Hayley's 18th Birthday
Press Release (from Universal)
Singer Hayley Westenra, who took the Classical world by storm in 2004 by becoming the fastest selling Classical artist ever in the UK, has chosen to return from her native New Zealand to London to celebrate her 18th Birthday. The star turns 18 years old on the 11th April and will celebrate with the Arts world in Soho, London. She will also be celebrating the news that her album has sold a staggering 2 million albums even though it is yet to be released in 80% of the world.
Speaking about her upcoming birthday she stated: "I'm really excited about coming back to London to start this new phase in my life. I love the UK and all my fans here. I always feel so at home and it's the perfect place to record and launch the new album and a new era!"
Hayley's debut international album PURE went straight in at No.8 in the UK pop album charts, unheard of for a classical artist, and No.1 in the Classical Charts. She became the fastest-selling debut classical artist of all time, ahead of Charlotte Church, Pavarotti, Bocelli and Russell Watson. The album turned GOLD in the UK in one week and quickly hit DOUBLE PLATINUM, with sales in excess of 800K. Hayley has also managed to charm audiences across the globe – she has become the biggest selling artist of all time in New Zealand (12x Platinum), the biggest selling classical artist of 2004 in Japan, and a multi-platinum seller across Australia and the rest of Asia.
This year sees Hayley recording her stunning new album due for release in September, as well as appearances around the world including a performance at Hampton Court Palace with Jose Carreras, and at London's Kenwood House Proms. Before her Birthday party Hayley is fitting in a flying visit to Denmark to perform with the likes of Tina Turner, Daniel Beddingfield and Morten Harket from A-Ha in a globally televised event "Once Upon A Time" dedicated to the life and works of Hans Christian Andersen. She then goes onto Ghana to continue her work as the youngest ever ambassador for UNICEF by publicising a project she is helping to fund.
Hayley's 18th birthday party takes place in Soho, London on the 11th April.
