User:Lee Ryan

Lee Ryan (born Lee Ryan Gerrard, May 30th 1980) is a British singer-songwriter, actor, dancer, producer and entrepreneur who began his music career at the age of 15 with the release of his self-titled debut album.

The album, only released in the UK and Ireland sold 600,000 copies in the UK alone and spawned 3 UK top ten hits including the UK #1 single "When I Think Of You". In October 1996, Ryan released his second studio album, "I Am..." which was sold worldwide and reached over 8 million copies worldwide. His third album "My World" was released in October 1997 to negative critical response but sold over 6 million copies worldwide and hit #1 in 10 countries worldwide.

His major breakthrough came with the release of 1999's "Confessions". It is Ryan's most successful album to date, selling 20 million copies worldwide as of May 2011. In the US, the album has been certified Diamond, representing 10 million sales there. With the first four singles all reaching the top of the US Billboard Hot 100, Ryan became the second artist, and first British artist, to complete the feat. Following the release of the album, Ryan left his label Arista and signed to Jive Records.

In 2001, his fifth studio album "Justified" was released and only continued his success but saw less that 50% of people that purchased his previous album, selling over 7 million copies worldwide which was seen as a success at the time. Later in 2002, Ryan released his first greatest hits album "The Hits... So Far" which spawned the worldwide #1 hit "Hero" which sold over 8 million copies worldwide whilst the album has sold 9 million copies worldwide. Ryan would not record another album until 2006.

His return to music came in the form of 2006's "FutureSex/LoveSounds" which became his most critically acclaimed album, featuring exclusive production by himself and Timbaland. All six singles released from the album, becoming the first artist in history to score 6 #1s from one album whilst also taking over the previous record holder Michael Jackson who scored 5 #1s from the "Bad" album in 1987. His seventh studio album "Euphoria" was released in 2010 and sold 6 million copies worldwide.

He will release his eighth studio album in 2012. It was confirmed in early February that the lead single from that project will be a track entitled "4 Minutes", a collaboration with Madonna and Timbaland.

Music Career (1995-Present)

Lee Ryan (1995)

Ryan made his debut in August 1996, releasing his debut single "Army Of Lovers" in the UK and Australia. It peaked at #3 in the UK and topped the Irish charts. In Australia and New Zealand, the single peaked at #17 and #27 respectively. The second single "Turn Your Car Around" was more successful, peaking at #2 in the UK and Ireland. Third single "When I Think Of You" was the most-successful single from the album, becoming Ryan's first UK #1 single and second #1 in Ireland.

Ryan's self-titled debut album was released on August 19th 1996 in the UK and Ireland and August 23rd in Australia and New Zealand. The album was most successful in Australia, peaking at #3. It also peaked well in New Zealand, reaching #15, and the UK and Ireland peaking at #6 and #9 respectively. The album earned Ryan tremendous critical success, especially in Australia.

As of 2011, the album has sold 4 million copies worldwide.

I Am... (1997-1998)

Ryan's second album was lead by the first single "Secret Love" was released in October 1997 and became his first US single. It topped the UK and Irish singles chart. It also peaked at #12 and #13 in the US and Canada whilst reaching #20 and #39 in Australia and New Zealand respectively. The second single "I Am What I Am" was also successful, topping the UK and Irish charts, being a top twenty hit in the US, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, where it peaked at #4 becoming his first top ten single there and outside of the UK.

The album was released in October 1997 and became Ryan's first #1 album in the UK and peaked at #9 in Ireland. It peaked at #4 in the US and topped the Canadian album chart. In Australia and New Zealand it peaked at #7 and #8 respectively. The album has sold 6 million copies worldwide as of May 2011.

Confessions (1998-1999)

After just a five month break, Ryan returned in June 1998 with the lead single from his third album. "Yeah!", a collaboration with Ludacris, reached #1 in the UK, US, Australia, Ireland, Canada and New Zealand. Second single "Burn" also reached top of the US, UK, Canadian and New Zealand charts whilst peaking at #2 in Australia and Ireland. "Confessions" was released as the third single, again topping the US charts, #2 in Canada and New Zealand, #5 in the UK and Australia whilst reaching #7 in Ireland. A fourth single, entitled "My Boo", which was a duet with Beyonce, became Ryan's fourth consecutive #1 single in the US, whilst also reaching the top spot in Canada. It peaked at #5 in the UK, #7 in Ireland and #6 in New Zealand. The single was less successful in Australia, only managing to reach #29. The fifth and final single from the album "Caught Up" reached #8 in the US. It was also a top ten hit in the UK and Canada whilst reaching the top twenty in Australia, Ireland and New Zealand.

