Joanne Valda “Jo” O'Meara (born 29 April 1979) is an English singer, songwriter, actress and media personality.
O'Meara was given a full scholarship to attend the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, where she excelled in music, acting and dance – receiving a standing ovation by the heads and principals for her rendition of the song "Summertime".
[5] At age 16, O'Meara joined the earliest incarnation of girl group Solid HarmoniE and flew out to Sweden to work with record producer Max Martin.
[6] The show, which was a children's sitcom, often mirrored real life events which had occurred in S Club, including the relationship of Hannah Spearritt and Paul Cattermole, as well as the latter's eventual departure from the group.
S Club's second last single reached number-five in the UK charts and their final studio album failed to make the top ten.
[7] In 2004, O'Meara signed with Simon Fuller as her artist manager and began recording her debut solo album, planned to be released between September and December.
[8][9] In July 2005, O'Meara signed with Sanctuary Records and on 26 September was released her debut solo single, "What Hurts the Most", a version of Mark Wills's 2003 song.
[14] In November 2008, O'Meara, Bradley McIntosh, and Paul Cattermole formed the spin-off group S Club 3 and had been performing in nightclubs, universities and Butlins holiday camps around the United Kingdom.
A 20-year-old man was arrested and it was suggested the attack was linked to her Celebrity Big Brother appearance where she was accused of racially aggravated bullying.
[16][3] O'Meara featured in a cover of the Python Lee Jackson song "In a Broken Dream" on the Popes' 2012 album New Church, her first released recording in seven years.
[22][23] In September 2022, O'Meara joined the Celebs to mark the 40th anniversary of the Michael Jackson classic album Thriller and raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital, with a new rendition of the title track, which was released on the independent record label Saga Entertainment and produced by Grahame and Jack Corbyn.