Max George
George in 2012
George in 2012
Background information
Birth nameMaximillian Albert George
Born (1988-09-06) 6 September 1988
Swinton, Greater Manchester, England
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • actor
Years active2006–present
Labels

Maximillian Albert "Max" George[1] (born 6 September 1988) is an English singer, best known as the lead singer of the boy band The Wanted.

George started his career as a footballer, playing for Preston North End. After an injury ended his football career, he decided to pursue a music career. George made his singing debut with the band Avenue. After the group disbanded in 2009, George joined the newly formed band, The Wanted. In 2014, following The Wanted's success in the United States, he landed his first acting role in the sixth season of the American television series Glee in the role of Clint, the leader of "Vocal Adrenaline".[2]

In 2013, George starred in the E! channel reality series The Wanted Life.[3]

Early life

George was born on 6 September 1988 in Swinton, Greater Manchester and studied at Bolton School.[4] He was raised in Manchester.[5] Before music, he was a footballer with Preston North End and was on the verge of signing a two-year deal with them. He has been a Manchester City F.C. supporter since a young age.[6]

Music career

Avenue and The X Factor

In 2005 George joined the four-piece boy band Avenue made up of himself, Jonathan Lloyd, Scott Clarke, Ross Candy and Jamie Tinkler. After applying to The X Factor in 2006, the band auditioned for the third series of the competition singing an a cappella version of the Will Young song, "Leave Right Now".[7] They were mentored by Louis Walsh after completing the bootcamp and judges' house portion. Making it to the final 12, the band then signed a management contract with the series. After it was discovered they were already under contract with another management firm, they were disqualified from the show.[8][9][10] Following the disqualification, they were signed to the Crown Music Management recording label and were awarded an album deal with Island Records.

With Andy Brown joining as a member of Avenue replacing Jamie Tinkler, the band went on to have some success beyond their X Factor appearances. In 2008, Avenue released their debut single, "Last Goodbye", which reached number 50 on the UK Singles Chart. Their plans to go on tour were cancelled. They had a follow-up release with "Can You Feel It?." The group disbanded in 2009.[11] In 2008, while still a member of Avenue, George appeared naked on cover of British gay magazine AXM's "Naked Issue" in support of cancer research.

The Wanted

George during a live performance

In 2009, a mass audition was held by Jayne Collins to form a boy band, after successfully launching Parade and The Saturdays. George auditioned and was selected as one of five members, along with Nathan Sykes, Siva Kaneswaran, Tom Parker and Jay McGuiness out of the thousands of others who auditioned. The band was formed and together they worked on their debut album before finding a perfect name for their band, The Wanted. Their debut single "All Time Low" was released on 25 July 2010, debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart. Their second single, "Heart Vacancy" was released on 17 October 2010. The song hit number two on the UK Singles Chart, and at number 18 in Ireland. Their third single, "Lose My Mind" was released on 26 December 2010. The song peaked number 19 on the UK Singles Chart, and peaked at number 30 in Ireland. In 2011, the single was released in Germany and in 2012, in the United States.[12] In 2013, in support of a crossover appeal to the American music market, the group starred in their own reality series on E!.[13] The series, The Wanted Life only aired for one season.

The band announced their decision to break in January 2014.[14] Max, as a member of the band has sold over 12 million records worldwide. The Wanted returned in 2021

Solo artist

In January 2014, George revealed in an interview that he was signed as a solo artist by Scooter Braun.[15] On 3 July 2018 he released his first solo single "Barcelona". The song has more than 4.5 million streams on Spotify. On 24 May 2019 he released his second single "Better On Me".[16]

Other ventures

Modelling

In June 2013, George was named as the new face and spokesmodel for Buffalo denim's fall line. He starred in the campaign opposite Sports illustrated swimsuit model, Hannah Davis. In November 2013, he did an underwear campaign for Buffalo again.[17]

Acting career

George is signed with Creative Artists Agency since 2013.[18] In June 2014, George revealed his decision to enroll in elocution classes, to help improve his pursuit of an acting career.[19][20] In September 2014, it was confirmed that he had joined the cast of Glee in the role of Clint, a bully and the lead vocalist of Vocal Adrenaline, after Mark Salling shared a photo of him on Twitter hanging out with Max on the set of the final season of the US comedy drama.[21][22][23] He made his first on screen appearance on 9 January 2015.

Reality TV

On 2 February 2015, it was announced that George had joined the cast of Bear Grylls' TV survival series, Bear Grylls: Mission Survive.[24]

On 1 September 2020, it was announced that George would be taking part in the eighteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing.[25] He was partnered with Australian dancer Dianne Buswell. They were eliminated on week 4 of the competition, finishing in ninth place.

In 2022, he competed in the ITV series The Games. In 2023, he took part in Scared of the Dark on Channel 4.

Radio

On 7 July 2021, it was announced that George would be joining Hits Radio, presenting Friday Night Hits, every Friday from 7-10pm across the Hits Radio Network. His first show was on 9 July 2021.