Lee Ryan's third album "Confessions" was released in September 1998. It topped the Billboard 200 Albums, UK Album, Canadian, New Zealand and Irish Album Charts whilst peaking at #2 in Australia. It is Ryan's most successful album to date, selling 20 million copies worldwide as of May 2011. In the US, the album has been certified Diamond, representing 10 million sales there. With the first four singles all reaching the top of the US Billboard Hot 100, Ryan became the second artist, and first British artist, to complete the feat.

Leaving Arista and Signing To Jive Records (2000)

Following the completion of the "Confessions Tour", Ryan was free from his contract with Arista Records. He had said in February 2000 "I don't think the best place for me is Arista now. They have done great things for me, the last album was great, but I wont carry on there because I'm unhappy."

In July 2000, it was confirmed that Ryan would not re-sign with Arista and had signed a four album deal with Jive Records.

Justified (2001-2002)

After working on his fifth studio album for almost a year, Ryan returned with his fifteenth single "Like I Love You". The track, which featured Clipse, hit #2 in the UK and #11 in the US. It also reached #1 in Canada and New Zealand whilst reaching the Irish and Australian top ten. Second single "Cry Me A River" was more successful, hitting the top 3 in the UK, US, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and Canada. Third single "Rock Your Body" became his thirteenth consecutive UK top ten single and tenth US top ten single. The fourth single "Senorita" was less successful than it's predecessors but still reached the top ten all around the world. "I'm Lovin' It" also hit the top ten worldwide.

Ryan's fifth studio album "Justified" was released on April 30th 2001 and debuted at #1 on the UK Album Chart. It hit #2 in Ireland and Canada, #7 in Canada, #9 in Australia and #3 in New Zealand. The album has sold 7,000,000 copies worldwide which makes it his fifth best-selling album of his career. The album is certified 2x Platinum in the US.

The Hits.. So Far (2002)

In 2002, Ryan announced his first greatest hits album featuring 19 previous singles and a new track "Hero". The track became one of his most recognised songs and hit #1 in the UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand whilst reaching #3 in the UK. The track sold 8 million copies worldwide and was the 22nd best-selling song of the year in the US. It was the 17th best selling-single of the 2000-2009 decade in the UK.

The album, entitled "The Hits.. So Far" was released on December 2nd 2002. It was a #1 hit all over the world and sold an eventual 9 million copies worldwide.

Euphoria (2010-2011)

Ryan announced his eighth studio album in March 2010 and released the lead single, a Pitbull collaboration entitled "I Like It" in May 2010. It became his first top ten single in the US since 2004 and in the UK since 2007, peaking at #4. The second single, a collaboration with Nicole Sherzinger called "Heartbeat" was released in August 2010 and peaked at #2 in the US and #8 in the UK. It also became his third #1 in Ireland. The third single, "Tonight (I'm Lovin' You)", was released on November 1st 2010 and became the third consecutive US, UK and Australian single from the album to reach the top ten, peaking at #6, #3 and #2 respectively. Fourth single "Carry Out" reached #10 in the US and #6 in the UK upon it's February release date. The fifth single, "Dirty Dancer", is to be released in June 2011 but has already charted at #18 in the US on downloads alone.

The album, entitled "Euphoria" was released on May 10th 2010. On the Billboard 200, the album was the second-highest new entry, debuting at #10, as well as debuting at #10 in Ireland. It debuted at #6 in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. It became Ryan's fourth #1 album in Canada.

As of May 2011, the album has sold over 6 million copies worldwide, including 2 million copies in the US.

TV Career (2005-Present)

The X Factor Australia (2005)

In August 2004, Ryan was announced as a judge on Australian version of The X Factor. His co-judges, Kate Ceberano and John Reid were less well-received than Ryan, who was complimented by Australian television critics.

The series was a ratings failure when it debuted on Network Ten in February 2006. The show was cancelled after it's season finale in which Ryan's act, R&B boyband Random, was crowned the winner.

America's Got Talent (2006)

Following his success in Australia, Ryan was asked by Simon Cowell to help launch America's Got Talent. Despite being successful in the show, with American critics giving him great reviews, Ryan decided to leave the show after the first season. He was replaced by Piers Morgan. Ryan was considered as a replacement judge in 2010 when David Hasselhoff left his role but refused the offer to work on a re-boot of The X Factor Australia. He did however return to the show on September 7th 2010 to sing "I Like It" and "Heartbeat" from his latest studio album.

Australia's Got Talent (2007-Present)

Not wishing to lose Ryan from the 'Got Talent' franchise, Simon Cowell offered Ryan a judging role on Britain's Got Talent, the UK equivalent. Network Ten in Australia also wanted him for their version of the show. Ryan decided to move to Australia to become a judge alongside Dannii Minogue and Tom Burlinson. Piers Morgan, who replaced Ryan on America's Got Talent, instead got the role on the British equivalent.

