Delta Lea Goodrem (born 9 November 1984) is an award winning Australian singer-songwriter, pianist, and actress. Signed to Sony at the age of 15, Goodrem rose to prominence in 2002, starring in the popular Australian soap Neighbours as Nina Tucker, and this assisted her in establishing an international music career. Goodrem has achieved eight #1 singles in her home country including all three of her studio albums reaching #1. She currently holds the record for the most #1 singles from any debut album, with all five of her singles from her debut album Innocent Eyes reaching #1 on the ARIA charts. Her repertoire falls under the pop and adult contemporary styles, and heavily features the piano, which she usually plays barefoot while performing live. Her music is influenced by vast array of styles including Classical, Adult Contemporary music, Pop and Soft Rock. She is currently the face of Sunsilk and So Good, and has recorded commercials for Wii Sports, Nintendo DS and Proactiv. Her debut album, 2003's Innocent Eyes, made her one of Australia's highest selling female recording artists of all time. Goodrem is currently in the process of recording her 4th studio album due for release in 2010.
Biography
Childhood and discovery:
Delta Lea Goodrem was born on 9 November 1984 on the outskirts of Sydney, New South Wales to parents Denis and Lea Goodrem. Her parents named her Delta after the Joe Cocker song, "Delta Lady". Goodrem, who showed a strong interest in music and performing from a very young age, attended The Hills Grammar School, though due to its curriculum placing strong emphasis on sport (Goodrem taking part in netball, running and swimming), music was primarily kept separate. At the age of seven, she appeared in an American commercial for the Galoob toy company, starring alongside fellow Australian Bec Cartwright and began playing piano at the same age while taking up singing, dancing and acting lessons. She appeared in numerous commercials for companies such as Optus and Nesquik, and had several minor roles in episodes of successful Australian television shows including Hey Dad...!, A Country Practice and Police Rescue.
At the age of thirteen Goodrem recorded a five song demo CD, financed through her television work. It was sent to the Sydney Swans Football Club (of which Goodrem is a supporter) and they passed it onto Glenn Wheatley, the manager behind successful Australian artists, Little River Band and John Farnham. Interested in Goodrem's potential as a recording artist, Wheatley signed Goodrem an artist development deal with independent label, Empire Records. Between June 1999 to September 2000, she worked with producers Paul Higgins and Trevor Carter on thirteen tracks for an album called Delta, which saw "an ambitious 15-year-old keen to emulate the pop sound of the Spice Girls, Britney Spears and Mandy Moore." The album has yet to surface, Goodrem preventing its release years later via civil action in 2004.
Personal life:
In an interview with Teen Vogue, Goodrem said the five things she misses most about Australia when on tour are vegemite, the Australian Football League, BBQs, her bed and pillow, and "the spirit of Australia".
Cancer:
On 8 July 2003, at the age of 18, Goodrem was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, a form of cancer which attacks the body's immune system. She was forced to put all working commitments on hold while undertaking treatment for the disease. In an exclusive interview with the Australian Women's Weekly, Goodrem revealed that her body had been giving warning signs since 2002. Symptoms included a head to toe rash, fatigue, weight loss, night sweats, and the appearance of a lump on her neck. "I was doing sit-ups when I felt something pop in my neck. I reached down and I felt a small lump at the base of my throat. It wasn't sore, it wasn't visible, but I could feel it." As part of her treatment, Goodrem undertook chemotherapy, which resulted in the loss of her hair, and radiation therapy.
The news of her diagnosis made newspaper and television headlines and an outpouring of support was shown by fans and the general public alike, Goodrem thanking them during The Visualise Tour for all the letters and well wishes she received. Much of Goodrem's 2004 album Mistaken Identity, in particular "Extraordinary Day", is inspired by her battle. Reflecting on that period of her life, Goodrem says,
In 2007 it was revealed that Delta's mother, Lea, had been diagnosed with breast cancer. On 27 October, she told News Limited that she had been diagnosed 8 weeks earlier.
Relationships:
During her work on Neighbours, Goodrem had a relationship with fellow cast member Blair McDonough and it is widely speculated that the song "Not Me, Not I" was written about their breakup. In 2004, Goodrem began a nine month relationship with Australian tennis player Mark Philippoussis. Her "comeback" single "Out of the Blue" was written about his support during her cancer battle. The couple ended in controversy when newspapers reported Philippoussis had been unfaithful. Reports indicated Philippoussis had been linked with socialite Paris Hilton before breaking it off with Goodrem; though this was denied by Philippoussis, it was confirmed by Goodrem. In 2004, Goodrem began dating former Westlife singer Brian McFadden, with whom she collaborated on the single "Almost Here", and this caused immense tabloid scrutiny in the UK. It was suggested the pair had embarked on their relationship before McFadden and then-wife Kerry Katona had separated. In May 2006, newspapers claimed that Goodrem's mother had advised her to end her relationship with McFadden in order to concentrate on furthering her career. In the album sleeve of Delta, Goodrem is candid about her mother as well as boyfriend Brian McFadden. "I'm sorry we hurt each other, this chapter was hard to write," she wrote, referring to Lea. "Be strong in this next chapter, there's so many memories to make, laughs and smiles to have." Goodrem also thanked McFadden: "You made me believe again in life, love, music, and to be the best person and therefore the best artist I can be. "Every dream I have, we're standing side by side, we laugh, we sing, we cry." On 30 November 2007, Goodrem and McFadden announced they were engaged. It is revealed in the Christmas Eve issue of OK Magazine Australia that McFadden pre-planned the proposal for months. He wrote a book recounting their moments from when they first met until the final page when he asked Goodrem "Remember the day when I proposed to you in Bali?", and McFadden did propose to her in a delayed trip to Bali because of Lea's problem with breast cancer. The announcement was made because McFadden revealed that his fans thought Goodrem rejected the proposal. Goodrem accepted the proposal and the couple have postponed their planned 2009 Christmas wedding.
Family:
Goodrem is very close to her family - her mother Lea, father Denis (who are divorced) and younger brother Trent. Trent has attracted media attention as an Australian rules footballer who many believed would be an AFL Draft prospect. The left footed wingman attacking defender started with the Sydney AFL with the East Coast Eagles and represented NSW/ACT against Tasmania at under 18 state level. Goodrem was hoping that Trent would join the Sydney Swans, her favourite team, however it did not eventuate and Trent moved to South Australia to increase his draft opportunities playing semi-professionally with the Central District Football Club in the SANFL.
Philanthropy:
Goodrem regularly visits sick children in hospital and uses her own experience with cancer to help raise awareness for other young people affected by the disease. A percentage of each ticket for The Visualise Tour went towards the "Delta Goodrem Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research Trust Fund", established by Goodrem in support of cancer research. In May 2005, Goodrem helped launch "Teen Info on Cancer", a UK website aimed at supporting young teenage sufferers. In November 2005, Goodrem became an ambassador for Research Australia's "Thank You Day", which honours the country's health and medical researchers and received a Thank You Day Celebrity Advocacy Award "in recognition of her efforts in raising funds and awareness for Australian medical research and charities." Goodrem is set to be the face of Alternative Hair, the UK hairdressing industry's top fundraising event, in aid of cancer charity Leukaemia Research. Goodrem is also member of RADD (Recording Artists, Actors And Athletes Against Drunk Driving), a group of celebrities raising awareness of the risks of drunk driving.
