Janet Leon

Janet Leon
Janet Leon at Sommarkrysset in 2013
Background information
Birth name	Janet Ava Leon
Also known as	JJ, Jaye, Janne
Born	(1990-10-19) 19 October 1990 (age 26) Gothenburg, Sweden
Occupation(s)	Singer, Songwriter
Instruments	vocals, guitar
Years active	2003–present
Labels	Sony BMG, Columbia, (Music World) (2003–2005) Roxy Recordings (2012)
Associated acts	Play
Website	http://janetleon.se/

Janet Ava Leon (born 19 October 1990) is a Swedish singer-songwriter of Persian descent. She was part of the pop girl group, Play between 2003–2005, replacing Faye as the lead singer she would then go onto released her solo self-titled debut album, Janet (2009).

Leon was born in Gothenburg, Sweden to Iranian-born parents who immigrated to Sweden. As a child, she participated in dance classes and played the violin. At a much older age she joined a small band with friends called Walking Spanish. The band performed at various music festivals across Sweden.

Leon's professional music career began when she was 12 years old. She joined the Swedish pop group Play in late 2003. Play's lead singer Faye Hamlin left the group to finish high school in Sweden in 2003. In October 2003, Leon received a phone call from the band's manager, Laila Bagge, to whom she had sent an audition video in the past. Leon was an acquaintance of original member Anaïs Lameche prior to joining Play. On 15 December 2003, an official press release announced that Janet had officially joined the group and production on the band's third studio album had begun.

The band's third studio album, Don't Stop the Music, was released on 9 March 2004. She is not featured in the video for "It's a Hard Knock Life", though her vocals are featured in the song on the album. Originally, the group recorded the song with then member Faye Hamlin and filmed the music video before her departure. A subsequent Christmas album followed in November 2004 called Play Around the Christmas. Leon toured with the group throughout the United States for most of 2004 and part of 2005. In September 2005, the group announced their indefinite breakup. When the band reformed in late 2009, Leon did not rejoin.

In 2005, Leon began her career as a solo artist, shortly after Play disbanded. That same year, she recorded a song for the American toy store brand Build-a-Bear Workshop and another song for Kohl's clothing brand everGirl. Also, she contributed to the Rock Angelz album to promote the Bratz dolls franchise. She was featured on the Lindsay Lohan remake "Change the World" (background vocals) and lent her vocals in the song "Nobody's Girl".