Hayley and Vittorio on Five News

Hayley and Vitorrio were featured on Five News where they spoke about their upcoming album, West Side Story. Hayley talked about her background with West Side Story, while Vitorrio spoke about his prior involvment with the production. Hayley was once again dressed in her green I Feel Pretty dress and necklace! They also breifly performed Tonight. Click HERE to download the video!

A CHILD STAR IS REBORN

BY JENNY JOHNSTON

**BY ARRANGEMENT**

27 July 2007Daily Mail

(c) 2007 Associated Newspapers.

All rights reserved

Hayley Westenra has the voice of an angel and -- unlike her rival, Charlotte Church -- she behaved like one, too. Until now...

Most of us think we're doing pretty well in life if we reach the age of 20 with a few A-levels and a Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award. But then most of us aren't Hayley Westenra. The New Zealand singer -- or 'teen singing sensation' as she has been dubbed for most of her career -- always did operate on another level entirely.

By 17, she had sold two million records. At 19, she was named one of the ten Most Outstanding People in the World. While Charlotte Church -- her most obvious British contemporary -- was busy bingedrinking and working her way though a series of evermore disastrous boyfriends, Hayley had been appointed the youngest ever goodwill ambassador for the United Nations. On one particularly spectacular day she performed for President Bush, the Queen, Tony Blair and Condoleezza Rice, no less.

Now all of this adds up to an awesomely impressive CV, but it has come at a price. At the grand old age of 20, Hayley can conclude that the one thing she 'forgot' to do was to be a normal teenager. And it's only now that the gaps in her development are becoming obvious. 'It's quite odd,' she agrees, her perfect little face a picture of bewilderment. 'I'm an unusual case. In some ways I've been everywhere and done everything, but in other ways I've led a pretty sheltered life. 'People are always saying to me -- "you're so mature!". Well, yes, I am. I can stand up and sing for the most important people in the world. I can jet off round the world. But at the same time I haven't experienced a lot of things that most teenagers have.

'I don't know if I'd say I've been stunted -- I hope not -- but my parents always travelled with me. I wasn't out partying like other teenagers when they get that little bit of freedom. I haven't learned through my mistakes the way most people do. 'I suppose I'm not as streetwise as some people my age would be. I can be with other young people and think, "I feel like a child here". I'm not complaining. I wouldn't change how it has been for the world, but there are times when I'm shocked by how much I've yet to experience.' She means that she hasn't yet had a serious boyfriend, which is vaguely troubling because, like any young woman, she's in a hurry to know what that grand passion feels like.

Perhaps she's actually in more of a hurry than most. After all, she has spent most of her life singing about such things. 'It's ironic, isn't it?' she agrees. 'In the last three years I've been more and more interested in the lyrics of songs. Before, I was oblivious to what they were actually about. I was just enjoying the sound of my own voice. It sounds empty, but there are only so many songs you can identify with when you are 14, 15, 16. They are all about love and passion and big issues that no young person can possibly have experienced.

'Now, I'm starting to say: "Ah, that's what that song is about".' But there is still some way to go. She admits that she has never actually been in love. She says it quietly, and seems suddenly about 12 years old. 'I've maybe been to the "in lust" stage but I don't think I've been in love. But, yes, I would like to be. I want to see what all the fuss is about. 'I'm like any teenager in that regard, I think. I'd like to have someone. Eventually I'd like to settle down and have children -- not yet, but some day. It won't be easy though.'

Hayley Westenra isn't the sort of young star given to angst and melodrama, still less to bleat to Heat magazine about how she can't get a boyfriend, but somehow this makes her dilemma seem all the more real. 'Where do you meet people when you are me?' she asks, in all seriousness. 'In this business, even relationships that have a history are difficult to keep going. I've no hope. 'I might go on a date, but even if it goes well, it's hardly likely to lead to anything. What can you say? "That was nice. Now I'm off to the States for four months." It's not really going to happen.' Then there are those dates where your companion is just that little bit too interested in the fact that you've been for tea at the White House.

