Greyson Chance Biography

Greyson Michael Chance, born in 1997, is a 13-year-old child singer from Edmond, Oklahoma, who catapulted to Internet popularity in May of 2010 with his live interpretation of Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi”. His performance, which was held at a local choir festival, won the attention of the producers of The Ellen DeGeneres show, who invited him to perform on the show on May 13, 2010.

On the show, Greyson revealed he had received piano lessons for the past 3 years, but had not undergone any formal vocal training. He cited Lady Gaga as his primary inspiration, stating, “I love how she’s so different, and she takes her individuality and she takes her amazing talent that she has and she makes just great songs that are catchy and make you want to dance.”

Greyson was on the show on May 26, 2010 again. He performed his own song “Broken Hearts”. He got 10,000 dollar from the producers of the Ellen DeGeneres Show. Also Ellen told that Greyson is the first artist on her brand new label called eleveneleven and that they will make a record together.

So far, Greyson’s “Paparazzi” rendition has been viewed over 21 million times on Youtube. Along with this cover, he has uploaded two piano-accompanied originals on the site, “Stars” and “Broken Hearts”.

At just 14 years-old, Greyson Chance has accomplished more than many musicians can hope for in their careers; two successful North American tours, performing at the White House, national television appearances on “Good Morning America,” “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” “CBS Early Show,” and, most recently, the release of his debut album Hold On ‘Til The Night from eleveneleven/Maverick/Streamline/Geffen.

Much of Chance’s celebrity began with a fortuitous YouTube post of a performance by the stage-ready 6th grader for his fellow students of Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi,” but the whirlwind of expsoure and international opportunities that ensued for this Edmond, Oklahoma native have been such that can only be earned by his sheer talent: “Chance’s gripping falsetto and seasoned vocal style bellie his age…” (US Weekly).

Now, with a critically-acclaimed debut album, which boasts a debut single “Waiting Outside the Lines,” that sold over 160 thousand copies to date and was the #1 physical single in the country for four straight weeks; topping media lists for young talent to keep an eye on; and a recent stint acting on the hit primetime FOX Television show Raising Hope, which he hopes to parlay into exploring acting further, Chance has become a household name.

The now infamous performance of “Paparazzi” in April 2010 went on to become YouTube’s #3 most popular video of 2010 and has received nearly 45 million views to date. Catching the eye of a producer at “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” led to Chance’s first guest appearance and a fateful return a week later, where DeGeneres announced that she had signed Greyson as the first artist on her newly formed label, eleveneleven. The rest – as they say – is history. Chance has now appeared on “Ellen” eight times, which includes debuts of his singles “Waiting Outside the Lines” and “Unfriend You;” toured North America with fellow teens iCarly’s Miranda Cosgrove, pop star Cody Simpson and Big Time Rush; and most recently, performed for the Campaign for Human Rights with President Obama in attendance in November and at Variety’s Power of Youth benefit. Chance will be honored in Pop Star Magazine’s ’12 in 12’ issue in January 2012.

Of his live performance, The Washington Post says “catching Chance [perform] at this stage in his career is akin to watching a thoroughbred of impeccable breeding gallop as a yearling. He doesn’t have his legs under him yet, and stumbles are possible, but the raw materials are such that it’s hard to bet against him running with the big boys in a few years.”

“Without Ellen, none of this would have happened. She’s been so supportive of me and my music from the very beginning, and has also become an amazing friend!” says Chance.

The release of his debut Hold On ‘Til The Night was recorded in Los Angeles with famed producers such as The Matrix (Christina Aguilera, Avril Lavigne, Jason Mraz, Britney Spears) and Billy Steinberg (Enrique Iglesias, Katherine McPhee, Miranda Cosgrove). Unlike many teen artists, Chance took on much of the writing: “Writing and recording this album has been such a fun and exciting journey!” said Chance. “I’ve put so much hard work into it and I am so glad to have music out there for my fans. It’s about overcoming fears but always powering through, and I think it’s a message my fans really relate to.” Entertainment Weekly says, “Chance reveals a surprisingly mature voice.”

The album, which Rolling Stone magazine called a “potential blockbuster of a debut,” not only showcases Chance’s talents as a songwriter, vocalist and piano player but also his wide range of influences. From the empowerment ballad “Waiting Outside the Lines” to the light-hearted up tempo “Little London Girl,” Hold On ‘Til The Night takes the listener on a journey of teenage love and heartbreak complete with undeniably catchy hooks and Chance’s signature powerful vocals.

“This prodigy makes an impressive debut that owes as much to Coldplay as Bieber,” said People Magazine.

Looking forward to more exciting projects for fans in 2012, Chance is currently in the studio working on writing and recording more music and plans to make more television appearances.