Biography
Originally recognized chiefly for fronting the pristine pop ensemble S Club 7, Jo O'Meara became a national talking point for entirely negative causes after her participation in a notorious reality television controversy. The Romford, Essex native, born in 1979, first entered the industry via the Germany-based hip-hop collective 2-4 Family, whose opening release “Stay” secured a European chart success before she departed for S Club 7—the initial venture launched by Simon Fuller following his split from the Spice Girls. Widely regarded as the ensemble’s strongest vocalist, she delivered the bulk of lead lines across eleven of their Top Five singles. Following the release of four studio albums, a theatrical feature, and multiple television programs, the group disbanded in 2003. O'Meara then spent two years convalescing from a spinal injury sustained during the shoot of their cinema release, Seeing Double, before securing a solo contract with Sanctuary Records and re-emerging in 2005. Her opening single, “What Hurts the Most”—subsequently covered by Cascada and Rascal Flatts—attained number 13, yet the accompanying album Relentless stalled at number 49, prompting her dismissal from the roster. Seeking to revive her profile, she joined the 2007 edition of Celebrity Big Brother, only to face accusations, alongside model Danielle Lloyd and tabloid regular Jade Goody, of subjecting Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty to racist harassment. Upon exiting the house she received a flood of hostile correspondence and withdrew from public view for several months, until rejoining former colleagues Bradley McIntosh and Paul Cattermole for a 2008 series of club dates.
Albums
Singles