In 2010, Ryan helped his Australian X Factor co-judge Kyle Sandilands get a role on the show, replacing Burlinson.

In early 2011, Ryan signed an exclusive 3 season deal with the Seven Network to remain on the show. This meant he had to withdraw from the Australian X Factor.

The X Factor Australia (2010-2011)

Ryan returned to the re-boot of the show in 2010, following his first stint on the first season in 2005. His co-judges were Kyle Sandilands, Guy Sebastian and Natalie Imbruglia. His act, Atilyan Childs, won the show and went on to release an Australian top ten single and album.

On May 29th 2011, it was reported that Ryan had quit the show after appearing at a few auditions. Reports claimed that Ryan quit due to not gelling with new judges Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Melanie Brown following Sandilands and Imbruglia's departure from the show. On May 30th 2011, the Seven Network confirmed Ryan had quit the show and would be replaced by Boyzone singer Ronan Keating with immediate effect.

Ryan denied that his departure was due to Bassingthwaighte and Brown, who he had a heated rivalry with in the past, being hired as judges. He also revealed his Network Ten contract, which he signed in 2011 to remain on Australia's Got Talent, was an exclusive contract meaning that he couldn't work for another Australian television network. Ryan claimed he did not know his contract was exclusive.

The Million Dollar Drop (2011-Present)

In February 2011, Ryan was revealed as the host of The Million Dollar Drop, a game show based on the UK version, The Million Pound Drop. The game consists of 2 contestants having 1 million Australian dollars and 'betting' it on a series of eight questions. For each question, the contestants choose one of two categories, then indicate which answer(s) they wish to risk their money on by moving the bundles of cash onto a row of trap doors, termed "drops," each of which corresponds to one answer. However, they must always keep at least one drop "clear" with no money on it. In addition, six of the seven questions have a time limit; any money that is not placed on an answer when time runs out will be lost. Once the money is in place, the trap doors for the incorrect answers are opened, and the cash on them falls out of sight and is lost. The contestants then continue the game using the cash they had placed on the correct answer. They get to keep whatever money is left after the eighth question; if they lose everything before reaching this point, the game ends immediately and they leave with nothing.

The first season aired between March 21st and 25th, airing for five episodes over five consecutive nights. The second season aired between April 11th and 15th with the third season airing between May 2nd and 16th. In May 2011, the show was renewed for three seasons, airing in the first weeks of June, July and August will air. Unlike the UK version, the show is not aired live due to Ryan's other commitments. Ryan confirmed in late August that they had filmed five weeks worth of shows which will air in the first weeks of September, October, November, December and January.

On November 29th 2011, it was confirmed that Ryan would not return to the show for a 11th season in February 2012. This is due to a number of other commitments including a new album and potential international TV roles.

Personal Life

Lee Ryan was born Lee Ryan Gerrard on May 30th 1980 in Liverpool, England. He has an older brother, Paul, and a twin brother Steven who is the captain of Liverpool Football Club. Ryan grew up in Liverpool before moving to London in 2000 for his career.

Ryan began dating Samantha Miller in June 1994 as they attended Huyton High School together. She moved with him to London in 2000 at the age of twenty. The couple have three children, Jack Ryan (born 17 August 2000, aged 11), George Steven Ryan (born 17 July 2005, aged 6) and Danielle Louise Ryan (born 17 June 2008, aged 3).

The couple married in Liverpool on May 17th 2009. Since 2007, the family have been mainly located in Australia due to Ryan's television commitments. The couple's eldest child attends one of the best private schools in Sydney with Ryan securing places for both of his other children when they are eligible.

Filmography

Television
Year	Title	Role	Notes
1983-1994	BBC PlayHouse	Himself	Recurring Cast Member 1983-1987
2005, 2006, 2009, 20111	Saturday Night Live		2005 (Musical Guest), 2006, 2009, 2011 (Host)
2005, 2010-2011	The X Factor Australia		Judge and Mentor, Credited as "Guest Judge" in 2011.
2006	America's Got Talent		Judge
2007-Present	Australia's Got Talent		Judge
2011-2012	Million Dollar Drop: Australia		Host
Film
2005	Edison	Josh Pollack
2006	Alpha Dog	Frankie Ballenbacher
	Black Snake Moan	Ronnie
2007	Shrek the Third	Artie Pendragon	Voice Role
	Southland Tales	Pvt Pilot Abilene
2008	The Love Guru	Jacques "Le Coq" Grande
2009	The Open Road	Carlton Garrett
2010	The Social Network	Sean Parker
	Yogi Bear	Boo-Boo Bear	Voice Role
2011	Bad Teacher	Scott
	Friends With Benefits	Dylan
	In Time	Will Salas