Same Difference were an English bubblegum pop duo from Portsmouth, England, made up of siblings Sean Smith and Sarah Smith. They came to prominence in 2007 when they were the last contestant eliminated in the fourth series of the ITV talent show, The X Factor.

Their music was targeted mostly at children who are 13 and under.^{[citation needed]} Their debut single, "We R One", was released on 24 November 2008, and their debut album, Pop, followed on 1 December 2008. In November 2009, it was announced that Same Difference had signed a new record deal with PopLife Records, and their second album was released on 7 February 2011.

On 24 December 2014, Same Difference broke the news that they had disbanded but were still considering as to whether to release their third and final album, Superheroes. London Records stated it was fun working with them and that they were disappointed they could not share more musical memories together.^{[citation needed]}

In 2020 Same Difference reunited for a one-off charity single with all proceeds going towards the COVID-19 Urgent Appeal. The single "One Life, One Love" was released through SP Music on 3 August and featured the students of SD Studios.^[1]

Biography

The two siblings were brought up in The Dale, Widley, in the Borough of Havant. At the time of their appearance on The X Factor, Sean (born 24 September 1985) was an entertainer in Portsmouth while Sarah (born 4 November 1988) was a student. Sean left home at the age of 17 to perform on cruise ships and appeared in a number of pantomimes. Together, they performed at a local retirement home. Sarah left home at 16 to attend the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts and completed her diploma in 2007. Sarah also worked as a model and acted in the show Genie in the House but stated that singing had always been her big passion.^{[citation needed]}

Career

Same Difference entered the fourth season of the British talent show The X Factor in 2007. They auditioned in London, where judge Simon Cowell described them as "potentially two of the most annoying people I've ever met." However, he went on to champion the duo as mentor, later calling them "genuinely nice people."^[2] During the live shows, the siblings came in for criticism from judge Louis Walsh, who described them as "cheesy" and suggested that they would be better suited to children's parties and pantomime. In response to Walsh's comments, Cowell and fellow judges Sharon Osbourne and Dannii Minogue disagreed, praising Same Difference for their upbeat performances.^[3]

The duo reached the final of the show, largely thanks to their performance of S Club 7's song "Never Had a Dream Come True" which received an enthusiastic reception from the studio audience. They eventually became the last contestant eliminated; Rhydian Roberts was the runner-up and Leon Jackson was the winner.^[4]

Performances on The X Factor

2008: Debut Album

After leaving the show, Same Difference initially signed a one-single contract with Simon Cowell's label Syco. During the X Factor Live tour the pair confirmed that their intended debut single was a cover of "Breaking Free" from High School Musical, which they had performed in the live shows of The X Factor.^[5] An original B-side to the single was also planned, entitled "The Miracle". The tracks were recorded in Poland in early March 2008.^{[citation needed]}

In April 2008 it was reported their original one-single deal had been replaced by a full album deal, still with Syco, rumoured to be worth around £1 million.

On 19 July 2008 the duo performed at the "My First Festival" show at Legoland Windsor, appearing alongside Chico, Fireman Sam, Angelina Ballerina, Bob the Builder, and The Groovie Movie Band.^[6] They gigs at various places throughout 2008, including Christmas light switch-ons and Butlins.

Sarah and Sean made several television appearances after leaving the show, including spots on Blue Peter, Basil's Swap Shop, GMTV and Noel's Christmas Presents. They also made several appearances on Nickelodeon. On 22 November 2008 they returned to The X Factor as special guests and performed their debut single "We R One". On Sunday 14 December 2008 Same Difference appeared as guests on CITV kids' show Toonattik.

Following a deal with Syco, Same Difference-themed dolls featured on the website Stardoll^[7]

In a newsletter sent to their fans, the duo confirmed that their debut single, "We R One", would be released on the Syco Music/Sony BMG label on 24 November 2008.^[8] It was written by J Elofsson and P Westerlund, produced, recorded and mixed by Quiz & Larossi for XL Talent, and published by Universal Music Publishing AB: Elofsongs.^[9] It was also confirmed on their official website that their album, released on 1 December 2008, would be called Pop.

One of the tracks recorded for the album and a potential single^{[needs update]} was a cover of the Stock Aitken Waterman-penned hit "Turn It Into Love".

An additional track recorded for their debut album, "I Need A House", was previously recorded by Swedish popstar Marie Serneholt and released as a single in 2006.^[10]

2009–11: The Rest Is History and new record label

Same Difference announced a 21-date UK tour for March and April 2009, but this was subsequently cancelled. Instead, the duo decided to co-headline a 21-date joint tour with fellow X Factor graduate Leon Jackson. Same Difference co-headlined the joint tour at Ipswich and Birmingham. They also played a solo one-off concert in Portsmouth.

Same Difference were dropped by record label Syco following disappointing sales of their debut album.

Under new management, the duo signed a new album deal with PopLife Records, and performed in a 66-date UK tour of Pontins Holiday Parks.

