Biography for
Sarah Brightman More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

14 August 1960, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Height

5' 5½" (1.66 m)

Mini Biography

Sarah Brightman was born near London, England in 1960. She was a workaholic from an early age, never wasting a minute of free time. Straight from school, she went to ballet lessons. When she got home at eight o'clock, she went to bed. She got up at four in the morning to do her homework and then began the schedule all over again. When she was a teenager she decided to try her hand, or her vocals, at singing. In 1978, she released the single, "I Lost My Heart To A Starship Trooper" and it became an instant disco hit. In 1981, she tried out for a role in an up-and-coming musical, 'Cats'. It was there that she met her soul mate and future husband, Andrew Lloyd Webber. They were married in 1984, and she went on to star in a number of his shows, particularly 'The Phantom of the Opera', in which the role of Christine was written for her. Sarah gained recognition in the London theatre scene, but it was not the kind she wanted. People got the notion that the only push behind her success was that she was Mrs. Andrew Lloyd Webber.

A far too career-orientated Sarah decided the only way to get the recognition she deserved was to go out and gain it for herself. She divorced Lloyd Webber in 1990, but despite this, they are still the best of friends. In 1991, she met Frank Peterson. He became her producer, leading her to huge success with Albums such as Dive (1993), Fly (1995) Timeless/Time To Say Goodbye (1997), Eden (1998), and La Luna (2000). Her style and vocal ability range from upbeat pop songs to opera arias, all of which are performed beautifully. Because of Sarah's hard work and determination, her name and voice are known world wide. She is truly an artist.

IMDb Mini Biography By: John Deschene

Mini Biography

Sarah Brightman's incomparable soprano voice has sold millions of records and rung out from arenas, cathedrals, and Olympic stadiums across the world. Brightman is the winner of more than 160 gold and platinum awards in 34 countries, and a concert artist who has performed before millions of fans on every continent.

Born outside of London in 1960, Brightman has always been driven by passion for her art and an equally strong work ethic. As a child, she divided all her waking moments between school work and ballet class. At 12, she landed her first professional stage role in London's West End. Her first recording effort (the 1978 disco hit "I Lost My Heart To A Starship Trooper") launched her into pop stardom. Soon thereafter, she originated a role in "Cats," the groundbreaking musical by her future husband, Andrew Lloyd Webber. Webber's first classical piece, "Requiem," was inspired by Brightman's soprano voice, and her rendition resulted in her first Grammy nomination. The role of Christine in "Phantom of the Opera" - which she opened in London and New York - was also created expressly for her.

After the couple divorced, Brightman began to forge a solo career that would blend classical, pop and a multitude of other influences to transcend musical genre. Her lengthy collaboration with producer Frank Peterson resulted in a string of successful albums beginning with Dive (1993), Fly (1995), and Timeless/Time To Say Goodbye (1997). Later, Brightman released a series of highly personal and thematic albums: Eden (1998), La Luna (2000), Harem (2003, and Symphony (2008). Each generated its own world concert tour. Harem grossed over $60 million and played to 700,000 fans. In 2008, Brightman also starred in the cult film "Repo: The Genetic Opera," was the only Western artist invited to perform at the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympic games, and released her first holiday album, Winter Symphony.

Now, Brightman's career is expanding into other disciplines. In summer 2009, she completed filming Stephen Evans' "Cosi," in which she plays the role of a conductor, opposite Richard E. Grant. In addition, she recently formed her own production company, Instinct Films, where her first film is in pre-production. But fans of her crystalline voice and dazzling live performances need not despair: Brightman is also at work on a new album and live concert concept to be unveiled in the near future.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Jan Sheehan

Spouse

Andrew Lloyd Webber	(22 March 1984 - June 1990) (divorced)
Andrew Graham-Stewart	(1978 - September 1983) (divorced)

Trivia

Is the oldest of six children.

Attended the same school as actor Nigel Havers.

Composer (and then soon to be husband), Andrew Lloyd Webber, originally wrote the famous Phantom Of The Opera song "The Music Of The Night" for Sarah. It was originally titled "Married Man" with lyrics by British director Trevor Nunn, and sung at Lloyd Webber's yearly festival in the early 80s. At the time of writing and performing it, Lloyd Webber was still married to his first wife... what a hint!

Is still friends with her former "The Phantom of the Opera" stage co-star, Michael Crawford.

Her favorite songs are "Blackbird" by The Beatles, "Wichita Lineman" by Glen Campbell, "One" by U2, "Life On Mars" by David Bowie, "Heaven Or Las Vegas" by Cocteau Twins, "We Have All The Time In The World" by Louis Armstrong, "Reckoner" by Radiohead and "Perfect Day" by Lou Reed. (Source: BBC Radio 2 "Tracks of My Years").

"Time to Say Goodbye" - her first album released in the U.S., debuted at the Billboard Top 200 albums at number seventy-one, ranking a low position for an artist, but a higher position for a Classical music album, however the album peaked at number-one at the Billboard Top Classical Crossovers Albums, generating a reign at the peak for thirty-five consecutive weeks.

Ex-stepmother of Imogen Lloyd Webber and Nick Lloyd Webber.

Ex-sister-in-law of Julian Lloyd Webber.

Personal Quotes

In the past, I always used to be looking for answers. Today, I know there are only questions. So I just live.

When I sing, I close my eyes. If I see a feather, everything is fine. Without this image in my mind, the sound is not 'truthful' enough and I must begin again. I have to. I first had this feeling, this instinct, with 'The Phantom of the Opera', and since then have always listened to it.

It really is strange the way I work for success but when I get there cannot appreciate it. I enjoy the road to success and the struggle - even when it becomes hard. But when I achieve my goal, I feel suddenly and totally stressed. Only in retrospect can I begin to enjoy the moment and admit just how great it was.

My fans want me with my hair.

I live in a plane more or less.

Right before I go on stage I'm absolutely terrified. My mind darts at many directions but the center of me is going forward into the performance.