Billie Paul Piper was born in Swindon, UK, on the 22nd of September 1982. Growing up with her brother Charlie and sisters Harley and Ellie, Billie knew early on that she wanted to be a performer. An ambitious Billie enrolled in the Sixth Sense theatre company in 1990, which gave her acting experience in several television commercials and an episode of The EastEnders. After a year of studies at Secondary School in her hometown, she was accepted into the Sylvia Young Theatre School in London. Despite her attendance at the prestigious school, Billie's busy schedule forced her to continue her education with a private tutor.
This busy schedule was triggered after Billie was chosen as a spokesmodel for the British pop music magazine, Smash Hits. Scouts for the new Virgin Records subsidiary, Innocent Records, spotted the Smash Hits poster girl in 1998, and signed her to their label immediately.
Billie's first single, "Because We Want To", was released that same year and propelled the 15-year-old singer to the status of the youngest solo artist to debut at number one on the UK charts. With the help of the follow-up single "Girlfriend" (which entered the charts at number 1) and the release of her debut album, Honey To The B, Billie deservedly earned the title of England's "Pop Princess" and Best Female Star at the Smash Hits Poll Winners party.
In May of 2000, 2 years more mature and more experienced, Billie made her anticipated return to the music charts with the release of the single "Day and Night", off of her sophomore album, Walk of Life. Billie enlisted the help of producer Elliot Kennedy (who has worked with pop stars such as Celine Dion and the Spice Girls), to match the success of her previous album -- but as her platinum album was a tough act to follow, Walk of Life has only seen considerable success.
Although Billie was out of the music scene for 2 years, she has been busy both personally and professionally. She was seriously involved with British boy band member Richie Neville from the pop group 5ive, and has been forced to cancel projects and shows due to health concerns. As for her blossoming career, she has added numerous acting credits to her resume.
Billie appeared in the television series Never Mind the Buzzcocks and Young Entertainers (as herself) in 1999, and appeared in Music Chronicles in 2000. After having appeared in small roles in movies such as The Leading Man and Evita in 1996, Billie hosted the television feature Billie Wants You!, in 1999.
Naming Madonna and Janet Jackson as her heroes, Billie has enjoyed the success of having 4 chart-topping singles -- all off a single album -- and of having contributed to the Pokémon soundtrack. Although she has toured in the US, and has even performed for President Bill Clinton while on tour, Billie has yet to break through in America. But when she does, this princess will reign supreme.
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