BIOGRAPHY
Carly (Hennessy) Smithson was born on September 12, 1983 in Dublin, Ireland to parents Marie Murray and Luke Hennessy. She has an older brother named Nik and a younger sister named Shannon. She started singing at 3 or 4 years old and knew at a young age that she wanted to be a singer. For the first four years of Carly's life, her family lived in South Africa. Carly's mom was a model, so as early as 4 months old, Carly had brushes with show business. She appeared in commercials as a child and in 1990, she appeared as Young Marianne in Fools of Fortune. At the age of 9, she joined the cast of Les Miserables as Little Cosette and was also the face of Denny's Sausages (www.kerrygroup.com) for several years. When Carly was 10, she released Carly's Christmas Album in the UK.
She moved to the United States with her dad at age 13 to pursue a career in music. She was signed to MCA Records and released an album, Ultimate High, in 2001 at the age of 18. She created a music video for her first single "I'm Gonna Blow Your Mind," and promoted her album in the US and Europe. On July 24, 2002 Carly opened for Bryan Adams in Dublin. She also performed for over 100,000 people on August 18, 2002 during RTE Radio 2FM Ireland's free concert Party in the Park in Phoenix Park in Dublin. Unfortunately, the album failed to bring Carly the success she was hoping for. A damaging article on the excesses of the music industry used Carly as an example and only added to her troubles. Despite this, Carly won a Meteor Award in 2003 for Best Irish Female Singer and impressed the President of Ireland.
Carly met her husband, Todd, when she was 17 at the Los Angeles Airport on a Delta Bench. Carly bummed a cigarette from Todd (don't worry, Carly hasn't smoked since 2003) and the two got to talking and discovered they had a mutual friend. After Carly left on her flight, Todd got her number from that friend and they talked on the phone for 3 years before meeting again. Carly & Todd went to dinner in Atlanta when she had a 7 hour layover and the pair were married 4 months later!!! They lived in Atlanta for a few years, where Carly worked at an Irish bar called Fado. Coincidentally, although the two did not know each other, Michael Johns performed there at the time - Carly used to write his name on the chalkboard each week! In 2005, Carly and Todd returned to San Diego and she auditioned in Las Vegas for American Idol season 5. She made it to Hollywood, but because of visa issues was unable to compete. In 2007, she auditioned again and made it to Hollywood again. Carly wowed the judges during Hollywood Week and became part of Season 7's Top 24. Carly charmed America and was easily voted into the Top 12. She is made it to the Top 6 before being voted off of the show. However her fans know that this talented songstress will have great success regardless of how she placed in the competition.
Carly now lives in San Diego with her husband Todd. Before she auditioned for American Idol Carly worked at The Field, a San Diego Irish Pub. She served & tended bar (she was known for the shamrocks & hearts she put in her pints of Guinness!). She also sang at the pub. Carly impressed co-workers who report that they had no idea about her past until they heard her sing and googled her. One of the songs Carly performed was "Black Is The Color" a Scottish song that she would silence the bar with when she sang.
Carly and Todd also own Nothing Sacred San Diego, a tattoo shop around the corner from the pub.
CARLY TRIVIA
Carly has 10 tattoos including an unfinished geisha on her right arm, a cross on her back (her first tattoo, which she is planning on removing to make room for a phoenix on her whole back), her husband's name on her wrist, a gate from her mother's house on her other wrist, a wedding ring on her left finger (because she's allergic to metal!), the word "Eire" on her lip, and a 7 (for AI Season 7) on her finger.
Carly loves Waffle House breakfast burritos & would drive four and a half hours out of her way for one.
Her husband Todd has many tattoos all over his body, including a Star Wars-themed leg!
She is a bit of a home body and loves to cook & clean. She is an excellent cook and can put together great meals from the leftovers in the fridge. The grossest thing she's ever eaten is "squid marinated in squid guts." Carly is very family oriented, saying one of her proudest moments is becoming a wife and that she would like to have big family and "be the best mom I can."
Carly's musical influences include Heart, Celine, Skynyrd, Ray Charles, Whitney, Bono, Rolling Stones, U2, Janis, Johnny Cash, Aretha, Pink Floyd & Annie Lennox. She also loves Skeeter Davis and Nancy Sinatra
Carly and Todd can't wait to have kids. Carly says she already has their names chosen. Todd wants a boy named Sue. Carly has not yet approved :-P.
Carly's favorite colours are pink & black and her favorite flowers are tulips.
Biographical Information taken from various sources below.
ARTICLES & LINKS
"No Irish tattoos for Idol star Carly"
The Evening Herald News June 7, 2008
"CROWN JULES"
The Mirror May 30, 2008
"Tat's a fine hubby you have Carly"
The Sun May 29, 2008
"The Billboard Q&A: Carly Smithson Of 'American Idol'"
Billboard.com May 15, 2008
"San Diego's 'American Idol' finalist Smithson still enjoying the ride"
North County Times May 10, 2008
"On the Scene: 'Idol' Top 4 results night"
EW.com May 8, 2008
"'American Idol' Tracker: After Jason Castro, le deluge"
LA Times Blog May 8, 2008
"Carly Still Upbeat After Idol Loss"
Irish Voice May 2, 2008
"Carly Wants To Come Home"
Irish Independent May 1, 2008
"Carly's Teri Hatcher Moment"
OK Magazine April 30, 2008
"OK! Interview: Carly Smithson"
OK Magazine April 28, 2008
"Seeking Closure With Carly Smithson"
LA Times April 25, 2008
"Ex-gaslap bartender Smithson still smiling after being voted off"
SanDiego Union Tribune April 25, 2008
"Ousted Carly Smithson dishes about her 'American Idol' experience"
Reality TV World April 25, 2008
"Idol Exit Q&A"
EW.com April 24, 2008
American Idol Tracker: Elegy for Carly
LATimes Blog April 24, 2008
Carly Smithson's Media Exit Interview
Tacoma News Tribune April 24, 2008
Carly Smithson Exit Interview
The Atlanta Journal Constitution April 24, 2008
America Loses It's Mind & Votes Carly Off
EW.com On-the-Scene April 24, 2008
Idol Recap - Voter Misfire
EW.com April 24, 2004
From Record Deal To Waitress To American Idol
AP April 8, 2008
Hooks 'N' You: Carly Hennessy, 'Ultimate High'
March 18, 2008
Will Carly Be The New Idol?
Irish Voice News Feb 20, 2008
The Atlanta Journal Constitution
Feb 18, 2008
Irish 'Idol' Rocks Fox
Irish Voice News Jan 20, 2008
Pop Culture: Belly Dancing Slinks Into The Mainstream
Advertising Age January 5, 2004
Carly Hennessy Hot Features Style Interview
May 19, 2003
Ultimate High Review
July 16, 2002
Carly Hennessy Gears Up For North America
andPOP.com Sept 12, 2001
Blowing America's Mind
TeenMusic.com Aug 31, 2001
At Seventeen...
May 24, 2001
MCA Records Carly Hennessy Website 2001
Geffen Records (formerly MCA) Biography2001
LINKS TO FANSITES & BLOGS
Ruby Reyes Meets Carly!
Juliet's Journal (The Morning Show with Mike & Juliet)
Just Meant To Smile: A Carly Smithson Fansite
EW.com American Idol PopWatch Blog
(the On The Scene Write Ups are extra fun to read!)
Idol Thoughts Blog
Rickey.org