Contact Anthony Callea

Full Name:	Anthony Callea
Birth Name:	Anthony Cosmo Callea
Famous As:	Singer
Date of Birth:	December 13, 1982
Place of Birth:	Melbourne, Australia
Nationality:	Australian
Brother(s):	Matthew (younger)
Sister(s):	Christina (younger)
Education:	Attended Johnny Young Talent School
Claim to Fame:	Runner up in Australian Idol 2004

• Kyle's demise a loss to Idol

  NEWS.com.au - Found Oct. 21, 2009 "You're not going to get those performances all the time, The Prayer by Anthony (Callea), or when Damien (Leith) sang the opera thing or when... Jordin sparks Guy - Daily Telegraph Australia Sebastian: Kyle's demise a loss to Idol - Guy - Adelaide Now Not a great Idol year, Kyle a loss - Guy - Brisbane Courier-Mail Kyle's demise a loss to Idol - Guy - Adelaide Now Explore All

• 'Not a great Idol year' - Sebastian

  The Northern Star - Found Oct. 22, 2009 'You're not going to get those performances all the time, the Prayer by Anthony (Callea), or when Damien (Leith) sang the opera thing or when... Sebastian: 'Australian Idol needs Kyle' - Digital Spy Guy Sebastian bites the Big Apple - NEWS.com.au General Hospital Vet Signs On to Fringe - TV Guide Online Bring back Kyle, original Idol says - ABC Online Explore All

• Idol needs Kyle, got wrong guy

  Daily Telegraph Australia - Found Oct. 20, 2009 ... the standouts this year."You're not going to get those performances all the time, the Prayer by Anthony (Callea), or when Damien (Leith) sang...

• Dump the car, get onya bike

  The Age - Found Oct. 12, 2009 Bert Newton and Marina Prior co-hosted the event at Her Majesty's Theatre, which starred Anthony Callea, Lucy Durack and cast from Wicked and...

• Guest award for musical talent

  Herald Sun - Found Oct. 5, 2009 Six finalists will sing at Her Majesty's Theatre next Monday, alongside Guest's Wicked colleagues Anthony Callea and Lucy Durack, and Chicago... Wolverine Jackman's a cut above - NEWS.com.au Kapalos promotes pedal power - Herald Sun Jimmy Choo founder wants $11m... - Adelaide Now Magnate puts trust in rookie - Herald Sun Explore All

• CHRIS Murphy gone

  Herald Sun - Found Sep. 25, 2009 Even Guy Sebastian did not have as much success as Shannon Noll or Anthony Callea. JESSICA Mauboy my pick of the night - Herald Sun Dean Geyer, how far will he go? - Herald Sun Supernatural: Free To Be You and Me - IGN.com Explore All

• My big fat gay idol

  Sydney Star Observer - Found Oct. 6, 2009 I guess there was little doubt with Anthony Callea, although he was outed after the show.

• Australian Idol goes her own way

  Adelaide Now - Found Aug. 30, 2009 Previous Idol finalists and winners Guy Sebastian, Shannon Noll, Anthony Callea, Damian Leith, Jessica Mauboy and Wes Carr remain with Sony. Australian Idol goes her own way - Brisbane Courier-Mail Australian Idol goes her own way - NEWS.com.au Explore All

• Moving on : Australian Idol goes her own way

  Adelaide Now - Found Aug. 30, 2009 Previous Idol finalists and winners Guy Sebastian, Shannon Noll, Anthony Callea, Damian Leith, Jessica Mauboy and Wes Carr remain with Sony.

• Seeing a wreck before it unfolds

  Sydney Morning Herald - Found Aug. 19, 2009 We could see Casey Donovan beat Anthony Callea on 2004's Australian Idol and, instead of smugly thinking, ''Poor little Anthony, hope you...

Anthony Callea extracted from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia, distributed under the GNU Free Documentation License

Anthony Callea
Callea performing at The Palms at Crown Concert, December 08
Background information
Birth name	Anthony Cosmo Callea
Born	13 December 1982 (1982-12-13) (age 26)
Origin	Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Genres	Pop
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, musical theatre actor
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	2004–present
Labels	Sony Music Entertainment (2004–present)
Website	Official Website

Anthony Cosmo Callea (born 13 December 1982 in Melbourne) is an ARIA Award-winning Australian singer and was the runner-up in the 2004 season of Australian Idol. Anthony currently holds the record for both the highest and fastest-selling single in Australia for his debut release, "The Prayer". Anthony has accumulated a string of awards including an Aria Award, Channel V Artist of the Year, Pop Republic Artist of the Year, MTV Viewers' Choice Award, Variety's Young Entertainer of the Year, MO Award and a Gospel Music Award and is known for his powerful trained voice and his versatility in a range of genres in releases and live performances. All but one of the tracks on his second album A New Chapter were co-written by Callea and his albums,singles and DVD have all achieved Top 20 status.

