Chico Slimani
| Chico Slimani | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Yousseph Slimani |
| Also known as | Chico |
| Born |
2 April 1971 Bridgend, Wales |
| Genres | Pop, Latin |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, actor |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Labels | Sony BMG |
Yousseph "Chico" Slimani (born 2 April 1971) is a British singer who rose to prominence in the United Kingdom after reaching the quarter-finals of the 2005 series of the talent show The X Factor. In 2006, he had a number one hit on the British charts entitled "It's Chico Time". In 2008, he appeared on the reality TV show CelebAir where he placed third.
Slimani was born in Bridgend, South Wales to Moroccan parents. Chico's father and mother were both Muslim. At age two, his parents split. Slimani remained in Morocco and lived with his grandparents, whereas his mother opted to live in Belgium. Slimani spent his childhood time in Oujda, Morocco. His family was so poor that he took up goat herding to contribute to the family income, but as he says "We may have not had much money, but we had a lot of love".
When he was 14 years old, his father, living in Crawley, West Sussex, called him back to live in the UK, where he attended Hazelwick School. After leaving school, he began a youth training scheme as a hairdresser, before working as an electrician. He also studied martial arts.
Aspiring to make a name for himself in arts and entertainment, Slimani took part in an exotic dance troupe called "Extreme Force" and later became a singer/compere with Lapattack. He also worked as a stripper for a while. From a young age, he continued writing and recording songs in the hope of breaking into the music business.
In 2004, Slimani also tried his hand at acting and co-wrote, starred, produced and provided the soundtrack for the BAFTA nominated short film Winner Takes All alongside actor JC Mac.
Judge Simon Cowell walked out of Slimani's initial X Factor audition after fellow judges Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne voted him through to the second round after he performed "If I Ever Fall in Love" (from Shai) / "Kiss" (from Prince and the Revolution)
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