Melanie Blatt

Last updated

Melanie Blatt
Allsaints3.jpg
Blatt in 2007
Born
Melanie Ruth Blatt

(1975-03-25) 25 March 1975 (age 49)
Camden, London, England
Other namesMel Blatt
Occupations
  • Singer
  • television presenter
  • actress
Years active1993–present
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1998;div. 2006)​
Children1
Musical career
Genres
Instrument
  • Vocals
Labels London
Member of All Saints
Formerly ofDrive

Melanie Ruth Blatt (born 25 March 1975) is an English singer. She rose to fame in 1997 as a member of the girl group All Saints. [2] The group have gained five UK number-one singles, two multi-platinum albums and two BRIT Awards, and have sold over 10 million records worldwide.

Contents

As a solo artist, Blatt released only two singles, "Do Me Wrong" (2003) and "See Me" (2005), and recorded an unreleased album on London Records. [3] In 2013 and 2015, she was a judge on the television series The X Factor NZ.

Early life

Blatt was born at University College Hospital in the London Borough of Camden and is named after American folk singer Melanie Safka. She has a French mother and a British father, David Blatt (known also as author of the book Manchester United Ruined My Wife), whose ancestors were from Poland and Russia [4] and a younger sister named Jasmine. She was brought up in both the UK and France. In 1986, Blatt was diagnosed as having scoliosis. Since her parents were not satisfied with the treatment for the condition in the United Kingdom they decided to move to France, where a specialist inserted three metal rods in her back.

Blatt went to Fitzjohn's Primary School where her musical talent was immediately noticed by the music teacher David Joyner, who encouraged her parents to send her to a stage school. In 1986, she attended the Sylvia Young Theatre School where she met Nicole Appleton. The two girls became best friends. During this period, Blatt also played young Eponine in Les Misérables for six months, and was the understudy for Cosette together with fellow Sylvia Young student Denise van Outen. [5]

Career

1993–2001: Career with All Saints

In 1993, Blatt sang under the name Melanie Guillaume in the band Drive with Julienne Davis. They released one single, "Curfew", together. [6] She also did backing vocals for Dreadzone with Denise van Outen. [5] Later that year, Blatt met Shaznay Lewis at the Metamorphosis recording studio in All Saints Road, London. Together, with Simone Rainford, they formed the group All Saints 1.9.7.5 which was later renamed to All Saints when Rainford left and Nicole and Natalie Appleton joined Blatt and Lewis.

In 1997 All Saints released their debut single "I Know Where It's At", and peaked at number 4 in the UK. The same year the group released a second single, "Never Ever", which introduced the group to international success after topping the charts in the UK and Australia, and reaching the top ten across Europe, Canada and the United States. The single sold over 1.2 million copies in the United Kingdom and was certified double platinum by the British Phonographic Industry. The same year the group released their debut album All Saints , it reached number two in the United Kingdom and was certified platinum five times for sales of 1.5 million. The group gained a further two number one singles the following year: "Under the Bridge / Lady Marmalade" and "Bootie Call". In 2000 the group released new single "Pure Shores", which was used in the film The Beach and reached number one in the UK. The single was certified platinum for sales over 600,000 copies. The single was followed by their fifth number one single "Black Coffee", their second album Saints & Sinners was released shortly after and topped the chart in the United Kingdom. The album was eventually certified double platinum by the BPI for sales over 600,000. In early 2001, following the release of their single "All Hooked Up", the group split and reasons for this were later explained by Shaznay Lewis, who revealed details of tensions between the group.

In 2000, Blatt appeared in the film Honest directed by Dave Stewart opposite Nicole and Natalie Appleton and in 2001 she played a small role in the independent British film Dog Eat Dog.

2002–2006: Solo musical releases

Blatt's solo releases were of variable success; her most prominent being "TwentyFourSeven", a collaboration with the Artful Dodger , peaking at No 6 in September 2001. Melanie began recording on her debut solo album in 2002, working with numerous producers including Sony Music production team Xenomania. In late 2003 she released her debut single "Do Me Wrong", it reached number 18 in the UK and led to Blatt being dropped by her label due to its low charting. The album she was working on was scrapped, therefore the release of her upcoming single "Blue" was cancelled, but later included on British singer Amelia Lily's debut album Be a Fighter , on which she worked with Xenomania. In 2005 Blatt made a return to music with new single "See Me", which was used in the Robots movie. She began working on a new album with independent label Sowlen Ankle Ltd written with, and recorded by, Matt Hales from Aqualung. During 2005, Blatt played small venues in the UK which featured songs from the album she was working on at the time and included unreleased songs like "In Your Arms," "I Don't Mind," "Now You're Gone," "No Lullaby" and "Love Sweet Love." [7] Blatt's solo record was shelved in favour of the All Saints reunion.