'I've had my fair share of those,' she nods. 'It's awful when you get that nagging voice in your head going "is he with me because he wants to be with me, or because of who I am?" 'I don't know how you get round that, but I hope that I'm a good enough judge of character to be able to suss them out.' Still she says all this without rancour, admirably accepting of the fact that you can't have a globetrotting career without making some sacrifices. Besides, she is making a determined effort to 'catch up' with her more normal friends.

Today, she is beside herself with excitement because she has just bought her first home and is waiting to exchange contracts. Since she was 16 she has been based in London, but now she is putting down roots -- a milestone in any young person's life. Standing on her own two feet -- in both professional and personal terms -- has meant an awful lot to her, but she is candid about how hard it has been. 'I suppose I'm only going through what everyone does, but I've done it in an odd way. I kind of left home at 14 when I came to London, but I didn't really cut the apron strings because one of my parents was always travelling with me.

'But two years ago I made the first real move to living independently when I was on my own for the first time. I remember the day my dad drove off to the airport, to head home to New Zealand. 'I'd been so adamant that it was time to stand on my own two feet, and so sure that I could do it. But when I watched him go I got this big lump in my throat and I thought "is this what I really want?". It was more difficult than I'd imagined.

'I had to do all that normal leaving home stuff -- like working out how to get a bank account, how to get the gas and electric sorted out, how to cook for myself -- but at the same time I was working, maybe away on tour for months at a time, or recording. '

It's been a bit odd, but I have been determined to do it all. I could just stay in hotel rooms and have people sort out my life for me -- but I don't think that would be particularly healthy. Would it?' Ah, the perils of the near child prodigy.

Hayley was 14 and busking with her sister in her native Christchurch when her big break came along. Before you could say 'Aled Jones' she had been signed up by a record company, trailed across the world, thrust into the limelight and hailed as the next Charlotte Church. She was even advised by the legendary Sir George Martin, one-time guru to the Beatles.

The biggest surprise is that the only casualty from her phenomenal rise has been her love life. It would have been quite understandable if the pressures of her existence -- not to mention the £3million that came with her first record deal -- had unhinged her somewhat. She is famously grounded, though. To date, there has been no great rebellion, no unsuitable love-interest, no tabloid scandal. She says her life is more odd than dysfunctional.

'One day I can be on stage in front of thousands, or doing the red carpet thing with all those photographers snapping away. The next I will be struggling down to the launderette with my washing. Or hopping on the Tube to do some shopping.' The launderette? The Tube? Where is her entourage? Her flunkies?

'Oh I don't have anyone like that. Someone asked me the other day if I had someone to pack up all my bags for me when I'm touring. I said no, my manager might give me a hand, but mostly it's just me. 'I suppose I could pay people to look after me, but I've kind of been brought up to think I should do these things myself. 'I don't even have a cleaner for my flat. I really should be able to look after myself, and that would seem like an indulgence.'

And Hayley doesn't do indulgence. She once spent £80 on a pair of Miss Sixty jeans and wore them every day for a year -- 'to get my money's worth'. Yesterday, her accountant came round to 'go through the credit card bills'. One imagines he was pleasantly surprised. She struggles to think of an extravagant purchase and can only think of the dresses she wears on stage -- 'some can cost a thousand pounds,' she says, aghast -- and her flat.

'My mum and dad were horrified when they heard what it cost. Back home you could get a huge house with a big garden for that, but I've told them that London is very different and that, anyway, it's a good investment.' At least she has the good grace to poke fun at her own sensible nature. We talk about her new album -- a collection of songs from West Side Story -- and I joke about it being more raunchy than what has gone before (hardly a feat, given that her previous recordings include Abide With Me). 'I wouldn't say raunchy exactly, but maybe a little more that way than what has gone before,' she laughs. 'It's more gritty, certainly, and it really was fun and much less serious than some of the stuff I've done.' So too with her own life.

She has always had a reputation of being very 'safe', perhaps even stuffy. Things have changed, albeit marginally. 'Before my friends were always giving me grief about taking everything too seriously. I've never been a party animal and there have been times where they've gone, "oh come on, let your hair down a bit". 'So I do now. I'm a bit more relaxed. I will have a drink, but I will get quite stern if people want me to go beyond that. I don't see that you need lots of alcohol to enjoy yourself. I'm quite old-fashioned like that.'

