From child prodigy to boy band stardom and solo success
In short: Before becoming a global pop star with The Wanted, Nathan Sykes was a competitive child performer. His journey through vocal surgery, massive international record sales, and a solo career reveals the intense discipline required to maintain a place in the upper echelons of the music industry.
Born in Gloucester on 18 April 1993, Nathan Sykes' musical path began early. He started performing at age six and attended the prestigious Sylvia Young Theatre School from age 11. His early years were marked by competitive success, including winning the Door Youth Project's 'Undiscovered Youth Talent Contest' in 2004 and finishing third in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest that same year with the song 'Born to Dance'. He also won a karaoke competition on The Saturday Show. Additionally, he competed in the Cheltenham Competitive Festival of Dramatic Art.
In 2009, at age 16, Sykes joined the boy band The Wanted after auditioning for Jayne Collins. The group achieved significant global success, selling over 12 million records and securing ten UK top 10 singles and three top 10 albums. However, the pressures of stardom were not without physical cost; in April 2013, Sykes underwent surgery to remove a vocal nodule after experiencing painful throat sensations during the filming of the reality series 'The Wanted Life'. He previously appeared on the ITV programme Ministry of Mayhem. During his time with the group, he achieved ten UK top 10 singles.
Following a hiatus in 2014, Sykes transitioned to a solo career, signing with Global Entertainment. Released during July 2015, his first single, 'Kiss Me Quick', topped the US Dance Club Songs chart. His solo discography includes the album 'Unfinished Business' and his 2025 release, 'Ultraviolet'. Beyond his musical achievements, Sykes has been open about his personal life, including his 2024 autism diagnosis and his 2022 engagement to Charlotte Burke. His debut single reached number 14 on the UK Singles Chart. He also collaborated with American singer Ariana Grande on the track 'Almost Is Never Enough'.
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