Jennifer OBrien - Jedward - Our Story: The Official Biography

BY LOUIS WALSH
Jedwards manager and
X Factor judge

The first day that I came across John and Edward Grimes is not something Im likely to forget. We were sitting in the theatre in Glasgow in the summer of 2009 waiting for something exciting to happen. One by one the hopefuls came in. There had been the usual trail of boring and so-so acts and we were beginning to get tired and restless; we needed something new, something different and something fresh.

Enter John and Edward, with their spiky hair, great dress sense and a self-confidence we hadnt seen that day. Simon thought they were cocky I thought they were hilarious. The moment I looked at John and Edward, I knew the kids were going to love them. They had something that I saw in them from the very start, and of course, Simon claimed this was just because they were from Dublin. It wasnt Im not even from Dublin. I could see they had something and I liked their attitude.

Whatever the X factor is, I was sure that John and Edward had it beneath the surface. When it came to the boot-camp stages of the show, the boys really shone. They took no prisoners in the audition stages and showed us all that they were serious about getting through.

From the beginning, I could see they were charmers and they had Cheryl and Dannii in the palms of their hands at the first audition. The whirlwind really began when I got to mentor the groups for the show and John and Edward came to Italy for the final selections. We had a hard time choosing which groups we were going to go with and Ronan Keating really wasnt keen on putting John and Edward through. I just had a feeling, though and I went with it.

It turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made on the show. From week to week, John and Edward entertained like no other contestants and made the show their own. Everywhere I went, people were asking me about them they began to take over the whole thing. No matter what the judges might say, no one could wait to see what they had for us every week.

Behind the scenes I got to know the boys and they were so hard-working and just enjoying every minute of their newfound fame. At the same time, a lot of people were beginning to give them a hard time. I have to say I was passionate about sticking up for John and Edward, and full of admiration for the way they handled everything. They were two kids who were just following their dream and people everywhere were crazy about them. I told them not to let the ones who were giving them a tough time get them down and they didnt.

Ive been in this industry for over 30 years and John and Edward experienced more in their first few months in the limelight than most acts do in 10 years. There was barely a day when they were not on the front of the newspaper. I knew I had made the right decision and I think Simon knew that, too.

Of course when it all came to an end I was sad to see them leave the show. People had been asking me whether I was going to manage them or not and I began to think seriously about it. Even though I still had lots going on with Westlife and my new girl band Wonderland, I couldnt pass up the opportunity to work with John and Edward. They had something special and I knew they were not just going to fade into oblivion like so many X Factor acts had in the past. I decided that I wanted to work with them full time and it was a decision I have not come to regret.

Before long, there were not enough days in the week for all the calls we were getting about the boys. Liam McKenna was appointed as their tour manager and from the start they had a brilliant team around to look after them. From the beginning of 2010, John and Edward were literally booked out for months ahead. There were offers from all of the TV shows in the UK and Ireland everyone wanted to have them on.

John and Edward were on The Late Late Toy Show, Graham Norton , Jonathan Ross and Sky News there are just too many shows to mention and everywhere they went, besotted fans were following their every move. It was a phenomenon I hadnt seen in years: I knew they were going to have to get a record and an album out, and that they would sell like hotcakes.

I told them they were really going to have to work hard if they wanted to make the most of things and they never once complained because they just love what they are doing so much. Before long, we had Vanilla Ice on board for Ice Ice Baby, which topped the charts.

Everything just fell into place for the boys. Even when we parted ways with Sony, Universal were eager to get them on board and we got working on an album straight away. I knew the record companies would all want to work with the boys: they are different young, exciting and full of energy. Who wouldnt get a good feeling out of managing them?

When Planet Jedward came out, it sold more in Ireland in its first week than any other record had done all year. Kids were going into music stores and buying records once again and thats the main thing John and Edward have done for the industry they have made kids love getting their hands on records again. They have been the boost that the record industry in Ireland needed and, one year on, their name is still on everyones lips. Theres no mistaking John and Edward, and they are recognised everywhere they go. I think they have a fantastic career ahead of them and could turn their hands to anything, from TV presenting to modelling.

Everyone that the boys have worked with, from record companies to fast food giants, comes back to me to say that they just want to work with John and Edward again. Its their positive attitude that has made them more successful than other people who were on the show. They are always in the right frame of mind and they always deliver they are everything a pop star is meant to be.

Another thing I have noticed is that they havent let it all affect them. Things could really have gone to their heads but John and Edward have remained true to themselves. Right from the very first day on the show, they never altered who they are for anybody: they are the genuine article and not prepared to compromise.

Working with Jedward has brought so much of the fun factor back into my job. It really reminds me of the early days with Boyzone and Westlife back in the 1990s. The mania that follows them everywhere they go really is something to see and I love to see John and Edward get on the road and tour all around Ireland. Its like a new lease of life and theres pandemonium wherever they go. Too many bands dont even want to do the local gigs anymore, but I know just how important that is for a loyal fanbase. John and Edward would go to the ends of the earth for their fans: I have never seen an act return the devotion the fans give like the boys. Even when they close the door on the world after an 18-hour day, they are straight on the Internet to leave messages and chat to their followers.