So she doesn't do Amy Winehousestyle-drunk then? She giggles. 'No, but I don't need a lot. One glass of Champagne and I'm quite merry. I'm a cheap date.' There is a steely side to Hayley, however, that suggests she knows exactly where she is going and how to get there. That means having a huge say in her career, as much as in what curtains grace her windows. 'Trying to take control of my own career has been a big part of my life over the past few years. I was so young when I started that everything was decided for me.

'But I've really pushed myself to get involved in all aspects of the business. There are times when I feel a bit overwhelmed, but you have to stand on your own two feet sometimes.' Had her parents insisted on retaining a huge say in her career, it seems they might have had one epic struggle on their hands. 'I have to say that I'm very grateful about how my parents handled the whole thing. 'They saw it was time to step back, and they did. It didn't get to the stage where they had to be forced out. I can see why that happens, but it would have been terrible.'

She jokes about being completely unstarry -- the most outrageous dressing-room demand she has ever made has been to request mineral water that is tepid, rather than icecold, but it's clear that she is capable of throwing a grown-up strop. 'It's good to be a diva sometimes,' she smiles. 'There have been moments when I've put my foot down over some song or arrangement. You have to, to make people realise that you truly are in charge of your own life.' West Side Story (Universal Music Classics And Jazz) is out on August 13.

Hayley and Vittorio Grigolo will perform songs from the album at Woburn Abbey tomorrow. For tickets, call 0845 225 6020.

BBC Breakfast - Interview with Hayley & Vittorio Grigolo about West Side Story

Hayley and Vittorio where featured on BBC's Breakfasts show, promoting West Side Story. Hayley wore her green dress and necklace, from her video I Feel Pretty. She spoke about how she came to find West Side Story, and the song I Feel Pretty. Thanks to Dave from HWI, here is the full interview!! Click to watch here at HWI.

Hayley Westenra…wow! From Fine Music Magazine

From busking on the streets of Christchurch, New Zealand, Hayley Westenra has soared to release her third album, after her first went 12 times platinum in NZ, platinum in Australia and gold in Hong Kong. Van-Anh Nguyen talks to the 19-year-old singing sensation about her journey so far.

Performing for President Bush last week. In Sydney today. In Los Angeles tomorrow for a one month tour with Irish singing group, Celtic Woman. Hayley Westenra seems unfazed by her frantic line-up of appearances. At 19, she has sold over three million albums, is the youngest ambassador for UNICEF and has collaborated with the likes of Andrea Bocelli, Jose Carreras and Bryn Terfel.

Pure and Odyssey, her first two albums, were collections of classical, folk and traditional songs. ‘I’m in the genre of what is classified as “classical cross-over”.’ Some criticise this and similar genres like popera as being ‘impure’, but to Hayley this ‘new’ genre is essential to ‘spread the music’.

In Sydney promoting her third album, Celtic Treasure, Hayley talks about how it was inspired. ‘My grandmother used to sit me on her knee and sing songs like “Danny Boy” from as early as I can remember. She was a great singer and my “pop” would play his piano accordion to accompany her. I love exploring different ways of interpreting beautiful old songs, but new music has to be written, new songs created, otherwise we are robbing the future of a past. That is why I’ve included…songs that I have written with people I’ve met on my travels around the world.’

In Year 1 Hayley’s music teacher spotted her perfect pitch. While still in primary school she starred in major musical productions – Annie, La Bohème, The Sound of Music – though like other girls she was into after-school clubs, ballet and sports. It wasn’t until she began busking that things really took off. ‘My first experience was busking with a group of mates because we didn’t have enough lunch money. I noticed that I would get quite a crowd when I was singing but when I started to play the violin, they drifted off.’ She chuckles.

From 'Fine Music Magazine'

West Side Story Release Date pushed to 13 August

West Side Story - 50th Anniversary recording

One of the most lauded musicals ever written, West Side Story is loosely based on Romeo and Juliet. It is one of the few musicals that never age, and is still as relevant and well-loved today as it ever was. In this 50th anniversary year of the musical, UCJ has assembled some of the biggest classical crossover stars to record a brand new glitzy version of the musical.

