John & Edward (born John and Edward Grimes, October 16, 1991), popularly known as Jedward, are an Irish music act. Known for their distinctive blonde hairstyles and unique performances, the duo have risen to fame since appearing in the sixth series of The X Factor in 2009, and have become figures in the United Kingdom and Ireland in a phenomenon known as the "Jedward paradox".[1]
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Jedward have been the subjects of hate campaigns on social networking websites and much discussion in the media and among celebrities.[2] Their fans include Calvin Harris (who famously ran onto the stage during one of their performances sporting an enlarged pineapple and was wrestled by security men out of the building in an episode which was later hailed as "the most exciting X Factor ever")[3] and Robbie Williams,[4] although their detractors include Lily Allen.[5]
Politicians in the UK and Ireland have commented, with UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown suggesting they weren't "very good" but David Cameron opting to buy their t-shirt.[6][7] The Prime Minister later apologised for his behaviour.[8] Taoiseach Brian Cowen, the leader of Ireland, has also backed the lads.[9] The Chinese ambassador to the United Kingdom, situated next to their house, has even lodged an official complaint to the Foreign Office.[10] Leona Lewis and Robbie Williams worry about them.[11][12]
The boys are also considered style icons, having influenced many celebrities with their hairstyles, including Robbie Williams and David Beckham.[13][14] “Jed Mania” enthusiasts have even launched a “Jed We Can” campaign targeting the Syco offices of Simon Cowell, a judge on The X Factor, by chanting, rubbing banners and projecting their faces onto the building.[7]
Early life
Twin brothers John and Edward were born to John, a computer technician, and teacher Susanna in Ireland, and were raised in Rathangan. They have one brother, Law student Kevin. John and Susanna separated when the twins were ten years old, and their sons moved with their mother in Lucan, while their father lived ten miles away. Kevin, John, and Edward maintained a close relationship with both.[15]
John and Edward attended King’s Hospital School for four years, but were constantly bullied for their love of pop music, until they were moved to the Institute of Education. During their school years, they had competed in school talent shows, and were inspired by Britney Spears, The Backstreet Boys, and Justin Timberlake.[16] John and Edward are also athletes—as members of Dundrum South Dublin Athletic Club in Dublin, they have competed in several tournaments in Ireland.[17]
The X Factor (2009)
In 2009, John & Edward appeared as a group at The X Factor auditions in Glasgow. Speaking in faux-American accents,[18], the twins yelled to the amused crowd, "Who wouldn’t want girls shouting your name all over the place?", when asked by judge Louis Walsh why they wanted to be pop stars. Fellow judge Simon Cowell was unimpressed by their rendition of "As Long As You Love Me" by the Backstreet Boys, and refused to put them through to the next round, describing them as "Vile little creatures". His colleagues Walsh, Cheryl Cole, and Dannii Minogue, decided they had potential.[19]
Despite their questionable singing ability and somewhat cocky nature, John & Edward progressed to the live shows in the series, and are mentored by Walsh. However, several hate campaigns against the twins emerged on the internet. Mentor Walsh told News of the World, "I don't know how people can hate two nice young kids from Ireland. They've been edited really badly and come across as the people everyone loves to hate.... but they're just raw, naive and innocent and they have the potential to be really good." [20]
Controversy
John & Edward have courted controversy during their run in The X Factor, as they received the highest number of votes during the third week, beating competition from favourites, including Danyl Johnson. [21] Simon Cowell has threatened to “leave the country” if the twins win the contest, but believes they could on go on to have a successful music career. [22] In a radio interview, prime minister Gordon Brown stated, "I don't think [John & Edward] are very good. [But] there are some really good people on X Factor. It's really good. And I know it's competing with Strictly Come Dancing." [6]
On 26 October 2009, the twins were criticised for performing a lewd dance act at a window where the X Factor contestants were staying. They grabbed their crothes in a Michael Jackson-style routine as female fans reportedly exposed their breasts in front of them. The boys were later defended by a spokesman for the series, claiming that the boys were not acting in a sexually provocative manner. [23]
In November, pop singer, Shakira said she would love to do a collaboration with them.
