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Bardot was a female pop group and winners of the original Australian series of Popstars in 2000. It remains the most successful winning act of all four Australian seasons, releasing two multi-platinum/gold selling albums, Bardot and Play It Like That, as well as six consecutive hit singles in their three years together.
Bardot are also one of the only Popstars creations to achieve success outside its own country, charting in a number of international markets such as parts of Asia, New Zealand and the UK. The group parted ways in May 2002.
Band biography
1999 - 2000: Popstars
Bardot evolved from the Seven Network's, original Australian (and only second ever, following New Zealand) series of Popstars, a television talent show which promised to create "Australia's very own Spice Girls". The shows design was simple: a panel of judges would tour the country in search of five talented girls who would form a pop group. In addition, the winning group would be sponsored by the Austereo radio network, New Idea Magazine and Warner Music records. In 1999, advertisements for the auditions attracted thousands of girls from across the country, hoping to fulfill their dream of one day breaking into the music industry.
The audition process was judged by three industry personal - Australian radio broadcaster Jackie O, Warner Music executive Chris Moss and Grant Thomas Management representative Michael Napthali (who would manage the group's career). After numerous rounds of singing and dancing workshops, Sophie Monk, Sally Polihronas, Belinda Chapple, Katie Underwood and Chantelle Barry were chosen to fly to Sydney to record their debut single. The girls moved in together, however due to mysterious circumstances, Barry was asked to leave the group. Rumours filled magazines and newspapers, suggesting that Barry had been caught stealing items from the other members, which was recently confirmed by Barry herself, on the television programme Where Are They Now?. As a result of her sudden departure, the judges had to select a new fifth member who would complement the rest of the group in terms of vocals and looks. Newcastle singer, Tiffany Wood (now spelt Tiffani Wood) was selected and Bardot (named after French actress Brigitte Bardot) was formed.
Cameras continued to follow the group during its recording sessions, photoshoots, the filming of its first music clip, on the promotional trail for its debut single and behind the scenes of its first performance and instore signing session. A special one-hour episode screened a selection of songs from Bardot's first full-scale live concert at the Sydney State Theatre.
In February 2006, on the Seven Network program Where Are They Now, Barry spoke publicly for the first time over her removal from the group. She claims she accidentally kept Monk's money allowance with the intention of giving it back to her. She however forgot to do this and was therefore forced to leave the group.
Of all four Australian series of Popstars, Bardot undoubtedly remain the most successful act to emerge from the show, being able to sustain a career beyond the success of its debut single.
2000 - 2001: Bardot
The Popstars program rated in its millions and quickly became one of the most successful television programs of 2000. This exposure triggered off the Bardot phenomenon - the media reported on the girls daily and the band's instore signings attracted thousands of fans who hoped to personally meet their new "idols". Unsurprisingly, the overwhelming attention translated into major record sales.
The debut single "Poison", debuted at the #1 position with platinum sales, remaining top spot for two consecutive weeks on the ARIA singles chart. Their self titled debut album entered the charts at #1 with the group breaking the record for becoming the "first Australian act to debut at the #1 position for both its debut single and debut album ". The album would go on to sell double platinum copies and was the 20th highest selling album in Australia for 2000. Bardot was also an instant success in New Zealand, where both the single and album peaked at #1. The album charted at #2 in Singapore.
The group's second single, "I Should've Never Let You Go", was accompanied by a music video which saw the girls transform into animated superheroes and made its television debut at the end of the final episode of Popstars. The single debuted at #15 and eventually peaked at #14 on the ARIA singles chart. The group made a promotional trip to Singapore where the album and debut single had both performed extremely well, "I Should've Never Let You Go" reaching #1 on the Singaporean charts. The album's third and final single "These Days" continued the girl's string of gold status, Top 20 hits, debuting and peaking at #19. Bardot's live performance of "These Days" at the 2000 ARIA Awards gained them much praise and proved the girls were more than just "pretty faces". The group was nominated in three separate categories: "Highest Selling Single", "Highest Selling Album" and "Best Video". In August, Bardot embarked on its first national tour of Australia.
In March 2001, Bardot moved to the UK to release "Poison" and appeared on a number of shows including SMTV Live, Top of the Pops and Pepsi Chart (UK). The single however, proved to be of only limited success, peaking at #45 on the UK Singles chart. The girls put this disappointing result down to bad timing as the UK Popstars group Hear'Say were at its peak which meant little worthy media attention for anyone else.
2001 - 2002: Play It Like That
In July 2001, Bardot released "ASAP", the first single from their forthcoming second album. The new single was marked as a "comeback" for the group which had been out of the Australian media spotlight for a few months due to promotional and recording commitments in the United Kingdom. During that period, several changes in the Bardot camp had occurred. Katie Underwood decided to quit the group in pursuit of a role in the musical Hair which never took off and Bardot parted ways with Grant Thomas Management (the team which selected them during the Popstars program), signing with Caplice Management for greater control of their careers.
The new single presented the general music public with a more mature, sophisticated and confident Bardot. This R&B, fast tempoed track, about a partner's interfering mother, was produced by Swedish hit-makers Murlyn and provided the group with its second Top 5 ARIA hit and fourth gold single. In August, Bardot performed a cover of the Village People classic "Go West" at the opening ceremony of the 2001 Goodwill Games in Brisbane. Following single, the dancefloor smash "I Need Somebody" confirmed the groups staying power, peaking Top 5 and becoming the Bardot's biggest hit since "Poison". The bands second album, Play It Like That received critical acclaim upon release, debuting at #16 having already shipped gold status. This time around, several of the album's tracks were co-written by the members themselves. Chapple co-wrote the edgy "Don't Call Me, I'll Call You" and with fellow member Wood penned the dance number "Girls Of The Night". Polihronas co-wrote the soulful, R&B track "You Got Me Feeling" and with Monk wrote the boppy "Feel Right". Producers chosen by the girls for the album included Murlyn, Ray "Madman" Hedges, Ollie J, Phil Burton and Michael Szumowski (who produced their debut single "Poison"). Bardot performed their hits to its biggest crowd of 90,000 music lovers at the Sydney and Melbourne Rumba music festivals.