Contents 1 Biography 1.1 Early years 1.2 Australian Idol 1.3 Australian Idol performances 2 Post-Idol 2.1 2005-2006: Anthony Callea 2.2 2006-2007: A New Chapter 2.3 2009: Currently working on 3rd album 3 Charity work 4 Personal life 5 Tours 5.1 Anthony Callea Tour 2005 5.2 Diana Ross I Love You Tour 2006 5.3 Westlife Face to Face Tour 2007 5.4 A New Chapter Tour 2007 5.5 Tattoo Spectacular 2007 5.6 Celine Dion Taking Chances World Tour 2008 5.7 Songs from the Movies - Sydney Symphony May 2008 5.8 One Night Only - Anthony Callea in Concert 5.9 Carols by Candle Light 2008 6 Other projects 6.1 It Takes Two series 2 6.1.1 Performances 6.2 It Takes Two series 3 6.2.1 Performances 6.3 Dead Man Walking 6.4 Rent 6.5 Wicked: The Broadway Musical 7 Discography 7.1 Albums 7.2 Singles 7.3 Other 8 Videography 8.1 DVD 8.2 Music videos 9 Awards 10 References 11 External links

Biography

Early years

Callea, credited as Anthony De Fazio, appeared in an episode of Funky Squad, "The Wrong Side of the Tracks", in 1995.

Australian Idol

Callea began entering talent contests as a child and trained with the Johnny Young Talent School. He auditioned and was selected for the final 30 in the television series Australian Idol in 2004. Based on viewer votes, he did not make it through the first round of competition, but was invited back as a "Judge's Choice Wildcard", where his performance earned him a place in the final twelve.

Over the weeks of the competition, his popularity with the Australian public grew. During his run on the show, he gave several performances that earned him high praise from the judges, including his rendition of Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge over Troubled Water", Foreigner's "I Want to Know What Love Is" and Andrea Bocelli and Céline Dion's duet "The Prayer." Judge Ian 'Dicko' Dickson said Callea's performance of the latter was the finest he had seen during his two years with the show. The competition concluded in November 2004 with Callea finishing as runner-up to Casey Donovan. He cited Cosima De Vito as his favourite contestant of the first series of Australian Idol. Callea was the first idol contestant in the competition that has never been in any Bottom Group.

Australian Idol performances

• Melbourne Auditions: "Wishes" by Human Nature
• Top 30: "Angels" by Robbie Williams
• Wildcard: "The Reason" by Hoobastank
• Top 12: Australian Made - "Heaven Knows" by Rick Price
• Top 11: Pop Night - "Ignition" by R. Kelly
• Top 10: 60's Night - "Gimme Some Lovin'" - Spencer Davis Group
• Top 9: Disco Night - "Car Wash" by Rose Royce
• Top 8: Idol's Choice - "The Prayer" by Andrea Bocelli and Céline Dion
• Top 7: Beatles Night - "I Saw Her Standing There" by The Beatles
• Top 6: 80's Night - "I Want to Know What Love Is" by Foreigner
• Top 5: R'n'B Night - "Back at One" by Brian McKnight
• Top 4: Big Band Night - "Fever" and "(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66" by Nat King Cole
• Top 3: 70's Night - "Hold the Line" by Toto and "Bridge over Troubled Water" by Simon and Garfunkel
• Top 2: "Listen with Your Heart" (Winner's Single) by Diane Warren, "Walking Away" by Craig David and "Glory of Love" by Peter Cetera
• Grand Final: "The Prayer" by Andrea Bocelli and Céline Dion

Post-Idol

2005-2006: Anthony Callea

Callea was immediately signed to Sony/BMG Records, and his first single,"The Prayer" was released in December 2004. It debuted on the ARIA Singles Chart at number one, and remained there for five consecutive weeks. Within seven weeks, it had become the highest-selling Australian single of all time, as it was certified four times platinum, selling in excess of 280,000 copies.¹ His next single, the double A-side "Rain / Bridge over Troubled Water" spent two weeks at number one. His self-titled album debuted at number one on the week of 4 April 2005, and remained at the top of the chart for three weeks. His third single "Hurts So Bad" debuted at number ten on the ARIA Charts, while the album's final single, "Per Sempre (For Always)" debuted at number five.

