Paul Potts, a British tenor who rose to worldwide fame after successful the primary season of Britain’s Obtained Expertise in 2007, presently has an estimated internet price of $10 million.
His path to success has been a rare story of humble beginnings, surprising stardom, and a celebrated profession in opera.
Early Life and Profession Beginnings
Born on October 13, 1970, in Kingswood, South Gloucestershire, England, Paul Potts grew up in a working-class household. He was certainly one of 4 kids raised by his mother and father in Fishponds, Bristol.
As a baby, Potts developed a deep ardour for singing and carried out in a number of church choirs, although his journey to fame was something however straightforward. He was bullied throughout his college years, which severely impacted his self-confidence.
After secondary college, Paul labored quite a lot of retail jobs, together with at Waitrose and Tesco, earlier than enrolling in College Faculty Plymouth St. Mark & John.
There, he earned a Bachelor of Arts diploma in Humanities in 1993. His skilled life took an surprising flip when he started working as a cell phone salesman at Carphone Warehouse, the place he labored for a number of years whereas pursuing his ardour for singing in his spare time.
Rise to Fame on Britain’s Obtained Expertise
In 2007, Potts determined to audition for Britain’s Obtained Expertise. Regardless of being financially confused because of a damaged collarbone and whiplash from a bicycle accident, he carried out “Nessun Dorma” from Turandot, which wowed each the judges and the viewers.
The video of his audition shortly went viral on YouTube, gaining hundreds of thousands of views and incomes him widespread acclaim.
Potts went on to win the competitors, securing £100,000 in prize cash and a £100,000 report contract. His victory not solely modified his life but additionally launched his profession as an opera singer.
Musical Profession and Achievements
Paul Potts’ debut album, “One Probability”, was launched in 2007 and shortly turned a world success. It topped the UK album chart and bought over 2 million copies worldwide, incomes platinum standing.
Potts launched into a world tour, performing in 97 concert events throughout 23 international locations, and have become a well-liked determine within the classical crossover style, performing alongside notable artists like Katherine Jenkins and the Deutsches Filmorchester Babelsberg.
Potts’ success continued with numerous performances on worldwide TV exhibits, together with appearances on “The Oprah Winfrey Present” and “Weekend Version”. He even guest-hosted “The Morning Present” in Australia in 2009.
Controversy and Profession Setbacks
Regardless of his success, Potts confronted some controversy concerning his novice standing. Critics claimed that he had skilled coaching and had already sung in operas earlier than his Britain’s Obtained Expertise audition, which led to accusations that the present misrepresented him as an untrained novice.
Potts defended himself, explaining that he had by no means been paid for any of his early singing engagements, which made him an novice in his view.
Moreover, Potts’ profession confronted challenges as the general public debated whether or not his success had been because of his musical skills or the advertising round his rags-to-riches story.
Model Endorsements and Different Ventures
Exterior of his music profession, Potts has additionally earned cash by model endorsements. He appeared in commercials for Deutsche Telekom and carried out in advertisements for Ryukakusan Direct throat drugs in Japan. These partnerships have helped enhance his earnings and broaden his world attain.
Actual Property and Private Life
In 2008, Potts bought his modest residence in Port Talbot, Wales, for £60,000, earlier than buying a extra substantial mansion for £450,000 in the identical space.
His new residence options a number of luxurious facilities, together with terraces, a Jacuzzi, and a big backyard.
Paul Potts met Julie-Ann, his spouse, by an web chat room in 2001. They have been married in 2003, and their relationship has remained sturdy all through his rise to fame.
Legacy and Present Work
Paul Potts stays an vital determine on the planet of classical crossover music. He has continued to carry out and report music, together with a more moderen enterprise into opera roles in 2016.
He appeared in Puccini’s “Tosca” and Wagner’s “Der Fliegende Holländer”. Potts additionally competed in America’s Obtained Expertise: The Champions in 2019, reaching the ultimate 12.