Charlotte Church Testifies in Media Ethics Inquiry
Charlotte Church is no longer the little girl who captivated millions with her powerful singing. She is long grown up and testifying about her experience with illegal eavesdropping by the "News of the World."
Charlotte Church became famous for her singing at the age of 11. She sang Pie Jesu for a radio show and became an instant sensation. People were amazed at her powerful voice and operatic style.
Church’s first CD, Voice of an Angel, featured traditional opera songs as well as hymns. It was well received, and at age 14 Church wrote and published her memoirs, Voice of an Angel: My Life (So Far). She performed for audiences worldwide and notable figures including Pope John Paul II, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, and President Bill Clinton.
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She then went on to develop and star in her own TV series: “The Charlotte Church Show.” The show got off to a rocky start, receiving heavy criticism for an episode in which Church mocked the Roman Catholic Church and compared Pope Benedict to Hitler. Several Catholic organizations pulled their support and boycotted the series.
Church is no stranger to the limelight. She recently testified in the British Media Ethics Inquiry that “the Murdoch press, and other British tabloids, had ruthlessly tormented her since she was a child singing sensation.”
She told of the intense impact the press had on her family, especially her mother. "Church said her mother had tried to kill herself in part because she knew a newspaper was planning to expose her husband's extramarital affair."
This is not the first time Church has had a negative experience with the press and the publicity she received. In a 2005 Observer interview, Church was questioned about her reaction to an Internet countdown to when she would turn 16, the British age of consent. Her reply was simple: “It was sick and disturbing.”
In the same interview at age 19, Church had this to say about the press. “As much as I can’t stand what’s written about me, I think it will really help with the transition [to a more mature sound].”
This is a far cry from this month’s comments about the “devastating impact” the publicity has had on her life.
The British Media Ethics Inquiry comes at the request of Prime Minister David Cameron. It is meant to deal with the issue of illegal eavesdropping by the “News of the World” tabloid. The paper shut down in July 2011 after much speculation and an investigation by Scotland Yard.
The fact that Rupert Murdoch owned “News of the World” is ironic since Church was invited, and performed, at his wedding when she was only 13. She recalled being impressed by his power and wealth in a statement during the Inquiry. Now it’s that same man who has had such a powerful, negative effect on the singer’s life. But Church has a new autobiography and album out; both are entitled Keep Smiling. It would seem that that’s exactly what Church intends to do.
