (9 November 2015). "X Factor 2015: huge shock as Seann Miley Moore gets voted off and 5 things we learned". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
- ^ Mohan, Isabel (16 November 2015). "X Factor 2015: Olly Murs apologises for vote-off gaffe, plus 6 things we learned". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
- ^ "It's Love & Heartbreak week – here's what the acts are singing". The X Factor. itv.com. 20 November 2015. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
- ^ "It's Jukebox & Judges' Choice week! See what our Final 5 will be singing here". The X Factor. itv.com. 27 November 2015. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
- ^ "Semi-final theme & songs revealed and we're TOO excited!". The X Factor. itv.com. 4 December 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
- ^ "X Factor: Louisa Johnson records lowest chart entry for winner". BBC News. 18 December 2015. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
- ^ "NHS Choir defeat Justin Bieber to secure the UK's Official Christmas Number 1 2015". Official Chart Company. 25 December 2015. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "X Factor's Louisa Johnson proves herself a worthy winner in astounding Text Santa performance". BT Group. tv.bt.com. 18 December 2015. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
- ^ a b Laing, Greg (24 December 2015). "X Factor winner Louisa Johnson to rush-release her debut album for February 2016". Digital Spy. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "British certifications – Louisa Johnson". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 31 October 2024. Type Louisa Johnson in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- ^ "Just Faultless! Clean Bandit & Louisa Johnson Debuted 'Tears' At The #CapitalSTB". Capital. 11 June 2016. Archived from the original on 28 October 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
- ^ "Nathan Sykes Gives The #CapitalSTB Crowd A Surprise Duet… With X Factor's Louisa Johnson!". Capital. 13 June 2016. Archived from the original on 28 October 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
- ^ "Louisa Johnson Wowed The #CapitalSTB Crowd With Her Infectious Brand Of Incredible Pop". Capital. 10 June 2017. Archived from the original on 7 July 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
- ^ "Clean Bandit Brought Out Some HUGE Guests During Their Amazing #CapitalSTB Set". Capital. 9 June 2018. Archived from the original on 28 October 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
- ^ Alexander, Susannah (23 October 2016). "Louisa Johnson is releasing new music VERY soon". Digital Spy. United Kingdom. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g Peak positions in the UK:
- All except noted: "Louisa Johnson". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
- "Bridge over Troubled Water": "Artists for Grenfell". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
- "With a Little Help from My Friends": "NHS Voices". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
- "Here We Go Again": "Sigma ft Louisa". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
- ^ "Capital JBB 2016 – Check Out All The New Names On The Jingle Bell Ball Line-Up!". Capital. 29 November 2016. Archived from the original on 28 October 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
- ^ "#CapitalJBB 2017 – Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, Sam Smith, The Chainsmokers & More Confirmed For The Jingle Bell Ball Line Up!". Capital. 9 November 2017. Archived from the original on 28 October 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
- ^ "X Factor winner Louisa Johnson announces new single Best Behaviour". Official Charts Company. 15 February 2017. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
- ^ "Olly Murs to team with an X Factor winner for new single Unpredictable". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
- ^ "Just say YES to Louisa Johnson's new single: First listen preview". Official Charts Company. 9 March 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
- ^ a b "X Factor winner Louisa Johnson splits from Simon Cowell's label". BBC News. 14 July 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
- ^ "Louisa Johnson is back and has teamed up with One Bit on single Between You & Me". Official Charts Company. 9 August 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
- ^ "999 (feat. Louisa & Wusu) – Single by Mars Moniz". Apple Inc. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
- ^ "Steve Void Drops Massive Tropical Tune 'Ain't Got You' Featuring Louisa". EDM Sauce. 28 June 2019. Archived from the original on 3 July 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
- ^ @Louisa (9 January 2020). "So much fun doing this w the people I love 🧡💙🧡 check out my collection" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ a b Magnocavallo, Fabio. "Louisa Johnson Poses Completely Nude On Artwork For Body Confidence-Inspired New Single". Inquisitr. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
- ^ "Louisa Johnson Poses Completely Nude On Artwork For Body Confidence-Inspired New Single". The Inquisitr. 16 January 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- ^ Schube, Will (5 September 2022). "Jonas Blue And Louisa Johnson Team Up For 'Always Be There'". UDiscover Music. Archived from the original on 18 September 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
- ^ Darvill, Josh (16 February 2017). "X Factor's Louisa Johnson still in touch with Rita Ora as she releases new single". TellyMix. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- ^ "Louisa Johnson apologises for past homophobic tweets". GAY TIMES. 29 March 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- ^ "X Factor winner, Louisa Johnson, apologises for 'homophobic' Tweets". Thurrock Gazette. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- ^ a b Peak positions in Ireland:
- All except noted: "Discography Louisa Johnson". Irish Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
- "Bridge over Troubled Water": "Discography Artists For Grenfell". Irish Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
- ^ a b Peak positions for singles in Scotland:
- "Forever Young": "Chart Archive > 18 December 2015". Official Charts Company. 26 December 2015.
- "Tears": "Chart Archive > 3 June 2016". Official Charts Company. 30 May 2019.
- "So Good": "Chart Archive > 4 November 2016". Official Charts Company. 5 November 2016.
- "Best Behaviour": "Chart Archive > 17 March 2017". Official Charts Company. 18 March 2017.
- "Unpredictable": "Chart Archive > 16 June 2017". Official Charts Company. 16 June 2017.
- "Bridge over Troubled Water": "Chart Archive > 23 June 2017". Official Charts Company. 30 May 2019.
- "YES": "Chart Archive > 23 March 2018". Official Charts Company. 23 March 2018. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
- "With a Little Help from My Friends": "Chart Archive > 13 July 2018". Official Charts Company. 30 May 2019.
- ^ "Clean Bandit feat. Louisa Johnson – Tears". ultratop.be.
"Artists For Grenfell – Bridge Over Troubled Water". ultratop.be. - ^ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts – Offizielle Deutsche Charts". offiziellecharts.de.
- ^ "Clean Bandit Feat. Louisa Johnson – Tears". Top40.nl. Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Archived from the original on 15 October 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
- ^
- "Tears": "The Official New Zealand Music Chart". THE OFFICIAL NZ MUSIC CHART.
- "Bridge over Troubled Water": "NZ Heatseekers Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 26 June 2017. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
- ^ "swedishcharts.com – Clean Bandit feat. Louisa Johnson – Tears". www.swedishcharts.com.
- ^ "Clean Bandit – Chart history – Billboard". Billboard.
- ^ "Italian single certifications – Louisa Johnson" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 25 November 2017. Select "Tutti gli anni" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "Louisa Johnson" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
- ^ http://www.irishcharts.ie/awards/gold17.htm[permanent dead link]
- ^ "British certifications – Artists For Grenfell". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 24 November 2017. Type Artists For Grenfell in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- ^ "Louisa Johnson to support Olly Murs Summer Tour 2017!". Liz Hobbs Group. Retrieved 9 April 2017.