Seven child music stars who made it big

Here are seven stars who didn't let their young age deter them from breaking into the music industry.

Like any career, their persistence, talent and determination unlocked their potential to help them achieve their music career goals.

1. Miley Cyrus

Destiny Hope Cyrus, born in November 1992, began her career as a child actress with roles in the television series Doc and film Big Fish,

Her career really took off when she was cast as the central character Miley Stewart in the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana, portraying a school girl living a double life as an international music star.

Her father in the series was played by her real life father, the singer Billy Ray Cyrus.

The soundtrack album from the series, with Cyrus singing as Hannah Montana, topped the Billboard 200 chart in 2006.

Miley has sold more than 20 million albums and 55 million singles worldwide.

2. Stevie Wonder

The singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist was born in 1950 in Michigan, USA. He made his recording debut aged just 11-years-old.

Blind since a baby his early gift for music began with a church choir in Detroit, Michigan, where he and his family had moved to when he was four-years-old.

He later taught himself to play a range of instruments, including the harmonica, piano and drums, all before he was 10-years-old.

By the age of 11 he was signed to Motown's Tamla record label and performing as Little Stevie Wonder.

The winner of 25 Grammy Awards was once quoted saying, "Just because a man lacks the use of his eyes doesn't mean he lacks vision."

3. Charlotte Church

Performing the Ghostbusters' theme song might seem an odd way to start a classical music career, but Charlotte Church was only three and a half years-old when she performed the Ray Parker Jr. hit with her cousin at a Welsh seaside holiday camp.

The singer-songwriter, born in Cardiff in February 1986, followed her holiday camp performance by making a name for herself at local karaoke competitions.

She got her big break after calling the producers of ITV’s This Morning show and performing a classic number, Pie Jesu down the telephone, in the hope of entering a children's talent competition.

She was invited with her parents to appear on the programme, which was the start of the nation beginning to notice her talent.

By the time she was 14-years-old Charlotte Church was the 16th wealthiest person under the age of 30 in the UK.

4. Donny Osmond

Born in December 1957 in Utah, USA, Donny Osmond, shot to fame singing with his brothers, The Osmonds, aged just five-years-old.

His brothers Alan, Wayne, Merrill and Jay, who performed barbershop music, got their big break after being spotted singing in the park on a family trip to Disneyland. Donny later joined them on The Andy Williams Show in 1962.

He went on to earn the status of a teen idol whilst hosting the variety show, Donny & Marie, with his sister.

He also travelled all over the world with his siblings performing hits like Puppy Love, Crazy Horses, Go Away Little Girl and Down By the Lazy River.

5. Whitney Houston

Whitney was the daughter of a gospel and R&B singer and was born in August 1963 in New Jersey, USA.

By the time she was 11-years-old she was already performing as a soloist at her church. She began touring with her mother, as a backing vocalist, aged 15 and had multiple offers for a recording contract, but her mother insisted she finish her education first.

Eventually, she was spotted performing at a nightclub in 1983 and signed to Arista Records. Her performance of the song, Saving All My Love For You, gave Whitney her first number one hit, and won her first Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal.

Whitney Houston has been named by the Guinness Book of Records as the most awarded female performer of all time. She’s sold more than 170 million records worldwide.

6. Britney Spears

By the time 17-year-old Britney Spears conquered the charts with hit single Hit Me Baby One More Time she was already an old hand at this showbiz lark.

Born in December 1981 in Mississippi, USA, the singer, dancer and actress grew up in Louisiana and began performing when she was 11-years-old on The All-New Mickey Mouse Club.

The show was cancelled in 1995 and so Britney turned to developing her musical career and eventually landed a contract with Jive Records. At the 1999 Billboard Music Awards, she won four awards, including female artist of the year and best new artist.

Her instant success made her part of the new teen pop music wave where her fellow Mickey Mouse Club acts Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake and Jessica Simpson were also making a breakthrough in music.

7. Justin Bieber

The Canadian singer was born in March 1994 in California, US and discovered aged 13-years-old by a talent manager who saw his YouTube videos of cover versions.

He was signed up to RBMG Records in 2008 and has sold an estimated 150 million records, making him one of the world's best-selling music artists.

He became the second person to reach 100 million followers on Twitter in August 2017, after Katy Perry.

The singer-songwriter taught himself to play piano, drums, guitar and trumpet while growing up.

He was listed among the most powerful celebrities in the world three times in a row by Forbes magazine in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

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