Jedward
John and Edward Grimes (born 16 October 1991), collectively known as Jedward, are an Irish singing and television presenting duo. They are identical twins who first appeared as John & Edward in the sixth series of The X Factor in 2009, generating a phenomenon of ironic popularity described as "the Jedward paradox".[1] They were the seventh contestant eliminated and were managed by Louis Walsh, who was their mentor during The X Factor.[2][3]
For the English footballer, see Jed Ward.
Jedward
Jedward have released four studio albums: Planet Jedward (2010), Victory (2011), Young Love (2012), and Voice of a Rebel (2019). Their first two albums went double platinum in Ireland.[4][5] They have released several singles, including "Under Pressure (Ice Ice Baby)", "Bad Behaviour", "Lipstick", with which they represented Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Düsseldorf, and "Waterline", with which they represented Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku.
Jedward are also known for their television work, including starring in the documentary series Jedward: Let Loose (2010), presenting the children's series OMG! Jedward's Dream Factory (2011 –2013) and Jedward's Big Adventure (2012–2014), and participating in the reality series Celebrity Big Brother 8 (2011),[6] Celebrity Big Brother 19 (2017), in which they finished as runners-up, and Celebrity Coach Trip 4 (2019). Jedwards's combined net worth was estimated at €6m in September 2013, and they have been ranked as the fifth most financially successful former X Factor UK contestants.[7]
Early and personal life
Identical twin brothers John Paul Henry Daniel Richard Grimes and Edward Peter Anthony Kevin Patrick Grimes were born in Dublin. John and Edward's first school was Scoil Bhríde National School in Rathangan. They then attended King's Hospital School for four years before being moved to the Dublin Institute of Education.
The twins competed in school talent shows during their school years and were inspired by Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys. They were also members of the Lucan Harriers Athletic Club and Dundrum South Dublin athletics club and have competed in several Irish athletic tournaments.[8]
In addition, they briefly worked as games testers for Xbox 360 format holder Microsoft and support football clubs Newcastle United and Celtic.[9]
Philanthropy
Jedward are involved with many charity projects, and were one of the highest rated charity ambassadors in Ireland for 2011.[61] Jedward are ambassadors for the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) and have fronted an ISPCC poster campaign.[62] The proceeds of their Euro 2012 charity single "Put the Green Cape On" also went to the ISPCC. From 2010 to 2013 Jedward performed annually at the ChildLine Concert, which benefits the ISPCC's ChildLine service.[63][64] Also in Ireland, Jedward have been involved with the ISPCA's My Dog Ate It campaign,[65] and promote the Concern Worldwide Fast fundraiser.[66] Jedward have also been involved with Comic Relief,[67] Sport Relief[68] and Children in Need,[69] in the UK, as well as giving their time to visit children in hospitals.[70]
Other ventures
Advertising
Jedward have been involved with many advertising campaigns in the UK and Ireland. In 2009, agreed to be the subject of a Tourism Ireland radio campaign, which made a tongue-in-cheek apology to the UK for Jedward's antics on The X Factor.[71] In 2010, Jedward fronted an advertising campaign for Irish fast food chain Abrakebabra.[72] Jedward have also fronted advertising campaigns for East Midlands Trains,[73] Rowntree's Randoms,[74] Disney Universe[75] and a Travel Supermarket commercial with comedian Omid Djalili. The last was later banned after the UK Advertising Standards Authority ruled that the advert was misleading.[76] In 2011, they fronted an advertising campaign for mobile network 3 Ireland, including their own Jedward-branded mobile phone.[77]
Stage
Between 2010 and 2013, Jedward performed in an annual pantomime over the Christmas and New Year period. Based at the Olympia Theatre, Dublin, the pantomimes also starred Linda Martin. John and Edward played themselves and the shows featured Jedward songs. The twins' first show was Cinderella in 2010, where they played the fairy godbrothers. They returned in 2011 with a sell-out season of Jedward and the Beanstalk,[78] and again in 2012 with Jedward and the Magic Lamp.[79] In 2013 their fourth and last pantomime was Jedward in Beauty and the Beast.[80]
Impact
Whilst on The X Factor, Jedward's fans included Pixie Lott and Robbie Williams.[81] Taoiseach Brian Cowen also backed the singers,[82] while Leona Lewis said that she worried about them.[83][84] Two leading British political parties, Labour and the Conservatives, each released campaign posters parodying the twins.[85][86] Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown came under fire in November 2009 for describing Jedward as "not very good" and later apologised for doing so.[87][88] Following this, Walsh stated "So Gordon Brown and Simon Cowell both have something in common: neither of them know what the public want." Brown's successor, David Cameron, admitted that he enjoyed watching The X Factor and that Jedward were his favourite act. Cameron also bought a T-shirt with their faces on it.[87][89][90][91] The Irish Independent called Jedward "tone-deaf twins", even though the pair were voted more popular than The Beatles in a teenage poll.[92] Comedian Oliver Callan has parodied them on his RTÉ 2 show Nob Nation.[93] Their 2017 court case on merchandise rights was later the subject of a stage musical starring comedians Kevin McGahern and Tony Cantwell.[94][95]
Studio albums