Personal life

George was in a relationship with actress Michelle Keegan from December 2010.[26] The couple became engaged in June 2011, but ended their relationship the following year.[27] In October 2013, George confirmed in an interview that he was dating Danish swimwear model Nina Agdal.[28] They split in February 2014. He dated beauty queen Amy Willerton briefly in 2014.[29] In October 2014, he confirmed being in a relationship with Miss Oklahoma contestant Carrie Baker.[30][31] In September 2022, it was revealed that he was dating EastEnders actress Maisie Smith.[32]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2013 Chasing the Saturdays Himself Episode: "#DeepFriedSats"
The Wanted Life 7 episodes
2015 Glee Clint Recurring role; 6 episodes
Bear Grylls: Mission Survive Himself 2 episodes
2020 Me, Myself and Di Lifeguard Film
Kill/Stream Gav Completed
Strictly Come Dancing Himself Contestant; series 18
2022 Pointless Celebrities Contestant
2023 Scared of the Dark
2023 Tipping Point: Lucky Stars
Richard Osman's House of Games

Discography

Singles

Year Title
2018 "Barcelona"
2019 "Better On Me"
"Til I Met You"
2020 "That's Not Me"
"Hate You"
"Paint By Numbers"

References

  1. ↑ George, Max (25 January 2012). "The Wanted: British band hopes to make splash in the U.S." Windy City Times (Interview). Interviewed by Jerry Nunn. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
  2. ↑ Evans, Denise (4 February 2015). "Watch: Max George stars in Glee". Manchester Evening News. United Kingdom: manchestereveningnews.co.uk. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  3. ↑ Garibaldi, Christina (31 May 2013). "'The Wanted Life' Is 'Not for My Mom's Eyes,' Max George Shares". www.mtv.com.
  4. ↑ "The Wanted closer to breaking America". theboltonnews.co.uk. 29 August 2013. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
  5. ↑ "The Wanted hit Scotland and release their debut album". STV. 26 October 2010. Archived from the original on 29 October 2010. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
  6. ↑ "Louis' X-Factor boys make return". Metro. 28 August 2008. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
  7. ↑ "Avenue's audition including George to The X Factor in 2006". 10 September 2006 – via YouTube.
  8. ↑ Samson, Pete (7 October 2006). "Exclusive: Avenue axed from X Factor". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 8 December 2008.
  9. ↑ "Avenue boy band kicked off Simon Cowell's British 'The X Factor' show". Reality TW World. 26 September 2006. Retrieved 8 December 2008.
  10. ↑ "Louis Walsh disqualifying Avenue from The X Factor competition" – via YouTube.
  11. ↑ Balls, David (15 September 2014). "Boyband Avenue announce split". digitalspy.co.uk. Retrieved 3 April 2009.
  12. ↑ Rovi, Andrew Leahey (23 September 2014). "The Wanted". billboard.com.
  13. ↑ Garibaldi, Christina (6 February 2015). "'The Wanted Life' Is 'Not for My Mom's Eyes,' Max George Shares". www.mtv.com.
  14. ↑ Wyatt, Daisy (25 September 2014). "The Wanted split up: Boy band announce break". independent.co.uk. Archived from the original on 12 May 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
  15. ↑ Citizen, The (21 September 2014). "Nathan Sykes and bandmate Max George sparked The Wanted's split for solo careers". gloucestercitizen.co.uk. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  16. ↑ "Interview: Max George opens up about new single Better On Me and his plans for solo music". Entertainment Focus. 24 May 2019. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  17. ↑ "Max George Models Underwear for Buffalo David Bitton @MaxTheWanted". proudprisoners.com. 29 September 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  18. ↑ Shenton, Zoe (21 September 2014). "Max George on The Wanted split: I wasn't dishonest, everything I said the boys already knew". mirror.co.uk. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  19. ↑ Sheehan, Katie (27 June 2014). "The Wanted's Max George Taking Speech Lessons". Artist Direct. Archived from the original on 29 June 2014.
  20. ↑ "Max George in elocution classes to improve chances of acting jobs". express.co.uk. 16 September 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  21. ↑ Grubbs, Jefferson (16 January 2015). "'Glee' Newbie Clint Is Played By Max George From The Wanted, So He's Basically Perfect To Lead Vocal". www.bustle.com.
  22. ↑ H, Emily (21 September 2014). "Glee Spoilers: The Wanted's Max George CONFIRMED for final season!". unrealitytv.co.uk. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  23. ↑ Heath, Olivia (19 September 2014). "The Wanted's Max George hangs out with Mark Salling on Glee set". reveal.co.uk. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
  24. ↑ Campbell, Tina (2 February 2015). "From Max George to Emilia Fox: Bear Grylls Mission Survive celebrity lineup confirmed". Metroaagency=DMG Media. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  25. ↑ "Caroline Quentin, Jason Bell and Max George announced as first three Strictly Come Dancing contestants". Heart. 1 September 2020. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  26. ↑ "Max George From The Wanted For Axm Magazine 'Naked Issue' 2008". Wowwow.me. 12 September 2010. Archived from the original on 16 November 2010. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  27. ↑ "Michelle Keegan's ex-fiancé Max George exclusively speaks out about former partner after she moved on with Mark Wright". OK! Magazine. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  28. ↑ Warwick, Charlotte (30 October 2013). "Max George opens up about model girlfriend Nina Agdal: "She lights up the place"". Sugarscape. Archived from the original on 3 November 2013. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  29. ↑ Bourne, Dianne (8 June 2014). "The Wanted heart-throb Max George and Amy Willerton cosy up at Neighbourhood – and run into Dizzee Rascal". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  30. ↑ Eames, Tom (29 October 2014). "The Wanted's Max George dating Miss Oklahoma contestant". Digital Spy. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  31. ↑ Hind, Katie (7 November 2014). "Max George moves to Hollywood for GOOD to be with new girlfriend Carrie Baker". Daily Mirror. mirror.co.uk. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  32. ↑ "Maisie Smith refers to Max George as her 'boyfriend' as she shares sweet tribute". OK! Magazine. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
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