From talent show runner-up to West End star: the evolution of Aston Merrygold
In short: Before becoming a household name with the boy band JLS, Aston Merrygold was already competing on national television. From singing as Michael Jackson to performing in the West End, his journey through the British entertainment industry has been marked by unexpected shifts from pop stardom to musical theatre.
Having been born in 1988 to a mother from Northern Ireland and a father from Jamaica, Merrygold's initial professional years involved varied roles. In 2002, he reached second place on Stars in Their Eyes by performing as Michael Jackson, an artist who remains a significant inspiration for him. This early success paved the way for his entry into the music industry through auditions that led to the formation of the boy band JLS. While still in secondary school, he represented England in the European Youth Games playing football. His musical path began after he worked as an entertainer at Pop Star Studios in Peterborough.
As a member of JLS, Merrygold achieved significant commercial success, including five UK number one singles and a number one album. By December 2013, the group had sold over 10 million records. Following the group's initial disbandment in 2013, Merrygold pursued solo projects and television roles, including serving as a judge on the dance talent show Got to Dance and competing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017. He also appeared as a contestant on the singing series The Masked Singer UK, where he competed under the alias Robin. Additionally, he served as a judge on the Irish programme The Big Deal.
His career has continued to diversify into acting and musical theatre. In 2024, he took on the role of the Tin Man in the UK tour of The Wizard of Oz, later reprising the character at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in the West End. Beyond performing, he has also engaged in philanthropy, serving as an ambassador for the charity BeatBullying, a cause he supports due to his personal experience with racial bullying during his upbringing. His philanthropic work includes supporting Children in Need, having performed for the charity on various occasions. He has also been involved in various advertising campaigns for brands such as Coca-Cola and Nintendo.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Aston Merrygold
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