Callea's DVD Live in Concert was released on 7 November 2005. It debuted at #3 in the ARIA DVD Chart and awarded Platinum status.

2006-2007: A New Chapter

Callea released the single "Live for Love" on 4 November 2006, the first from his second album A New Chapter, the only song on the album which he did not co-write. Both the single and the album, released on 25 November 2006, debuted at number 9. The album contains a mix of genres characteristic to Callea, including power ballads and more up-tempo songs. Callea also contributed his version of the Brian McKnight song, "Home", to the compilation album Home: Songs of Hope & Journey, which was released in order to raise funds for BeyondBlue, an anti-depression organisation. The second single "Addicted to You" debuted at no. 19 when released in February 2007.

2009: Currently working on 3rd album

Anthony Callea is currently working on his third album with Sony Music, which is due for release later in 2009, and in November 2008 travelled to New York to meet with writers and Sony US.

Charity work

Callea has been involved with many charities. He was part of the Tsunami Relief Telethon and was also invited to perform at the Red Cross Ball in the presence of Prince Frederik and Princess Mary of Denmark. Callea has also worked with The Starlight Foundation, the Royal Melbourne Children's Hospital, The Mirabel Foundation and The Salvation Army. More recently, Callea was the ambassador for the 2007 Perth Telethon for the Royal Children's Hospital, and in November 2007 was appointed the official ambassador for Vision Australia.

Personal life

On 27 March 2007, after speculation and tabloid rumours dating back to his Idol appearances, Callea publicly acknowledged that he was gay by issuing a statement confirming his sexuality and thanking his fans and his then-partner, Paul.

"Yes, I am gay," Callea said. "I have no issue with my sexuality now, but it's taken time to become confident with who I am and happy with who I am. I'm comfortable enough to come clean now. It's a weight off my shoulders".²

On March 30, 2007, former Australian High Court judge Justice Michael Kirby described Callea as an "admirable Australian" for coming out. Justice Kirby added, "In terms of influencing popular culture and understanding of the reality of human sexual diversity, I would trade ten judges for one popular singer."³

Callea has also admitted to suffering from depression in his teenage years, saying, "I went through major depression. I hated myself. I had to see a psychologist. I wasn't talking to anyone. My parents didn't know what was wrong with me."⁴ Callea has since supported beyondblue, an Australian initiative against depression, by contributing his version of a Brian McKnight song, "Home", to a compilation album, Home: Songs of Hope & Journey by various Australian artists to raise funds and bring attention to the organisation and its cause.

In February 2008 he and actor/singer Tim Campbell confirmed that they were in a relationship.

Tours

Anthony Callea Tour 2005

In July 2005, Callea embarked on an extensive east coast tour adding dates along the way. Supporting Callea on tour was Tina Cousins.

Diana Ross I Love You Tour 2006

During the Australian leg of Diana Ross's I Love You Tour, Callea performed as her support act.

Westlife Face to Face Tour 2007

During the Australian leg of Westlife's Face To Face Tour, Callea performed as their support act, Westlife's Arena Tour in Australia February 2007.

A New Chapter Tour 2007

From July to September 2007, Callea embarked on his "A New Chapter" Tour with his four-piece band. Callea performed the songs in his album A New Chapter as well as some of his classic songs, playing eighteen shows across the country.

Tattoo Spectacular 2007

At the Tattoo Spectacular 2007, Callea performed his songs with accompaniment by the massed bands and the Tattoo Choir. The event combined a cast and crew of almost 900 musicians, performers, dancers and singers.

Celine Dion Taking Chances World Tour 2008

On March 26 2008, Celine Dion will commence the Australian leg of her World Taking Chances Tour. Callea has been announced as the special guest support act.

Songs from the Movies - Sydney Symphony May 2008

Callea and several other leading Australian performers have been invited to perform with the Sydney Symphony at the concert hall of the Sydney Opera House. The performance has been described as a tribute to the greatest film songs ever written and is scheduled from the 7th to the 10th of May, 2008.

One Night Only - Anthony Callea in Concert

On 6 December 2008 Anthony Callea will be taking a night off from his successful run in ‘Wicked’ and returns to the music stage for an exclusive Australian show at The Palms at Crown in Melbourne.

Carols by Candle Light 2008

Anthony Callea and his partner, Tim Campbell, sung a duet together at Carols By Candlelight on December 24.

It will be the first time an openly gay couple have sung together at such an event that is televised around the country.