2006–present: All Saints reunion and television

On 24 January 2006, it was announced that the band had reformed and signed a record deal with Parlophone. [8] They subsequently began work on their third studio album, Studio 1 . The first single, "Rock Steady" (released in November 2006), reached number three on the UK Singles Chart. Studio 1 entered the albums chart at number forty and sold 60,000 copies according to the BPI, being certified silver. A second single, "Chick Fit" failed to reach the top 200. Blatt discussed the reunion's failure in an interview with i-D magazine in 2012: "I don't think it was done for the right reasons... I know that I did it for the money. We got signed before we had even made music again, it wasn't like we felt we had something to give back to the world... we were given an opportunity and took it, without really thinking about it too hard". She also said she never felt comfortable with the success the band had and that "it was not necessarily the plan at the beginning; there was a lot of compromise involved". [9]

Since 2007 Blatt presents the TV show The Hot Desk on ITV2 with co-hosts Nicole Appleton, Dave Berry, Emma Willis and Jayne Sharp. Between 2009 and 2010 she was reporter of Angela Griffin's show Angela and Friends . In January 2013 it was announced Melanie Blatt would join Daniel Bedingfield, Stan Walker and Ruby Frost as a judge/mentor on the New Zealand version of The X Factor : "I can't wait to see what kind of artists and voices we are going to find in New Zealand." Blatt mentored the Groups category. [10] It was reported that she and her daughter Lilyella will live in the country for the duration of the series. [11] In February 2013, Blatt revealed she is "making music" and when asked about a solo comeback she said she is going to do something she never thought in a million years she would do. [12] On 11 September 2014 MediaWorks announced both Blatt and Stan Walker would return to judge the second season of the X Factor NZ alongside returning host Dominic Bowden. Blatt and Walker would be joined by new husband-wife duo Willy Moon and Natalia Kills until their sacking, and replaced by Natalie Bassingthwaite and Shelton Woolwright. Blatt mentored the Over 25's and placed 5th with her contestant Steve Broad.

In 2014, All Saints reformed to support the Backstreet Boys for five dates across the UK and Ireland in 2014. [13] On 27 January 2016, it was confirmed that All Saints will release their fourth studio album Red Flag on 8 April 2016. The lead single from the album, "One Strike", preceded the album on 26 February 2016. [14]

Personal life

In 1998, Blatt married bassist Stuart Zender. They had one child together, Lilyella, born on 20 November 1998. [15] The couple divorced in 2006. [16]

Filmography

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2003 Bo' Selecta! Various roleEpisode: "Melanie Blatt and Craig David"
2007–2010 The Hot Desk Presenter
2013–2015 The X Factor New Zealand Judge
2022 Celebrity Masterchef ContestantFinalist
2023 Celebrity Race Across the World Contestant

Films

YearTitleRole
2000 Honest Jo Chase
2001 Dog Eat Dog Jany

Discography

Singles

As main artist

List of singles, with selected chart positions
TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
UK
[17] 		IRL
[18] 		SCO
[19]
"Do Me Wrong"2003183625non-album single
"See Me"200578—72
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.
List of singles, with selected chart positions
TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
UK
[20] 		BEL
[21] 		EUR
[22] 		IRL
[18] 		SCO
[19]
"TwentyFourSeven"
(Artful Dodger featuring Melanie Blatt)		2001616324116 All Hits
"I'm Leavin'"
(Outsidaz featuring Melanie Blatt & Rah Digga)		200241———57 The Bricks
"Let's Get Nice"
(K-Gee featuring Melanie Blatt)		————— Bounce to This
"Dreaming About Tomorrow"
(Rupeski featuring Melanie Blatt)		—————non-album single
"Ecstasy / Need Your Lovin'"
(Soul Clap featuring Melanie Blatt)		2012—————Efunk
"Fall's Away"
(Fur Coat featuring Melanie Blatt)		2013—————Mind Over Matter
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melanie C</span> British pop singer (born 1974)

Melanie Jayne Chisholm, known professionally as Melanie C or Mel C, is an English singer and songwriter. She rose to fame in the 1990s as a member of the pop group the Spice Girls, in which she was nicknamed Sporty Spice. With over 100 million records sold worldwide, the Spice Girls are the best-selling female group of all time. The group went on an indefinite hiatus in 2000, before reuniting for a greatest hits album (2007) and two concert tours: the Return of the Spice Girls (2007–2008) and Spice World (2019). She is known for her unique and distinctive tone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mel B</span> British singer and TV personality

