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Sean Smith
File:Sean Smith Singer.jpg
Background information
Born (1985-09-24) September 24, 1985 (age 38)
OriginBorough of Havant, Portsmouth, UK
GenresPop
Years active2007 (2007)–present (present)
LabelsSyco Music (2007–2009)
PopLife (2010–2012)
London (2013–2014)
Energise (2016–present)
Websitewww.seansmithsolo.com

Sean Smith rose to fame as one half of the English bubblegum pop duo Same Difference with his sister Sarah Smith. They came to prominence in 2007 when they finished third in the fourth series of the ITV talent show, The X Factor. Their music was targeted mostly at people who are 13 and under. Their debut single, "We R One", was released on the 24th November 2008, and their debut album, Pop, followed on the 1st December 2008. In November 2009, it was announced that Same Difference had signed a new record deal with PopLife Records. "Shine On Forever (Photo Frame)" was the first single released from the second studio album. The single was released via Digital Download on 29 August 2010, with a physical release following the next day. Their second album "The Rest Is History" was released on the 7th February 2011. On the 24th December 2014 Same Difference broke the news that they had disbanded. Sean signed a solo deal with Energise records in 2016 releasing the singles "Turn Me On" and "Magic".

Biography[edit]

Sean were brought up in The Dale, Widley, in the Borough of Havant. He has been a performer since the age of 7, appearing alongside Marti Webb in the hit musical ‘Evita’, and Brian Blessed in ‘The Wizard of Oz’. Sean has performed in several pantomimes, including leading performances alongside Anita Dobson, Danny La Rue, Stephen Mulhern and Lorraine Chase At the time of his appearance on The X Factor, Sean was an entertainer in Portsmouth.

The X Factor[edit]

Same Difference entered the fourth season of the British talent show The X Factor in 2007. They auditioned in London, where judge Simon Cowell described them as "potentially two of the most annoying people I've ever met." However, he went on to champion the duo as mentor, later calling them "genuinely nice people."[1] During the live shows, the siblings came in for particular criticism from judge Louis Walsh, who described them as "cheesy" and suggested that they would be better suited to children's parties and pantomime. In response to Walsh's comments, Cowell and fellow judges Sharon Osbourne and Dannii Minogue all disagreed, praising Same Difference for their upbeat performances.[2] They were tipped to be the first to be voted out of the competition but turned out to be a surprise hit of the show, remaining outside the bottom two sing-off places throughout their entire run.

The duo reached the final of the show, eventually finishing in third place; Rhydian Roberts was the runner-up and Leon Jackson was the winner.[3]

Performances on The X Factor[edit]

Round Song choice Original artist Theme (if any) Result
Week 1 "Tragedy" Bee Gees/Steps Number ones Safe
Week 2 "Breaking Free" Zac Efron, Vanessa Anne Hudgens and Drew Seeley Songs from films Safe
Week 3 "Reach" S Club 7 Big band Safe
Week 4 "I Don't Feel Like Dancin'" Scissor Sisters 21st century hits Safe
Week 5 "Blame It on the Boogie" Michael Jackson / The Jacksons Disco Safe
Week 6 "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" Starship Love songs Safe
Week 7 "Any Dream Will Do" From the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Best of British Safe
"Wake Me Up Before You Go Go" Wham!
Semi-final "Chain Reaction" Diana Ross/Steps "Songs to get you into the final" Safe
"Never Had a Dream Come True" S Club 7
Final "All I Want for Christmas Is You" Mariah Carey Christmas classics 3rd place
"Any Dream Will Do" (sung with Jason Donovan) From the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Duet with guest
"Breaking Free" Zac Efron, Vanessa Anne Hudgens and Drew Seeley Contestants' favourite songs from the series

Same Difference Post X Factor[edit]

2008: Debut Album[edit]

After leaving the show, Same Difference initially signed a one-single contract with Simon Cowell's label Syco. In April 2008 it was reported their original one-single deal had been replaced by a better full album deal, still with Syco, rumoured to be worth around £1 million. This was to give them the chance to work with a variety of writers and producers including Mike Stock and Pete Waterman and some of the writers behind Leona Lewis and High School Musical.[4]

In a newsletter sent to their fans, the duo confirmed that their debut single, "We R One", would be released on the Syco Music/Sony BMG label on the 24th November 2008.[5] The single reached number 13 in the UK charts. Their debut album, released on the 1st December 2008, was called Pop. The album reached number 22 in the UK charts and was certified 'Gold' selling over 220,000 copies.

One of the tracks recorded for the album was a cover of the Stock Aitken Waterman-penned hit "Turn It Into Love". The song was originally recorded by Kylie Minogue for her first album and was released in Japan where it was Number 1 for 10 weeks. Hazell Dean released it in the UK in 1988, where it reached number 21. Later it was covered in Japanese by the group Wink.