Other projects

It Takes Two series 2

In 2007, Callea was one of the professional voices on the Seven Network's weekly musical competition program, It Takes Two, in which celebrities from non-musical fields were teamed with professional singers to perform a duet each week. Callea was paired with radio DJ Jo Stanley and finished in second place, competing against Jolene Anderson and David Campbell at the finals.

Performances

• Week One: The Veronicas - "4ever" (Pop)
• Week Two: Chaka Khan - "I Say a Little Prayer" (Songs from the Movies)
• Week Three: Kelly Clarkson - "Because of You" (Ballad)
• Week Four: Blondie - "Call Me" (No. 1 Hits)
• Week Five: Peaches & Herb - "Shake Your Groove Thing" (Disco)
• Week Six: ABBA - "SOS" (70's & 80's)
• Week Seven: Diana Ross - "You Are Everything" (Motown)
• Week Eight: Judy Garland - "Get Happy" (Swing) & Joan Jett - "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" (Rock)
• Week Nine: Anthony Callea - "The Prayer" (A song their mentor was famous for) & Chuck Berry - "Johnny B. Goode" (Rock & Roll)
• Week Ten (Finale): Encore performances of Kelly Clarkson's "Because of You", Judy Garland's "Get Happy", and a new performance of Irene Cara's "Flashdance... What a Feeling"

It Takes Two series 3

In 2008, Callea again performed as one of the professional voices on the Seven Network's weekly musical competition program, It Takes Two, in which celebrities from non-musical fields are teamed with professional singers to perform a duet each week. Callea's partner for season three was ironwoman Candice Falzon. The third series began airing on 12 February 2008. Callea and Falzon were eliminated in week seven, finishing in fifth place.

Performances

• Week One: Mentors Group Performance: "Get Ready"
• Week One: KT Tunstall - "Suddenly I See" (Pop)
• Week Two: Thelma Houston - "Don't Leave Me This Way" (R&B/Soul)
• Week Three: Faith Hill - "This Kiss" (Country)
• Week Four: Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston - "When You Believe" (Ballad)
• Week Four: Mentors Group Performance: "Born to Hand Jive" from Grease
• Week Five: Roxette - "The Look" (80's)
• Week Six: CeCe Peniston - "Finally" (Disco)
• Week Seven: The Veronicas - "Hook Me Up" (Rock)
• Week Ten Grand Final: Cast Medley: Roxette - "The Look" (80's)
• Week Ten Grand Final: Mentors Group Performance: Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. - "You Don't Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show)"

Dead Man Walking

In September, 2007, in his first musical production, Callea played a supporting role in Dead Man Walking, the true story of Sister Helen Prejean, an unconventional nun, who accompanies murderer Joe de Rocher to his death by execution. It explores the opposing desires for vengeance and forgiveness in this extreme situation, and the commitment required to love or to hate a fellow human being.

Rent

In November, 2007, Callea played the lead role Mark Cohen, a filmmaker and video artist, and Roger's roommate, in the Perth production of the critically acclaimed American Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical Rent. Based on Giacomo Puccini's opera La bohème, the musical centers on a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York's Alphabet City in the last days of the Bohemian East Village, under the shadow of AIDS.

This was Callea's second musical production. He starred alongside his now-partner, Tim Campbell.

Wicked: The Broadway Musical

On 12 February 2008, it was announced that Callea had taken on the role of Boq in the Melbourne production of Wicked, which opened in July 2008 at the Regent Theatre. Callea plays the role of Boq until January 4 2009, when his contract expires.

Wicked is the multi award winning Broadway Musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Winnie Holzman. The story is based on the best-selling novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire.

Wicked, tells the story behind the Wizard of Oz and looks at what happened before Dorothy dropped in.

The character of Boq is an endearing but misguided munchkin, besotted with Glinda, who is impervious to his devotion.

Discography

Anthony Callea discography

Releases
↙Studio albums	2
↙Singles	7
↙Video albums	1
↙Music videos	7
↙B-sides	4
↙Tours	3

The following is a complete discography of every album and single released by Australian pop music artist Anthony Callea.

