Johnny Ruffo

Johnny Ruffo

Ruffo performing at One Direction's Up All Night Tour in Sydney, April 2012
Background information
Birth name John Patrick Ruffo
Born (1988-03-08) 8 March 1988
Balcatta, Western Australia, Australia
Genres Dance-pop
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter, dancer, actor, television presenter
Instruments Guitar, piano, vocals
Years active 2011–Present
Labels Johnny Ruffo Music Pty Ltd
Website johnnyruffoofficial.com

John Patrick Ruffo (born 8 March 1988),[1] better known by his stage name Johnny Ruffo, is an Australian singer, songwriter, dancer, actor and television presenter notable for being a finalist on the third season of The X Factor Australia in 2011. He placed third in the competition and subsequently signed a recording contract with Sony Music Australia. In 2012, Ruffo won the twelfth season of Dancing with the Stars Australia. His debut single "On Top", released in June 2012, peaked at number 14 on the ARIA Singles Chart and was certified platinum. Ruffo currently stars in the Australian soap opera Home and Away as Chris Harrington.

Biography

Early life

Johnny Ruffo was born in Balcatta, Western Australia, to parents Jill and Pascoe Ruffo.[2][3] Ruffo's parents separated when he was three years-old.[4] He spent most of his youth living in a small Homeswest unit with his mother.[4] At the age of 12, Ruffo began pursuing his dream in music, following in the footsteps of his idol, Michael Jackson.[4] He also taught himself how to play the guitar and piano, and wrote his first song at the age of 14.[4] Ruffo was educated at Balcatta Senior High School.[4] Before entering The X Factor, he worked as a concreter and got into the business thanks to his father who works in the trade.[2] Ruffo also performed around Perth with electropop band, Supanova.[2]

2011: The X Factor Australia

Ruffo successfully auditioned for the third season of The X Factor Australia in 2011, singing Jay Sean's "Do You Remember".[2] He eventually reached the live shows and was mentored by Guy Sebastian.[2] On 22 November 2011, it was announced that Ruffo placed third in the competition, while fellow contestant Reece Mastin was announced as the winner.[5]

Ruffo performed the following songs on The X Factor:[2][6]

2011–present: Record deal and other ventures

Shortly after the completion of The X Factor, Ruffo told News Limited on 30 November 2011 that he was offered a record deal with a major record label, whose name he was not allowed to confirm at the time.[7] He also revealed that he had already recorded several new tracks, stating "I've been in the studio in Perth recording some singles, quite a few different tracks so we can get the right one out there for my first release. The songs are very much my style, which is pop, R&B, mainstream sort of stuff".[7] In December 2011, Ruffo told Take 40 Australia that he had recorded a duet with his X Factor mentor Guy Sebastian.[8] On 16 December 2011, he co-hosted the radio program Nova's Fresh Hits with Gawndy on Nova FM.[9] On 20 December 2011, Ruffo performed at the Melbourne State Library as part of the Optus Celebrity Carols initiative to raise money for World Vision Australia.[10]

In January 2012, Ruffo revealed via his official Twitter account that he was working on his debut album in New York.[11] He was a supporting act for Reece Mastin's first headlining national tour in Adelaide on 28, 29 and 31 January.[12][13] In March 2012, it was revealed that the record label Ruffo had signed with was Sony Music Australia.[14] The following month, he became a celebrity contestant on the twelfth season of Dancing with the Stars and was partnered with professional dancer Luda Kroitor.[14][15] Later that month, Ruffo was a supporting act for One Direction's Australian leg of their Up All Night Tour.[16] On 18 April 2012, Ruffo was announced as the runner-up of Cleo magazine's 2012 Bachelor of the Year contest.[17] In May 2012, he was a supporting act for New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys' Australian leg of their NKOTBSB Tour.[18]

Ruffo's debut single "On Top" was released on 15 June 2012.[19] The song peaked at number 14 on the ARIA Singles Chart and was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), denoting shipments of 70,000 copies.[20][21] Ruffo was announced as the winner of Dancing with the Stars on 17 June 2012.[22] His winnings from the show were donated to the Youth Off The Streets charity.[22] In September 2012, Ruffo joined the live shows of the fourth season of The X Factor as the host of the digital live streaming show, The X Stream.[23][24] His second single "Take It Home" was released on 19 October 2012, and reached number 30 on the ARIA Singles Chart.[20][25]