Melanie Janine Brown, commonly known as Mel B or Melanie B, is an English singer, songwriter, television personality, and actress. She rose to fame in the mid 1990s as a member of the pop girl group the Spice Girls, in which she was nicknamed Scary Spice. With over 100 million records sold worldwide, the group became the best-selling female group of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Natalie Appleton</span> Canadian-born English singer (born 1973)

Natalie Jane Appleton Howlett is a Canadian singer. She is a member of the British girl group All Saints and the duo Appleton with her younger sister Nicole Appleton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicole Appleton</span> Canadian-born English singer (born 1974)

Nicole Marie Appleton is a Canadian-British singer and television presenter. She is a member of the British girl group All Saints and the pop duo Appleton with her elder sister Natalie Appleton.

Appleton was a Canadian musical duo composed of sisters Natalie and Nicole Appleton. The sisters are better known as members of the girl group All Saints.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaznay Lewis</span> English singer (born 1975)

Tricia Marie "Shaznay" Lewis is an English singer and songwriter. Lewis rose to fame as a member of the girl group All Saints which she formed with Melanie Blatt in 1993. As a member of All Saints, Lewis won two Brit Awards and an Ivor Novello Award, and co-wrote three of the group's five UK number-one singles: "Never Ever", "Bootie Call" and "Pure Shores". In 2002, Lewis starred in the film Bend It Like Beckham.

<i>Northern Star</i> (Melanie C album) 1999 studio album by Melanie C

Northern Star is the debut solo album by the English singer Melanie C, released on 18 October 1999 by Virgin Records. Chisholm and her team recruited several producers, including William Orbit, Rick Nowels, Marius de Vries and Craig Armstrong and Rick Rubin. Chisholm co-wrote every song.

<i>All Saints</i> (All Saints album) 1997 studio album by All Saints

All Saints is the debut studio album by English girl group All Saints. It was released on 24 November 1997 by London Records. All Saints worked with many producers on the album: Cameron McVey, John Benson, Johnny Douglas, Karl "K-Gee" Gordon, Magnus Fiennes, Nellee Hooper, Karen Gibbs and Neville Henry.

<i>Saints & Sinners</i> (All Saints album) 2000 studio album by All Saints

Saints & Sinners is the second studio album by English girl group All Saints. It was released three years after their debut album, All Saints. The album reached number one in the UK, their only album to do so. Three tracks on the album were produced by William Orbit, best known for his work with Madonna on her Ray of Light album. The album received mixed reviews from music critics, praising the singles and the new direction of music, while some felt it was too similar to the Spice Girls and Madonna's album Ray of Light.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pure Shores</span> 2000 single by All Saints

"Pure Shores" is a song by English girl group All Saints from their second studio album, Saints & Sinners (2000). Group member Shaznay Lewis and producer William Orbit wrote the song for a scene in the 2000 adventure drama film, The Beach. Eschewing the R&B sound of All Saints' previous releases, "Pure Shores" is a dream pop song with ambient and electronic production, and a syncopation of synth delays, arpeggiated guitar and ethereal sound effects. It was released by London Records on 14 February 2000 as the lead single from the film's soundtrack and Saints & Sinners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">War of Nerves</span> 1998 single by All Saints

"War of Nerves" is a song by English girl group All Saints, released by London Records on 23 November 1998 as the fifth and final single from their debut album, All Saints. Group members Shaznay Lewis, Natalie Appleton and Nicole Appleton wrote the song with producers Cameron McVey and Magnus Fiennes. It is a ballad concerning mortality, inspired by the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. "War of Nerves" debuted at number seven on the UK Singles Chart, making it the group's fifth consecutive single to chart in the top 10.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black Coffee (All Saints song)</span> 2000 song by British girl group All Saints

"Black Coffee" is a song by English girl group All Saints from their second studio album, Saints & Sinners (2000). It was released on 2 October 2000 by London Records as the album's second single. The track was produced by William Orbit, and written by Tom Nichols, Alexander von Soos and Kirsty Bertarelli, initially intended as a single for Kirsty under the title "I Wouldn't Wanna Be". It is a mellow electropop, acid techno and R&B song, unique for its production-laden sound featuring breathy keyboards, glitching electronics and elements of ambient music. A wistful love song, its lyrics stem from Kirsty's relationship with Swiss entrepreneur Ernesto Bertarelli, detailing feelings of love at first sight and contentment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All Hooked Up</span> 2001 single by All Saints

"All Hooked Up" is a song by English-Canadian girl group All Saints from their second album, Saints & Sinners (2000). London Records released the song as the third and last single from the album on 15 January 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TwentyFourSeven (song)</span> 2001 single by Artful Dodger featuring Melanie Blatt