This is one of the only major recordings of this masterpiece to have been made since the 1984 version with Leonard Bernstein himself conducting, and has been made with the authorisation of the Bernstein foundation in New York. The cast in the seminal 1984 recording included Kiri Te Kanawa and Jose Carreras.

In this version the part of Maria is passed over to fellow Kiwi Hayley Westenra who pairs up with Italian tenor Vittorio Grigolo. Other stars include Connie Fisher and Melanie Marshall (currently playing the lead in Porgy and Bess). With a bright young cast (the singers’ ages on this new UCJ recording also more closely resemble the youth of both Romeo and Juliet and Maria and Tony) and timeless tunes, this is set to become the recording of choice for the 21st Century West Side Story lover.

West Side Story is released digitally on 30th July and on CD on 13th August.

Hayley to sing at children's conference

Seamus McKinney 17 July 2007

(c) 2007, The Irish News Ltd.

All Rights reserved.

One of the world's leading classical singers, Hayley Westenra, arrives in Derry tomorrow to join the Dalai Lama in celebrating the Children in Crossfire charity's 10th anniversary.

The New Zealander agreed to visit to sing for Nobel peace laureate the Dalai Lama at a conference at the city's Millennium Forum.

The Dalai Lama is due in the city this morning and will deliver the keynote address at the conference tomorrow.

Adopting the theme 'A promise for the future', the conference will be addressed by children's rights campaigners from around the globe.

Recognised as the outstanding singer of her generation, Hayley Westenra (20) came to prominence at the age of 16 when she released a Maori love song, Pokarekare Ana.

Since then she has performed for world leaders, often singing with opera's leading men including Andrea Bocelli, Jose Carreras and Bryn Terfel.

Her debut album, Pure, sold faster than any other classical album in history.

Ms Westenra told The Irish News she was looking forward to her first visit to Derry, although she has visited Ireland many times.

"My great-grandmother is Irish - from Co Cork - and I also have relatives on my father's side of the family from Monaghan," she said.

A common name in Co Monaghan, the Westenra family were once part of the county's Anglo-Irish ruling classes.

A popular hotel in the centre of Monaghan town - the Westenra Arms - still bears the family name.

The youngest ever Unicef goodwill ambassador, Ms Westenra said she was approached by photographer Lawrence Doherty of The Studio about the possibility of singing before the Dalai Lama when he came to the Children in Crossfire conference and readily agreed.

She hopes to sing Derry's own anthem, Danny Boy for the Dalai Lama as well as her hit Pokarekare Ana and In Trutina.

Children in Crossfire founder Richard Moore said the two-day conference sought to put children's issues at the forefront of people's minds through the words of the Dalai Lama and other speakers.

"This is a great event for this city and Ireland and we hope children all over the world will benefit from it," he said.

Hayley in Sunday News Newspaper

Angel's Quite Solo Flight

During this weekend, an interview with Hayley - from April when she was here in New Zealand - was published in New Zealan's Sunday News paper. Hayley talks about Treasure, her social life, travelling and family. Click the images below to enlarge and read!

Hayley and Unicef: AIDS and Children in Ghana

Hayley has been the youngest UNICEF ambassador for the past three years. She has recently created a commercial add to donate to UNICEF, helping kids who suffer from the AIDS epidemic.

Here are two adds from the UNICEF's website. One of them is to be aired in New Zealand.

Hayley in Perthshire.uk

A ‘Truly’ Scottish night for charity
Jul 13 2007
Alison Anderson

A STELLAR line-up including top young classical singer Hayley Westenra is set to attract music-lovers to picturesque Dunkeld on September 1 for a charity fund-raiser for the Anthony Nolan Trust in Scotland.
Organisers of ‘A Truly Scottish Evening’ open-air concert — to be held in the grounds of the Hilton Dunkeld House — aim to raise a staggering £58,000 for the charity which provides lifesaving donors for leukaemia patients in need of a bone marrow transplant.
John McLaughlin, manager of Hilton Dunkeld House, and concert promoter George Walker are looking forward to bringing together the crème de la crème of Scottish entertainment for the open-air live concert by Dunkeld Cathedral.
One of the highlights of the weekend will see mass pipes and drums along with Celtic dancers taking to the stage joined by aerobatic displays and the top-class musicians of The Scottish Fiddle Orchestra.
Headlining the concert is world-renowned classical singer Hayley Westenra accompanied by the Aberdeen Sinfonietta.