Ruffo made his acting debut in the Australian television soap opera, Home and Away on 1 April 2013 as Chris Harrington. He was initially contracted to appear in 16 episodes but his contract was later extended.[26][27] Ruffo's third single "Untouchable" was released on 12 July 2013,[28] and debuted at number 39 on the ARIA Singles Chart.[20] His fourth single "She Got That O" was released independently on 15 May 2015, but failed to chart.[29] On 11 December 2015, Ruffo released a Christmas single, a cover of the timeless classic, "White Christmas".[30]

Influences

Ruffo cites Michael Jackson, Usher and Justin Timberlake as his musical influences because they have led him to combine his love for singing and dancing.[2][31]

Tours

Supporting act

Discography

Singles

Title Year Peak
chart position		 Certifications
AUS
[20]
"On Top" 2012 14
"Take It Home" 30
"Untouchable" 2013 39
"She Got That O" 2015 —
"White Christmas" 2015 —

Album appearances

Title Year Album
"Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" 2012 The Spirit of Christmas 2012[33]

Music videos

Title Year Director(s)
"On Top"[34] 2012
"Take It Home"[35]
"Untouchable"[36] 2013
"She Got That O"[37] 2015

Filmography

Television
Year Title Role Notes
2011 The X Factor Himself; contestant Season 3
2012 Better Homes and Gardens Himself; guest 1 episode
The Price Is Right Himself; celebrity contestant 1 episode
Dancing with the Stars Himself; celebrity contestant Season 12
The X Stream Himself; host
2013–2016 Home and Away Chris Harrington Regular role
2013 Slide Show Himself; celebrity contestant 1 episode
2014 Beauty and The Geek Australia Himself; celebrity contestant 1 episode
2015 Better Homes and Gardens Himself; guest 1 episode

Awards and nominations

Year Type Award Result
2013 Poprepublic.tv Awards[38] Favourite Australian Male Artist Nominated
2014 Logie Awards[39] Most Popular New Talent (Home and Away) Nominated

