Union J are a English four-piece boy band consisting of members George Shelley, Josh Cuthbert, JJ Hamblett and Jaymi

Hensley. The group were formed through the ninth series of British television music competition, The X Factor in 2012, in which they finished in fourth position. They subsequently signed a record deal with Sony Music Entertainments subsidiary label, RCA Records and are due to release their debut studio album in October 2013.[1] Contents [hide] 1 History 1.1 2012: Formation and The X Factor 1.2 2013-present: Debut studio album and Magazines and TV Screens Tour 2 Members 2.1 Josh Cuthbert 2.2 JJ Hamblett 2.3 Jaymi Hensley 2.4 George Shelley 3 Discography 3.1 Studio albums 3.2 Singles 4 Tours 5 Awards and nominations 6 References 7 External links History[edit source | editbeta]

2012: Formation and The X Factor[edit source | editbeta] Josh Cuthbert and Jaymi Hensley had initially met whilst studying performing arts at the Sylvia Young Theatre School in Westminster, London.Jammie (JJ) Hamblett was later added to the group by the band's manager, Blair Dreelan, and they named themselves Triple J - due to each member sharing the same initial.[2] In May 2012, the three-piece and soloist George Shelley both

auditioned in London for the ninth series of The X Factor. Triple J performed Rihannas international hit, "We Found Love", whilst George covered an acoustic version of Britney Spears "Toxic" - in which he also incorporated his guitar. Both acts progressed to the next stage of the competition, receiving positive critique from all judges present and stealing many girls hearts on the way.[3] Bootcamp saw George perform Labrinth's "Earthquake", competing against female contestants; Charlie Cammish and Meg ONeill. Triple J first sang Maroon 5s Moves Like Jagger, before contending for the final place at Judges Houses with District3 (previously called GMD3), where they covered Chris Browns Yeah 3x. Both acts initially failed to make it through to judges houses. However, following Rough Copys forced withdrawal from the series, the bands manager, Blair Dreelan was contacted by producers of the competition with an offer for the group to return and compete in Las Vegas with mentor, Louis Walsh - on the basis that George was added to the threepiece. All parties accepted the offer and the band - now a four-piece - Union J.[4] The band's first performance as a four-piece was an acoustic cover of Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe".[5] This earnt them a place in the live shows, and they instantly proved popular with social media users, garnering 46% of all online discussion regarding The X Factor after being announced to compete at judges' houses.[6] In Week One of the Live Shows, Union J performed Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now", and placed fourth in voting statistics behind Maloney, Douglas and Henderson respectively.[7] In Week 4, the group received the fewest public votes with Ellis, but were saved by Barlow, Scherzinger and Walsh. They found themselves in the bottom two again in Week 6, against District3, but were saved for a second time by Barlow and Scherzinger, with Walsh refusing to vote (as he mentored both acts). Union J were in the bottom two for a third time in Week 8, where they were saved by Barlow, Contostavlos and Walsh over Clark. The band were eliminated in the semi-final on 2 December 2012, finishing in fourth position. It was later reported that their winning single would have been a cover of Demi Lovatos Skyscraper.[8] [show]Performances on The X Factor 2013-present: Debut studio album and Magazines and TV Screens Tour[edit source | editbeta] Union J first announced that they had signed a record deal with Sony Music Entertainment at a performance in Cardiff, Wales on 15 December 2012.[9] Their debut single, Carry You, was recorded in London in January 2013, and was released in June 2013, charting at number-three in the United Kingdom.

[10][11] On 28 January, it was confirmed that the subsidiary label that Union J had signed with was RCA Records.[12] In June 2013, it was announced to their fans, the JCats, that the band would embark on their first UK headline tour, titled Magazines and TV Screens, consisting of 18 dates through December 2013 - January 2014.[13] The group also revealed that their debut studio-album will be released on 8 October 2013.[1] Union J will publish an autobiography through Penguin Books and Michael Joseph, prior to the release of their album on 26 September 2013.[14] The band commented, We are very excited to be working with Penguin on our first book and are looking forward to the chance to tell our stories, of how we came together and where we came from, as well as the journey weve taken since X Factor.[15] During a livewebchat the band stated their second single should come out late September/Early October. Members[edit source | editbeta]

Josh Cuthbert[edit source | editbeta] Joshua Thomas John "Josh" Cuthbert was born on 28 July 1992 in Ascot, Berkshire. With Hamblett and Hensley, he was one of the three original members of Triple J. His mother is named Kathryn Cuthbert and his father is named Graham Browne. He also has a brother called Callum and a sister called Victoria. Before becoming a member of Union J, Cuthbert had worked in IT sales, and also played football at a high standard. JJ Hamblett[edit source | editbeta] Jamie Paul "JJ" Hamblett was born on 25 May 1988 in Newmarket, Suffolk. With Cuthbert and Hensley, he was one of the three original members of Triple J. He also has a brother called Ashley and a sister called Otea. Jaymi Hensley[edit source | editbeta] James William "Jaymi" Hensley was born on 24 February 1990 in Luton, Bedfordshire. With Cuthbert and Hamblett, he was one of the three original members of Triple J. His mother is named Jackie Hensley and his father is named David Hensley. He also has a brother named Aaron. Hensley is openly gay and has been in a relationship with Olly Marmon for four years.[16][17] George Shelley[edit source | editbeta] George Paul Shelley was born on 27 July 1993 (age 20) in Clevedon, North Somerset. His mother is named Toni Harris and his father is named Dominic Shelley. He also has two older brothers; Will Shelley and Tom Harris, a younger sister Harriet Shelley, and three younger brothers; Leo, Archie and

Spencer Shelley, as well as two step-sisters; Annabelle and Louisa Allen. Before becoming a member of Union J, George was a student, and had also worked in his local coffee shop, clothing store and card shop. Discography[edit source | editbeta]

Studio albums[edit source | editbeta] Title TBA Release date: 8 October 2013[1] Label: Sony Music Entertainment, RCA Records Format: Digital download, CD (Standard, Deluxe) Singles[edit source | editbeta] Year UK [18] [19] [20] 2013 "Carry You" 6 12 4 TBA IRE SCO Single Peak chart positions Album Details

Tours[edit source | editbeta]

The X Factor Live Tour 2013 (2013) Magazines and TV Screens Tour (201314) Awards and nominations[edit source | editbeta]

Year

Ceremony

Nominated work Union J

Category

Result Third

2013 Popdust

Next Pop Superstar of 2013