In February 2002, the group released its final single, the mid-tempo ballad "Love Will Find A Way" which completed Bardot's string of consecutive Top 20 hits peaking at #18. In March, the girls embarked on their second national tour with Australian boy band Human Nature, playing their hits and tracks from their latest album to packed crowds in theatres across the country. However by then, a couple of members wanted out and the group announced its decision to split in April. Their official statement wrote that the girls "have cited a well earned break following what has been a phenomenal two and a half year explosion onto the Australian music scene". Rumours soon circulated that the split was pre-empted by Sophie Monk's desire to begin a solo career. Always the media darling of the band, there were reports that the other members of the band had suggested that they were keen to continue on with Bardot, but "we had been suspicious for a while that a certain member of the group would rather further her own career pursuing a solo career rather than continue working with us. We finally confronted her and our suspicions were confirmed". The rapidity at which Monk's solo career was launched after the demise of the group suggests there was some truth in the rumours. Fans were devastated and this was evident at their final, highly emotional concert performed live at Channel V where the group performed six songs and where showered with gifts, flowers and encouragement from hundreds of screaming fans. While trying to introduce their final song for the night, Wood broke into tears, unable to sing her verses and the crowds took to the microphone. The group made its final performance together for a charity event on May 2nd in Sydney.
Solo careers
In May 2003, Monk released her debut solo album Calendar Girl which featured the singles "Inside Outside", "Get The Music On" and "One Breath Away", became the face of numerous brands including Vanilla Diet Coke and Ezpozay Swimwear and has starred in the "Always" video for rock band Blink 182. She is currently in Hollywood working on a growing acting career. Her debut feature, the comedy Date Movie was released on February 16 2006 and debuted at #2 in the US and #1 on the Australian, New Zealand and UK Box Office charts. In June she starred alongside Adam Sandler in Click which topped the US and Australian box office charts.
Chapple has to date released two singles, the 2004 Olympic-inspired ballad "Where It All Began" and in 2005, the dance single "Move Together" which peaked at #26. She has been performing in the duo Boo Boyd which plans to release music in U.S.
Polihronas is a celebrity columnist for magazine Pop Republic, has continued songwriting while teaching HipHop/Funk dance. She featured on the Wannabees soundtrack with the Eurogliders track, "We Will Together". Recently she visited the US, and is currently working on solo material. She is the only member so far not to release a solo single.
In 2002, Underwood teamed up with dance act Disco Montego, releasing the singles "Beautiful" (#9 hit) and "Magic" (#22 hit) and in 2003 released her debut solo single "Danger". She also starred in the reality television series Undercover Angels. Her latest single "Be Together", released through Ministry Of Sound, went to #1 on the ARIA Club chart for numerous weeks and has so far peaked at #31 on the singles chart.
Wood scored a Top 30 hit with "What R U Waiting 4?" under Warner Music but has since formed her own label Mudhoney Records and released her first indie single "Devil In Your Soul" in July 2005. She has headlined many gigs in the past year and her latest single "Spin The Bottle", which was behind several Neighbours advertisements, reached #2 on the AIR (Australian Independent Records) chart. Her debut solo album is due for release on October 14, 2006 and is titled Bite Your Tongue.
Tours
Bardot completed two Australian concert tours.
2000 National Tour
August 13 - Perth, Entertainment Centre
August 15 - Adelaide, Entertainment Centre
August 16 - Melbourne, Festival Hall
August 18 - Hobart, Derwent Centre
August 19 - Launceston, Silverdome
August 21 - Canberra, Royal Theatre
August 22 - Wollongong, Entertainment Centre
August 24 - Sydney, Hordern Pavillion
August 25 - Brisbane, Festival Hall
August 26 - Newcastle, Workers Club
2002 'Here and Now' Tour
March 1 - Newcastle, Civic Theatre
March 2 - Canberra, Royal Theatre
March 3 - Brisbane, Concert Hall
March 5 - Perth, Concert Hall
March 8 - Sydney, State Theatre
March 9 - Sydney, State Theatre
March 11 - Newcastle, Civic Theatre
March 13 - Melbourne, Palais Theatre
March 15 - Hobart, Derwent Entertainment Centre
March 17 - Adelaide, Clipsal 500
Discography
| Cover | Information |
|---|---|
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Bardot
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Play It Like That
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| Year | Cover | Single | Album | ARIA | Australasian | UK | SING | NZ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 
|
"Poison" | Bardot | 1 | 1 | 45 | 4 | 1 |
| 2000 | File:Discography ishouldveneverletyougo.jpg | "I Should've Never Let You Go" | Bardot | 14 | 4 | - | 1 | - |
| 2000 | File:Discography thesedays01.jpg | "These Days" | Bardot | 19 | 3 | - | 12 | - |
| 2001 | File:Discography asap.jpg | "ASAP" | Play It Like That | 5 | 1 | 113 | - | - |
| 2001 | 
|
"I Need Somebody" | Play It Like That | 5 | 1 | - | - | - |
| 2002 | File:Discography lovewillfindaway.jpg | "Love Will Find A Way" | Play It Like That | 18 | 4 | - | - | - |
Popstars: The Making Of Bardot
- Released: 22 May, 2000
- Running Time: Approx. 82 minutes
- Features:
- "Poison" music video
- Highlights from episodes 1-7
- Bonus unseen footage
Bardot: The Adventure Continues