In December 2009, Same Difference announced on their Facebook Group the launch of a new website,^[11] sporting a quirky new look. The first single from their album, "Shine On Forever (Photo Frame)", was released on 29 August 2010,^[12] with music video directed by Lauren Pushkin^[13] and produced by PMA Digital.^[14] "Shine On Forever (Photo Frame)" entered the UK Singles Chart at Number 100 on 5 September 2010. The duo released their second album, The Rest Is History, on 7 February 2011.

On 10 September 2011, Same Difference announced on their "Same Difference Pop Academy", a course on singing and dancing for children. The course began in October 2011 in Portsmouth.

In late September 2011, Same Difference submitted an entry, "Music", to the Swiss national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2012.^[15] The bid failed, along with a separate one from Series 2 UK X Factor contestant Maria Lawson.

2012–2014: Superheroes and split

In spring 2012, Same Difference confirmed they had begun recording their third album, stating that they had matured and a new sound would feature on their new album. On 6 January 2013 London Records and Same Difference confirmed they had agreed a new record deal.

On 24 December 2014, Same Difference broke the news that they had disbanded but were still considering whether to release their third and final album, Superheroes.

In 2020 Same Difference reunited for a one-off charity single with proceeds going towards the COVID-19 Urgent Appeal. The single "One Life, One Love" was released through SP Music on 3 August and featured the students of SD Studios.^[1]

Sean Smith solo career

After Same Difference disbanded, Sean Smith performed in the title role of Aladdin in December 2015 at the Stiwt Theatre in Wrexham alongside Alex Reid.^[16]

He then went on to perform in a lead role in the touring UK production of 'That's Entertainment' from 4 April until 8 October 2016, performing alongside artists such as Jane McDonald & The Overtones.^[17]

Sean signed to Energise Records as a solo artist, and released his debut solo single "Turn Me On" on 23 September 2016. The single was written by Nalle Ahlstedt and Christian Ingebrigtsen from A1. The remix EP which featured a remix by Paul Varney.^[18]

He appeared in the title role of Aladdin at the Epstein Theatre in Liverpool from 8 December 2016 to 8 January 2017, starring alongside Natasha Hamilton, Jordan Davies and Mark Byron.^[16]

Sean released his second solo single "Magic" on 26 May 2017.^[19] On 22 May 2017, he appeared on the ITV show Loose Women to promote "Magic" and unveil his new look.^{[20][better source needed][21]}

His third solo single "Fire" was released on 2 November 2017.^[19]

Sean recorded a cover version of the track "Verona", originally performed by singers Koit Toome and Laura Põldvere, with Australian singer Peter Wilson. The single was produced by Matt Pop and released on 16 August 2018.^[19]

He appeared in Sleeping Beauty playing Prince Charming at the Capitol Theatre, Horsham in December 2018, starring alongside Ben Ofodu.

Sean released the single, "Do or Die" on 28 February 2019.^[19]

Sean played Tin Man in The Wizard Of Oz at The Epstein in Liverpool from 11 to 27 April 2019.

Sean was the lead vocalist on the 'Beware The Bear' track "Show Me Love", which was featured on the BBC2 drama Mother Father Son starring Richard Gere. The single was released on 23 May 2019 through SP Music.^[19]

Sean released "Dirty Mirrors", a duet with singer Ben Davidson, through Energise Records on 4 November 2019.^[19]

In December 2019, Smith played Aladdin at The forum Theatre in Barrow. This production then moved to the Colne Muni theatre in January 2020.

Sean released his debut solo album "Solo" through Energise Records on 20 July 2020.^[19]

Sean featured on the Beware The Bear track "Wishing on the Water" which was released through SP Music on 27 August 2020.^[19]

Sean then featured on the 5 track Beware The Bear EP "We Will Survive" released through SP Music on 11 November 2020. The EP peaked at number #15 on the UK iTunes Singer Songwriter Album Chart.^[19]

Sean released the "Hazard/Human" EP through Energise Records on 22 March 2021.^[19]

Sean released the album "Swing For The 90's" through SP Music on 16 April 2021. The album hit number #1 on the UK iTunes Jazz Album Chart & number #30 on the overall UK iTunes Album Chart. ^[19]

Sean released the duet "One And One" with Peter Wilson through Energise Records on 23 April 2021.^[19]

Sean released the singles 'In Love With The Night' through SP Music on the 17th June 2022 & Young Love on the 13th February 2023. ^[19]

Sean's new single "Feels Like Forever" is out on the 29th January 2024. ^[19]

Television appearances

Same Difference were invited again to The X Factor in 2008 to perform their debut single, "We R One". In 2009, they received a minor acting role in CBBC television sitcom Dani's House, in which they played brother and sister "Erik and Erika", two all-time winners of game shows. In 2009, Same Difference appeared in The DPK Gameshow (Danny, Pearse and Kevin). They also appeared on Celebrity Juice in 2013. In September 2016, Same Difference were interviewed on This Morning.^[22]

Other appearances

Same Difference switched on the Christmas lights in 2009 in the town of Coalville, Leicestershire. They switched on the Christmas lights in Burton upon Trent in November 2010.^[23]

They also played Lilac Fairy and Prince Robin at Weston-super-Mare, in the pantomime Sleeping Beauty December to January 2012 – 2013.

Same Difference performed at The Concorde Club in Eastleigh on 26 November 2016.

Discography

Studio albums

Singles