"TwentyFourSeven" is a song by UK garage duo Artful Dodger. The first version of the song is included on their debut studio album It's All About the Stragglers (2000), and features a singer named Nicole. The single version features All Saints member Melanie Blatt and was released on 3 September 2001, peaking at number six on the UK Singles Chart. Since it was recorded just before the split of All Saints, it was decided to include this song on the group's All Hits album as well.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Feels So Good (Mel B song)</span> 2001 single by Melanie B

"Feels So Good" is a song by English singer Melanie B from her debut solo studio album Hot (2000). It was written by the singer in collaboration with duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who also produced the track. The song was released as the album's second single on 19 February 2001, by Virgin Records in the United Kingdom. Its release was seen as an attempt to increase the album's falling sales. "Feels So Good" is a pop and R&B song that lyrically deals with being content in love.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rock Steady (All Saints song)</span> 2006 single by All Saints

"Rock Steady" is a song performed by English-Canadian recording girl group All Saints from their third studio album, Studio 1 (2006). It was co-written by group member Shaznay Lewis in collaboration with the track's producer Greg Kurstin. The song was released by Parlophone on 6 November 2006. All Saints collaborated with Kurstin on a number of songs; six were chosen for the album. "Rock Steady" was released as the first single from it. The song contains prominent 2 tone, dance-pop, reggae fusion, rocksteady and ska musical characteristics. It is lyrically influenced by the personalities of the group members themselves.

<i>Studio 1</i> (album) 2006 studio album by All Saints

Studio 1 is the third studio album by English girl group All Saints, released on 10 November 2006, by Parlophone. It was released following a five-year hiatus during which the bandmembers had pursued solo careers.

The discography of the English girl group All Saints consists of five studio albums, two compilation albums, one remix album, two video albums and 18 singles between London Records and Parlophone Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All Saints (group)</span> British girl group

All Saints are a British girl group formed in London in 1993. They were founded as All Saints 1.9.7.5 by music manager Ron Tom. with members Melanie Blatt, Shaznay Lewis, and Simone Rainford. The group struggled to find commercial success upon being signed to ZTT Records and were dropped by the label shortly after Rainford left the group. In 1996, the group were joined by sisters Nicole and Natalie Appleton and signed to London Records under their shortened name.

References

  1. ↑ Jon O'Brien (25 March 1975). "Melanie Blatt | Biography & History". AllMusic . Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  2. ↑ "All Saints:Where It's At". BBC News:Word Edition. 9 January 2007. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
  3. ↑ "Ex-All Saint goes solo". 23 May 2001. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  4. ↑ The Guardian interview July 25, 2003 Accessed 2 January 2006
  5. 1 2 Biography All Saints A to Z Archived 5 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 2 January 2006
  6. ↑ Curfew featuring Guillaume and Melanie Accessed 6 August 2006
  7. ↑ melanie-blatt.com Set-list given by Melanie's manager Archived 7 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 2 January 2006
  8. ↑ "All Saints confirm reunion". Contact music. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  9. ↑ "i-N Conversation: Mel Blatt". i-D Online. 15 March 2012. Archived from the original on 5 August 2012. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
  10. ↑ "Melanie Blatt, Ruby Frost to judge X Factor NZ – Story – Entertainment". 3 News. Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  11. ↑ "Melanie Blatt joins Daniel Bedingfield on 'X Factor' New Zealand – Australian TV News". Digital Spy. 30 January 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  12. ↑ "NEW NOISE: Mel Blatt". Wonderland Magazine. 13 February 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  13. ↑ James Robertson (18 November 2013). "All Saints reunite to support Backstreet Boys on UK tour next year". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  14. ↑ Amy Davidson (27 January 2016). "All Saints announce new single 'One Strike', and it was inspired by Nicole Appleton's split from Liam Gallagher". Digital Spy.
  15. ↑ New member for All Saints Accessed 2 January 2006
  16. ↑ Baxter-Wright, Dusty (2 October 2023). "Celebrity Race Across The World: Who is Melanie Blatt?". Cosmopolitan . Retrieved 23 June 2024.
  17. ↑
  18. 1 2 Irish Chart Book 1970–2004 (Illustrated ed.). Sydney: Irish Chart Book. 2005. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  19. 1 2
  20. ↑ Peak chart positions for featured singles by Mel Blatt in UK:
  21. ↑ "Belgium Charts > Mel Blatt". Ultratop . Retrieved 10 February 2011.
  22. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 19, no. 39. 22 September 2001. p. 11. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.