Jody Williams

Jody Williams (born May 17, 1990) is a South African pop/R&B singer. She won the fourth season of the South African reality television singing competition Idols on 9 December 2007 at age 17, making her the youngest winner of the competition until 2017, when Paxton Fielies won the Competition at age 17.

Her debut platinum-selling album, Just Gonna Be Me, reached No. 1 on the South African Albums Chart, and spawned three consecutive number one singles on the South African Airplay Chart: "Love Is All Around", "Kiss of Life", "Wind It", and "Love Like This Before". Elements of Pop, R&B, dance and soul can be found in her music. Jody has cited singers Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion as her main musical inspirations and influences.

Early life Jody grew up in a home in Cape Town, South Africa, as one of three siblings. Jody has an older sister Candice, with a five-year age difference. She first picked up a hairbrush and started singing at age nine. At age 13, Jody started receiving vocal training.

Her winnings included a record deal with Sony BMG, a Citroen C1, a Cardies hamper, cellphone and spa treatments for a year and Yamaha music and sound equipment among other prizes. From Idols, Jody grew to become more mature and more confident with herself, and her performing and vocal abilities.

After Idols After Jody's victory on Idols, Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille said: Idols winner Jody Williams deserves special congratulations on her achievement of becoming South Africa's youngest idol. We know that she will continue to inspire the youth of today. To her parents we can only say, well done for raising such a beautiful, talented child. South Africa certainly needs more young role models like her. The ID will give her all the support she needs.

Jody was complimented by Celine Dion, who told her, "Good luck for the future. I wish you all the best. You'll get there". Jody was the opening act for Celine Dion in some of Dion's first 9 shows in the South African and first overall leg of Dion's Taking Chances Tour, which began 14 February 2008. She appeared on Idols, then recorded her debut album, whilst still at Bosmansdam High School, in the Milnerton suburb of Cape Town. She graduated at the end of 2009.

Williams performed a few songs in the 2009 South African Idols Finale including "Wind It". She represented the continent of Africa on the song "Everyone", the Official Theme Song of the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games.

Williams collaborated with four other artists, American Sean Kingston (Americas), Singaporean Tabitha Nauser (Asia), British Steve Appleton (Europe), and Australian Jessica Mauboy (Oceania). She released her newest single (2013) titled "Cosmic Coincidence" which is her first single to be available to buy on iTunes. Two years earlier she released a Christmas single titled "This Christmas" written with the help of her sister, Candice.