Personal Life

After being single for several years since before his appearance on The X Factor Australia, Ruffo is now presently in a relationship with Sydney dancer and model, Tahnee Sims, whom he met through friends in 2014.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.last.fm/music/Johnny+Ruffo
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "The X-Factor Australia Performers – Johnny Ruffo". The X Factor Australia. Yahoo!7. Archived from the original on 2011-09-17.
  3. ↑ McRae, Ross (2011-11-21). "Ruffo 'charms the pants off'". The West Australian (Seven West Media Limited). Archived from the original on 2012-03-30.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 McRae, Ross (2011-11-21). "Ruffo poised for big moment". The West Australian (Seven West Media Limited). Archived from the original on 2012-03-30.
  5. ↑ Byrnes, Holly (2011-11-22). "Reece Mastin wins Channel Seven's The X Factor from Andrew Wishart and Johnny Ruffo". The Daily Telegraph (News Limited). Retrieved 2012-03-29.
  6. ↑ Songs performed by Johnny Ruffo on The X Factor:
  7. 1 2 "Johnny Ruffo signs a deal with major record label". PerthNow (News Limited). 2011-11-30. Retrieved 2012-03-29.
  8. ↑ "Johnny Ruffo To Release Duet With Guy Sebastian". Take 40 Australia. MCM Entertainment. 2011-12-28. Retrieved 2012-03-29.
  9. ↑ "Johnny Ruffo joins Gawndy for Nova's Fresh Hits". Nova. DMG Radio Australia. Retrieved 2012-03-29.
  10. ↑ "Ricki-Lee, Johnny Ruffo And Shannon Noll To Busk For Charity!". The Hot Hits Live from LA. MCM Entertainment. 2011-12-08. Retrieved 2012-03-29.
  11. ↑ Eliezer, Christie (2012-01-11). "Industrial Strength: January 11". The Music Network. Peer Group Media. Archived from the original on 2012-03-30.
  12. ↑ "X Factor winner Reece Mastin puts runner-up Johnny Ruffo on concert tour". The Daily Telegraph (News Limited). 2011-11-28. Retrieved 2012-03-29.
  13. ↑ "Shows". Reece Mastin Official Website. Archived from the original on 2011-12-23.
  14. 1 2 "Johnny Ruffo | Dancing with the stars | People". Throng. Throng Media. 2012-03-23. Retrieved 2012-03-30.
  15. ↑ "Johnny Ruffo to show X Factor on Dancing With The Stars alongside Brendan Fevola". PerthNow (News Limited). 2012-03-10. Retrieved 2012-03-29.
  16. ↑ "Justice Crew And Johnny Ruffo To Support One Direction On Their Australian Tour". The Hot Hits Live from LA. MCM Entertainment. 2012-04-03. Retrieved 2012-04-03.
  17. ↑ "Hayden Quinn named CLEO bachelor". The West Australian (Seven West Media Limited). 2012-04-18. Retrieved 2012-04-20.
  18. ↑ "Johnny Ruffo To Support New Kids On The Block And Backstreet Boys Tour!". Take 40 Australia. MCM Entertainment. 2012-04-27. Retrieved 2012-06-11.
  19. ↑ "iTunes – Music – On Top – Single by Johnny Ruffo". iTunes Store (Australia). Apple. Retrieved 2012-06-15.
  20. 1 2 3 4 "Discography Johnny Ruffo". australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2012-06-24.
  21. 1 2 "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2012 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 2012-10-20.
  22. 1 2 Jackie, Epstein; Frost, Carleen (2012-06-17). "Johnny Ruffo wins 2012 Dancing With The Stars as Kerri-Anne Kennerly with breast cancer cries at Brendan Fevola's gift". Herald Sun (The Herald and Weekly Times). Retrieved 2012-06-18.
  23. ↑ "The X Factor Australia – Judges & Hosts". The X Factor Australia. Yahoo!7. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
  24. ↑ "The X Stream!". The X Factor Australia. Yahoo!7. Archived from the original on 2012-10-05.
  25. ↑ "iTunes – Music – Take It Home – Single by Johnny Ruffo". iTunes Store (Australia). Apple. Retrieved 2012-10-20.
  26. ↑ Knox, David (2012-10-21). "Johnny Ruffo for Home and Away". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2012-10-23.
  27. ↑ "Johnny Ruffo". Home and Away. Yahoo!7. Retrieved 2012-10-23.
  28. ↑ "Untouchable by Johnny Ruffo". iTunes Store (Australia). Apple. Retrieved 2013-06-21.
  29. ↑ "She Got That O – Single". iTunes Australia. Retrieved 2015-04-14.
  30. ↑ "White Christmas by Johnny Ruffo". iTunes Store (Australia). Apple. Retrieved 2015-12-11.
  31. ↑ "Johnny Ruffo: Singers @ EntertainOz". Entertainoz.com.au. Archived from the original on 2012-03-31.
  32. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2014 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 2014-04-09.
  33. ↑ "iTunes – Music – The Spirit of Christmas 2012 by Various Artists". iTunes Store (Australia). Apple. Retrieved 2012-11-12.
  34. ↑ Johnny Ruffo – On Top. YouTube. 2012-06-14. Retrieved 2012-06-15.
  35. ↑ Johnny Ruffo – Take It Home. YouTube. 2012-10-19. Retrieved 2012-11-12.
  36. ↑ Johnny Ruffo – Untouchable. YouTube. 2013-07-12. Retrieved 2013-07-13.
  37. ↑ Johnny Ruffo – She Got That O. YouTube. 2015-05-14. Retrieved 2015-06-20.
  38. ↑ Manser, Robert (25 January 2014). "Poprepublic.tv Awards Nominations Announced". Poprepublic.tv. AKA Entertainment. Archived from the original on 28 January 2014.
  39. ↑ Knox, David (31 March 2014). "Logie Awards 2014: Most Popular nominees". TV Tonight. Retrieved 31 March 2014.

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