Hayley has performed for the rich and famous, including The Queen, President Bush, Tony Blair and Prince Charles.
“The event will be very much family orientated,” said John McLaughlin, manager of the Hilton Dunkeld House.
“We will be encouraging people to bring along picnics and enjoy an early evening of food and socialising and then sit back in a beautiful setting for some superb music and entertainment.”
Tickets for A Truly Scottish Evening are £21.45, available from the box offices at Perth Theatre and Perth Concert Hall, telephone 0845 612 6320, online at www.horsecross.co.uk.
The Antony Nolan Trust will also benefit from A Truly Scottish 10k adventure race from Hilton Dunkeld House on Sunday, September 2, when there will also be a family fun day and sponsored walk.
The hotel is offering a VIP hospitality package which includes a champagne dinner, premier position seats for the concert and exclusive after-show party.

Perthshire.uk

Hayley at 'Fashion Is Art' Launch - Carbon

Hayley attended a fashion show launch at Carbon on 11 July 2007. This was a charity launch, which her dress has probably gone to auction for charity.

"...Pearl Lowe hosts VIP event launching exhibition of avant-garde fashion, created to support Capital 95.8's charity Help a London Child. Sophie Anderton, Hayley Westenra and Daisy Lowe are among those modelling the 20 outfits styled by Rebekah Roy; designers involved include Giles Deacon, Matthew Williamson, Hussein Chalayan, Gharani Strok, Eley Kishimoto, Preen, Belle and Bunty, and Hamish Morrow. Entertainment starts at 8pm; the auction, led by Nick Bonham, takes place at 9.30pm. ..."

From: http://360fashion.typepad.com/rebekah_roy/

Click photo to enlarge!

!!!Hayley's Realm reaches 1000 views!!!

Thanks for all the support and encouragement from all Hayley fans and espeically HWI, I am enjoying running this blog in support of Hayley more than ever!

Keep up the good support, and thanks once again for viewing my blog!

-Sukayna

Hayley in West Side Story: New Photos, Videos and more!

The West Side Story 50th Anniversary Special has now launched their new website. This can be viewed here: http://www.westsidestory2007.com/. It contains videos, photos and audio samples of the album.

There is also a behind-the-scenes interview with Hayley, which will be available soon. ___________________________________________________________________________________________

THIS YEAR THE GREAT AMERICAN MUSICAL, WEST SIDE STORY CELEBRATES ITS 50TH BIRTHDAY.

To celebrate this momentous occasion two of the brightest stars of the classical crossover world have come together to produce an incredible new recording. With Vittorio Grigolo as Tony and Hayley Westenra as Maria, you have the glorious combination of great chemistry and beautiful music. Two young people from different backgrounds who share a passion for bringing classical music to the people, and what better way to do this than by recording one of the best loved musicals of all time West Side Story. Joining Hayley and Vittorio is Connie Fisher, star of the West End, and Will Martin the new cross over sensation as Riff.

Written by Arthur Laurents (Book), Leonard Bernstein (Music) and Stephen Sondheim (Lyrics) the story explores the hostility between two rival gangs of different backgrounds and is loosely based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The Innocent young protagonist Tony, who belongs to an established local gang, the Jets, falls in love with Maria, the sister of the leader of the rival gang, the Sharks.

West Side Story has everything you could wish for, drama, passion, tragedy, and redemption. The songs are familiar and fun, and it’s a musical that it still as powerful today as it was 50 years ago. To keep up to date with all the latest news on West Side Story sign-up to the official mailing list by clicking here.

WIN A TRIP TO NEW YORK CITY

New York, The Big Apple…... New York will always be associated with a lot of things, great shopping, amazing food, fantastic landmarks; But to us it will always be where West Side Story is set, and what a setting. No other city could of done this amazing musical justice. To celebrate the release of a brand new recording of West Side Story, Universal Music and Virgin Atlantic Airways are offering you the chance to win a trip to NYC for two.Flights and three nights accommodation at a central three star hotel, based on two sharing, with breakfast are on offer, for your chance to win click here!

All entrants must be 18 years and over

Closing date is: 17th August

Terms and conditions apply.