Albums

Year	Information	Australia	Sales and Certifications
2005	Anthony Callea First studio album Released: 25 March 2005 Label: Sony BMG Format: CD	1	Australian sales: 140,000 ARIA: 2x Platinum5
2006	A New Chapter Second studio album Released: 26 November 2006 Label: Sony BMG Format: CD	9	Australian sales: 35,000 ARIA: Gold6

Singles

Year	Song	Australia	Certification	Album
2004	"The Prayer"	1	4× Platinum (ARIA)	Anthony Callea
2005	"Rain"/"Bridge over Troubled Water"	1	2× Platinum (ARIA)
	"Hurts So Bad"	10	-
	"Per Sempre (for Always)"	5	-
2006	"Live for Love"	9	-	A New Chapter
2007	"Addicted to You"	19	-

Other

• "I Wanna Know What Love Is" (studio recording Track 3 of Australian Idol: The Final 12 2004)
• "Listen with Your Heart" (released as bonus CD to a limited number of debut albums)
• "Wanna Be the One" (B-side to "Rain/Bridge Over Troubled Water" CDS)
• "Don't Tell Me" (B-side to "Rain/Bridge Over Troubled Water" CDS)
• "The Healing of a Heart" (Bambi 2 soundtrack)
• "Meant for Love" (B-side to "Addicted to You")
• "Try" (B-side to "Addicted to You")
• "Whatever It Takes" (iTunes exclusive cover made by Edyta Gorniak)
• "Home" (on Home: Songs of Hope & Journey compilation)
• "The Christmas Song" (on The Spirit of Christmas 2005 compilation)
• "Far from Over" (iTunes special)

Videography

DVD

Year	Title	Australia	Certification
2005	Anthony Callea Live in Concert	3	Platinum (ARIA)

• Anthony Callea: Per Sempre (For Always) (DVD single)

Music videos

• The Prayer
• The Prayer (Live on Idol Top 8)
• Rain
• Bridge over Troubled Water (LIVE on Idol)
• Hurts So Bad (LIVE)
• Per Sempre (for Always)
• Live for Love
• Addicted to You

Awards

Award	Category	About	Result
2007
Pop Republic Awards 2007	Australian Male Artist Of The Year	Himself	3rd
Australian Gospel Music Awards	Outstanding Achievement Award	The Prayer	Won
2006
MTV Australia Video Music Awards 2006	Coca-Cola Viewer's Choice Award 2006	Himself	Won
Dolly Teen Choice Awards 2006	Hottest Album Of 2006	'Anthony Callea'	Won
2005
Pop Republic Awards 2005	Artist Of The Year	Himself	Won
Variety Club Heart Awards 2005	Young Entertainer of the Year	Himself	Won
MO Award 2005	Australian Performer Of The Year	Himself	Nominated
MO Award 2005	Contemporary Rock Performer	Himself	Won
Channel V's OZ Artist Of The Year Award 2005	Oz Artist Of The Year	Himself	Won
ARIA Awards 2005	Highest Selling Single	The Prayer	Won
ARIA No.1 Chart Awards 2005	ARIA No.1 Single	Rain / Bridge Over Troubled Water	Won
ARIA No.1 Chart Awards 2005	ARIA No.1 Single	The Prayer	Won
ARIA No.1 Chart Awards 2005	ARIA No.1 Album	'Anthony Callea'	Won

References

External links

• Official website
• Anthony Callea Twitter profile
• Official forum
• Official MySpace page
• Sony Bandit.fm Breathe profile
• Sony BMG profile
• IMDb Anthony Callea profile

v • d • e Australian Idol Seasons 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7  · 8 Hosts Andrew G  · Ricki-Lee Coulter Judges Marcia Hines  · Ian "Dicko" Dickson  · Jay Dee Springbett Winners Guy Sebastian  · Casey Donovan  · Kate DeAraugo  · Damien Leith  · Natalie Gauci  · Wes Carr Winner's Singles "Angels Brought Me Here"  · "Listen with Your Heart"  · "Maybe Tonight"  · "Night of My Life"  · "Here I Am"  · "You" Runners-up Shannon Noll  · Anthony Callea  · Emily Williams  · Jessica Mauboy  · Matt Corby  · Luke Dickens Notable alumni Cosima De Vito  · Paulini Curuenavuli  · Rob Mills  · Ricki-Lee Coulter  · Lee Harding  · Lisa Mitchell  · Dean Geyer Other personalities James Mathison  · Mark Holden  · Kyle Sandilands  · John Foreman Related articles Idol Backstage · Young Divas · List of finalists · List of commercial releases  · Idol series

v • d • e Anthony Callea Studio albums Anthony Callea • A New Chapter Singles "The Prayer" • "Rain/Bridge Over Troubled Water" • "Hurts So Bad" • "Per Sempre (For Always)" • "Live For Love" • "Addicted To You" Related articles Australian Idol • It Takes Two"