2009–11: The Rest Is History[edit]

After departing company with Syco, Same Difference signed to Pop Life Records and released their second studio album ’The Rest Is History' on the 7th February 2011. Leading track ‘Shine On Forever (Photo Frame)’ was released on the 29th August 2010, reaching number 8 on the ‘UK Dance chart'. The album hit number 9 on the independent album chart, and 10 on the iTunes UK pop chart. To date, Same Difference’s record sales have amassed more than 300,000 units.

In late September 2011, Same Difference submitted an entry, "Music", to the Swiss national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2012.[6] (Although Eurovision entrants are usually from the country they represent, the rules do not actually require this, and, in particular, Switzerland has previously entered several non-Swiss acts into the competition.). The bid failed.

2012–2014: Same Difference Split[edit]

In spring 2012 Same Difference confirmed they had begun recording their third album after signing to London Records. On 24 December 2014 Same Difference broke the news that they had disbanded and the album remains unreleased.

Sean Smith Solo Career[edit]

2015: Panto[edit]

After Same Difference disbanded Sean performed in the title role of Aladdin from the 11th - 30th December 2015 at the Stiwt Theatre in Wrexham alongside Alex Reid (fighter). [7]

2016: Turn Me On[edit]

In 2016 Sean went on to perform in a lead role in the touring UK production of 'That's Entertainment' from the 4th April - 8th October 2016 performing along side artists such as Jane McDonald & The Overtones. [8]

Sean signed to Energise Records as a solo artist, and released his debut solo single ‘Turn Me On’ on the 23rd September 2016. The single was written by Nalle Ahlstedt & Christian Ingebrigtsen from A1 (band). It became the labels fastest selling physical single, and the music video amassed over 26,000 views in its first 3 weeks of release. The remix EP which featured a remix by Paul Varney reached number 15 on the UK iTunes dance album chart. [9] On the 17th November 2016 Sean performed the single live for the first time at the Portsmouth Christmas Lights switch on. [10] The single was also performed live at the James Bulger Black Tie & Tiara Ball in Liverpool on the 18th March 2017. [11]

Sean appeared in the title role of Aladdin at the Epstein Theatre in Liverpool from the 8th December 2016 – 8th January 2017 staring alongside Natasha Hamilton,Jordan Davies (television personality) & Mark Byron. [12]

2016: Magic[edit]

In February 2017 Sean signed a new management deal with SP Music Management. [13]

Sean released his second solo single ‘Magic’ on the 26th May 2017. The track reached number 29 on the UK iTunes dance singles chart, and amassed over 100,000 streams on Spotify. [14] On the 22nd May 2017 Sean appeared on the ITV show Loose Women to promote 'Magic' and unveil his new look. [15]

On the 3rd June 2017 Sean performed a live set at Oxford Pride which included his single Turn Me On & the Andy Sikorski Remix of Magic. [16]

Discography[edit]

Same Difference Studio albums[edit]

Title Album details Chart positions (UK) Certifications
Pop
  • Released: December 2008
  • Label: Syco Music
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 22 Gold
The Rest Is History
  • Released: February 2011
  • Label: PopLife Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 100

Same Difference Singles[edit]

Year Single Chart position (UK) Album
2008 "We R One" 13 Pop
2010 "Shine On Forever" 100 The Rest Is History

Solo Singles[edit]

Year Single iTunes Chart position (UK) Album
2016 “Turn Me On” 15 TBA
2017 "Magic” 29 TBA

External links[edit]



  1. ^ Same Difference out of X Factor, BBC News, 15 December 2007
  2. ^ "The final three groups revealed!". The X Factor. 7 October 2007. Retrieved 7 October 2007.
  3. ^ "Leon Jackson takes X Factor crown". BBC News. 16 December 2007. Retrieved 16 December 2007.
  4. ^ X Factor losers get £1m deal, The Sun, 24 April 2008.
  5. ^ "Same Difference: 'We R One' – Music Singles Review". Digital Spy. 18 November 2008. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
  6. ^ "Eurovision Song Contest" (in German). Eurovisionplattform.sf.tv. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
  7. ^ http://www.lhkproductions.co.uk/panto/4520810588
  8. ^ http://thatsentertainmentshow.com/tour-dates/index.php
  9. ^ https://www.seansmithsolo.com/latest
  10. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHdCclANACA
  11. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czaA09MK0DI
  12. ^ http://www.lhkproductions.co.uk/panto/4520810588
  13. ^ http://spmusicmanagement.com/artist/sean-smith/
  14. ^ http://spmusicmanagement.com/artist/sean-smith/
  15. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kK22mFwMINY
  16. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rw47Qvaqc2A
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