Precious (band)
| Precious | |
|---|---|
| Origin | United Kingdom |
| Genres | Pop, teen pop |
| Years active | 1998–2000 |
| Labels | EMI |
| Past members |
Louise Rose Anya Lahiri Sophie McDonnell Kalli Clark-Sternberg Jenny Frost |
Precious were a British girl group, comprising Louise Rose, Anya Lahiri, Sophie McDonnell, Kalli Clark-Sternberg and Jenny Frost. They first achieved fame as the UK's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest and went on to become a moderately popular act until the group disbanded in 2000.
Precious was established in late 1998 by friends Sophie McDonnell and Jenny Frost. A set of auditions saw the remaining members join, these were: Anya Lahiri, Kalli Clark-Sternberg and Louise Rose. It was Rose who would take up the lead vocals.
The following year saw things take off rapidly for the girls. In May 1999, Precious were voted in to represent the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest. Their song, "Say It Again" proved popular and the group were able to sign with EMI to release Say It Again as a single on the 17 May. It debuted at No.6 in the UK singles chart. In the Eurovision Song Contest, Precious did not carry off the grand prix with "Say It Again", sharing 12th position, but this was not to stop them from pursuing a pop career.
Precious went on to put together their debut album self-titled Precious. It featured a number of tracks including "Say It Again" with songwriters and producers such as the Danish, Cutfather & Joe and Chris Porter. The debut album was released 20 November 2000. As the group went public, promoting widely through 1999 and into 2000, the next single was due. On the 20 March 2000 they released their second single "Rewind", which reached No.11 in the United Kingdom. The 26 June 2000 saw Precious go on to release their third single "It's Gonna Be My Way", and it reached No.27. Their last single was quite appropriately called "New Beginning" with a video clip set in an industrial warehouse with the girlband acting like tough girls.The song failed to make an impact on the UK Singles Chart, it reached No.50, becoming their first and only single not to reach the top 40.
By the end of 2000, Precious as a group came under scrutiny. The group's success diminished after their debut album failed to chart, selling fewer than 600 copies. The group were dropped by their label and it was decided that the individual members should pursue separate careers. It would not be the last that the public would hear from members of the group, with Sophie McDonnell presenting for BBC TV and Radio including their CBBC brand, Jenny Frost replacing Kerry Katona in the band Atomic Kitten, and Anya Lahiri returning to her modelling activities. She has been one of the FHM Pit Girls in 2003, and she started a new career as an actress, playing with Jacqueline Bisset and Daniel Bernhardt. Lead singer, Louise Rose has also become an actress, her credits include the 2008 mini-series "Diamonds". Kalli Clark-Sternberg has since become a session singer.
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