West Side Story will be released on the 30 July 2007.

Hayley's new biography! In Her Own Voice

Excting News!

Hayley has co-written a new biography Hayley Westenra: In Her Own Voice. This book will be in hardcover and on the shelves 25 October 2007, so be sure to look out for it. At the meantime, you can pre-order it from Amazon.co.uk, WHSmith and Amazon France . Here is the synopsis of the book from Amazon:

"Hayley's first performance as 'Little Star' in a Christmas play was perfectly pitched, beautifully sung and enthusiastically received. She was six years old. Now, at the tender age of twenty, she is the fastest-selling debut classical artist ever. Her string of musical accolades is astonishing and her audiences range from royalty to premiers. This is her story, from her first performance, through later roles in major productions such as "Annie", "La Boheme" and "The Sound of Music", her decision at the age of eleven to busk for her lunch money, and the subsequent record deals, money, charity work and classical super stardom."

Lovely front cover photo from the New Zealand Woman's Weekly photoshoot from 2005.

Hayley's Big Hit

Hayley's a big hit
Jul 6 2007
by Chester Chronicle

HAYLEY Westenra's concert at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod on July 13 is the first of this year's evening concerts to sell out.

No fewer than 4,000 tickets have been sold for the young New Zealander's concert, organisers will erect a giant screen outside the main pavilion allowing a further 1,000 people to see the event.

Tickets for the big screen enclosure are priced at just £5 and also give free admission to the @Six Concert with Celtic music exponents Yn Y Fan which starts at 6pm.

Though there are still some tickets available, brisk sales are also being reported for both the opening gala performance with Joan Baez on July 10 and the closing gala performance with José Carreras on July 15.

Carreras is to perform with the Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera, the pianist Lorenzo Bavaj, the Andean ensemble Los Calchakis and the Serendipity Choir.

Following the success of the @Six concerts last year there are even more world music concerts now confirmed this year including Les Charbonnier de L'Enfer from Quebec on Tuesday, The Pine Leaf Boys from Louisiana on Wednesday and Reggae band Lion Train on Thursday.

The performances start on the S4C stage at 6pm daily. For tickets or further information call 01978 862001 or 08701 211251 or visit http://www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk/

Hayley in West Side Story: Order Postcards!

Thanks to Stephany from HWI for this. From Play.com, the West Side Story CD features exclusive postcards. A great collector's item for any West Side Story fan, and a special item for the 50th anniversary special!

Also, the different cover for, apparently the UK version limited edtition, from HMV.co.uk.

The Daily Post New Zealand: Celtic Woman: A New Journey

Celtic Woman - A New Journey

30 June 2007

The Daily Post (New Zealand)

Copyright 2007 APN New Zealand Ltd - Regionals. All Rights Reserved

Reviewed by Kelly Makiha

What do you get if you cross the Spice Girls, a touch of class, a glass of Guinness and a Kiwi?

The new line-up of Celtic Women, featuring our very own Hayley Westenra.

And all that can be said is "wow''.

It's probably not most people's cup of tea but there is no denying these sheilas can sing perfectly.

A New Journey is an amazing album and big ups must go to their vocal coach/producer who managed to get the most out of each singer on every song. They are not your traditional girl band - the tummy exposing tops and hot pants have been swapped for elegant frocks and the music is hardly sexy.

Westenra blends beautifully with her new European pals - Lisa, Maev, Orla, Chloe and fiddle player Mairead. Sound exotic don't they?

Our Hayley has loved performing with them so much, she has agreed to hop along on their North American tour. Westenra is going through a bit of a Celtic buzz at the moment with the release of her third solo album, Celtic Treasure.

Grab a copy of A New Journey and you'll enjoy some traditional Irish songs as well as some new works. The singing is outstanding and the orchestra is mind blowing.

Hayley and the Celtic Woman

Best of the Royal Variety Performance Shows

In 2003, Hayley performed Porakarakara Ana and Amazing Grace at the Royal variety show in front of the Queen of England. It was a huge career move for a fourteen-year-old. Here, from ITV3, is Hayley looking back at her amazing experience of this magnificent performance.

Click here to watch the video: Hayley on Best of Royal Variety Performance