On 8 November, following a rendition of the Ghostbusters theme tune, [24] John & Edward found themselves in the bottom two alongside fellow contestant Lucie Jones - both were in the position for the first time.[25] Cowell, who had the casting vote that night, decided to take the decision to deadlock. This resulted in Jones being sent home, despite rave reviews of her performance from the judges the previous night. Jones later had said that the twins were "racked with guilt" over Cowell's decision, and have since apologised to her.[26] [27]
Calvin Harris famously ran onto the stage during their performance of "Under Pressure" sporting an enlarged pineapple and was wrestled by security men out of the building in an episode which was later hailed as "the most exciting X Factor ever")[28][29][30][31][32]
Performances on The X Factor
Jedward performed through all five weeks so far of The X Factor live finals; below is a list of their performances.
| Week | Song choice | Original artist | Theme (if any) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | "Rock DJ" | Robbie Williams | Safe | |
| Week 2 | "Oops! She did it Again" | Britney Spears | Safe | |
| Week 3 | "She Bangs" | Ricky Martin | Safe | |
| Week 4 | "We Will Rock You" | Queen | Rock Week | Safe |
| Week 5 | Ghostbusters theme song | Ray Parker, Jr. | Movie Week | Bottom two; sang "Rock DJ" to save their lives |
| Week 6 | "Under Pressure" | David Bowie/Queen/Vanilla Ice | Queen Week | — |
Post The X Factor
Despite his weekly taunts at the twins, Cowell is said to be a secret fan, and is grooming them to become the new Ant & Dec. He is said to have been inundated with offers for John & Edward to present television shows.[33]
References
- ^ [1] The Jedward paradox and what it means, The Guardian
- ^ John and Edward Celebrate Birthday
- ^ [2] X Factor: Jedward triumph over pineapple head Calvin Harris, Daily Mirror
- ^ [3] X Factor: Robbie Williams declares his love for Jedward but tips Olly Murs to win, The Daily Telegraph
- ^ [4] X Factor: Jedward change their song for tonight's Queen Week show at 11th hour – exclusive, Daily Mirror
- ^ a b Gordon Brown bemoans John & Edward
- ^ a b [5] Jedward fans target Cowell offices, RTÉ
- ^ [6] My Week: Jedward, The Times
- ^ [7] Taoiseach gives backing to Jedward, RTÉ
- ^ [8] The X Factor house: who'd want to live next door?, The Guardian
- ^ [9] Superstar Leona on Simon, Jedward, that shock attack and playing Belfast, The Belfast Telegraph
- ^ [10] Robbie: 'I worry about Jedward'
- ^ [11] Watch out!, Jedward hair is spreading
- ^ [12] David Beckham takes style lead from Jedward with bizarre shaved quiff, ‘’Daily Mail’’
- ^ John and Edward Hide Family Heartbreak
- ^ X Factor twins John and Edward bullied at school
- ^ Profile
- ^ X Factor's John and Edward: Terrible twins or the next big thing?
- ^ Audition
- ^ STOP TWINS’ HATE CRUSADE
- ^ ‘Tone-deaf’ pair get most votes
- ^ 'I'm praying Jedward won't win the X Factor,' says Simon Cowell
- ^ John & Edward accused of lewd acts
- ^ [13] Irish X Factor twins John and Edward steal the show with Ghostbusters theme, The Belfast Telegraph
- ^ Ward a load of cobblers
- ^ X Factor twins John and Edward 'racked with guilt' over Lucie Jones outcome
- ^ Jed and Burried
- ^ [14] Fruity Calvin Harris thrown off X Factor after storming stage during Jedward performance, Daily Mail
- ^ [15] Calvin sorry for Jedward stunt, Irish Independent
- ^ [16] X Factor: Jedward triumph over pineapple head Calvin Harris, Daily Mirror
- ^ [17] Shock For Twins As X Factor Stage Stormed, Sky News
- ^ [18] Jedward under pressure as Scots pop star butts in, Scotland on Sunday
- ^ SIMON GROOMS TWINS TO BE NEW ANT & DEC
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