Renowned boyband star, earlier a finalist on Strictly, now thriving in a distinct realm devoid of pop charts fame.
From Boyband Superstar to Multitalented Star:
Jay McGuiness, famously known for his days with boyband sensation, The Wanted, has taken an extraordinary turn in his career, embracing specialized realms far beyond his previous chart victories.
This extraordinary artist rocked the dancefloor when he competed in the thirteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing back in 2015.
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Life After The Wanted:
At 34, Jay first came to prominence as part of the original boyband alongside high-spirited bandmates Max George, Nathan Sykes (R.I.P.), Siva Kaneswaran, and the late, great, Tom Parker. Together, they sold a staggering 700,000 albums and 3.2 million singles in the UK, according to the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).
Triumphing in Strictly Come Dancing alongside his dance partner, Aliona Vilani in 2015, Jay established himself as a dynamic stage performer and pursued an exciting career in theatre in the pulsating heart of London.
Venue Variations:
His repertoire boasts major productions like BIG! The Musical, the enchanting Sleepless - A Musical Romance, and the lively rhythm of Rip It Up. In 2022, he took center stage in the touring production of a charming holiday-inspired musical, White Christmas.
Fast forward to 2024, Jay found himself playing the intriguing role of Ben in 2:22 A Ghost Story. Most recently, he was a part of another charismatic touring production, & Juliet, where he portrayed the legendary playwright, Shakespeare.
Away from the spotlight, Jay has flexed his creative muscles as a fiction author.
Literary Leap:
Last year, Jay debuted his fantasy novel, Blood Flowers, and followed it up this year with Poison Tides, the first installment in his very own dystopian series.
While his tenure with The Wanted brought significant success both domestically and globally, it's his recent forays into theatre and literature that truly showcase his diverse talents.
In their sweet spot, The Wanted captured noteworthy achievements in the UK charts. Their discography is nothing short of impressive:
Albums:
- The Wanted (2010) - UK #4
- Battleground (2011) - UK #5
- Word of Mouth (2013) - UK #9
Singles:
- All Time Low (2010) - UK #1
- Heart Vacancy (2010) - UK #2
- Lose My Mind (2010) - UK #19
- Gold Forever (2011) - UK #3
- Glad You Came (2011) - UK #1
- Lightning (2011) - UK #2
- Warzone (2011) - UK #21
- Chasing the Sun (2012) - UK #2
- I Found You (2012) - UK #3
- Walks Like Rihanna (2013) - UK #4
- We Own The Night (2013) - UK #10
- Show Me Love (America) (2013) - UK #8
The Wanted's impact was also recognized on the global stage, with their single, Glad You Came, peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 for four consecutive weeks. This marked the highest American chart entry by a British boyband at the time.
Moreover, The Wanted was twice nominated at the BRIT Awards in 2010 and 2012, and they were crowned the Best British Music Act at the BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards in 2011 and the Favorite Breakout Artist at the People's Choice Awards in 2013 in Los Angeles.
After his triumph in Strictly Come Dancing, Jay McGuiness pursued an exciting career in theater, performing in shows like BIG! The Musical, Sleepless - A Musical Romance, and Rip It Up. He also took Center stage in White Christmas in 2022 and played the intriguing role of Ben in 2:22 A Ghost Story.
Jay's diverse talents are not limited to the stage, as he also debuted his fantasy novel, Blood Flowers, last year and followed it up with Poison Tides, the first installment in his very own dystopian series. This demonstrates that entertainment continues to be a significant part of his life beyond the success of The Wanted.
